“I know they have a few little restaurants that serve your food, but they aren’t open all the time. Maybe with the new influx of humans they can be open more often. Although, I don’t know where they get their food from. We bring them items from Earth each trip. That can’t last very long. And this trip what food we scavenged from out old ship was brought to this one for all of you. I guess you will just have to wait and be surprised.” He patted my hand where it laid.
I squeezed his arm in response and smiled. “Another adventure? As long as we don’t see any more of those bugs, I’ll be just fine.”
"I am not sure they have been exterminated yet. That is partly why so many warriors are going with us. There is no need to worry, with two hundred extra trained fighters, you will be safe. Stay alert, and never leave the safety of the walls without a security force accompanying you, and you won't have anything to worry about." We arrived at the mess hall, and it was crowded. There weren't any empty tables.
We walked toward the replicators, and I noticed Balin and Eshen, they were at a table with a few others I didn’t recognize. “Hi guys, how goes it?” I waved to them. They timidly waved back and gave me very small smiles. I felt Zelan stiffen when he looked at them. “What’s wrong?”
“How do you know them?” He nodded towards the table of guys.
"They were here last night when we had our movie night. They were nice and polite. Nothing to worry about.” I nudged his arm with my shoulder.
“One of them seems very attracted to you,” he said gruffly.
“Zelan, I’m on a date with you, not him. So don’t worry. I think they all got the hint when the Commander announced that you had claimed me as your mate.” I shook my head.
He whipped his head toward me. “He said that? Really? To all of the men in here last night?”
“Yes, he did. Anyone who was sitting anywhere near me moved. Didn’t you see how they greeted me tonight? They were worried you’d be upset. So give them a break and realize that I will be making friends with the guys on your team. It’s not like there are thousands of people here. We’re going to add significantly to the size of the outpost when we all move over there, aren’t we?” I looked at the menu selections on the replicator while meathead next to me thought about what I said.
“They really did move away once they heard you were taken?” He smiled and put his hand on the small of my back.
“Look, I’m a one-man kind of woman. I said I wanted to date you, and I do. That’s what we’re doing tonight. Golen did warn me about you.” I sighed. “I won’t date anyone else while we’re dating. I understand that alien males can’t handle jealousy well, so stop flashing black and look at me instead of those guys who are cowering under your glare.” I grabbed his chin and pulled it towards me. “I don’t like jealousy. It’s a stupid emotion, so check it at the door when we are together. Got it?”
He was so infuriating. That smile of his was so bright it could light the room all on its own. Add to it the fact that he pulsed purple again, and I knew he was excited about what I just said. Alien men were so strange.
“You are right, Natalie. I am sorry. Sometimes it is very difficult for V’Zenian’s to not get jealous. It is a failing that we all deal with. What would you like for dinner?” He looked at the replicator menu as I scrolled through it.
"I think a nice baked chicken breast with rice sounds really good. What about you? Do you have any favorites?" It was time to get to know each other. I read once in Cosmo that you should know what your man loves to eat. The way to his heart was through his stomach or some such nonsense. I wondered if it was the same with aliens.
“My favorite meal is the Gardorzch. I think the closest Earth meal would be beef stew. I love mine with the green vegetables. We have a hearty one that looks similar to your Kale. Do you like Kale?” My meal had just come out, and he was selecting his.
“Not really. Vegetables are not all that tasty to me. I prefer meat and potatoes or rice. Although, I do love salads and corn. Back home I took vitamins to make up for my lack of vegetables.” I took my plate and looked around for a table. None were open. “Should we take this back to your place? All of the tables are full.”
He turned around and gave a menacing stare to the guys I spoke to earlier, and they all got up immediately and left the room. “That wasn’t very nice. It’s not like there’s another place they can go to have fun inside of this ship.”
"Yes, there is. This ship is equipped with a full-size gym. That is why the holding cells are so small. Normally, our ships have a nice gym and even a running track. So they have plenty to do besides taking up space in the mess hall, especially since they have already eaten." He picked his plate up from the replicator, and I followed him to the newly vacated table.
As soon as we sat down, the tables directly next to us also emptied out rather quickly. A couple of the men hadn’t even finished their meals. Instead, they ate standing up next to the far wall.
“Why did they do that? They could have stayed here.” I shook my head.
“Because they realized that we needed privacy. They probably assumed we would be discussing our mating. You might get some questions once we relocate to New Hope as to why you are living in the barracks and not with me. I support whatever you wish to say.” His soft voice sent goosebumps all down my arms, until I realized what he was really saying.
“Seriously? People are going to ask why I haven’t jumped into bed with you yet? We only just met. That’s crazy. Surely not everyone moves as fast as the Commander, Rotna, and Cazon?” Or was that the norm?
“Those relationships moved at the normal pace for a human and a VZ Hybrid. Since I am full-blooded, we should have already mated. Normally the process is faster as our emotions are stronger. I am curious why you have not yet succumbed to my emotions. While I have kept them in check to the best of my abilities, you should be feeling a very strong pull to me.” He furrowed his brow and looked at me.
It was rather disconcerting.
“I… well, um, I do have strong feelings for you. Nonetheless, I have stronger feelings about maintaining my identity while I figure this all out. You did say you would give me time. Did you think that by saying something like that I would be appeased, and it would only take a few days for me to fall into your arms?" I pointed my fork at him and then narrowed one eye.
"No, I…well I did think it wouldn't take you long to realize the attraction and become ready for me." He squirmed in his seat.
It was about time he felt some nerves over this entire situation. Since I met him he has been in charge and control to some degree. I finally had the upper hand.
A slow smile spread across my face. “Zelan, I meant what I said. We have five months to figure this out. I plan on taking that time. All of it. So don’t think that I will be in your arms within the week. Maybe it will happen before the new ship arrives, and maybe not.”
His eyes opened wide and his veins turned blue. “Five months? You want to wait that long?”
I sighed. “Zelan, we barely know each other. I have no idea if we even have the same beliefs about family and where we are going to live. This takes time. We need a chance to get to know one another better and see if we really are compatible. I want something more than just strong emotions, I want a true friendship and partnership with the man I’m going to marry.
He took my hand in his and his face softened when he looked me in the eyes. “Natalie, I want the same thing. The only reason I came on this mission was to find a mate so I could have children. We both agree on family and how important it is. The rest will come in time. We will have the rest of our lives to get to know one another deeply. I want you with me before we leave this planet.”
“Honestly, I was hoping to stay here. What were your plans? To join the Commander and head back to Earth so you could abduct more humans?” I pulled my hand from his, sat back, and crossed my arms over my chest and scowled.
“Actually, yes. I thought you would come around like
Paris has and be happy on our ship. You have friends here. However, the plans have recently changed. We are to head to the border with the Zateelians. Even if we don’t go to war, we still have to show them our strength. They can’t get away with what they have done here.” His veins started to pulse orange, which meant he was getting upset.
“Our President is livid over the attack. This planet is too far inside our space. They should never have come this far, and the fact that they have sent several ships here to attack us just means they want war.” He put his fork down and looked off into the distance.
“I am sure we are talking to our allies right now and getting the assistance we will need to rid the universe of those disgusting, mutant cockroaches. They don’t even deserve to breathe the same air as us.” He pounded his hand on the table and his veins began to pulse black.
This conversation had gone way off target.
“I agree, they need to be exterminated like the slimy bugs they are. Can we turn this conversation back to something nicer? Like New Hope? I like that name it really does represent what I’m feeling right now, hope. Hope for a brighter future. Maybe even one that includes us… here… together.” I took hold of his hand, squeezed it, and smiled tentatively for him. He needed to calm down and showing him affection usually helped to turn his veins back to purple.
"Thank you, Natalie. This is why I need you in my life, even if you aren't my mate, yet. You have the power to calm me down. No one else can do that for a V'Zenian. Especially for a pure-blood. We tend to fly off the handle a bit faster than the hybrids.” He interlocked our fingers together and moved so that we were sitting next to each other instead of across from one another.
That overwhelming desire to kiss him took hold of me, and I couldn’t stop it. Right there in the mess hall, in front of all who were left in the room, I kissed Zelan. It was our first real kiss. I swear I saw fireworks. He pulled me tight against his chest and wrapped his strong arms around me. I grabbed ahold of his biceps and held on for my life. Ben never kissed me like that.
Our lips fit together perfectly and his tongue, oh my! His tongue knew exactly what to do. Mine even responded in a way I had never experienced before. My heart was pounding so loud I thought for sure it was going to jump out of my chest. If I died right there, I would have been a very happy woman.
Without breaking the kiss, he picked me up and pushed me up against the wall, just as I imagined yesterday. I don’t know how he knew it was what I wanted, but he did. His hands were all over my sides, and one even grabbed my butt. I think I moaned when he did that. I should have been embarrassed, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. Obviously.
My hands roamed along his arms and then over his chest. Oh, that chest, I knew that once I accepted his offer, he would never be allowed to wear a shirt when we were alone. I wanted to take his shirt off right then and there until I realized where we were and what I was doing. I gently pushed back against his chest and pulled my head back from him just a bit. He got the message and ended the kiss. He did not pull away from me. Instead, he was breathing very heavily and put his forehead against mine.
“Natalie, please don’t be mad at me. That was the best kiss I have ever experienced.” He kissed me on the temple, and I almost kissed him back.
"I'm not mad. It was getting a bit too intense for me. And from what I can see of your veins, for you as well." I was breathing heavily just like he was. However, his veins were pulsing a very deep red, almost burgundy.
He kissed my cheek and the corner of my lips. “I agree. That was very intense. Too bad our first official kiss was in front of a crowd.” He lightly chuckled as he kissed my neck under my ear.
I moved my head and finally noticed that the room was completely cleared out. “When did everyone leave?”
He turned his head and scanned the room. “Pretty much as soon as I picked you up and pushed you up against the wall. Not that I was paying them any attention. Nevertheless, I did hear the chairs scrape against the floor as everyone made a hasty retreat.” He went back to kissing my neck, which was giving me goosebumps all over my body and sent shivers down my spine.
My breathing started to get heavy again, and my mouth looked for his. For the second time, I initiated the kissing.
After a couple of minutes, he asked, "Do you want to go back to my room?" Then he trailed kisses down the side of my neck to my collarbone.
"Yes. I mean no. I’m not ready for that yet." I pushed back against his chest again, and this time, I put my forehead on his chest to keep him from kissing me again.
He kissed the top of my head. “I understand.” He hugged me tightly before pulling back. “Are you still hungry or do you want to do something else?”
“I’m not really hungry, but I should probably eat some of my dinner. I only took a couple of bites.” I chuckled and felt my cheeks heat. In fact, my entire body was hot. That kiss was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Was it because Zelan’s an alien? Or was it as he said, we were fated mates? If I kissed another alien would it feel like that?
We went back to our meals and ate quietly. I couldn’t get that kiss out of my head. His hands, oh goodness! They felt so good on my body. It never felt like this with Ben.
Ben rarely touched me. Thinking back now, I wondered how I never realized that he wasn’t interested in me physically.
Once I was finished with my dinner, I asked him to take me home.
“Which home? Mine, or Paris’?”
I chuckled. “Paris’ quarters please. I won’t be sharing your bed until we are mated.”
“So that means you have decided to accept my proposal?” His eyelids hooded an he stared at my mouth.
“Um, not yet. I don’t doubt that it will happen, but I still need some time. We need to figure out where we are going to live. Honestly, I want to stay here on the planet.” I was so excited to move to New Hope and start a life there, I couldn’t even think about going back to space.
His smile started to fade a little. “I don’t know if that is possible for me. But like you said, we still have five months. Maybe Commander Croso will request that I stay on once the battalion of warriors arrives."
We got up and cleaned our dishes, and he walked me back to my quarters. “Goodnight, Zelan. I hope you didn’t get the wrong idea when I kissed you tonight. Truly, I don’t know what came over me. It was an overwhelming need to kiss you and be closer to you that I couldn’t fight.” I could feel my cheeks burning as I admitted to him how I felt.
He kissed my cheek and pulled back. “I think those might have been my feelings you picked up on. I have been fighting my desire for you over this past week but most especially since our time at New Hope. Please forgive me if my emotions took control of you.” He sheepishly looked down at our feet.
I pulled his chin up. “It’s fine. I really did enjoy that kiss. In fact, I hope that our next date is soon so I can kiss you like that again. Just, maybe not quite so intense the next time. Or public.”
He gave me a chaste kiss on the lips that lingered just enough to make me want more. “Goodnight, sweet dreams. I will comm you tomorrow as soon as I get some time.” He kissed me again on the top of my head and stood back and waited until I went inside Paris’ quarters.
Chapter 14
The next morning when I woke up, I was already missing Zelan. My dreams were full of him, and this morning I ached to have him hold me. What was wrong with me?
I got up and found Paris in the kitchen. She had just finished her breakfast. “Paris, I need to ask you some personal stuff.” I fixed myself some tea and sat down at the table. She joined me. “When you first accepted the Commander’s proposal to be his mate, you were not yet attracted to him, right?”
“True, but once we started spending time together my attraction grew rather quickly. It seemed a bit supernatural in its intensity and speed. I quickly accepted it and haven’t looked back once. There are some issues I still have to deal with, but I suppose it’s the same for you?�
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“Yes, the slavery issue is the biggest concern I have. That being said, I also really wanted to spend some time getting to know who I am as a person. Not as someone else’s plus one.” I sighed and wondered what had happened to staying single for a while. “I have seen women who go from man to man, never understanding who they are as a woman. That’s not what I want.”
"You’re feeling the pull, aren't you? To mate with Zelan?” Paris was trying to hide her smile, but I could see the corners of her mouth tilted up and her cheeks begin to color.
“Yes, he kissed me for the first time last night. Actually, it was me who kissed him.” I looked down at the cup in my hands and chucked. “But the desire was so strong it seemed to control me. I pretty much attacked him in the mess hall in front of a bunch of warriors. Thankfully, they cleared the room pretty quickly.” I shook my head remembering last night.
"I wish I could have seen that. Zelan must have been in heaven." She smiled over the rim of her teacup.
“Yes, he was rather pleased. He told me that my emotions probably came from him. It seems that as a pure-blood, his emotions will control me more than a hybrid’s would. That scares me a little. Are my feelings for him real, or is it just his emotions taking over mine? It doesn’t make sense.” If my emotions weren’t my own, then there was no way I could marry him.
"I had a similar situation with Venay, and he explained it to me that my emotions are real. His emotions can heighten mine, but he can't actually create emotions within me that aren't already there. So, that means that you do have real feelings for Zelan. I didn't realize that a pure-blood could influence you more than a hybrid. That’s very interesting.” She chewed on her lower lip as she considered the situation.
“So, does that mean I do have real feelings for him and his abilities are just heightening them? Or does he have the ability to create feelings in me that I wouldn’t naturally have? You know, since he’s a pureblood?” If he could create emotions in me, that really scared me. However, if he was just able to heighten what I already felt for him, well … I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, not yet anyway.
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