Chapter 6
Riley
I thought two days would be plenty of time for me to figure out what I want to do, but I’m still as undecided today as I was when Zalik returned to his village.
It doesn’t help that Dane hasn’t left the planet.
Why he didn’t leave, I’m not sure. It’s not a great sign, though.
Knowing that Lara is dead, as well as the baby, should have made him go back to Earth.
I worry he has something planned for me.
Dane and I have always hated each other. Mostly because I saw him for what he is. Lara did as well, but she was forced to play nice. I wasn’t. Sadly, I think she suffered for my behavior, even though she denied it.
A noise outside my tent brings me to the door. I swing open the flap in time to see Zalik’s hand raised. He quickly lowers his arm to his side
“Greetings, Riley. I hope I did not disturb you.”
“Not at all. I was just sitting here thinking.”
“It is a pleasant turn, so I thought perhaps we could go for a walk.”
Didn’t he say a walk was considered a date by the Tavikhi? I’d been amused at the thought of something so simple meaning so much to them.
“A walk would be good. I could use the fresh air.” Maybe it will clear my head and make my decision easier. “Let me just put my shoes on.”
I duck back inside and quickly throw on my boots. In less than a minute, I’m standing outside next to Zalik. He scans me from head to toe, and I feel my face flush.
“You look lovely this turn,” he says.
“Thank you.”
He dips his head and sweeps his arm out for me to proceed. Zalik falls in at my side as we walk.
“Stella is doing well,” he says quietly.
“I’m so glad. She’s not been too fussy has she?” She’s been a happy baby since birth, but I worry that’s changed in the short time she’s been away from me.
“Not at all. She is a pleasant kit. The shefir’s kit has taken a great liking to her, so Dasha visits often.”
I manage a laugh. “I’m glad she has so many people taking care of her.”
“She is part of our tribe and always be taken care of. Evren and Astrid even share their supply of special milk. The Bohnari crafted it for her because she cannot drink the natural milk Astrid produces from her chest mounds.”
Lara and I didn’t have any secrets between us, but it feels a little weird hearing Zalik talk so casually about breast milk. There were certain topics back on Earth people didn’t discuss in public or in specific company. Then again, we’re not on Earth anymore.
“I’m glad she’s getting enough to eat. That had been my greatest fear leaving her. That whoever found her wouldn’t know what she could eat or what was safe to give her. But I figured there were enough human females in your village that someone would know.”
Zalik stays me with his hand on my arm. “You never have to worry about Stella. No matter what happens, she will always be taken care of. And if you decide we are not to be formally mated, you will still be welcome in our village to see her.”
Unable to stop myself, I step into his personal space and wrap my arms around him. “Thank you.”
He returns my embrace and I let the warmth of his body sink deep into my bones.
God, he’s so strong and he smells so good.
I could stand here, just like this for hours.
I can’t remember the last time I was hugged.
Especially by a man. Right then and there, my decision is made.
It’s not the hug that tips the scale, although it doesn’t hurt Zalik’s cause.
It’s the fact that even if I choose not to be his mate, he won’t punish me for it and will still let me see my daughter.
How many guys would do that? Definitely not Dane.
I loosen my hold and step backward. He releases me immediately.
I lift my head to stare up at his alien face with his yellow and purple feline-like eyes and brow bones where eyebrows should be.
His flat bone nose is so different from mine and Stella’s.
Zalik’s lips are nice and full and I’d enjoyed the brief kiss we shared the other day.
“Do you dislike what you see?” he asks after an extended silence.
I can’t tell anything from his tone. Is he worried I might? Doesn’t care what my opinion is? “Not at all. Do you dislike what you see?”
Zalik grins and plays with strands of my hair. “Not at all.”
I match his grin and at his echoed words, my heart skips a small beat. Not that I think I’m unattractive or anything, but it’s nice to hear someone compliment me. Who wouldn’t appreciate their partner enjoying the way they look?
Good lord. Now I’m thinking of Zalik as my partner. Flustered, I start walking again and lead us out the side gate and toward the river. I sit on the bank with my legs outstretched in front of me and stare across it. He sits next to me, not touching, but heat radiates off him.
“Will you tell me something about yourself?” I glance over.
“What would you like to know?”
“Anything.” Everything.
“I have seen twenty-five warm seasons. Or years, in human words.”
Twenty-five? I never would have guessed. In fact, I would have pegged him for closer to my age. “I’m nearly thirty. Another couple months. Or moon cycles as you call them.”
“I have always had an appreciation for an older female,” Zalik says with a large grin.
My mouth falls open and I playfully push him. “Older female? How rude of you. Besides, I prefer the term ‘seasoned’.”
“A seasoned female? That makes me wonder what you might taste like.”
My cheeks heat at Zalik’s innuendo. From the devious twinkle in his eyes and the sly grin he wears, he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. Images of all the ways he can taste me start running through my mind. He leans close and runs a finger down my cheek.
“I love this color. It is perhaps my new favorite.”
I duck my head, but a pleasant buzz flows through me. My new mate is a flirt. Not something I thought I’d like in a guy, but with Zalik it’s endearing.
“It covers more than just my cheeks. In case you were wondering.” Why not try my own hand at flirting? Although, mine is filled with far more sexual innuendo than maybe it should.
One of his brow bones raises, at least as much as it’s able. “Is it wrong of me to admit I was wondering that exact thing?”
“I don’t think so. We are mated, after all.” There. I said it out loud.
“Are we?” Zalik asks.
If I say yes, there’s no going back. With the Tavikhi, I expect it’s all or nothing. Confidence I don’t truly feel rushes through me, and I take his hand in mine, threading our fingers. “Yes. We are.”
Zalik gently squeezes. “This makes my heart glad.”
“Mine, too.”
Neither of us break eye contact. An intimate closeness falls between us, something I’ve never felt with anyone before.
Staring at another person like this should be awkward, but it’s not.
In fact, it’s making me completely aware of him…
in every way. Also aware of myself and certain, very specific, parts of my body.
I press my thighs together to try and ease the ache between them, but it doesn’t help. It almost makes it worse, actually.
“Can I mouth touch with you?” Zalik asks. “Kiss you?”
I nod. Slowly, he leans in and brushes his lips over mine.
It’s soft. Gentle. Sweet. Maybe too much, so.
I press closer, deepening our connection and part my mouth in invitation.
An invitation he answers. Zalik sweeps his tongue inside to glide along the length of mine.
He tastes sweet with a faint hint of some type of sugary syrup. I could become addicted to the flavor.
He spears his fingers through my hair and tilts my head with almost no effort.
Not that I have any intention of stopping him.
Desire flares hotter, especially when Zalik lies me back and covers my body with his.
A loose vice tightens around my thigh and I realize it’s his tail.
For some reason that makes me even hotter and my panties grow more damp.
The kiss goes on and on. I never want it to end.
“I knew you were a whore. Just like Lara.”Zalik and I break apart and he jumps to his feet, palming his blaster in a single move. Dane stands within only a few feet of us, a sneer of disdain across his face. I scramble to my feet, refusing to give the bastard the satisfaction of looming over me.
“Go fuck yourself. I’m no whore, and neither was Lara.” I’m only cursing at him because having Zalik here gives me confidence. “He’s my mate—husband—and we’re allowed to kiss.”
Dane’s mouth twists in rage. “You’re married to this alien?”
I straighten and cross my arms. “Not that it concerns you, but yes.”
“You and that whore wife of mine left and stole something that belongs to me. Everything you do is my concern.”
I force myself to ignore his insult against Lara and his sudden desire to claim Stella. “She and the baby are both dead because of you. As far as I’m concerned we’re done having any contact. Why don’t you crawl back into that ship of yours and take your sorry ass back to Earth?”
I’m seething with rage.
Dane casually strolls closer, but there’s a predatory movement to him. “See, that’s where I think you’re lying.”
I gape at him. “You think I’m lying that Lara died in childbirth? Ask Alice or anybody else in the settlement. They all saw her body. They helped burn it. She’s not hiding somewhere waiting for you to leave so she can come out.”
Dane holds up a finger. “Funny thing there. Because, yes, I do believe that bitch is dead. It’s that mongrel she carried that I don’t think is. I understand you recently received a transmission from Lara’s cousin, yes?”
I can feel the blood drain from my face. “I…”—swallow—“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Riley.” Dane laughs and the pure evilness in it sends a shiver down my spine. “She warned you I was on my way. Did you really believe I wouldn’t have someone monitoring all of Rachel’s transmissions? I know how close she and Lara were.”
I’m so cold. “Yes, Rachel did tell me you were coming, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“Ah, but I think it does. I think you have that kid stashed away somewhere and the minute I leave she’ll miraculously be found.
I have no intention of letting that happen.
You better get used to seeing me around more often.
” Dane grins maniacally, salutes me, and turns to head back into the forest. He stops just short of it and glances over his shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Somehow, I manage to hold it together until he disappears completely. Then, I fall to my knees and burst into tears. Not even the warm embrace of Zalik makes things better.