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  He smiled softly. “I did good then.”

  She laughed, partly from embarrassment she wasn’t used to feeling, and partly out of relief that he’d broken the tension with his nod to sex.

  “I’m glad,” he said more seriously. “There’s one thing I know without a doubt. You’re the kind of woman who needs to be thoroughly loved on a regular basis.”

  The words made her uncomfortable. “This isn’t love. It’s not.”

  “What just happened is called making love. That, lieutenant, wasn’t just sex.”

  She felt her brow pull together. “Of course it was.”

  He sighed. “Maybe for you, it was just sex. For me, I was giving you everything I had.” He flashed another bright Tarrel-smile as he climbed off her and sat at the edge of the mattress. “Then again, there’s a lot more I’d like to show you.”

  He stood and walked to the bathing room. She liked the way his ass flexed with each step, and seeing the familiar easy stride without the obstruction of clothing.

  “Care to join me?” he called.

  Her breath caught. She did want to join him. Very badly. Her pussy throbbed pleasantly and her thighs still felt trembly, but she wanted to have sex with him again as soon as possible.

  Her smile faded abruptly. This was the inhibitor making her think these things. When she was herself again, she’d be able to resist the temptation. If she wanted to. The thought that he’d made love to her, while she’d expected sex, made her nervous.

  Did he love her? Was he expecting her to love him back? A pit opened in her chest. She couldn’t let that happen. She didn’t want to love like a human. History was littered with the volatility of the human race and what emotions did to them. War, divorce, battery, drunkenness, suicide. Those were the legacy left by humans. She wanted no part of it.

  She glanced toward the bathing room again. While she definitely wanted Tarrel, however she could get him, what he offered her was at a price she couldn’t-wouldn’t-afford.

  “You go ahead. I’ll clean up after you.”

  He poked his head out, a funny expression on his face. After a minute he retreated. “Suit yourself, sexy. But don’t think this thing between us is over.”

  “It’s over,” she whispered to herself. “It has to be.”

  Chapter Three

  Neela spent the next two days staying as far away from Tarrel as she could, in the small skiff. She told him that she didn’t feel right about going to King Thrax fresh from Tarrel’s bed and though he didn’t look like he believed her, he respected her decision. The only reason she got away with the misdirection was because there was some partial truth to it. She did feel trampy going from one man’s bed to another.

  Neela left the sleeping compartment and scooted around to sit in the co-pilot’s chair as they made their final approach. Tarrel only gave her a cursory glance that echoed the same tension that had filled the air for the past forty-eight hours or so.

  He flashed her a tight smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll get away from me soon enough.”

  The inhibitor kept her from outright lying so she couldn’t give him reassuring phrases like, “I’m not trying to stay away from you, really.” So she kept her silence.

  He seemed to appreciate the illusion because he never directly asked her how she was feeling after they’d had sex powerful enough to make her cry for the beauty of it. It still shook her.

  She sighed, trying to relax as they cruised just outside Prill’s gravitational pull.

  A collection of ruddy-pink patches of Prill’s open plains and the yellow tufts of Surrilla trees were easily distinguishable at this distance. Mild climates, concentration of different gasses and its position as fifth planet in the system gave vegetation a dreamy hue. One day she hoped to have a vacation home by one of the Decoran lakes.

  “I’m going to ask that you be allowed to stand guard during negotiations,” she said calmly.

  She could feel his curious gaze on her profile. “You want me to watch?”

  “I want you to make sure he doesn’t hurt me in my current state.” Her cheeks flushed hot. She knew it wasn’t a fair request, but her nerves were shot. She’d never been anything but absolutely confident with herself. It had only recently become apparent that part of that was due to her natural emotional restraint.

  “If you need me, I’m there,” he answered flatly.

  Tarrel made an adjustment to the flight path. They skimmed the silver surface of the moon, close enough to see the timeless craters and the outline of the mine on its horizon. She’d been protecting the Emissary when that deal was brokered too.

  “Thank you,” she acknowledged.

  “I could turn the skiff around right now, if you asked me to.”

  “I made a deal.”

  “It can be broken,” he snapped.

  She turned, all her nerves flaring to the service as she struggled to contain herself. “Not unless you want to go back to Elara and explain our treason.”

  “They can’t make you spread your legs for this guy,” he insisted.

  “They aren’t making me,” she shouted. She took several breaths. “King Thrax’s cooperation is hugely important to us. I’m the only thing he’s ever agreed to barter for. My ethics aren’t as important as that ore mine we just passed. Besides, it was my decision.”

  “They coerced you,” he argued back angrily.

  “They didn’t. I agreed.”

  “Before you were inhibited. But now? How do you feel about it now?” he pressed.

  Damn, he’d asked point-blank. She tried not to answer but her mouth was moving before the command would hold. “I’m excited.”

  “Excited? Excited? To be fucked over a political move? What the hell are you thinking?”

  And again with the direct questions. “I’m thinking that King Thrax is a very attractive man who makes me wet between my legs when I think of him rutting on me and if I could have both of you without consequences, I’d gladly live the rest of my life in bed.”

  A surprised laugh escaped him. “What?”

  “You heard me. Please stop asking questions.”

  Mischievousness twinkled in the depths of his blue eyes. “I forgot about the truth aspect of that inoculation you took. I guess I figured an Elaran had some resistance to the medicine, but it looks like you’re as susceptible as a human. Damn, I can’t believe I missed out on two days of absolute truth.”

  “Shut up. Please.”

  “So, Neela, how badly do you want to suck my cock?” he asked cheerfully.

  “Really badly. I want to feel it slide across my tongue and hit the back of my throat. I want to taste you and see if you taste salty or sweet. I want to hear you moan,” she clapped a hand over her mouth, horrified. “I want your balls to bounce on my chin.”

  “Holy fuck,” he breathed.

  She could see the wheels turning in his mind. She shook her head in warning. “I’m going to beat your ass when this is over, so help me God.”

  “Two more questions,” he said.

  “No!”

  “Are you keeping your distance from me because you want to be clean for the King, or because I scare you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I see. So there’s a little of both in there,” he murmured. “Last question. How do you feel about me?”

  She searched her mind, amazed when words didn’t just appear on her tongue. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly.

  “Fair enough. Have you ever wanted me before the inhibitor?” he asked.

  “You said two! Yes. All the time, I just never wanted to risk the relationship we had.” Deflated, she turned away from him. Half the things she’d said, she hadn’t even known herself until she was telling him. It was a lot to absorb.

  He shook himself to clear the very unprofessional thoughts he was having about deep-throated blowjobs. He shifted and cleared his throat.

  The last thing he needed was her to think he was only about the sex. Sure, she’d planted that
fantastic mental picture, but he’d kind of forced it out of her with the question. He needed to get on the right track. He needed something safe and easy. Something they shared that related to their relationship as it had always been.

  “How’s your brother?” he asked, trying for a casual conversations-which had nothing to do with her body in any way.

  Her cheek lifted, telling him that she’d smiled though her face was away from him. “Terrified by fatherhood. They’re expecting their first…and second and third by next week.”

  He tried to ignore the way her smoky voice stroked along every erotic nerve in his body.

  “Triplets? Poor bastard. I hope they’re exactly like their father and aunt. After the trouble the two of you caused, it’s only right.”

  She chuckled, her deep brown eyes sparkling with humor when she looked at him. “My mother has lit twenty-seven candles in petition for exactly the same thing.”

  She seemed to relax. He breathed easier knowing he’d chosen the right topic.

  “I knew I liked your mother.”

  “She’s very proud of you. You should hear her talk about your military accomplishments and how she used to feed you as many jondala rolls as you could eat.”

  “Does she mention that I’m your favorite pilot?” he asked.

  Neela grinned. “She might say that from time to time.”

  He laughed easily.

  Neela’s expression grew serious as they skimmed the plant’s atmosphere. He began his trajectory sequence.

  “Elaran skiff Alpha Victor Three Three Deuce requesting permission to land at Royal Gate three,” he said, identifying their craft.

  “Elaran skiff Alpha Victor Three Three Deuce identity clearance confirmed. You are okay to land,” a man’s voice returned.

  He glanced at Neela. “You may want to hold on. There’s a lot of weather today.”

  Tarrel guided the craft through rain streaking the windshield as lightening bolted across the sky. Each thunderous rumble vibrated through the hull, right into his body. Neela clutched the armrest showing unusual anxiety.

  The skiff bounced around in the lower atmosphere as he guided it to the dock, landed and deployed the latching mechanism. Neela’s body tightened as the skiff powered down.

  The hatch door opened to the docking hall beyond where two armed escorts awaited her. That was standard protocol, even if delivering Neela to the King’s private chamber wasn’t. Neela half-turned in the archway before stepping into their custody.

  “Join me,” she reminded.

  He moved beside her and the guards blocked their exit.

  Neela smiled nervously at them. “I’m in your custody willingly, but I’d like my escort to make sure that the king doesn’t overstep his part of the agreement.”

  One of the guards roughly pushed Tarrel to the wall and searched him. The other one searched Neela.

  “He can come,” the lead guard said, “but if the king turns him away, he will have to await you here.”

  “I understand.” Neela led them into the main corridor.

  She waited long enough for Tarrel to lock out the computer verbally. Tarrel fell in beside her. He’d always liked the wood and rough stonework of this colony’s dock. Normally, it made him smile to see the rustic concession to space travel and technology.

  It was as though the Prillians knew they needed to make a docking system for their guests, but they wanted to keep as much of their natural environment as possible. As a result, most of the advanced technology had been embedded into the stonework and appeared nearly seamless.

  He shot Neela a sidelong look. The king may not want him there, but if she insisted, it could be a show of force. Tactically, it was a risk, and it put him on alert since the king might take Tarrel’s presence as a political footnote to their agreement in sending him Neela.

  They took corridor after corridor. Each turn brought them closer to the central hub of the royal compound. A royal seal adorned the outer perimeter. The opaque force field cleared and de-energized to allow them passage.

  “You brought a guest?” A commanding low voice came from inside the room.

  The king moved within easy sight. His blond hair fell in thick ropy strands to his shoulders. A midnight blue robe draped from that point backward, revealing a smooth bare chest, thickly belted lean hips and loose woven pants. The sandals he wore only seemed to emphasize the strength of something as normal as feet.

  The man exuded power, but there was a cautious wisdom behind his pale gray eyes. Neela steadied herself, something he only knew from the rippling of pink color to deep plum on the visible portion of her spine at her neck.

  “This oughta be fun,” Tarrel muttered under his breath.

  Thrax ignored Neela’s pilot. He had the pertinent information on anyone granted permission to land, including the man’s military achievements.

  “Are you afraid of me?” he asked, coming to stand in front of her. He cautiously probed her senses, feeling no block as he had on previous occasions. Now there was a nebulous sensation of uncertainty and curiosity. He thought he even detected a spark of interest.

  “I’m not afraid,” she answered.

  “You’re unblocked from me,” he commented.

  “The Elaran government didn’t wish for you to be anything but certain of your compliance. Or mine,” she added.

  “And you’re here willingly?” he asked. He stared deep into her dark brown eyes.

  Neela didn’t flinch. “I am.”

  “I’m glad.” He smiled at her and touched her cheek. The smooth warm skin was as soft as it looked. Thrax turned his attention to the pilot. “Why did you bring him?”

  “Insurance,” she admitted.

  “Unafraid but wary.” Thrax nodded. “He won’t interfere, or he’ll be asked to leave.”

  “I’ve been briefed about your-debriefing,” Tarrel informed him pointedly.

  Thrax laughed openly. “You’re her friend. You care a lot about Neela. I can see it bothers you that she’s here with me.”

  The pilot frowned. “I’m not happy about it.”

  “Because you love her,” Thrax added.

  The pilot shot a glance at Neela, but didn’t otherwise answer. Neela blushed. It looked good on her.

  “You haven’t told her yet.” A mental picture of both men in bed with Neela flashed from the human’s facile mind to Thrax’s. “I like that idea. Thank you for providing it.”

  The pilot’s eyes widened with alarm.

  Thrax clapped him on the arm reassuringly. “Pardon me. I forget myself sometimes. Prillians can block their thoughts. Seeing an open mind is a terrible temptation. You can stay with Neela. I think we can make your thoughts as much of a reality as mine if she’s willing.”

  Thrax sent the guards away. He motioned them toward a large table spread with food and drink. All the finest delicacies were laid out. When he’d last seen Neela, she’d been fighting off his men with the ferocity of a she-devil. A bit of the rebel remained, but she’d been tamed. He wanted her compliance, but he also wanted her spirit.

  “I won’t probe your thoughts while you are here. You have the sanctity of them for your protection. Neela, I will only sparingly ask for your thoughts, since I know you’ll be forced to answer me. I appreciate what you’ve done in compromising your natural restraint, but you intrigued me as you were. I don’t approve of the change.”

  “I’d apologize,” she began. “But I’m finding this emotional latitude difficult. I don’t like it.”

  “Eat, please. You aren’t prisoners here.” Thrax sat down with them. “I never expected them to deliver you,” he told her after a few moments of awkward silence.

  “A bargain was struck. You offered the terms and they accepted,” Neela intoned.

  Thrax studied her perfect posture and up-tied raven hair. She wore the ear cuffs of status with seven slim chains cascading from the clasp. Each colored bead at the end represented a particular honor. Seven points of recognition and he knew
the red glass bead on the primary chain represented the diplomatic relationship between Elara and Prill that she had worked on for two years.

  Neela Pharr’s dark gaze locked on him. Thrax let the silence stretch on as he took his seat. He’d discovered a long time ago that people hated empty air and tended to fill it. Usually they filled it with information they hadn’t intended to share. Neela wasn’t one of those people. It didn’t matter. He needed the spare minutes to gather his thoughts anyway.

  Neela continued to wait, poised, calm, unruffled, her food untouched. He wished not for the first time that he could see the flash of anger in her eyes. Something to know that she had an opinion about her being offered up as payment by her superiors.

  Thrax leaned forward. “Tell me, Emissary. How gracious is your government expecting me to be?”

  He detected the twitch of a smile. “Your Highness, the Elaran Prime Minister wishes to express his great respect for you and his appreciation in allowing me to continue to mediate discussions.”

  Thrax gently lifted the beads of her position, letting them slide from his fingers one at a time. “You’re quite decorated,” he mused almost to himself. “I wonder what color bead you’ll receive if you fix this political screw up?”

  “Purple, my lord,” she answered frankly.

  Her pupils had dilated. He couldn’t quell the pleasant thrill it gave him to know that he’d finally see her uninhibited after all these years of working with her. The arrangement was ideal even though he’d have preferred her to be uninhibited out of uncontrolled attraction to him. He’d only half thrown out his request to have her, thinking there’d be no agreement. That she’d accepted-he wondered if she realized how valuable that made her. He’d had no intention of giving over the mines to the Elarans. But perhaps there was a compromise to be made allowing him to maintain full control, while still honoring the agreement he never expected the Elarans to follow through on.

  “Purple,” he repeated. “My people’s resources reduced to a colored bead.”

  He left the table. Thrax heard his guests rise and follow him to the sitting area.