| |
Silence descended in the elevator to Caro’s apartment. Malo clasped her hand, enjoying running his thumb across her skin when it elicited gasps from her. He smothered a grin and distracted himself from claiming her by studying the square box carrying them levels up. It had a musty smell that didn’t detract from Caro’s appealing scent.
He leaned in, brushing his nose across her temple. His hearts fluttered. This was insanity having so much temptation before him. The air grew thick, his arousal throbbed, and every muscle in his body tightened, as if he would pounce. He grimaced. Like a predator.
Thankfully, Izzy had escorted Ronin and Garix up first.
Leaving Caro and Malo alone.
At that realization, he spun and pinned her to the thin wall. Resting a palm on either side of her ears, he leaned in but was careful not to press his body to hers. Therein lay his doom. She squeaked, raised her hands to his chest and her wide gaze to meet his.
Words lodged in his throat. What she meant to him swelled, rose, overflowed until only warmth engulfed his chest. He studied this beautiful creature, wishing he knew how to convey what she invoked within him.
“Um,” she glanced to the side, “we’re here.”
He pressed his forehead to hers for a moment, allowed himself to share her breath, before he pulled away. Never would he reveal how much effort it took to do so.
She gathered his hand. It served as a consolation, for now. Along the passage, they strolled until she paused in front of a gaping door. Ronin and Garix were chuckling about their sore stomachs. Izzy held open a white box with cool air pouring out of it.
Their home was the size of Malo’s quarters. Large chairs dominated the space in bold red. Under them was a multi-colored thick rug. A display vid was mounted to a wall. The counter to the side held odd gadgets he wasn’t curious about. Two doors led off to the right, and a wall of windows to the rear showed the domed city beyond. A door led onto an enclosed balcony.
Caro swung the front door shut behind him. He frowned. How odd when theirs slid into the wall.
“Ronin, Garix, scout this building. I want a full security assessment.” Malo raised Caro’s hand to his lips, pressed a kiss to her knuckles then strode to the balcony. Enyl needed to know Malo’s circumstances had changed.
“What did they think of the movie?” Caro asked Izzy. He paused to listen before he commed the prince. Izzy unfurled a rectangle while Caro wheeled in some sort of machine.
“They laughed from start to finish. I didn’t have the heart to tell them it wasn’t a comedy,” Izzy said after she’d pulled out pillows and a blanket from a nearby closet.
“Did they find Earth’s early space conceptions to be childish?” Caro’s chuckle warmed his heart. “I suppose in hindsight it could be seen as such. Discovering Fusion Pulse has changed that aspect of our lives.”
“Of your life, not mine,” Izzy harumphed. What discussion followed was drowned by the strange machine Caro had plugged into the rectangle. It inflated into a...bed. The buzzing didn’t bother him, and he approved of their thoughtfulness. Most Etterian females would have demanded the best room and bed. He ventured deeper onto the balcony.
“My prince,” he spoke into his wrist and grinned when his hands trembled. Yes, Caro is a weakness, but a cherished one.
“You have updates?” Prince Enyl’s voice came through clearly, the delay minimal, proving all comm relays were operational.
Malo grunted at that wayward thought. “Yes, I have spoken with Director Reyes, and he assures me he will assist regarding the submarines. He will contact Joshua Guardian, as well.” Malo glanced at the city around him, the dirty air cooling his heated skin through the open windows. “He has defined what Earth needs and insists I align with this. I have agreed since it is as per Princess Oriana’s stipulations.”
“You have done well, Malo.” Enyl’s praise was unexpected, and it shot warmth through Malo’s chest. Prior to finding Caro, he wouldn’t have acknowledged his reaction.
“I have done better, which is why I request reassignment,” he said. “I have found my Dar Eth. My priority is no longer Etteria.”
“This is wonderful news. Oriana will be most pleased.” The sincerity in Enyl’s voice was what Malo had hoped for. The weight that had rested on his shoulders for most of his life disintegrated without fanfare. “My father has dispatched Cales and Citus to assist you. He’d prefer to have his most trusted males attending to this.”
“Excellent. The Ethera’s timing is perfect.” Malo grinned. “I am grateful that there will be no further delay. I will await their arrival.”
“In addition, Brenin has been tasked with the submarines.” His clipped words revealed Enyl’s disapproval. “He is an engineer so there is merit to this decision.”
“Perhaps Brenin requires an active mind to not cause mischief?” Malo teased. It was occurring more and more, this smiling. Years and years of training were unraveling before him. He scowled at that thought, not liking its implications. To lose his training because a female touched him as Oriana did Enyl? A grin burst through. He would sacrifice more for Caro.
“We can but hope. I have forewarned you. It is now in your hands.” The prince chuckled. “My father has also found his Dar Eth.”
Malo stilled. Another burden sloughed off his shoulders. Xeus’s mood of late had worried him and Enyl. “Finding your Dar Eth is the reason we are negotiating, Enyl.” Movement at the door to the balcony drew his attention and held it. Maker. “What...are you wearing?” he asked. His voice was coarse with unknown emotions roiling within him. His vision focused with all clarity on Caro. He refused to blink while he drank in the sight of her.
“Malo? I am in my armor, as usual,” Enyl said.
“What?” Malo grimaced. Had he just asked his prince what he was wearing? He scowled. As operations commander, he never revealed his emotions. “My apologies, Enyl. Please, excuse me.” He ended the call on his prince, yet another violation of protocol.
“Sorry to interrupt, Malo, but do you want to go to dinner, as well?” Caro nibbled on her red bottom lip, snagging his gaze before it returned to what she was wearing.
“No,” he growled then cleared his throat. “I am not hungry.” For food.
“Did you hear that, Izzy?” Caro raised her head to project her voice, exposing the curve of her throat to his avid perusal.
“Yup, thanks,” Izzy sang.
“What language was that, Malo?” Caro faced him.
He wished she’d clothe herself. Whatever she wore defined her shape, so clear and irresistible. “Galactic. What are you wearing, Caro?”
She glanced at the black garment that hugged her curves like a ceremonial dress yet ended above her knees. Her feet were once more in raised footwear that tightened her calve muscles. Her arms were bare and pale against the black cloth. She’d lifted her hair off her shoulders and piled it high on her head with escaping strands falling around her face.
And her lips. He groaned at his malehood hardening. They were an unnatural red, calling his attention to the shape and plumpness of her mouth. Disarmed by her attire, he didn’t know where to focus on the offering before him.
“It’s a dress since we’re going to a club.” Her tentative smile drew his heated gaze.
She spun to leave him, and at the sight of her exposed back, his breath caught. His body broke out in a sweat, and he had to throw out a hand to support his weak knees. He drew in quick breaths. Shudders ripped through him, running along his hard length. He stumbled after her then drew to a halt.
Izzy came out of a room in a dark blue dress that made her skin appear translucent. She showed more of her breasts but less of her back and her footwear was a bright red.
“This is normal attire?” he asked, drawing in deep, silent breaths. He didn’t need Caro to know how delectable he found her, nor that he ached to rip the dress off her body with a desperation that bordered on lethal.
“Ready?” Izzy question snapped Malo to the moment.
He’d been staring at Caro’s lips, mesmerized. “You...cannot wear this.” He approached her, his throbbing arousal almost hindering his ability to walk.
“Why? Does it look bad?”
Faced with her insecurities, her belief that she was unattractive, he was met with a decision. He could command her to change, and she would. But she’d believe it was because of her appearance and not for his sanity. Or he could endure seeing her as such and ensure she felt beautiful.
“Do I need new garments?” He was an Etterian male, a warrior in his own right. He could endure, for her. And a change of garments would delay their departure for at least a little while longer.
“No, the military uniform is a good look on you,” she rasped while opening the front door, attempting to hide her appreciation from him.
He almost grinned, pleased that she liked his appearance. It wasn’t something Etterian males placed much value on. A male’s appearance was uncontrollable. His worth lay in his training.
“Alodon’s balls,” Ronin growled at the sight of them.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Izzy teased. “Believe it or not, this is conservative for where we’re going.”
“Females should not reveal themselves so,” Garix muttered in Etterian. “I do not wish to kill this night.” He too took the time to admire the curves on display. Both males glanced at Malo expectantly. What did they expect him to say or do?
“How would you like me to force them to change?” he asked in Etterian.
“I have never seen anything more beautiful.” Ronin fell into step behind the two females with his gaze fixed on their swaying backsides.
“If any male dares to touch them...” Garix threatened an intergalactic incident.
Malo might instigate it himself. “Assessment?”
“The building is secure. Inquisitive neighbors, though.” Garix pointed to a door behind them.
“Irritating,” Ronin mumbled.
“Malo?” Caro frowned. She stepped to the side of the passage to let Garix pass. “Is something wrong?”
“It is your garments, ensa. Etterian males are not prepared to see such beauty nor your shapes so on display.” Ronin grumbled at the half-truth Malo had concocted.
How else was he supposed to phrase it? That their garments enticed Etterian males to act on an emotional level? To succumb to a physical need? An Etterian male losing control was never a good thing.
“Taxi?” Izzy asked from upfront.
“Two please,” Caro said, glancing down to hide her pink cheeks.
“You are beautiful, Caro,” Malo said, and her blush spread.
It was as he’d assessed. He would continue to compliment her until she believed it. Grabbing her shoulders, he turned her to face the elevator door, then gave her a nudge. She strode ahead on her footwear, mesmerizing him with her ability to walk. He held back a moment to adjust his arousal and choose the lowest setting of his armor in the hopes of cooling his ardor. He doubted it was possible, but he could hope. As soon as the first ground-vehicle pulled up, Caro opened the door and gestured to Malo to slide in.
“You two go ahead. We’ll catch the next one and meet you there,” Izzy said, flagging down another taxi.
Caro joined Malo. After informing S.A.D.I. of their destination, she leaned back against the seat. She crossed her legs at the knees, the sight of her foot so close to him made him lose focus for a second.
“What can I expect?” he asked, his gaze riveted on the red color of her toenails. It was too bright to be natural but, Maker, if the sight of them didn’t make his malehood twitch.
“Loud, smelly, vibrations.” Excitement strained her voice. “If you need to say something to me, you have to yell it into my ear.”
“And you like going to this place?” Malo blinked at her. Loud, smelly? It sounded like the Yithian Arena. If so, he could see the appeal.
“You will see.” She patted his knee.
He flipped his hand to grab hers, lacing his fingers through hers.
She stared at their entwined hands and raised her gaze to meet his. “Is it my softness?”
He traced her skin with his thumb. She was lush, silky, sweet, tempting... No, it was many things.
“That makes you want to hold my hand? Garix and Ronin explained how your men are attracted to softness.”
“Holding your hand is the least of what I want to do to you,” Malo said, his gaze unwavering; his attention riveted on the play of color across her cheeks.
“There'll be women there...” More attractive than her. Her tacit words lingered. She believed them, and perhaps there were such females.
Never for me.
“You misunderstand me, Caro.” He poured all his need for her in the gaze he leveled on her. “Etterian males, well, excluding the youngins, do not seek meaningless fulfillment. We mate with one female. It is for life.”
“And humans are compatible with Etterians?” She nibbled on her bottom lip with her tiny white teeth, snagging his focus.
“Yes,” he rasped, his breathing affected by her scent, touch, and bright-red lips. “There have been several Dar Eths found. You would call them soulmates.” I cannot tell her yet that she is mine. I am uncertain how she will react. He grimaced. I cannot lose her.
“Soulmates?” She jerked back then chuckled. “You can’t be serious?”
“I understand your disbelief, ensa, and in this I might have agreed. Some things are best experienced to be believed.”
She patted his hand clasping hers. What that was meant to portray he didn’t know. As soon as the taxi stopped, she paid S.A.D.I. before climbing out of the vehicle.
“Now we wait for Izzy.” She crossed the road, opened a nondescript door, and sashayed down a narrow flight of stairs into a dank, dark underground warehouse. Then she fell into place at the end of a lengthy line of humans. A miasma of floral and fruit scents hit him, along with old urine. He grimaced.
His eyes widened at the unclothed females in the line with them. Some tunics revealed their nipples. They might as well have been wearing nothing. But none of what was on display affected him as much as the black dress Caro wore. He fixed his gaze on Caro to memorize the glow of her skin under the insipid light, the curve of her back as it disappeared into the black fabric hugging her backside, and her tiny feet in those remarkable footwear.
He kissed her neck, just where it met her shoulder. She gasped and shivered with tiny bumps forming on her skin.
“What is that scent, Caro?” He buried his face in the curve of her neck to inhale.
“My perfume.”
“It is not as captivating as your natural scent,” he said. “We have the ability to smell over great distances.”
“I suspected as much,” she said.
He raised his gaze to meet hers, reading acceptance in her eyes. Like a hunter, his vision narrowed, his senses focused. He wanted to—
“There you two are.” Izzy rushed toward them. She took Caro’s free hand and ushered her to the front of the line. “I found her, Max,” she said to the bulky human male who guarded the door.
“Oh, sweet Caro.” The human ran his gaze over the length of her. “Always a pleasure to see you, babe.”
Malo tightened his hand around Caro’s, the need to damage this male overwhelming. She pressed her back against his chest. Her touch calmed him. He released her to snake his arm around her waist, holding her closer, staking his claim so to speak. Mine, he ached to roar.
“Bodyguard?” Max gestured to Malo.
“No, though he might as well be. He guards my body quite nicely.” Her suggestion took a path to Malo's balls.
He crushed her to him, letting her feel his arousal against her backside. Her breath hitched. She trembled, his Dar Eth. “Those are his bodyguards.” She gestured to Ronin and Garix.
“Come now, Max. Caro’s entertaining them for E.S.A.” Izzy rubbed against the human male, who wrapped his arm across her shoulders in a too casual manner.
Garix rumbled in warning.
“To feel is to fail,” Malo snapped under his breath. If his males lost control, it might trigger a primal response in him. “And be on your guard.”
His males drew to attention, their training coming to bear.
The human male was saying, “—Babe and only because you’re my favorite.”
Izzy snorted and thumped him on the arm with her strange bag. “Damn right.” She gave him a peck on his cheek, grabbed a glaring Garix and a stunned Ronin, and led them into the club.
As soon as the door opened, the stale air filled with a thump-thump that vibrated the walls. Malo lowered his hearing volume but still winced when he forced himself to follow Caro inside.
Page of 126
