Arak's Love: A World Beyond Book 2 (10 page)

“I—I.”

“Sylvia Forrester!”

They both jumped when the door slammed open and Joni breezed in.

Sylvie grinned in response not the least bit bothered by her friend barging into her place. In fact, she looked relieved by the interruption. “Joni Miller!”

Arak shifted his stance and studied the two women as they exchanged hugs. Standing next to her friend, Sylvie didn’t appear as vibrant. Her slim lines leaned toward athletic in contrast to the voluptuous curves of her friend. Joni was drop dead gorgeous. No one could doubt that. Red hair cascaded wildly about her shoulders and her amber eyes lit with humor. He understood why a man would crave a female with her looks.

She’d taken advantage of the various merchants providing clothing online from other planets and wore a sleeveless, sheer gold Vesuvis top with mesh across the middle, revealing a green, beaded piercing in her belly button. Black shorts in a silky cloth hugged her butt cheeks, revealing her upper thighs and toned, long legs in black boots that almost reached the edges of the shorts.

Any man would want a woman who looked like her but the female’s jovial manner hid dark secrets. Secrets easily discernible to him by the way her eyes twitched whenever her gaze passed over him. Right now, her full lips coated in a glossy substance tightened before breaking out into a wide smile as fake as the jewels on the large bangles that clacked about both wrists.

“Hello, Officer Arak,” Joni drawled, sucking on the tip of her pinky as she eyed him from head to toe.

Arak smirked, not bothered in the least by her sexual appraisal. Joni employed warfare tactics he had to admire. Attack first. He also knew she had no physical interest in him what so ever despite the taunting look. “It’s not officer.” The military drones used those terms but not the Jutaks. “I’m a Jutak warrior. You can call me Jutak O’Tir if you want to be official but I prefer just Arak.”

“Hmm.” She winked. “
Just Arak
, what brings you here today to see my friend?”

Sylvie’s elbow tagged Joni’s mid-section and the woman feigned a groan and wrapped both arms around her middle, all pretense dropped. “Jesus, Sylvie.”

Sylvie faced Arak and rolled her eyes at the dramatics. “My answer’s yes.”

Arak stumbled from his relaxed pose and caught himself by bracing a hand on the counter behind him. She couldn’t mean what he thought. “What?”

Sylvie’s smug grin sent a burst of heat to his loins. She looked proud of herself for getting one over on him. “I’ll go out with you. I have to go out eventually so it’s a date.”

Date?
The translation didn’t match the context of her words. He didn’t know what a date meant but she’d accepted. She didn’t request he call for several of his teammates to escort them as she’d done for visits to Faye. Before Sylvie could change her mind, Arak hit the buttons to deactivate the food unit. “We will leave now.”

Her voice rose behind him. “Joni’s coming, too.”

“What!” Joni’s clear outrage gave him a spurt of humor.

Sylvie gathered a few things. “Arak’s taking us out. You love new places so you’re going too.”

Joni shot Arak a glare as if he was to blame for the events. Instead of complaining and risking Sylvie changing her mind, Arak snapped to attention.  “I have a hover car. Faye enjoys the marketplace and says it reminds her of shopping on Earth.”

***

“Shopping?” Sylvie hurried to keep up with Arak. Now that she’d agreed to one of his numerous requests to go out, he seemed in a rush.

“Yes.”

“I need money…credits,” she corrected, ignoring the harsh stares from Joni who stood by the door and tapped her foot, amber eyes narrowed on Sylvie. She refused to feel guilty for trapping her friend.

Arak stopped at her door and reached for her wrist. Sylvie’s skin sizzled from the contact. Their eyes clashed and no way could she deny the hunger reflected there. Arak made no secret of his desire for her. His broad finger lingered over the black watch she’d been issued. Back and forth he rubbed, causing moisture to dampen her thighs. “Your credits are here. Transactions are processed electronically for any purchases.”

The low murmured words took a moment to sink in because of the evocative images his accent always created. Sylvie remembered Faye explaining something similar when she and Joni received the clunky watches. “Alright.”

At least she didn’t stutter her response. It shouldn’t be easy for his every touch to arouse her. Considering her experience with the slavers, Sylvie thought it would take forever to think about a man in that way but Arak’s solid presence pushed back any anxiety about being around him.

“This should be fun,” Joni muttered, oblivious to the fire coursing through Sylvie’s veins as Arak walked ahead of them. “I love being a fifth wheel or seventh wheel even.”

“Quiet,” Sylvie whispered as they both skipped to keep up with Arak’s long strides down the hall and to the glide.

“What exactly are you doing, Sylvie?”

Joni’s question gave her pause. They stepped onto the steel foot pads of the descending glide, a few steps behind Arak. The view from the back didn’t compete with the view from the front but her position enabled Sylvie to ogle to her heart’s content the way his dark pants enhanced the flex and shift of muscular buttocks. The white shirt molded to a body that was dang near perfect in her eyes. Short, dark hair curled over the edge of his collar tempting her to play with the strands.

“Earth to Sylvie. Or should I say Enotia to Sylvie.”

Sylvie’s lips curled and she glanced at her friend. “You’re always going on about how I should go out and learn more about this place.”

Joni huffed. “Yeah, but I didn’t mean drag me with you on your…date.”

Sylvie froze. “I was kidding about that part. It’s not really a date.”

Joni rolled her eyes. “Not with me tagging along.”

Frustration ate at Sylvie. She wanted to get to know the charming soldier better but her mind constantly buzzed with the fear of being kidnapped or snatched again by the Marenians if she ventured too far. Forcing away the wariness attempting to overcome her, Sylvie focused her attention on her friend. “We could always see if Kyele can join us to make you feel better.”

The pink tint of color added on Joni’s cheeks couldn’t hide the way her face paled. “You wouldn’t be that cruel.”

Sylvie tapped a finger against her chin as if in thought. “Maybe Arak, oh wait. Maybe Officer Arak,” she mocked, “could call him and invite the green-eyed wonder. I have to admit his scar is kinda hot, yet scary.”

Joni lunged and Sylvie squealed as her friend wrapped her fingers around her throat and shook her. Sylvie laughed and cried out as the glide reached the bottom and they stumbled off, bodies entangled.

“Let go!” Sylvie begged in between laughing.

“Take it back,” Joni threatened, freeing one hand to yank on Sylvie’s hair.

“Arak, I have a quest—” Sylvie didn’t get to finish speaking.

Joni let her go with a scream and slapped both hands over Sylvie’s mouth. She leaned close. “You suck, Sylvie Forrester. I’ll go.”

Heart pumping and sporadic snickers escaping, Sylvie managed to mumble, “And you’ll have fun?”

Joni uncovered Sylvie’s mouth and glared. “Don’t push it, little shit.”

Arak watched the both of them, a curious light in his eyes. Standing to the side with his arms folded, he hadn’t interfered in their minor scuffle. Sylvie cleared her throat, face hot. She hoped he hadn’t heard their conversation. “Sorry. Joni needed cheering up.”

A dark brow lifted and his mouth curved up at the side. His twinkling eyes had her wondering if he’d caught everything despite his casual pose. “Is she in need of assistance? I can contact Dr. Maku…or Kyele.”

Joni groaned beside her.

“I think she’s fine now,” Sylvie said as they made their way outside, adrenaline pulsing through her veins from the small tussle but heart truly light for the first time in months.

Onlookers of the Enotian variety stared at their small group but Sylvie managed to squash down the feelings of embarrassment. Excitement replaced the dread she’d initially experienced when Arak invited her to go out. Now she looked forward to the trip.

Chapter 11

The market place resembled an outside bazaar. Vendors set up an array of rainbow-colored tent-like structures feet apart from one another. They featured everything one could possibly imagine. Tables displayed food, clothing, jewelry and other artistic creations on both sides of the streets. Women, men and children strolled along in open camaraderie.

A smell reminiscent of a greasy burger wafted toward Sylvie and she moaned in delight. Joni caught her eye and they both grinned. Excitement and the rush of potential sales drummed on the air. Sylvie exchanged another smile with Joni, noting the glitter in the other woman’s eyes.

“Cool, right?” Sylvie asked.

“Very cool,” Joni agreed, gaze darting from one stall to the next as they walked down the busy street.

Arak walked in the middle, his arm brushing Sylvie’s with every step they took. Goose pimples broke out along her flesh and her heart rate sped up.

“What does cool mean?” he asked, his accent adding an exotic quality to the question.

Joni spared him a glance. “You’re kidding right?”

His brow crinkled. “Kidding?”

“These translators are for shit,” Joni grumbled then looped her arm through Arak’s and fluttered her lashes at him. “Don’t worry. It’s all Earth slang.”

Arak’s blue eyes deepened and his smile almost caused Sylvie to trip over her feet. The jealous monster reared its ugly head at his ease with Joni. The redhead had an air of sexy Sylvie couldn’t match if she tried. As if reading her thoughts, Arak untangled his arm from Joni and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Sylvie’s ear. All of it seamless and unhurried.

“Faye says we’ll get used to it if she talks enough.”

Sylvie laughed with him, envy falling to the side. She liked Faye. “She’s probably right.”

Sylvie’s steps slowed as they neared a purple tent with cages and crates set up on a long cloth covered table out front. Baby animals chirped from the wire frames, tiny furred faces pressed upward. A pair of large brown eyes with gold rings caused her to stop. The blond man behind the table waved when he caught her staring.

“Welcome. Please come and find something for your entertainment and pleasure,” he called out.

A low growl rumbled from Arak’s chest. The sound surprised Sylvie, causing her to glance up only to freeze. Hate bled from blue eyes narrowed in concentration, full lips twisted into a snarl.

“Arak?” She tentatively reached out to touch his arm. Joni reacted to the deadly sound as well, the glitter of fear reflected in her gold gaze.

“They sell animals,” he bit out.

Sylvie looked from the cages back to Arak, not understanding. “Pets?”

“Explain pets,” Arak snapped and his head tipped in her direction.

The demand had her responding instantly. “On Earth we keep pets. Dogs, birds…” The reason for his anger suddenly became apparent as Sylvie finished weakly. “Cats.”

Joni cursed under her breath.

Sylvie ran her hand down Arak’s arm. The corded muscles tensed beneath her touch. “We can leave.”

As if sensing the undercurrents, the vendor kept quiet. Arak shook his head and though his lips lifted, the smile held none of the pleasure his previous smiles had. “We can look at
pets
. You can’t buy any though. On Enotia it is illegal to own non-farm animals of any kind.”

The vendor flushed and rushed to pull out a silver disc from the pocket of his wide-legged pants. “I have a valid license. I don’t make any trouble and never sell to Enotians. Off worlders purchase my animals and some like to look.” His brown eyes darted to Sylvie. “You’re welcome to look.”

Her pleasure at the animals spoiled, Sylvie started to refuse but Joni squealed from her left. “They have baby monkeys!”

Sylvie turned. At the end of the table in a cage without a top sat a cream and brown monkey the size of a rabbit with a pushed in face like a pug. Long arms curled around its waist and brown ears perked up at their attention. Sylvie couldn’t resist and joined Joni.

Arak came up behind them. “This is a
mosimio.
They come from Alua. Very rare and dangerous when provoked.”

The creature actually smiled up at them as it bounced around on the straw at the bottom of the cage. Large, brown eyes stared at them and it mewled. Sylvie’s heart melted. “It’s too pretty to be dangerous.”

“My papan showed me a vid on how to feed them once.” Dark thoughts gone, Arak seemed interested in the little animal. “They’re deadly in the wild.”

The vendor noted the change in his manner as well and grabbed a yellow container from beneath the table and handed it to Arak, eagerness in the gesture. “Be my guest.”

 Arak accepted and shook what looked like a pile of baby lizards and bugs into the cage. The monkey roared. Razor sharp teeth flashed as it grabbed the scurrying creatures and shoved them into his mouth. Sylvie jumped back screaming and knocked Joni aside in her haste.

“Cute right. Like an Earth pet?” Arak asked, dark brow arched. Was that humor glinting in his gaze?

Joni made gagging sounds behind her.

“Not quite,” Sylvie mumbled, swallowing the saliva in her mouth as she pressed a hand to her suddenly queasy belly. “Let’s look at something else.”

They looked at cloth, soft and sheer enough Sylvie could see her hands beneath the fabric but in every color imaginable. Shoes tended to be flats or sandals but she picked a pair in bronze with straps across the top and over her calf. The vendor scanned her watch and as simple as that Sylvie ended up with a bag containing her purchase. At another stall, clear balls similar to snow globes lined the table. Joni shook a few, smiling at whatever holo images came up on the inside and purchased two.

When they walked away, Arak handed Sylvie a small carved box similar to Joni’s. With a bemused smile, she opened it and snickered at the glass ball containing a mosimio swinging from a tree while birds fled in fright. Arak smirked and dodged the fist she aimed for his mid-section.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.” Her smile may have contained more teeth than usual.

With a roll of his eyes, Arak nudged her forward. Sylvie skipped to catch up with Joni. They were laughing at a street performer when a humanoid creature who’d clearly consumed too much to drink stumbled into them. He had to be at least seven feet tall with bluish-green skin and seven or eight of those inches came from his neck.

“Watch where you’re going.” His stumbling steps caused Sylvie to fall back. The large flap covering his nostrils flared and his green eyes narrowed. “Earth female. Well, well.”

Arak’s growl warned her before he stepped between Sylvie and the drunk. “Move behind me, Joni.”

Her friend was no fool and scurried behind Arak to stand beside Sylvie.

“What’s your problem?” The tall drunk slurred, swinging his arms in a wide arc. The move drew attention to ill-fitting clothes and bare feet.

Several passerby ducked and another backed up before heading in the opposite direction. The snick of Arak’s sharp claws reached her ears. A quick glance down revealed the razor sharp tips on the ends of his fingers.

“You should leave now.” Arak’s weight shifted in preparation.

“Don’t want to share your bounty, heh.” The alien’s nose did the ugly flap thing again. “Mmm. Argoran.”

Tall and green stared at Arak and leaned forward. When the creature grinned, jagged teeth flashed from his wide jaw. “I’m having fun.” He belched and smacked his fist into the flat of his chest. “Make me.”

Sylvie tapped the back of Arak’s shirt and whispered, “Let’s just go, Arak.”

The muscles beneath his shirt coiled. “Public behavior is monitored. You should leave, Tarton.”

The Tarton, or whatever he was, threw back his bald head. Ropey veins popped from the side of his scary neck as he laughed. “What gives you the right to demand I leave?”

Sylvie held her breath. Arak didn’t have any weapons with him to her knowledge. She also knew he and the others weren’t big on revealing their identities in public.

“Stand back, Sylvie,” Arak murmured without taking his gaze from the green giant.

She released his shirt, fingers opening slowly. Arak moved like lightning toward the large man. One fist plowed into the belly of the Tarton man. As soon as he bent over from the blow, Arak followed with a powerful punch to the face. The creature dropped to his knees, blood spewing from his mouth and a few teeth if she wasn’t mistaken. Arak ducked behind him, one arm curving around the long neck as he leaned low to whisper in the Tarton’s flickering ears.

Sylvie couldn’t hear what was said as a crowd formed around them. The Tarton darted a look in her direction and his skin paled if that was possible, leaving him more blue than green as he nodded in a jerky motion. Arak released him and moving faster than she would have expected, the giant fled the marketplace. The gathering onlookers dispersed after a few well-meaning whistles.

As soon as Arak approached, Joni demanded, “What the hell was that?”

Arak frowned. “Hell?”

Joni waved her hands in the air, gold eyes intent. “Never mind. What was it or he?”

Arak sighed and eased close to Sylvie. Her arms went around his back as he buried his head in her hair and inhaled before speaking. “Tarton. Very aggressive. They hunt and eat Argorans in our cat form on Argora.”

When he straightened, she and Joni stared at him. Joni sputtered but Sylvie smacked Arak’s chest. “Are you kidding? And you attacked him.”

Arak shook his head. “We should have Dr. Maku spend time with each of you and program the translators with updated Earth English.”

Joni snorted but Sylvie found it hard to be amused. “That…Tarton eats people like you?”

His dark head nodded. “But they’re scared of birds. I told him you had one in the box with the mosimio cube.”

It took a long time for Sylvie to speak to him again. Every few minutes Joni would look at her mutinous expression and burst into laughter again, muttering, “Birds. Can you imagine?”

The rest of the day passed in a blur but Sylvie counted it as one of the best days in a long time for her. Arak proved to be an excellent guide, never once complaining when she and Joni stopped every few feet. They stuffed themselves on alien sausage smothered in red sauce, which Sylvie refused to observe too closely and ended the afternoon with chilled fruit buried in cups of colored ice. The melted syrup left at the bottom had her sucking her spoon in ecstasy.

Beside her, Arak groaned roughly. “I’ve never seen anyone enjoy
topa
more.”

***

Joni stopped further ahead and Arak took advantage of the Earthling’s distraction at the jewelry stall to close the distance between him and Sylvie. He’d resisted more than light touches throughout the afternoon but the bright glow of happiness on her face pulled at him.

“It reminds me of snowballs at home but with real fruit.” Her eyes lit with pleasure at the memory.

Sylvie’s lips puckered as she scooped another sliver of ice into her mouth. Stained red from the flavor she’d selected, her mouth taunted him. Arak succumbed to the enticement and kissed her. Not as deep as he wanted but a quick, soft press of his mouth to hers. When he pulled back, his tongue licked at the fruit on his lips and he could almost swear he tasted Sylvie’s unique essence beneath the sweet treat.

“Very good,” he growled, his cat rising to the surface.

Finished with the
topa
, she looked up and stiffened. Her scent darkened with the rich notes of arousal. The heady aroma enveloped Arak as he leaned down for the deeper kiss he’d forgone. The minute their mouths touched, she moaned and pressed into him, arms going around his neck as the cup clattered to the ground. Arak slid his hands down the curve of her spine bunching the fabric of her top but didn’t stop until he reached the full slant of her butt.

Fingers molded, squeezing the round flesh. Spicy hints of surprise mingled with her aroma almost driving him beyond reason. His tongue delved between her parted lips, stroking. Tasting.

One thing Arak had learned during their kisses was that he loved Sylvie’s taste. Even blindfolded he’d recognize her flavor and not because of the fruity
topa
she’d taken such pleasure in. Sylvie’s unique taste reminded him of honey.

Her fingers played with the ends of his hair sending sparks shooting down his spine until his erection bordered on pain. Pressing lightly with his hands at her lower back to bring her closer, Arak rubbed against her. His hard length notched between her trembling thighs and another moan reached him.

As well as a throat clearing. Arak jerked and tried to regain control of himself. Laughter and conversation flowed around them. Other sounds filtered in, eliminating the razor sharp focus he’d turned on Sylvie.

He eased away from her moist lips. She cried out in protest, hands tightening on his back. Arak groaned, wanting to appease her need but they were in full view of others. “Sylvie.”

Her eyes flew up and she jerked from his arms, cheeks flushing. Her embarrassment angered Arak and he resisted the urge to curl his body back around her as she’d wanted.