Claimed: Unchartered Territory (16 page)

“Good, then why don’t I show you how to do some things that’ll really blow your mind? If only we had a toaster.”

***

Without visiting the bubbling falls and bathing underneath the sun of Chezar at the height of day Dallas really didn’t believe a person could claim to have experienced real tranquility. The soft orange grass of the garden caressed her thighs with their silky texture as she sat cross legged soaking in the serenity around her. The cool spray of the falls misted the air before settling on her bared skin to shimmer and glisten in the afternoon light. Inches from her feet the waters of the small lake rippled tiny waves against the shore in open invitation. As tempting as it was she was content to just be an observer of nature’s splendor. At least for the moment.

“If I did not know better
Dal’las
I would think you are hiding from me.” Remar’s comment intruded on her silence but for several seconds Dallas sat still drinking in the last vestiges of peace before the confrontation she’d expected once Remar learned how she and his sister spent the day

“Hiding is the last thing on my mind. You know it really is quite beautiful out here.” Without turning she patted the ground next to her. “Join me.”

At first she thought he might refuse and continue to tower over her while he read her the riot act on Chezarian traditions.

She hid her surprise when he dropped into position beside her. The side of one thick corded thigh, encased in some type of fitted animal hide brushed her knee, and her body went on instant excited alert at the contact.

She wasn’t sure if she’d ever get use to her reaction.

“So I take it you learned about your sister’s activities today?”

From the corner of her eye she spied him staring ahead at the falls.

“She was quite elated to tell me you’ve taken on the task of being her private tutor in engineering.”

“She shows an amazing aptitude,” Dallas admitted sincerely.

For several seconds neither spoke, each letting their gaze move across the amazing scenery. In the middle of the pond a blue green fish like creature leapt high in the air, somersaulted with ease before precision diving back into the water with barely a splash.

“It’s a shame she hasn’t been allowed to grow to her full potential. I think you’d be quite amazed at what she could do. What many Chezarian women could accomplish and contribute to society if given the chance.”

“Like your women of
E’rth
?”

“Yes. On my planet women study many things and occupy a variety of positions.”

“I am aware. Your
E’rth
spheres have illustrated women performing many functions which Chezarian females are not accustomed.”

“Well maybe it’s time they become accustomed or at least given the option.”

Remar sighed heavily “As much as we have adopted from your world we are not
E’rthers Dal’las
.”

“I know this, but what I’m suggesting has nothing to do with where either of us hail from. Chezarians could be missing out on a valuable resource. Have you ever considered there might be some women who might not want to be put through a claim challenge? Maybe there are some who have interest outside of bonding?”

The tension emanating from him was instant.

“Are we speaking of you
Dal’las
or Chezarian women?”

“This isn’t about me. I didn’t plan on spending my entire life alone on earth. I just wanted to wait until I was completely free from my contract before working on a personal relationship.”

“Not all women are bonded.”

“Maybe not, but how many are engineers scientist or physicians? I bet they don’t even know it’s an option and I highly doubt the possibility is encouraged. It’s like all the emphasis is on being bonded or the claim challenge.”

“In our custom it is considered an honor for a woman to be offered in the claiming. She will secure a position with a bond mate of some status and wealth.”

“Yeah because every girl wants a testosterone riddled gladiator for a mate.” Dallas muttered under her breath.”

“And is your
E’rth
much different. It sells unprotected youthlings into servitude stretching into their adult years.”

It was a point she couldn’t argue, didn’t want to even. Life taught her long ago humans were inherently flawed.

“I agree neither of our worlds are perfect, but you are in a position to make changes if you wanted.”

“You realize, of course, such
changes
may not be popular among my people?”

Another good point.

“It’s all about baby steps,” she said.

Remar made a sound in his throat she couldn’t quite decipher.

“Rabika appears to be excited about her instructions and the take home assignment.” He spoke as if thinking aloud.

“She’s a bright girl.”

Silence stretched for long moments until she turned to her head to see his stoic profile, prepared to hold her ground for Rabika’s right to equal education.

After a short while he nodded. “Youthling steps it is
Dal’las
.”

She wanted to beam but at Remar’s pensive expression she opted for a more subdued approach choosing instead to reach for his hand and lean across to place a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

He grunted in return before pulling her onto his lap.

Dallas settled in comfortably and they quietly enjoyed the view. Hope sprang forth at the thought of bringing Remar into modernity without too much kicking and screaming.

Chapter Thirteen

Youthling steps it is Dal’las.
Remar’s voice sprang forth as a reminder.

Like she really needed it staring out at the nine eager faces which included Rabika and even Khimar.

Two weeks passed and a new woman seemed to arrive every other day in her makeshift classroom. After a few days Dallas stopped being surprised that her new pupils were up to speed on the current lessons especially when Rabika gave her guilty looks after the first couple of new arrivals appeared prepared and ready to go as if they were with them since the first lesson.

Obviously Rabika was sharing her new found knowledge with friends, and as Dallas suspected there were Chezarian women hungry for the opportunity to expand their education. But the group assembled, with the exception of Khimar, were all high born women. Although it didn’t quite represent the fair education stance Dallas wanted it was at least a start. She’d tackle the battle of education across the social classes once the fall out of her current endeavor smoothed over… oh and she was certain there would be fallout.

Eager to have her pupils get as much from their time together as possible Dallas tried to keep a low profile. She hated deception but it was necessary not to ruffle Remar’s feathers, at least not until her point could be made that with education and training Chezarian women could contribute to society as a whole, beyond their current roles. Lucky for her the secret was easily kept from her bond mate by Remar’s busy schedule as sector leader. Dallas’ own rigorous schedule left little idle time for the pair. In fact when she arrived back to their rooms she easily diverted any of her mate’s questions by feigning extreme hunger, tiredness, randiness or some combination of all three. Her favorite of course was sex and food together.

That early evening Dallas stepped into their chamber ready to make a beeline for the eating area as she had many late nights in the past. Truth be told, she found she was particularly hungry after having forgotten to stop for a lunch break during the day.

She stopped short when she saw the low sitting table devoid of all food.

“Do not distress the cooks are merely awaiting my request to bring our evening meal,” Remar began from his position across the wide room. He leaned against the glass window that doubled as a wall, his bare muscular arms crossed over the expanse of his broad chest. The expression on his face was devoid of emotion.

Never a good sign.

“There is a conversation that we must have,” he continued.

“Really?” she tried to sound surprised. “I was sort of hoping to spend a quiet night in, occupying our mouths in other ways.” she said suggestively. To punctuate her words she walked towards him with a playful smile on her lips.

“Cease woman.”

His words alone normally wouldn’t have been enough to stop her because Dallas knew she could turn his verbal objections in her favor easy enough. However, having his arm shoot out in front of him with a halting hand did the trick. For several seconds she stared at the large open hand that was supposed to keep her at bay.

She placed her hands on her hips. “Should I be offended that my bond mate prefers me to stay away from him?”

He cocked a brow in her direction as he resumed his cross armed stance. “You choose now to refer to me as your bond mate?”

“It’s what we are, or have I misunderstood?” She hoped her look of innocence was more believable than her tone. Being coy was not among her list of assets.

She advanced slightly taking smaller steps.

“Do not pretend at being simple minded
Dal’las
it does not suit you. I ask you again to remain where you are. Your diversionary tactics have not been lost on me.”

She didn’t see a point in denying it. “I don’t remember hearing you complain before.”

She moved forward again.

“I am neither impotent nor made of stone.”

“You’ll get no argument from me there, although I must say some parts of you do a great imitation of being made of granite at the right times.”

She advanced again letting her arms drop to her sides slowly. Her hands smoothing their way over the swell of her hips.

Remar’s gaze followed her hands movements, lingering before his look crawled back up her nude form. She saw the instant arousal in his eyes and knew just the right touch and any thoughts of a conversation would be forgotten.

“If you come any closer
Dal’las
I will be forced to tie you to our
bedja
until we are done with our discussion.”

“Hmm, I’ve been meaning to suggest a little rope play in our sex life,” she practically purred, truly finding the idea exciting. “Oh wait, you meant that as a threat didn’t you? Fine, if you insist on talking I won’t try to stop you.”

Remar’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“What? I’m going to stand right here while you get whatever it is off that big ole chest of yours.”

For several seconds they stood in silent regard of each other.

“Really,” she said calmly all the while her mind whirled with possibilities to prevent the inevitable. There was only one tried and true method she knew to work without fail.

“It’s important that I have your total agreement on...”

His voice trailed off as she pulled the snug fitting half top over her head in a slow but fluid motion. The thin material made a whisper of a sound when it hit the hard flooring.

She bit back a satisfied smile at his reaction. He went from a relaxed lean to a stiffer more rigid pose... all over.

“
Dal’las
,” her name was a warning on his lips.

She waved it away nonchalantly.

“Keep going, really. It’s been a long day and as soon as we’re done here I’m going to jump in that decadently warm shower to relax.”

“I do not like this game you are playing.”

She tried to maintain her innocent demeanor.

“No games. Please continue.”

Distrust mingled with some definite lust in his eyes.

“As I said, it is of great importance that we are in total agreement on this matter,” he started again his voice firm and resolute. “We cannot be of two minds on the subject otherwise discord is fostered.”

She didn’t kid herself into believing that ultimately he wouldn’t have the final say on any subject. But if he wanted her to back down on teaching the women in her group she was willing to stall that eventuality for as long as possible, and suffer through the rewards of doing so.

One tug of a string on her hip left the flowing skirt sliding down her hips to pool at her feet.

“I’m listening,” she reassured softly after she was sure Remar had a nice long look.

At one point it seemed as if he wouldn’t speak at all. She watched as his hands slowly clenched, unclenched then clenched again into a fist.

“As my bond mate we are expected to be an extension of each other. I understand that you’re not from this world and some of our customs have proven difficult for you to accept but you must approach certain things with diplomacy. I know this is a concept the people of your world are well acquainted with.”

He seemed to be waiting for a response.

“Yes, I’m familiar with the ideology of it but have found it tends to favor one side more than another.”

“Agreed, and it is necessary to know when to yield in diplomatic circumstances rather than upset an established balance.”

“Funny you should mention yielding,” she tried to sound sultry regardless of her rising panic over losing some ground she’d gained with him. Stepping over the puddle of clothing she moved to close the distance between them.

This time Remar didn’t voice an objection.

Dallas felt shameless pressed up against him, loved the way he succumbed to her feminine persuasion as his hands traced her arms. Silently he urged her to twine them around his neck even as he dipped his head closer to hers.

Their breaths danced together from the nearness. And as was her new found habit Dallas surrendered to the spell only he seemed capable of casting over her. The shift from seductress to seduced happened quickly.

“You are a temptation I cannot resist,” he whispered so close she could feel the movement of his lips against hers. “But we
will
continue our conversation.”

She registered the words only after he reached behind his neck for her hands his larger one easily clasping her wrist together seconds before he ducked through the loop her hold created.

“Remar,” she squealed when he bent to pull her into the cradle of his arms. “That was sneaky.”

“I have learned much with a bond mate such as you.”

“And now you insult me,” she huffed.

“Hardly. You distract me in a way no other can, you would make a formidable foe.”

“Aww, I bet you say that to all the girls.”

“Of course not… ahh this is one of your jesting moments.”

She nodded her confirmation. “It’s good to see I’m rubbing off on you, although I’d like to rub off on you in another way completely.”

Remar ducked to give her a swift kiss that ended with him sucking her bottom lip slowly.

“First, the matter at hand, I have arranged for the other sector leaders and their entourage to arrive in the next sun rising.”

“That’s quick.”

“It was planned for in advance only you have delayed this discussion with your distractions.”

“What distractions?”

“You do not wear daftness well
Dal’las
. Perhaps you believed by withholding conversations I would not address the matter of your instructing seven other women?”

“You know about that?”

“Of course.” He moved them towards their bed, keeping her in place as he settled on the edge.

“And you’re not upset.”

He sighed heavily. “I am not, although there have been complaints.”

“Are you going to shut us down?”

“No. I am fascinated to see the results of your endeavors.”

She beamed. “Just for the record, there are a total of nine including your sister.”

“For now, let us keep it at that number. Agreed?”

“Agreed? So if you didn’t want to talk to me about the ladies what’s so urgent?”

“Have you not listened to a word I’ve said? Our guests are due to arrive with the new day.”

“Okay, but I’d already said I was fine with it. I know I’m going to be under a microscope, although I hope not literally.”

“Nothing of the sort, I will allow no harm to come to you.”

“But there is something about this meeting that is weighing on you?

“Aye. On Chezar a leader is viewed by the vastness of his technology and warriors and the loyalty of his men.”

“Sounds like earth.”

“But unlike your world the women of leaders are in fact an extensions of themselves. We are of one mind and action.”

She frowned. “Sounds a bit implausible. Sure you can agree on subject matters and agree to disagree on others but it seems a bit unrealistic to be in agreement on everything.”

“Before meeting you I did not think it possible for a bond mate to be so…”

Dallas cocked her head. “Go on.”

“…opinionated. I could not have imagined myself with such a female.”

“Oh really,” she said squirming to break his hold.

“Do not take the wrong meaning. I know now that my life begins and ends with you
Dal’las
. You are not only my bond mate, but my soul’s companion. I did not feel complete until you came into my world.”

A sudden burst of heat rushed her body, flowing to every cell. She knew the sincerity of his words to be true and in that moment wanted to do anything in her power not to disappoint him.

“What is it you would like me to do?”

“Answer any questions openly and honestly but keep in mind the traditions you have learned about my people since being here. When in doubt differ to me on any subject matters.”

“Great, I get to be the airheaded trophy wife.”

Remar looked confused. “I do not understand your meaning.”

“Never mind. How long will your guests stay?”

“The leaders will be here for only one sun rising but their technicians will remain longer to gather data.”

A sudden thought hit her. “Will I have to stop my work?”

“No, I only ask that you be punctual with the evening meal time as this is the only interaction I have allotted for them with you.”

“Afraid that I will say the wrong thing and embarrass you if I meet someone privately?” She couldn’t blame him for that, she wasn’t sure how she’d pull off being super agreeable during dinner.

“My only fear is the other leader’s safety should they make a misstep with you. Hence I will have all manner of weaponry removed from the dining area.”

She shrugged. “Speaking of food, how about having some delivered. I’m famished.” She wiggled in his lap but made no real effort to be free.