Dominated By Desire (6 page)

“Feel free to access the data base anytime you wish.”

“I always find databases to be boring. I’d rather hear it from you. What do you do for fun?”

Heather just looked at her. She did her duty. Nothing else really intrigued her. When her associates went out for recreation she stayed behind. It was all a bit frivolous to her. Hence the title of ice princess. “Fun? I guess stay home and read.”

“Hmm.” She looked about for a few moments before sitting down in an overstuffed chair. She studied Heather. “You must have a thousand questions too. Care to ask any?”

She did but her training had taught her to never question. Answers came as they were needed. “I’m sure they will be answered along the way.”

“Well, then let’s get started. Since you haven’t had a lot of time around our race and most of it is my brother, I’d like to know what your impression of us is.”

Should she go with the politically correct or the truth? “From what I have seen from your brother and the staff, there seem to be two kinds of people. Those from a working class and those from a privileged class.”

“A lot of people get that, but that’s because our race, as a whole, has very dominant males. My brother being one of them. Everyone works, they all serve in the military for a while. Some stay in the service. Others have callings, like musicians and artists. The privileged roles come with a price.”

“Like having to marry a total stranger?” She didn’t like the way the conversation was going. Instead of sitting down she wandered about the room. Anything to help keep her focused.

“Yes. Or not being able to stay in the service even if it is your desire.

Everyone sacrifices for the good of the whole.”

“You must be talking about yourself.” Heather looked over at her.

“Very astute.” She watched Heather pace. “You seem to be a little agitated. Perhaps we should go outside. My brother isn’t here to stop us.”

“It’s not really a good idea.” Heather sat down in another overstuffed chair. “There have been several incidents and I seem to be the main target.”

“Why?”

“That is the question. Until we can answer that I’m going be stuck here.” With a man who made her blood boil and her body screaming for more.“Sounds like fun.”

Even now she felt her desire spiraling out of control and he wasn’t even in the room. She needed to get a grip. Focus on something to help center her, not think about the incredibly sexy, yet pushy man who dominated her thoughts.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Heather smiled. She wanted to shout no, your brother is driving me insane. “So how do the women put up with such pushy men?”

“We have our moments too. You’ll see that. The only thing I can say is push back. The men can be quite obnoxious but they want their women to stand up for themselves.”

“Pretty sure that won’t be a problem.” Heather stood up again. She turned to the doors. Something called to her. She felt it deep inside. This was crazy.

Heather turned back to Storm’s sister and found her watching her intently. “Am I to call you Storm’s sister the entire time you’re here or do you have a name?”

“My name is hard for you to pronounce so I’ll have to pick one.” The doors opened at that moment and Storm walked in. She felt relief the moment she saw him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw his sister switch her gaze from her to Storm. Maybe his sister would focus on him instead of her.

“I know you women wanted some time to yourselves but I just received a communiqué from home. The elders are coming here. As protocol instructor you need to make sure we have everything ready for them. The leader of this planet will be here as well for a banquet tomorrow evening.”

“Our commander in chief? I must get my dress uniform.” Heather jumped up out of her chair, only to find her arm caught in Storm’s grip.

“Dress uniform? I would think you would want to impress my people since you will be living among us.” He didn’t look angry just serious.

“I am a member of this planet’s military. I have my own protocol to fulfill.” She was just as serious. She might be leaving Earth, but she still needed to show her allegiance to it. “I am expected to show my planet’s leader the respect he deserves.”

“And my leaders deserve the same respect.”

He was right. How was she going to do this? She wasn’t sure how to please both of them. “When are we to greet them?”

“Your leader will be here in the early afternoon. My leaders will arrive several hours later.”

“That will work.”

He tilted his head at her.

“I can dress according my protocol when the commander in chief arrives and then be able to change and greet your people properly. Will that work for you?” She sure hoped it would.

He gave her a nod and released her arm. His focus then turned to his sister. He didn’t like the intense look she gave them. “Enjoying the view?”

“Very much.” She gave them a big smile. “I was sent with a gift for your bride. May I give it to her?”

“Of course.”

She stood and walked to the door. It didn’t take her long before she returned with a small box for Heather. “Press the button on the top.” Heather placed the box on the coffee table in front of her and pressed the button suggested. She watched in amazement as it opened up to reveal several yards of material. Picking it up, she found a beautiful long dress.

High collar, low neckline, full, long sleeves. At least it would cover her. She had seen some of the images of dress wear from her security tapes and the women of the race exposed a lot more than this dress did. “Wedding gown?”

“Formal dress for you to wear.” Storm touched the material.

“Great.” Now she knew she had to make sure she stuck to her plan. She couldn’t upset either side.

“Heather do you mind if I speak to my brother? Alone?”

“Not at all.” Heather needed a little time to herself. Everything was happening too fast. She darted out of the library before he could stop her.

Not an easy feat.

****

“Why did you send her away?”

“You’re smitten.” She sat back in her chair and smiled.

“What? Don’t be silly.” He wondered what she suspected.

“I have never seen you do that before.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But he did. He did treat Heather differently. His excuse was she didn’t understand their ways so he had to be more lenient.

“Please.” She stood. “You let her decide how to balance the protocol of both planets. In the past when confronted by something like this you didn’t allow anyone a choice. It was your way or else.”

“She isn’t from our planet.”

“Never stopped you before.”

“Why are you here, sister?” He needed to change the subject before she overstepped her boundaries.

“I was sent by the leaders to teach your bride how to fit into our society.”

“Then do that and stay out of my personal life.”

****

Heather hadn’t gotten very far before she felt a slight headache. They had plagued her from time to time in the past and it was normally caused when the cylinder had been moved. She walked into the central medical area and found one of the doctors working on a screen.

“Ma’am? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I seem to be suffering from another one of my headaches.”

“Another one?’ He ran a hand scanner over her.

“I get them when the device is removed. I’m hoping you might have something to get rid of it?” She ran her fingers through her hair. She kept it short because of military protocol. The moment it touched her collar she would set the computer to shorten it. Would this be something else she’d have to change?

“Let’s try this.” He pressed a small hypo against her neck.

She felt relief instantly. “Thank you.”

“Please let us know if you continue to have these headaches.”

“I will.” She gave him a smile. “It’s normal for me so there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

The doctor didn’t look convinced but nodded.

She left the room and headed to the kitchen. Going back to her room was out of the question, she didn’t have one anymore and going to Storm’s room alone just didn’t feel right. Heather refused to wander the halls. She knew Storm would come looking for her sooner or later. Besides, a cup of coffee would help steady her nerves and give her a chance to try to keep her thoughts from wandering. Why was she worried about her hair anyway?

It was all his fault. Being around him made her lose all concentration.

If she wanted to be evil she could try to hide from him, but he seemed to know where she was and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to push him that hard yet. How would he punish her if she did?

“Wandering the halls?”

His deep voice flowed over her like honey.

“Thought you were talking to your sister.”

“She annoys me.”

Heather couldn’t help but grin. “Really? I thought nothing got to you.”

“You do.” He pulled her into his embrace. “I find I don’t want to be without you for too long.”

“I still think there was something in that wine.” He wrapped his arm around her. “Promise. Nothing out of the ordinary.

I did have it checked.”

“Dinner is ready.” One of the servants stepped up to them.

“Hungry?”

Not really, but if they had a lot of schedule working to do she probably should. “What is on the agenda for this evening?” His gaze started at the top of her head and worked its way down to her feet before he looked her in the eyes. That heart melting smile spread across his face. “You need to eat.”

****

She sat amongst her items, trying to figure out where her medals were.

Ignoring him was hard, but she needed to be sure she was dressed properly and his staring at her the whole time just made matters worse. Plus Storm seemed to be cross with her because she was taking so long.

“Are you done, yet?” He had his arms crossed over his chest as he stood over her.

“And tomorrow you won’t be the same way?” She grinned when she found the velvet box she had been looking for. She handed the box to him as he helped her to her feet. “You’re sure your people know how to do this?”

“They will not ruin your uniform. Promise.” He opened the door for one of the servants to enter.

She nodded as she placed her uniform into their arms. They gave her a slight bow before exiting the room.

“Why don’t you try on the dress? Just in case it needs to be altered.” He pointed to the gown lying on the bed.

“You’re right.” She picked up the dress and started toward the bathroom.

“Where are you going?”

“To change?” She wasn’t quite sure she understood his question.

“Change here.” He gestured about the room.

“Right.” She gave him a disbelieving look. “I’ll never get the dress on.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior.”

She looked at him. Was this his way to show she should trust him? If she were to continue to the bathroom could she hurt the budding relationship they were building? Her modesty was ingrained but the man had been intimate with her twice now. Was there a need for it? “And are you going to keep your hands to yourself?”

“I’ll be on my best behavior.” He didn’t promise her a thing, but gave her that bone melting smile.

“You’re terrible.” She laughed. His libido did seem to have a mind of its own, but she needed to show she did trust him. “You know two can play at this game.”

“Really?” he perked up a bit.

“I have been thwarting men for years.” She stepped back from him.

“You don’t have a chance.”

“That sounds like a challenge.” His eyes lit up at the thought.

Maybe taunting him wasn’t the smartest thing she could have done. She pulled the dress over her head, removing her other outfit as the dress slid down her body. She had learned how to do this during different assignments.

Came in handy from time to time. The top came off without a hitch, but a large pair of hands stopped the progress of the dress and she couldn’t reach her pants.

“You’re cheating?” he sounded astonished.

“Really? Where are your hands?” She slipped her arms through the sleeves of the dress. He unhooked her pants and pulled them down her hips.

The dress followed, keeping his hands at bay.

The low neckline allowed her to wiggle into the dress without having to release the seams. Once on it fit like a glove but she found a problem.

The material across her breasts was too skimpy. One false move and she’d be popping out.

Storm batted her hands away from the material when she tried to fix it and arranged it so it covered what she wanted but exposed what he wanted to see. Taking her hand, he led her to a close mirror. “You look beautiful.” She stared at the image looking back at her. “That can’t be me.” His hands slipped beneath the top of her dress, gently cupping her. “Do you feel that?”

“Yes.” All he had to do was touch her and her libido came to life. Her heart was beating double time from a simple touch.

“Then you know it’s you.” He bent his head to nibble on her neck. She tilted hers so he could have total access to that side.

His lips pressed against her throat before nipping against the same soft skin. He blazed a trail down the tender flesh until he hit her shoulder and the material of the dress. “As much as I’d like to just rip the dress from you I don’t think my leaders would appreciate the gesture. You need to take it off before I take it off you.”

“But you just said you wouldn’t rip it off me.”

“So you want to see how gentle I can be with you? That dress is coming off. It blocks my view too much.” He ran the tips of his fingers across her exposed skin, causing little goose bumps to rise up in the path. “Let’s see how far I get before I turn into a wild man.”

Shivers went down her spine as he walked behind her. She felt the gentle pressure of his fingers against the magnetic seal that held the dress together, then the tips of his fingers brushing her skin as he slid them through the seam to the bottom of her spine.

“I do like the view from here.” His words soft, right next to her ear.

She looked down and saw why. She was completely exposed to him.