Dominated By Desire (7 page)

He dipped his hands into the bodice to pay a little homage to her breasts before going lower. When one of his hands closed over her mound she felt her body clinch. His fingers separated the soft folds and explored, drawing a few sounds from her.

“Really?” She could feel his grin against her throat. “So I need to explore here a little more to see what sort of sounds I can elicit from you?”

“Storm.” She touched her cheeks because she could feel them heating up. “I have embarrassed you.”

“I’m just not use to such talk.” She didn’t think he’d be so tuned in to what she thought or felt. It was nice having a partner who cared that much.

“Maybe we should remove the dress? Wasn’t that the main goal?”

“Was it?” He moved back around and grasped the cuff of the sleeve.

Giving it a tug, he pulled it down one arm. “I thought it was not to damage the dress before I have my way with you.”

“You do have a one track mind.”

“When it comes to you I seem to.” He helped her step out of the dress and clasped his hands together. “Now where were we?”

“What about the dress?”

“Someone will be along to get it.” His eyes lit up. “I know. Let’s take a bath.”

“What?” Confusion overcame her. When did they talk about taking a bath?“I have read that the bathtub can be a great place to be intimate.”

“If you have one big enough.” He must have been planning this one for a while.

He smiled and grabbed her hand. He half dragged her out onto a balcony. “Is that big enough?”

“Not a bathtub. It’s a hot tub.”

“And what is the difference?” He pulled his shirt off before shedding his pants.

“Um, you don’t use soap?” She wasn’t sure herself. They had always been a waste of time to her. Of course the only people who ever invited her to one were men and she felt the confined space was just asking for trouble.

Just like now. “Do you not have tubs on Vespia?”

“We use sonic waves to clean the body.” Storm picked her up and dropped her into the water before he hopped over the edge to join her.

“Interesting sensation.”

“Jets.” She wasn’t sure what to say or to do but Storm had a gleam in his eyes that said he knew exactly what he wanted to do to her. And there really was no escape. Before she could move a muscle he had crowded her into one corner of the tub.

“And what is a jet?” He went down on his knees in front of her so they would be closer to the same height.

“The thing that makes the water swirl.” She felt his fingers at her mound again. When they brushed against sensitive flesh she sucked in her breath.

“I see.” His lips captured hers, his tongue searching, touching the recesses of her mouth, making her forget anything but the sensations he was causing.

They started to build in her, she could feel her body tighten and move as he worked his magic with his fingers. Then everything exploded. She heard two words but wasn’t sure who said them.

“Oh God.”

“I’m truly sorry, sir.”

“This had better be good.” Storm growled at the interruption. Keeping Heather shielded from view, he turned toward the shaking young man near the edge of the hot tub.

“There’s a communiqué from the elders of the council.” The frightened man kept his eyes down. “They said it couldn’t wait.” So did she say oh god because of the orgasm or did he say it because of the interruption?

Storm climbed out of the tub and walked over to another screen. One she hadn’t noticed before this. Weren’t they also security cameras? Then she realized she was going to be seen by the council. There were only two choices, either sink as low as possible so the cameras wouldn’t pick her up or get out before they were on the screen. She opted for scrambling out.

The only piece of clothing she could find to wear was Storm’s shirt so she slipped it on. Then she found the towels.

She tried to stay out of view as she toweled off but it was not to be.

Although they spoke Vespian and she didn’t understand the language she did get the implications when Storm came over and brought her to the screen.

What now?

****

“Is that your mate?”

“Who else would I be with?” Storm wanted to reach through the screen and throttle the elder smiling at him.

“There’s a whole planet of women there. Just because you have to mate with her doesn’t mean you have to have anything to do with her.” She seemed pleased to see him with Heather.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Can she understand us?”

“No, Ma’am. I haven’t been given clearance to add our language to her universal translator.”

“You have it now. Please make sure it is in place before we arrive.” She shifted in her seat. “She sure is a pretty little thing and from the looks of things you wasted no time in enjoying her company.”

“Yes Ma’am.” He put his arm around her. It was not the smartest thing he could have done because of what the elder might read into it, but he felt a need to show his protection. He wasn’t happy about the focus this elder was giving to Heather. It normally meant she wanted something.

“You received the dress?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Good. And your family crest?”

“It’s safe at home.” Why did they want the family crest?

“It should have been in the box with the dress. We wish her to wear it.”

“Can I ask why? There have now been two incidents. Do you not feel she is wearing a big enough target already?”

“I am aware of what has happened there. This time we will have all our security to protect her. If it happens again then we will have to assume it’s someone from our people and take the proper measures.” The elder stopped talking for a moment while an aid whispered in her ear. “If it is someone from her planet then it should stop once we have her in our custody.” He hoped so. It was bad enough he always had to be aware of assassination attempts. Having to worry about attempts on her life too would compound the problem.

Chapter 5

Once the screen went blank he turned to Heather. She stood there wearing his shirt, trying to be patient but wondering what she was supposed to do now. Even new to the Vespian way, she knew to expect something.

“It seems we missed something in the package.” He headed back into the room. Gown and box had been removed. Storm walked to the doors and pulled them open. “Bring me the person who removed the box.” They started scurrying around which helped his anger abate a bit.

Heather must have walked up behind him because he found her tugging at his arm. “Bit grumpy, are we?”

“Not with you.” He looked at the way the material wrapped around her frame, giving him little peeks of a thigh or a breast from time to time. His body hardened. “I do like this look for you.”

“I can tell.”

He grabbed her and pulled her up against him and rubbed himself against her. “Then you know you need to fix this.” Then someone cleared their throat.

“Understand you were bellowing earlier.” His sister stood in front of them, grinning from ear to ear. Taking in everything. “I have the crest. I wouldn’t dare leave it in a box to be accidently thrown away.”

“What? Are you listening in on my conversations with the elders?” He spoke to her in Vespian, probably the last time he would be able to. If she was listening in then she knew Heather’s translator needed to be upgraded and that would be her job.

She walked around them and sauntered into the room. Switching to English she spoke to Storm. “I think you should get dressed, brother, while I speak to your bride.”

He growled under his breath but let go of Heather and did as she asked.

“Tiko you are a pain sometimes.”

“Tiko?” Heather spoke up. “That I can pronounce.” He grinned. His sister deserved it.

“I have a gift for you,” Storm’s sister handed her a wrapped up cloth, not commenting on his little pet name for her. He noticed she didn’t give his bride permission to use Tiko, but she didn’t deny her either.

“What is it?” Heather undid the binds before unfolding the cloth to reveal the family seal now mounted on a chain. She ran her fingers over it gently. “It’s beautiful.”

He always thought so. It was the tree of life from their planet surrounded by the key elements to keep life going. Her caress showed him she respected it as much as he did.

“But I can’t wear this.”

“You have to.” Storm and his sister said it in unison.

“Don’t tell me that’s what the call was about. They want me to wear this.” She slipped the chain around her neck. It fell right at the juncture of where the bodice stopped on the dress. “At least I now understand why the top was cut so low.”

“What top?” asked Storm’s sister.

“The dress.”

“Ah.” She pulled a small device out of her pocket. “I am also supposed to load our language to your translator.”

“It can be uploaded from...” Heather stopped. They were very cautious and probably didn’t trust the equipment. “And you can’t do it that way because of security reasons.”

“You do catch on fast.” His sister smiled at her. “Where is your translator?”

“Behind my left ear.” She pulled her hair back to show the access point for her to use. Storm also noticed the faintest sign of his mark. He knew his sister spotted it too because of the look she gave him.

“I’ll need you to lie down.”

She nodded and stretched out on the couch.

After Storm’s sister set everything up to download she grabbed her brother by the arm and dragged him out of earshot. “Are you crazy?”

“Couldn’t help myself.” He shrugged. The damage was done, no reason to be upset now.

“She’s not supposed to have that mark until after the mating ceremony.” She glanced at Heather. “In fact she shouldn’t have been able to receive it.

Have you two bonded already?”

“Uncle came with me. Something about wanting to see what was out there before he finished his term as religious leader. You know he’s the one person none of us can say no to.”

“So that is why you’ve gone along with this.” She reached out to his left arm and felt the invisible bond around his wrist. “I couldn’t figure out why you didn’t fight this whole thing. What did he tell you?”

“She’s my destiny.”

“This will disappear once the mating ceremony happens.” She let go of his wrist. “Have you told her about it?”

“Told me about what?” She picked up the device Storm’s sister had placed on her shoulder and sat up.

“Say my name.”

“Tiko.” Heather then laughed as the translator told her what the nickname really meant. “Storm, making me think Tiko was a name I could use was wrong. Unless you want me to call you a dung heap for the rest of your life.”

“I’d rather you not.” She stepped up and removed the downloader. “You should be able to understand anyone now. There might be a few old dialects that can cause a little trouble, but overall you should be able to converse with anyone from our planet.”

“Thank you.” She folded her hands into her lap. “Now you two can’t talk about me and keep me in the dark.”

“True.” His sister smiled. “In the morning we’ll go over protocol for the banquet. There’s quite a bit you’re going to need to know. In the meantime why don’t you ask my brother about our marriage ceremony? I’m sure there’s a lot he can tell you about it.”

“Why did that sound like a dare?” Heather asked after his sister left.

“Because it was.” His fingers started to work on the front of the shirt.

“Now, where were we?”

“Oh, no you don’t.” She batted his hands away. “I have a feeling you don’t think I’m going to like this so you’re trying to distract me.” He sighed but didn’t stop trying to get the shirt off her. He just might commit murder by the end of the day. “You know how modest you are?”

“I’m no more modest than the next human.”

He could argue that point but decided it would only make matters worse. If his sister hadn’t said anything he would have had more time before having to explain. Maybe it was better to get it out in the open now. Give her time to accept it. “And you’ve made a comment or two about my lack of modesty.”

She nodded.

“Our whole society is that way. Where you cover up when in public we don’t have to. What you consider private and should be kept in the bedroom we celebrate, whenever and wherever we want to.” He finally got the shirt off of her and smiled at the treasure he had revealed. “Our wedding ceremony is a reflection of that. We wear capes or maybe you call them robes. Nothing on underneath. Our religious figure says a few words and then the ceremony begins.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“That’s why I’m going to show you the ceremony so you won’t have any confusion.” He touched her face. “It’s a sacred and beautiful ceremony to us. Just let me gather a few things first and you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

He stepped away from her, enjoying the view once again. “And don’t cover up. I like you that way.”

The bed had a sheet he could use for the cape. As he went to pull it off the bed, he noticed his closet doors were open. Hanging in them were two capes that would work perfectly. He found it odd they were there since he didn’t pack anything like that but didn’t question. The desire to do this now overwhelmed him. “I’m not sure where these came from but they’ll do.” He slipped one over her shoulders then donned the other one himself.

“Now we need to find a special place.”

“At the embassy?”

“I know just the spot.” Taking her hand, he had her following him, racing down several halls and out into the night. They dashed across the grass to a wooded area that would conceal them from prying eyes.

“Now.” He turned her toward him and took both of her hands in his.

“Our religious leader would stand nearby. Not always where the couple could see him. It’s the same for the guests. This moment is about the couple and no one else.”

“Then why have it witnessed like this?”

“It’s part of our tradition.” He saw the fear in her eyes. “That is why we’re doing this now. Just the two of us. I don’t want you to fear what we find beautiful and sacred.”

“And if I can’t go through with it?”

“I’ll never make you do something you don’t want to.” He’d have to find a way, but for now he needed her calm enough to go through the trial run. Perhaps if he could get her to see how glorious it was, he could make her forget about anything else.