Lindsey's Rescue: A World Beyond Book 3 (9 page)

Chapter 14

The next day Lindsey managed to dodge Zumei until he caught her mid-afternoon on her way upstairs. Unable to avoid him, she once more listened to the non-stop rules he outlined for her as they traveled the winding staircase. What she should do, what she shouldn’t do. How she needed to act and talk at the party tonight. They reached her room and Lindsey halted at the last part.

“No one told me about a party,” she protested, standing in the middle of her fairytale bedroom.

Zumei cast her a pitying look. “Do you expect them to run everything past you? This is why I’m helping you.”

She worried her lip. Zumei was right. Her husbands were politicians and busy men. Parties came with that. Her gaze landed on the dresses on her bed. Pink boxes piled on the floor with a large, black letter on top that represented W in the Garulax language on the top.

“More clothes!” Lindsey put Zumei’s complaints behind her and dove into the colorful material.

She held up one, heart pounding at the celebrity worthy gown. She didn’t think it possible to outdo the other dresses but Welsin kicked it out of the park with these.

A knock sounded on her door and then opened to reveal Kimsha and his flopping red hair. “Lady Lindsey, Senate Leader Baruk will be delayed at work and has asked me to see if you need anything.”

Nerves tackled her. Zumei pointed to the dress she still held. “Not that one. I’ll return later to help you further but I must assist Senate Leader Zadal if he’s here.”

Kimsha’s kind eyes gazed at her expectantly once Zumei left. Lindsey crunched the red fabric in her hand. “There’s a party tonight. Any idea what look I’m going for here?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He came in, closing the door behind him.

A bubble of relief expanded in her middle. “Thank you, Kimsha. I’m a bit nervous if you can’t tell.”

“You’ll do wonderful. It’s too bad Mala isn’t here. Sometimes having another woman helps but I’ll do my best.” He added a bright smile on the last word and Lindsey knew she was in good hands.

“Mala?”

Kimsha opened a box on her bed and trilled before answering. “Mala is Senate Leader Baruk’s first assistant.”

Lindsey vaguely recalled Baruk mentioning the assistant structure. The flurry of excitement over the party took over the next minutes. Together she and Kimsha selected the perfect outfit as well as a recommendation on how she should wear her hair. Kimsha’s pleasantry went along way to dispelling the negativity Zumei built during his time with her.

“You’re very fortunate Welsin rushed over so many designs.” Kimsha lifted one dress after another and hung them in her closet.

“He seemed really nice.”

Kimsha’s gold eyes lightened. “He’s in high demand but still humble. His wife and spouse partner are always the best dressed at any affair they attend.”

Hopeful of knowing at least one person tonight, Lindsey asked, “Will they be here at the party?”

“Oh, no.” Kimsha swiped at the red hair on his forehead, only to have it fall back in his eyes. “This is for business purposes only. Many are curious about the unknown woman who married two Senate Leaders. Better to give them a look now than to have speculation run rampant.”

It sounded all well and good but Lindsey hated the idea of being on display.

Kimsha held up a shimmering gown of copper. “What about this one?”  

***

The household jumped with activity as plans for the party progressed. Lindsey didn’t get a chance to see her husbands. When Zumei returned, he informed her everyone was too busy to cater to her needs and she needed to tell him if she required help.

Standing in the doorway between her bedroom and bathroom, Lindsey pressed a palm to her earlobe. The skin seemed abnormally warm but the swelling behind it had gone down.

Zumei waved an impatient hand. “We have to hurry. The guests are arriving and Senate Leader Zadal sent me to bring you down.”

Her head hurt. Lindsey leaned closer to the mirror and squinted as she tried to see. “I don’t know if I feel well, Zumei. I’m hot and I think I have a fever.”

The ache from the translator had become increasingly worse. Bells continued to ring in her ear.

His gaze narrowed. “Now is not the time to be sick. There are at least a hundred people here tonight to meet you. Important people and associates of the Senate Leaders. Will you ruin this moment for them?”

She didn’t want to ruin anything. Both had been kind to her thus far and the sex on their wedding night had been amazing.

Lindsey winced as pain burst along one side of her head. “I’m sorry, Zumei. Can you at least have Baruk come up?”

She fingered the skin behind her ear. Baruk came across as the gentler husband and she wanted the assurance his presence would bring.

“Senate Leader Baruk isn’t home yet but Senate Leader Zadal is in his office.”

She’d appeal to the moments of gentility she witnessed in Zadal. “Will you please tell Zadal to stop and see me first? I really don’t think it’s a good idea to go to a party sick.”

Zumei’s lips firmed as he blew out a breath and slammed the door behind him. Lindsey sat on the side of her bed and pressed her hand to her middle. She really hated the idea of missing the party.

Zumei returned moments later, face red. “The Senate Leader doesn’t have time. He insists you come down now. Enough of this foolishness.”

Disappointment closed in on her. After their shared interlude, Lindsey expected more of a response from Zadal. Maybe going to the party for a little while wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

“Alright. Let me finish up.” Lindsey hurried to the bathroom. One last look at her facial cosmetics and the exquisite copper-colored gown that banded around her torso before falling in smooth silky layers to the floor and Lindsey considered herself ready.

She swiped at the smooth waves of hair about her shoulders making sure to hide the abraded red skin from the implant.

Lindsey held a side of her dress up to keep from tripping in the new shoes she wore, all the while butterflies took flight in her middle. As she left her room and descended the stairs, Zumei stayed on her heels the entire way, increasing her anxiety. Conversation flowed through the foyer and her gaze scanned the crowd anxiously.

“This way.” Zumei guided her towards the opened doors of the ballroom.

“Lindsey.”

They stopped and turned before reaching the room. Zadal approached with long strides, his black suit and crisp button down black shirt fitted him perfectly. She considered being annoyed about his dismissal of her pain but put it aside. Images from their time together in his office flashed through her mind. A blush stained her cheeks as she met his intimidating gaze.

“I’ll escort her in, Zumei.”

The small man’s hands fisted at his side. “Tonight is important, Senate Leader. Might I recommend you see to your guests while I show her around.”

“No, you may not. Consider yourself dismissed for the evening, Zumei.”

Currents drifted between the two men. Lindsey eyed them curiously. Zadal didn’t break his gaze from Zumei until the man bowed stiffly and walked away with jerky steps.

Zadal faced her, expression wiped smooth of the anger of moments prior. “I see Baruk had Welsin handle your dress for this evening.”

Nerves prickled. “Welsin sent a ton of things. More than I could ever wear.”

A corner of his mouth curved up. “Don’t be so sure of that.”

Lindsey frowned. “Lord, I hope not. I’m nervous enough without worrying about more parties in my future.”

Brawny arms folded over his formidable chest. “Why are you nervous?”

She couldn’t help her chuckle. “Are you serious? People are going to stare at the weird Earth woman.”

His eyes darkened to the deepest shades of amber possible. “If someone offends you tonight, let me know.”

That would be a
no
since she wanted to fit in. This was her new home now and Lindsey would make every attempt to fit in but she lied to avoid an argument. “Sure.”

She laced her arm through his elbow and ignored the way he stiffened. “Will you walk in with me?”

Zadal glanced down at her, brow furrowed. “You’ve got a lock on my arm, leaving me no choice.”

Lindsey snickered. “I thought you’d be the uptight husband, Z, but I think your humor is just sneakier.”

They crossed the threshold into a much more formal affair than Lindsey expected. Decorative lights hung across the ceiling, black linen covered the multiple tables in the room with glowing candles setting up ambient lighting. A group of musicians seated in the corner of the ball room played music on string instruments.

“You will call me Zadal.”

“I like Z,” she murmured absently, shoulders hunching from the stares turned their way. “Reminds me of my favorite romance hero from a book.”

“I’m no one’s hero, Lindsey.” He stopped them mid-step and cupped her face with his free hand. “It’s best you understand that early on to avoid any confusion.”

Behind his harsh words, Lindsey sensed a hint of insecurity. Doubt. Her stomach muscles tensed as the connection stretched between them. Lindsey cleared her throat, unable to break away from the intensity in his brown eyes. “It was only a comment.”

Beyond the caramel gaze hunger blazed so fiercely that her body responded with a matching passion. Butterflies took flight and fluttered about to create little bubbles of desire in her abdomen.

“Words have the tendency to have more power than we give them credit. I’m sure it’s the same on your world.”

He exposed so much hurt in those murmured words that it hit a corresponding note in Lindsey. Her father preferred making babies to forming any sort of relationship with the numerous children he created. Lindsey had tried repeatedly to establish a bond of some sort with him but he’d refused. And her mother didn’t understand Lindsey’s need to be wanted. Loved.

Pain glinted from Zadal’s eyes then he blinked and the look faded as if never there. Forgetting people watched their every move yet compelled to do something, Lindsey released his arm and leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips.

She intended it to be a soft declaration of her care for him. Two parties of like minds.

Zadal had something else in mind. His arms snapped around her waist as his mouth took the offer and claimed her with brutal force. His tongue stoked the minute flames of arousal, sending spears of pleasure through her limbs.
Ping
. Lindsey entwined her arms around his neck and pressed closer. Only the distant sound of clapping penetrated her haze.

They broke apart with a gasp. Lindsey froze, breath stalling in her chest. She placed a hand over her mouth in shock. Zadal clasped her wrist and pulled her arm down then smoothed a finger over her bottom lip, a smudge of color dotting the tip. He withdrew a cloth from his jacket pocket and wiped it clean.

“Well,” she said, clearing her throat roughly and admonishing her inner harlot. “That’s one way to enter a party.”

Zadal smirked. “We only gave them what they came to see.”

“It would seem I’ve arrived just in time.” Baruk came up behind them, gripping Zadal’s shoulder in greeting and smiling at Lindsey. “Am I entitled to a kiss as well, Lindsey?”

Murmurs spread around them and the blush in her cheeks burned a path down her naked shoulders. Baruk didn’t give her a chance to agree or disagree. His arms swooped around her, dipping her low across his elbow as he kissed her long and deep. Lindsey gripped his silver lined black jacket for balance, only to have him knock her senses sideways when he sucked her tongue into his mouth.

Her nipples hardened and his deep groan caused moisture to dampen her new satin thongs. Her knees weakened and a brief fear of falling crossed her mind. Strong arms supported her from behind and the musky scent of Zadal filled her nostrils. He held her hips firmly until Baruk straightened them carefully then let her go. Both men stood before her.

Heat smoldered from Baruk’s gaze. In a voice gone husky, he said, “I’m sorry I was late, wife.”

The silver lining the inside of Baruk’s black suit matched his silver shirt perfectly. Holy cow. Double the trouble. Lindsey fanned her face. “Don’t worry about it.”

Baruk smiled. “Allow me to introduce you to our guests.”

Lindsey clung to the sleeve of his jacket, making sure she regained her balance. Zadal sidled next to her and both men kept near as they introduced her to more people than she would ever remember. Some expressed shock and disappointment when introduced, others remained carefully neutral. No one pretended to be overjoyed but Lindsey wasn’t sure if it was her or the bitter looks Zadal received causing the strain.

After an hour of circulating, tension vibrating in every pore, Lindsey begged off for a drink. Zadal and Baruk stood on either side of her in a gathering of at least ten well dressed men and women. The talk ranged from politics to financial trends and back to politics. All of which she had no idea how to contribute.

“I’m thirsty.”

“I can get it for you,” Baruk volunteered, a look of concern crossing his face.