The Genesis Project (7 page)

“Is there a reason you're staring at me, Mr. Reynard?”

“Just wondering what you see in Treegold.”

“See in Treegold?”

“Xander.”

She
had no idea where this conversation was headed, but she knew she wanted it to stop. The vid screen went dark and what little light there'd been was restored.

Adam stood silently. She felt his hostility shoot bullets into her back. What was his problem? She wasn't going to move. Why should she? Adam wasn't worth the air he breathed, let alone her air.

“Xander is not the match type.” He continued.

Gen turned slightly in her chair, facing Adam. “Why do you care if Xander is the match type?”

“I don't.” Adam grunted. The smell of bitter-sweet chocolate mixed with something strong and musky filled Gens nostrils as she inhaled deeply. The chocolate she'd never be able to
place
but the musky scent she knew from her study in the labs. Adam was throwing off pheromones in high quantity. His actions were in direct opposition of his body's reactions. Why he reacted in this contradictory fashion towards her could only be answered by the Goddess herself. Pars sense of smell was naturally heightened but with Gen, it was ten times more advanced. Every emotion had a scent, even a taste. This one was arousal choked by confusion that left a bitter and sweet taste in her mouth. What in the Goddess' name was going on with him?

Gen carefully got out of her chair. It was time for the last class of the day. Adam's issues were not hers. Who cared if Xander was or wasn't the match type? She had no intentions of matching anyone.

Chapter
5

Gens last class of the day was Verbal Sensuality. It was her least favorite class. Professor Aylet loved for everyone to participate in class discussions. Gens words were not well practiced or even heart felt. They were choppy and put together in such a way it almost seemed robotic. Everyone else talked with smooth vocal chords making each word lyrical. She'd gotten better over the weeks, but this new assignment was completely unnecessary to someone in Gens line of work. She was going to be a scientist, not mated to some male. Women weren't second-class citizens on New Earth, but that didn't stop the push of coupling in order to bear offspring.

Gen
walked to the back of the class where Nimziri and his twin sister Nimaya waited. Nimaya was tall like her brother and kept her platinum hair cut pixie short. Her eyes were slightly slanted and filled with laughter and mischief. Gen had warmed to her instantly in her first week at the Academy. Nimaya was graceful and sure of herself, always helping Gen put her outfits together for class.

“Maya, Nim.” Gen nodded and took her seat at a table behind them. Professor Aylet walked into the room just as Genesis got herself situated. She was all silk skirts and body filling bodice. Her platinum curls hung loosely to her shoulders and she carried a soft pink parasol to match her silk gown.

“Greetings class, who would like to go first?” Always straight to the
point.
Professor Aylet was all about the assignments. Nimziri stood first and approached the front of the class. He walked sure footed up to the podium, as if his reading would be unmatched by any other. He placed his vid into the feed, and then took a deep breath. His gaze roved over the class until it rested lightly on Gen's face. She gave him an encouraging smile. Maybe he wasn't as calm as he liked everyone to believe.

“Begin Nimziri.” The professor said with a strong vibrant voice. She sat behind her desk in the corner and folded her parasol, placing it swiftly on the floor. He was silent for a moment his eyes smiling as he cleared his throat.

“This will be good.” Nimaya said looking over her shoulder at Gen.

“The blackest night is filled with a
golden
light.

A dark waterfall of vitality, glowing black against a sea of white.

Honey-almond mixed with ice blue delight.

I can taste you, I can feel you, and yet you move away

As if I'm the cause of your plight.

I want to trace the vein that runs from wrist to elbow;

Sink my fangs into your throat as my fingers go to work.

In this match that will be sanctioned and be pure.

Of this I am sure.

So come my golden Goddess don't
be
so demure.

Let me taste all that is pure.

Gen watched in horror as everyone in class turned to look at her. Nim pulled his vid from the feed, and walked to his seat. How could he do something like this? It was wrong, and not fair. He put her on display, embarrassed her further in front of the other recruits and the professor. Who else could he be talking about? Their entire Par community all looked the same. Same skin, same eyes, same color hair. Their only variance was their style of dress. For Nimziri to put all her qualities on display as if confessing his want for her would help his cause. He was very wrong. This feeling she felt was unpleasant. Harsh. Her skin heated with hostility towards him and his words. Her back was rigid with fear. Everyone was staring. No
one
said a word. Her body was wound tight, but her nerves were high on anxiety. Somewhere inside of her mind she thought she should leave and run from the class. Sensibility kicked in and warned her to stay put. What was done was done. Final. Nothing could snatch the words back. Time could not be rewound.

Now she understood the saying, ‘heat in someone's stare.' Her skin felt scorched by her onlookers.

“It was not my intention to embarrass you.” Nim whispered as he sat down. “I only said what every male here is too afraid to say out loud.”

Every male was not thinking those thoughts. They were not envisioning taking from her vein. Was Nim mad!

“Alright, class who is next?” Professor Aylet said over the
murmurs
in the class.

One by one everyone stood in front of the class and read their assignments. Everyone's was different. They didn't specify one person in general, instead they focused on a body part. Eyes, hands, lips, throat, neck. Nimaya mentioned how someone's voice was sensual. More and more Gen was becoming uneasy. Her assignment didn't necessarily describe another, but there were certain attributes that could be ascertained. Figured out if one had an inkling to dig deep. They were her feelings, her true feelings. But after Nimziri's reading she wasn't sure if this was something she could even address out loud to the others in the class. She was practical if anything else. She could do this, would do this.

“Miss Blackmore you're the last
one
to read.” Professor Aylet said, as she straightened her vid screen on her desk. “Please share with us your thoughts.”

Genesis stood and very calmly approached the front of the class. Once she reached the podium she plugged in her vid feed. She straightened the bodice of her dress, found an imaginary piece of fluff on the folds of her sleeves and tried to pretend it was just her, and her alone. She took a deep breath and held it until she felt sure she was ready to begin. Air filled her lungs and the strength began to flow peacefully over her body. It assured her it was okay to express these unnatural, disconnected feelings.

“I can smell the fire in the air. The danger that surrounds your skin.

It's electric and vibrant.

I'm
in awe at how you move the pulse beneath my skin.

I'm in awe because I'm scared.

The smell of you surrounds me and intoxicates my senses.

It's euphoric and it's wrong.

It's wrong that I wish to take your wrist and offer you my neck.

The sweet smell of your skin makes me hunger for your taste.

Bittersweet chocolate that clashes with sin.

I'm confused.

Above all I loathe you and adore him.”

Gen quickly sat down in her seat
and
kept her head down. She wanted the ground to swallow her whole. Professor Aylet walked around to the front of her desk and smiled.

“I am so very proud of all of you. Genesis and Nimziri, I must say I am quite pleased that you two obviously have someone in mind. Genesis the two males that are in your sights are lucky.” The professor said in a quiet tone. How could she have guessed her plight was between two males?

“Class you should all learn from their example. Their sensuality is real as it is based on a person or persons. It's a tangible thing for them. Whereas most of you focused on the idea, or body in its form. Verbal sensuality is not only about words, but feeling. The slightest glimpse or the almost possibilities of those chance encounters evokes something in the
spirit.
Some of you should know this as quite a few of you are already matched. Next week we will focus on the tone of that sensuality.”

Professor Aylet, looked over the vid for a moment and then pulled up a dual image on the screen. One was of Nim and the other was of Genesis.

“Look at their body language. Their words rang true. They were sensitive to these emotions. The idea of speaking about their person or persons, became sensual in its form. Nimziri's posture changed.” She pointed to a spot on the scream where it seemed his hand was grabbing the side of his pant leg in a death grip. But as he began to read, the vid showed him releasing his pants and visibly relaxing. “He went from his normal harsh stance, to relaxed and calm as he spoke about his true feelings. Notice the flush on Genesis'
neck.
See how it blossoms from underneath her bodice? Her skin was heated and her face flushed, as she remembered how it made her feel.” The professor pointed out the changes in her skin tone. Once she was sure everyone knew what she was talking about she quietly dismissed the class.

Gen rose quickly. She couldn't exit fast enough. She wanted to go to her quarters, conference in her father, and find a way out of all this craziness.

“Gen could I please have a word with you?” Nim asked. His eyes were searching her face for something. What? She had no clue.

She nodded and followed him out of class. She really didn't want to revisit her embarrassment. But if she didn't respond to him now he'd only bug her later and in a more open
forum.

Chapter
6

Xander watched Genesis Blackmore as she rounded the corner with Nimziri. The other male always made sure he was near her. He and his sister Nimaya were always in her suite. How did he know this? Simple, he would occasionally wait for her at the adjoining staircase, and every time he tried to get her alone, the cock blocking bastard was there.

Xander took in all of Gen's flawless features. From the slender, delicate column of her neck, to the full, lush curve of her breasts. She was perfection incarnate. Naiveté gave her the sensual appeal of a female who only had the purest of intentions when it came to garnering affections from a
male.
Though she did not know she was flirting innocently with every male in sight. She did flirt. Her eyes flirted, her smile beckoned. Yet, none of it was for him. Midnight ringlets fell around her face accentuating her elegance. Even her hair was perfect. Thoughts of the silky tresses fanning out on his white silk sheets muddled his brain and sent blood rushing to his cock. He knew the cascading waves would caress his skin with utter perfection. Damn, but he wanted her. Bad. She was curvy, fuller and creamier than the rest of the female population on New Earth. Even those in the southern tier of the planet were shapeless compared to her. He'd slept with hundreds of females far and wide. There were few galaxies his cock hadn't conquered. But to be faced with her loveliness on a daily basis was sheer torture. He would have her under his body. Sink into her flesh. Rotate his
hips
in such a way they'd both moan in pleasure.

In all the galaxies, hell the Federated Universes, she was unique. Deep, blue eyes ringed by pure gold held him in a limbo of lust. Her long, thick lashes cast shadows on her cheeks, giving a new meaning to slumberous eyes. Genesis Blackmore was more than a passing fancy. She was every male's darkest fantasy come to life. She pulled him from the deepest pit of his unconscious thoughts and breathed life into his skin. Every male on New Earth and beyond would give everything in his possession to be with a woman like Genesis. Die for a woman like Genesis, and not even flinch when he fell upon his own sword. She was that type of persuasion. Devastating to anyone who dare try and capture her heart.

She
was a different spice everyone wanted to taste. A bold flavor spilling onto his tongue that drove him mad with lust. She was one that would make a male stand out in a crowd while on his arm. All the females envied her. He knew this to be true as he'd heard them talking. Had almost gone to her defense, but drew up short at the last minute. Oh yes, Genesis Blackmore would be the death of him.

The males of New Earth could sleep outside their species, and Xander had done his share of inter- species bed hopping. But to match with one such as her was unheard of.
Match?
Xander's thoughts were on a path to destruction. Before he had a chance to deny the statement, he realized that yes, he did want to be matched to Genesis Blackmore. Normally a thought like that would have left him nauseous and unsettled in his skin. Something this
significant
couldn't go without careful observation. Did he truly want to be matched to her? Totally devoted to her in every way imaginable. Tied to one woman with no chance of escape? Hell yes he did! His skin was heated and he knew that if he looked into a mirror, his eyes would be flooded with intense need. She wasn't some fling, or even a match of convenience. She'd moved the floor beneath him and he hadn't had a moment's hesitation when taking the fall. He watched Gen and Nimziri in a heated conversation and wondered if she would want to be matched to him. After all, he had a reputation of bowing out of matches at the very last possible moment. Did it make him a rogue? Yes. Did he care what any of the others had said about him in the past? No. But the thought of Gen hearing of his past escapades had him worried. He was a man of action if nothing else. If the mood suited him, he
accepted.
If it didn't, he moved on. He had a feeling his mood would never change with Genesis by his side.