Legend Beyond The Stars (11 page)

“I will see you safely to the women’s quarters. Come.” He held out his hand. When she ignored him and with her stubborn chin held high, brushed past him to wait near the entrance, his amusement fled.

He punched in his code. The doorway slid open. He waved her through. She marched ahead of him, keeping her gaze strictly ahead, her back straight and her chin held high.

Tarak strolled behind, idly admiring her hair which glowed red then gold as they passed under the dimmed lights which illuminated the corridor. Her hair had been so soft and silky sliding through his callused fingers. His irritation dissipated.

Perhaps he should postpone his mission of delivering the females up to Isla. One question had been answered, but many more remained to be solved. Some of which had only
just occurred to him. He gazed at the bottom just out of his reach and ached anew for appeasement. The realisation he was actually looking forward to the days ahead with avid anticipation startled him.
Yes, his plans could definitely be postponed
.

Alana halted outside the entrance to the women’s quarters. Her fingers drummed a nervous message on the metal door. His warm breath on her bare neck ruffled her hair, his presence so temptingly close behind her. She was powerless to resist, when he clasped her shoulders and turned her to face him.

Words of protest scattered as she lifted her eyes to his impenetrable gaze. She trembled at its latent heat and power. He lowered his head. Mindlessly she rose on tiptoe. He nuzzled her soft skin then took possession of her lips in a kiss which stole her breath. Reduced her to a quivering mass of confusion. She wrapped her arms about his neck. Her mouth opened and she responded with a fierceness that brought a sob to her throat. His grip tightened around her shaking body before he smoothed a long slow path intimately down her back leaving tingling nerves in their wake.

Alana whispered a protest when he eased his body away. He scattered kisses over her upturned face then released her. He stepped back. She was mortified to realise her arms still encircled his neck. Hurriedly she dropped her arms to hug her waist.

His breath came heavy and deep. Those hooded eyes she just knew watched her every response. His massive chest rose and fell, the dim lights played over his tense features, his expression in shadow. His gentle touch soothed her hair from her face, his fingers lingering before he tilted her chin.

”My quarters are waiting.” His voice rumbled over her senses and her stomach dropped away.

From somewhere Alana found the strength to shake her head in refusal. The wistful regret in his eyes tugged at her heartstrings. She fumbled for the door. She had to escape.

Now.

“Sleep well, my slave Alana.”

Alana closed the door, her fisted hands rested on the cold surface. Pain slashed behind her eyes. She was tired. That was all. Tired and so very lonely.

She would not make the same mistake again.

Chapter Six

Alana woke heavy eyed and with throbbing temples to find herself alone in the dimly lit sleeping quarters. With dragging steps, she availed herself of the cleansing tube—the glorious feeling of hot water pulsing down her back now a distant, wistful memory. The cleansing tube failed to make her feel truly clean.

Especially considering what she had been doing a few hours ago.

She yelled, thumped the sides of the tube with fisted hands before slumping against the tube. Really, she only had herself to blame.

The tube hummed and the programme changed to hot dry air for the drying cycle. She scrubbed wearily at her face.

It had been so long since she had lain in a man’s arms. Too long. Wary after her disastrous relationship with Scott, her defensive attitude had kept any interested men at bay. The result had been a life lived for her career, her heart reserved only for her family. Then in a matter of seconds, this alien man had stormed her hard-won barriers and opened the floodgates of her passionate nature. It was confusing, frightening, and the most exhilarating feeling she had ever experienced.

I can’t let it happen again
.

For someone who prided herself on self-control and discipline, she found it hard to forgive herself for her actions. Given her role as leader of this band of lost and overwhelmed women, she had to portray herself as someone rational, composed and confident. And not someone who jumped into bed with the first interested man, totally ignoring all thoughts of their safety.

What if she had caught some weird sexual disease? She moaned as she considered the implications and squeezed her eyes shut making a mental note to ask some probing and discrete enquiries from Norman at the first opportunity.

She had yet to find out anything about this research business. Not that the Commander had actually made any reference to such a thing!

No, here was another man with a secret agenda.

She sighed.

It seemed her dealings with Scott had taught her nothing. A bittersweet ache lanced her heart. She had not been the only one to lose. The baby she had carried had proved to be stillborn after a difficult labour. Even after all these years there were times when she imagined the feel of her baby’s tiny body cradled in her arms, the cool softness of her daughter’s skin, the feathery wisps of blonde hair that tickled as Alana had pressed her lips on her in one tender kiss. The raw guttural denial tore at her insides with a pain that still gripped with relentless force. But though she had lost her child, she had relished those few moments of motherhood. Then after long months spent wandering dazed and grief-stricken through her home, one day she had discovered her husband had used her passwords to steal the formula for a new prototype of engine her stepfather intended to sell to the government.

Alana forced the past back where it belonged. She had no time for the daydreams of
‘what ifs’
of a naive twenty-year-old who believed in happy ever afters.

After the discovery of Scott’s duplicity, she had made two vows: treat men with the callous indifference she had been shown, and never fall pregnant again.

Alana cradled her empty womb protectively. The regulatory implant device issued to all active service women sure made certain she’d never experience that miracle again. Not that she wanted to, of course.

She hadn’t been entirely alone. Her mother had been a tower of strength during those dark months, giving affection unconditionally for the first time in years, nagging Alana into facing each day, forcing her to continue her studies, attain her entrance to military college. The twins with their endless energy had been determined to include their older half-sister in their ploys. Slowly her enthusiasm for life had been rekindled.

Her stepfather Colin had been such a brick, especially since Alana had always treated him with a wary reserve, refusing to acknowledge him as part of her family. He had accepted this but had never failed to treat her in return with gentle consideration.

Alana drew in a deep shaky breath as she remembered how Colin had used his resources as one of the most successful retail businessmen in the country which used to be called Australia, to ensure Scott disappeared out of Alana’s life. Had she ever really thanked him? Told him how grateful she was for his support? Thanked any of her family?

Too late now.

That opportunity may never come again.

She pressed her knuckles against her mouth until the bones ground against her teeth.
I will not cry
. The moment passed and she opened her eyes, tapped the switch to turn off the cleansing programme. It was time to face a new day and ensure she fulfilled her obligations in keeping these women safe.

She would not fail anyone else.

Before leaving the tube, her eyes caught her distorted reflection in the flexi glass. She pulled a face at her image and ran a hand through her hair tugging at the ends. No, there was nothing there to evoke any feelings of overwhelming passion in the opposite sex. She had learned that lesson from Scott too well.

So why her?
A sickening mixture of confusion and anxiety churned deep in her gut. Chewing her lower lip, Alana stepped out of the cleansing tube to find Jessamine leaning against the curved wall, examining one of her long black braids.

Alana snapped her teeth together and did her best to evade the keen glance her friend shot at her. It was apparent she was not going to be able to keep the events of the night before undisclosed.

“We’ve all been ordered to assemble in some room on a different level. Norman called it ‘
The Claiming Room’
. I’m a mite curious as to what’s goin’ on. Any suggestions, Captain?” asked Jessamine.

“Some.” Alana finger combed her hair. She reflected on the passage of words she had with Commander Tarak. Perhaps it would be best to keep her suspicions to herself for a while longer. She chose her words with care. “I believe it’s an area where these aliens will claim a slave, that is, one of us.”

“Wooah there, honey. Surely you’re not serious?” Jessamine’s brown eyes flashed with annoyance. “There ain’t no way I’m gonna be dragged off by some hideously deformed monster. I do my own claimin’.”

”It might relieve your mind somewhat to know they’re humanoid,” Alana said wryly while smoothing out the wrinkles on her trousers.

“Humanoid?” Jessamine’s jaw dropped open. She emitted a soundless whistle. “Get out of here. Tell me, tell me everything.” She grabbed Alana by the arm and dragged her over to the bunk, thrusting her down so quickly, Alana whacked her hand on the metal bar at the base.

“Ouch!”

She scooted over on her bottom and rested her head on the wall. The wall flexed giving the impression it moved against the weight of her body. She frowned and pressed her fingers against the smooth surface. It was supple and made a faint rippling movement.

How strange
. Her friend’s loud voice interrupted her musings. With a sigh, Alana brought her attention back to the matter at hand.

“Come on, give,” Jessamine repeated. Her face softened. “That bad, huh?”

Alana sat up straight and looked at her, chin up, determined. “I made a wrong decision and one I will not be repeating.”

“If that guy hurt you—I’ll make sure he pays.” Jessamine’s brown eyes glowed fiercely.

“He didn’t hurt me. He was wonderful.” She covered her face with her hands and shuddered.

“Uh huh.” Jessamine enfolded Alana in her arms.

After a few moments, Alana lifted her head and gave a wan smile at her friend. She disengaged herself. “Sorry.”

“Not a problem. The best cure-all I know for dealing with stupid acts from the opposite sex is to eat mountains of double chocolate fudge ice-cream.” Jessamine’s voice dropped to a wistful murmur. “Now, I just bet there’s no such thing as ice cream on this metal death trap.”

Alana chuckled. “If you came up with a way to make ice cream, you would make a fortune.”

“Maybe we could get Norman, here, on the case. Ice cream and coffee.” Her friend smiled in empathy. “You know you don’t have to tell me anything, if you don’t want to.”

“I know.” Alana heaved a weighty sigh and mumbled, “I can’t believe I had sex with some alien.”

“You did say he was humanoid, honey. Soooo, does this mean he is
all
humanoid?” Jessamine ventured after a few moments.

“
All humanoid
,” Alana said with emphasis. She placed her hands in her lap and faced the other woman. “It was the most amazing moment of my life and I’ve had quite a few adrenaline moments.”

Perplexed, Jessamine’s brow furrowed. “So what’s the problem here?”

Laughter burst from Alana. She grinned at her friend. “You’re right of course, but this is not how a leader should be acting. Jumping into bed with the first available man. Not when
there is so much at stake. What was I thinking? I’m a thirty-three-year-old woman not some sex mad teenager.”

“You are way too hard on yourself. Accordin’ to my analyst, sex is the best way to release stress. And let’s face it, this sure has been one hell of a stress ride so far!” She winked. Amusement crinkled tiny lines about her mouth when she grinned. “Now don’t shoot me, honey, but I’m thinkin’ this could work to our advantage too.”

Alana looked at her questioningly.

“Here we have a guy who appears to be the leader of some seriously powerful race, totally gone over you.”

“Please.” Alana did the eye roll thing. “It meant nothing.”

“Huh, tell it to the marines. No Alana, you think about it for a minute. Forget your rigid standards about protocol and really think. What if I’m right? I’ll bet everythin’ I own, which at the moment is what I’m dressed in, this guy comes back for more.”

Heat suffused Alana’s face as she pondered her friend’s words. She couldn’t deny her attraction but she also knew her uncharacteristic behaviour could be a by-product of the extreme circumstances she found herself living. That plus her long years of celibacy! Celibacy could be the same reason for Tarak’s eager response too, she decided. A queer pang of disappointment pricked her heart.

“No.” Alana shook her head. “I’m certain it was the natural reaction of a man who has not been with a female for a while. Your guess last night is, I believe, all too true. It appears they are in the market for sex slaves.”

”Now, hold on a second.” Jessamine scowled. “I sure don’t like the idea we have no say here.”

“I don’t like the idea, period!” Alana frowned in turn, then added through clenched teeth, “We are not slaves.”

“I ‘spose not. The sex part sure sounded good. Did I mention how long it’s been since I broke up with Ivan?”

Alana snorted. “No and I don’t want to know. Time for us to join the others.”

“So are we gonna tell them what we suspect is goin’ on?”

Alana scooted to the edge of the bunk and stood, fisting her hands on her hips. Her steady eyes met Jessamine’s worried brown ones. “Yes.”

“I ‘spect we’re in for another fun mornin’. Lead on Captain, I’m right behind you.” She grinned. “Oh and don’t forget, I’m still waitin’ for the details.”

Laughing, the two women exited the chamber and sauntered arm-in-arm along the corridor.