Sex, Love, and Aliens, Volume 1 (2 page)

Indecision warred. He needed to heal her and give her relief from whatever ailed her, yet his brain told him this wasn’t the time to push her to accept his ministration.

“I will leave you for now. But this discussion is not ended.”

He slammed out the door, grabbing his shirt from the concrete beside the pool, but he chanced a last look through the window. De’ Gia remained where he’d left her, but her hands covered her face.

With a growl, he strode away from the view.

* * * *

Gia woke to the ringing of bells. Groping for the alarm clock with a hangover wasn’t a pleasant thing...especially when it wasn’t the alarm clock causing the ringing sound. As her brain settled, she realized it was the front door.

Heaving herself off the bed resulted in vertigo. “Yeah, keep your knickers on! I’m coming.”

The imperious sound continued as she shuffled in the direction of the front door, and after wrenching it open, she wished she’d just burrowed under the covers. Garret stood in front of her, a woebegone look on his face. She snidely wondered how long he’d been practicing it.

“What the hell do you want? I said all I needed to yesterday.”

She started to push the door shut but he leaned against it. She couldn’t close it and nearly retched when he leaned in close. “Don’t be like that, baby doll. It was only slap and tickle.” The thin edge of his voice cut through her aching brain like a rusty knife. His odd accent, as always, scraped her mind in an irritating fashion.

“Go away, Garret. I’m done with you.”

“Now, now. You mustn’t be like that. We got along nicely before you found out about Floss.”

Her stomach churned, and just as she was sure she was going to throw up, a large meaty hand settled on Garret’s shoulder. “She said leave. So you will now go.”

“Get lost, alien! My discussion doesn’t include you.” Garret whirled and gave a snarl. Gia flung the door wide as Garret swung his fist at Cedun’s face.

“Go home. This is not an argument you wish to have.” Cedun sounded almost amused as he dodged the punch before Gia’s amazed gaze.

“Dammit, Garret. Get lost. I don’t want you, and I certainly don’t want to hear about Floss and your sexual exploits.”

Garret flung another wild jab at Cedun.

“Why? Because you’ve been having sex with him? I know you salivate over him whenever he’s around.”

She gaped at Garret’s words. “I never…”

“This evens our score, baby doll. You wanted him, and I bet you’ve had the alien more than once. I am merely reciprocating.” This time his punch landed on Cedun’s chest with a
thwack
.

“You will apologize to De’ Gia for that insult.” Cedun spoke in a low tone, but it was menacing, and for the first time Garret stopped and looked at Cedun.

The color bled from Garret’s face, but it remained stony and defiant. “I won’t.”

Cedun pushed closer. “Apologize now. Either that or I will be forced—”

Garret stepped back, whirling in Gia’s direction. “I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.” He moved away and a look of glee entered his eyes as he slid into his car sitting on the roadside. “But then, you shouldn’t fuck your mother’s lover!” With that final parting shot and a hearty laugh, he revved the engine and pulled away.

Cedun tensed and looked as if he’d run after Garret but Gia placed her hand on his shoulder, not really gripping, just letting it rest there. “Leave it, Cedun. He isn’t worth it.” Tiredness seeped into every muscle in her body and she sagged.

Cedun moved toward her. “You are still unwell, De’ Gia. Let me help you inside.”

His touch was gentle, but Gia was mortified by Garret’s parting shot.
Am I really that easy to read?

After letting him settle her in a chair she watched as he moved into the kitchen, filled the kettle, and set it on the burner. “You’re very good in the kitchen.”

“De’ Valerie taught me.” He stood on the other side of the breakfast bar, watching her, and she blushed.

“About what Garret said... I know that yesterday I told you to forget what happened, but I need to clear the air. I mean—” Gia broke off her words, feeling foolish.

“I have never been with De’ Valerie. I have never been interested in her like that. Not that way. Never.” His gaze bored into her as if scanning to find a weakness. She could almost see his mind ticking, thinking of ways to make her believe his words.

“Look, Cedun, you don’t have to explain. I mean, you and my mother are entitled to—”

He was around the counter and pulling her hard against his chest before she could finish her sentence. “I have never wanted De’ Valerie the way I need you. Do you not see?” His eyes glowed and she waited, mesmerized, as he dipped down in her direction.

This time the kiss was far from gentle. It wasn’t fueled by anger, yet her senses swam. His lips were firm and sure while his tongue thrust within her mouth, tangling with hers. His scent filled her mind, turning her brain to the consistency of mush.

Her body betrayed her as languorous warmth invaded her system. She melted against his body, both boneless and yet instantly alive.

When he tugged away this time, she mewled with the loss. “Why did you…” Reality intruded once more, and she stepped out of his embrace. Horror rose. Did he plan to use her? Was that what her mother was about? “How could you? You’re just like Garret.” Her eyes stung with tears, and her heart thudded in a painful rhythm. “After my mother…” She whirled away sightlessly.

“Gia! I have not been with your mother. De’ Valerie and I are friends. No more. She is… She wants another.” His voice was heavy with entreaty, and she stilled.

Can that be true?
How Gia wanted to believe it, but her eyes had seen other signs that this wasn’t so. The way he carried bags for Valerie, helped with the house, was always at the factory…

“
Deandara
Gia—
Sert bana opta quiot.
” His voice was thick with emotion and she turned. Her mind was unable to figure out what he wanted, so she ignored it as her brain clamored to know the truth.

“I… Is it true?” She reached out a hand just as a loud crash sounded from the front of the house.

For long pregnant seconds they stared at each other before they turned and ran.

* * * *

At the front of the house lay shards of glass, the remains of the window gathered around a brick.

“Oh my God! Who would do such a thing?”

Turning in Gia’s direction, Cedun noted how white her face was. “You go rest. I will attend to this.” Silent tears tracked down her cheeks, and the fury within him grew to incandescence. He had a clue as to the perpetrator but couldn’t prove anything. At least not yet.

“I… I should help.” But Gia looked lost and somehow diminished before him. He raged in his mind. When he found out who had done this…

“Go rest.
Go
.” He shooed her away before hunting for cleaning implements.

Right now I would give anything for my Vakspar.
The cleaning implement would have cleared away the shards in seconds, but the
Vakspar
wasn’t yet permitted for use in human dwellings. So instead he found the broom closet.

Cedun sent a quick transmission to his clan brother Joruzan, hoping he would share it with De’ Valerie. She would want to know about Garret and the smashed window.

With care, Cedun swept the sharp glass shards into the dustpan and disposed of them in the bin. By the time he joined Gia in the kitchen she was sipping a tea and an icy glass of
fortiran
was steeping, the green-blue liquid undulating in the morning light.

She put her drink down and took a deep breath. “I’ve rung the glaziers. They’ll be here in a few hours. Cedun, about before…”

Her color ran high, her eyes filled with embarrassment. It made him ache to kiss her again. The need to reach out and touch her nearly overcame him.

“There is no need to apologize, De’ Gia. I want you to understand. There has never been an intimate interest between myself and your
matere
.”

She ducked her head and swept her jet-black hair away from her face, her green eyes shining with tears. “Look, Valerie is great. I’m really pleased, and have no intentions of getting in your way, or hers.”

Then she bit her lip, a tiny dot of red appearing against her skin. He wanted to smooth it away, and his fingers curled into a fist as he fought the action.
How can I get her to understand?

Instead, he let his pent-up breath release in a long sigh. She still clung to her erroneous idea. “De’ Valerie and I are friends, but she is involved with my friend Joruzan. In fact—”

“In fact, we’re here, Gia.” Valerie’s voice echoed down the hall along with the crunch of feet on the tiles.

His friend and second, Joruzan, filled the entrance, his arm around the tiny, raven-haired Valerie. She didn’t look her forty-two years. Snugged up against Joruzan, she looked more like an older sister, though her eyes were a lighter green and there was a tracery of lines around her mouth and eyes that spoke of a life lived.

“Your transmission concerned De’ Valerie, and she had to come check on De’ Gia for herself.” Joruzan’s guttural tones were low and angry. “You are safe, De’ Gia?
Turaa
Cedun?”

This time, Gia turned questioning eyes in his direction. “
Turaa
? What does that mean?” Her nose wrinkled delightfully.

He’d refused to use
Turaa
, ruler in waiting, deeming it unnecessary. And far too much of a danger right now. That hope was about to disappear in a puff of smoke though.

“Gia, dear. Didn’t he ever explain? Cedun is the leader of the ‘
Ti
’ generation. He’s the
Turaa
and his father is the
Turan
of the
Ba’Tua
from
Dirustandi
.” Valerie smiled in his direction, but instead of the customary warmth his heart seized as the chill of rejection settled in him.

Gia stood up and stepped away. “
Turaa
?
Turan
? Ruler? Of
Dirustandi
? Your home world?” She shook her head, and her voice trailed away on a high pitch. “Then what the hell are you doing here?”

He cringed at the look of shock and anger on her face.

He should have told her, long ago. When they first met. Then there would have been no questions about keeping secrets. But he had wanted to get to know her.
But then, even that had been spectacularly unsuccessful.
As time had passed he’d let her think he and Valerie were lovers so he could remain close to her. Now it was probably too late.

“So what the hell was this all about then? Slumming it?” Gia’s lip curled in disdain, and he nearly closed his eyes. But a warrior and
Turaa
had to restrain himself.

“Gia Eloise! I didn’t bring you up to be obnoxious. Apologize to Cedun.” Valerie’s voice cut through the thick and tense atmosphere like a knife.

“I apologize for my thoughtless remark.” But she certainly didn’t look sorry. There was a mulish expression on her face. Her anger lanced him.

“Perhaps I should leave you.” Joruzan started to pull away from Valerie, but she clutched his arm.

“No, Joruzan. You should stay. After all, we have an announcement to make and my daughter should get to know you.” Valerie squeezed his arm. “Gia...Joruzan and I are going to get married.”

“What? I don’t even know…” As Gia stared at the couple before her she blanched, and Cedun desperately wanted to support her. She swayed then gathered herself. “Well… What a surprise. I mean—”

“You thought Cedun and I were lovers. I know.” This time Valerie spoke in soft tones. “There was never anything more than friendship and support from him. Since the beginning, as you know, he made it easier for me to begin exporting to the
Ba’Tua
home world, with his connections. He’s also a very close friend to Joruzan and me.”

“Wow. You and Joruzan. Well, congratulations, Mum. I can honestly say you’ve surprised me.”

“Gia, that isn’t all.” Valerie stepped forward and the mask of the self-assured woman dropped away. Now she was an unsure woman talking to her grown daughter. “I’m… I’m also pregnant. With Joruzan’s child.”

“Oh. Wow. That’s like…” Gia stumbled to a chair and sat down heavily. “Ohmygosh! I’m going to be… Holy hell, I’m going to be a big sister? At twenty-five?”

“Well, you’ll be twenty-six when the child is born.” Valerie grinned and Cedun returned it before looking back at the shell-shocked woman beside him.

“But is it safe?” Gia asked.

Cedun could see the fear in her eyes and understood. She likely wasn’t sure if this was the first pairing of humans and
Ba’Tua
.

“Perfectly so, Gia. This is not the first pregnancy between our species. Though your mother is the most… I believe the term is mature?”

Gia winced at Cedun’s words. “Yeah, something like that, but I mean the birth....” Gia’s query made him smile.

“Will be just like any other normal human birth. But should there be any issues, our healers will be on hand. She will be safe. I promise you.”

Chapter 2

Her mother, Joruzan, and even Cedun had finally left and the house was silent. The broken pane of glass had been replaced and night had fallen.

Too many emotions crashed down on Gia for her to be able to get a fix on any one. Cedun was not Valerie’s lover and with that came relief. Joruzan was and that confused her. What’s more they were pregnant and getting married. Her stomach rocked at that thought. Her mother...pregnant. Now that was the ultimate shock.

“I suppose Valerie’s young enough.” After all, she’d had Gia at just sixteen. But who ever expected their mother to announce a pregnancy to their twenty-five year old daughter? “Not me, that’s for certain.”

The announcement of Cedun’s single status had left her dizzy and excited. Until the bald announcement that Cedun was the
Turaa
of his planet sank in. The distance between them seemed as immense as before. Maybe even more so, after the revelation of his position.