With dismay, he wondered if he had pushed her too far too fast. Rubbing her back as she sobbed in his arms, he ached at the sight and sound of her tears. He whispered, “Sherree, please… you are killing me with your tears… I am sorry… Please tell me what has hurt you. I love you. I cannot bear to see you hurting.”His words of comfort continued, in both Shimerian and English, but Sharon was too shattered to respond.
Finally, she pulled away from his chest and tried to get herself under control. She felt free suddenly. She knew she was naked in the arms of a nearly fully clothed man. Her hair was a tangled mess, and her face was splotchy with tears. Her nose was running and she looked horrible.
Gone was the cautious, tidy, undemanding Sharon. The end result wasn’t as pretty maybe but it was honest. Her life was in shambles, but she had found herself and someone who loved her in the midst of total chaos. It was everything she had avoided, and at the same time, everything she had secretly wanted. “I love you, too. It’s okay. You didn’t hurt me. I just feel relieved and overwhelmed.”
He had been in her mind for nearly two weeks and he could not understand her still. She was a mystery to him, one he hoped to spend his life solving. “I do not understand. You are crying in relief?” It made no sense.
Sharon gave him a shaky smile. “I’m fine.”
He shook his head. “I think you are still hurting because of this morning. I am sorry I did not come after you and explain about Elana.”
“No, really. I do understand. And I’m sorry I didn’t trust you enough to ask for explanations. I had gotten my nerve up to risk telling you about my feelings and seeing you with her just shocked and destroyed me.”
He pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth. “Sherree, there are things in our cultures that are vastly different. I know that there are adjustments we both will have to make. I have been arrogant in thinking all the adjustments would be yours. We will work together to solve any problems that arise.” It was said like a promise.
Sharon placed a hand to his cheek. “We love each other. We trust each other. We can face whatever we have to face together.”
Liken’s arms tightened. “I am so fortunate to have found you,sherree. I want a life with you and children. I want to make you happy.”
Sharon’s smile was blinding. “I wouldn’t mind a few little Likens myself. And you do make me happy.”
Their mouths met in a kiss of wonder and love. When at last they pulled apart, Sharon dropped her hand and began unbuttoning Liken’s shirt. With a playful grin, she said, “Now,let’s talk aboutthis tendency you have to dominate me in bed.”
He let out a satisfied laugh. “I am a Shimerian male, am I not? Do not pretend you dislike it,sherree. I know otherwise. I know all kinds of interesting, dark fantasies you ache to explore. Would you like to discuss them?”
She felt heat rise to her cheeks as she finished the last of the buttons. Spreading his shirt, she leaned forward and swirled her tongue around one of his nipples. She could feel his big body tense. Her husky voice dripped satisfaction as she said, “Nope, I believe it’s my turn for a little revenge.”
She placed teasing kisses in a steady downward path. Peeking up at him through her lashes, she watched his eyes darken with arousal. She paused and unbuttoned his pants. He went completely still under her hands. “You’ll have to adjust…”
Liken watched the dark curtain of her hair lower over his lap. When her mouth closed over his aching cock, he couldn’t stifle his moan. He could feel the blood leaving his head and heading south. Bringing his hands to tangle in her hair, he arched upward helplessly. He had one last thought before his mind went completely blank. She was a librarian, for goodness sake, and she had conquered a warrior.
Chapter 17
On the twenty-first day since her departure from Earth, Sharon, Liken, and Tair stood on the Shimerian side of the portal. They were waiting in line to transport back to Earth for the pledging ceremony. Tair glanced over his shoulder at the pactmates. Sharon was dressed in her pledge clothing. Her shimmering white halter was thin, and showed off her full breasts beautifully. Her white skirt stopped at mid-thigh calling attention to those wonderful legs.
She certainly did not resemble any librarian Tair had ever seen. Liken was in black, but his boots shone and he was wearing some expensive scent Tair could not identify. Tair studied the couple with great satisfaction. Sharon looked radiant and Liken could barely keep his eyes off of her. They were obviously happy. Sharon turned to him suddenly and said, “Tair, we need to talk.” Her voice was serious.
Both men shuddered in instinctive dread at her words. Liken shot him a look of sympathy. Tair couldn’t imagine what he had done. He couldn’t keep the defensive note from his voice. “What is it, Sharon? Perhaps another time would be better to have this discussion?”
She wasn’t being put off. “No, I don’t think so. When are you planning to make Kate your pactmate?” It hadbeen on her mind for some time.
The line moved forward. There was only one person ahead of them now. Tair shrugged and said, “She will be at your pledging today, will she not? It is an ideal time.”His casual gesture belied the depth of his real feelings. He was anxious to claim his pactmate. After seeing Liken and Sharon together, especially this last week, he was eager to start his life with Kate.
Sharon nodded slowly. “Well, yes. But, don’t you think I should talk to her first? Maybe explain a few things about Shimeria? It might smooth the way.”It might prevent major warfareshe wanted to say.
Tair smiled. “No. Absolutely not. She will learn as you did.”
Sharon couldn’t contain her doubt.Since she liked Tair and loved Kate like a sister, she wanted to spare both of them some of the pain and confusion she and Liken had gone through in the last few weeks.“She’s a lot more… ummm… explosive…than I am, Tair. I don’t think her knowing period will be as easy as mine.”
Tair laughed. “I am relying on it.” He stepped through the portal and was gone.
Sharon turned to Liken, who was watching with an incredulous look on his face. “What?”
“Easy? Your knowing period was easy?” Sheer amazement permeated his voice.
She laughed. “Compared to Kate, believe me, I was easy.”
Liken placed a hard kiss on her mouth. “Maybe they will be fortunate and find love as we have.” Her eyes softened and he placed a tender hand on her cheek in response. She heard people in line behind them shifting restlessly. She turned and walked forward.
Grinning shamelessly,Likenwaited until she was about to enter the portal. His voice echoed in the large room. “If not, a little interplanetary nookie won’t kill them.”The others in the line around them heard his words and laughed along with him.
Sharon couldn’t help it. Men were always so sure of themselves. She laughed. “No, but Kate might.” She was still laughing as she stepped into the portal and disappeared.
As he stepped through the portal on her heels, Liken thought about his soon-to-be pledgemate. He was very grateful she had agreed to make a life with him. His sweet librarian was beautiful, and intelligent, and a fiery dream come to life. She was walking, talking love personified. She meant everything to him. But, obviously, she did not know Tair. He felt the grin on his face grow wider. Sharon was going to be surprised again.
Of course, not as surprised as Kate.
