Arilee
ARILEE
" H ow about a few more drinks before we settle in?" Rokan asked, offering his arm for me to hold.
My smiles were usually meant as nothing more than calculated charm.
The genuine pleasure that ran through me was almost a shock.
"That sounds wonderful."
Rokan began to lead me past rows of small shops and fast-food-like restaurants. The entire roof of the building was glass, allowing the breathtaking night sky to shine down upon us.
Finally, we came upon a bar with an opening in the back, leading to an outdoor area. It was teeming with patrons dancing and reveling in the evening's festivities. Harried bartenders darted about, snatching up empty bottles and glasses before careless partygoers could send them crashing to the floor.
Rokan guided me to the bar and once again offered his arm, helping me onto the high stool. He sat beside me, his presence both comforting and unsettling. A young Nazok woman approached us, her smile worn but warm.
"Evening. What can I get for you guys?" Her voice was kind, a stark contrast to the harsh demeanors I'd grown accustomed to on this planet.
"I'll just have a dry aelestia and whatever she wants," Rokan said, motioning to me.
I hesitated, realizing I had no idea what I might want. It wasn't as if Gorin regularly took me out for drinks. "Um, I'll just take something sweet or fruity, please."
The woman winked conspiratorially. "I got the perfect thing. Coming right up."
As she walked away, Rokan turned to me, eyebrow raised. "Something sweet?"
"What?" I responded in mock hurt, enjoying our playful banter.
"Very girly," he smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Well, excuse me if I want to enjoy my drink after running around in the desert for a few days." It came out harsher than I intended, my exhaustion seeping through the cracks of my flirtatious fa?ade.
"I suppose I should start taking you out more often, get you to try some real drinks."
I smiled, leaning in slightly. "Are you asking me on a date?"
"If that's how you want to see it." Rokan sat back, arms crossed over his chest. The weariness I'd seen etched on his face all day began to fade as he relaxed in my presence.
"I was hoping for a little more than just drinking," I purred, upping the ante.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Rokan's growing arousal. I made a point of glancing down at the bulge before meeting his gaze, biting my lip suggestively.
"Someone's excited," I teased, testing the waters.
"And someone seems a little desperate for a repeat of last night."
I felt heat rising to my cheeks. I kept telling myself this was all part of the act, a ploy to win his favor, but I couldn't deny the zing of excitement coursing through me. After years in captivity, didn't I deserve a taste of pleasure, however fleeting?
And I'd barely caught a glimpse of that massive cock, but I could still remember how it felt, the flanges running down the sides stretching me, hitting every secret spot deep at my core.
The bartender returned, setting our drinks before us before my cheeks grew hotter. "Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else."
"Thank you," I nodded, examining the vibrant concoction before me. It was a striking pink, rimmed with what appeared to be sugar. An exotic berry perched atop the straw, and when I tilted the glass, the liquid shimmered like liquid starlight.
"Well?" Rokan prompted, his curiosity evident.
I took a tentative sip, and my taste buds exploded with sensation. It was warm and inviting, yet the ice provided a refreshing coolness. The drink tasted alive, vibrant – sweet with just a tiny bit of tartness from the berry. I was instantly smitten.
"This is really good!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah? It looks it," Rokan admitted.
"You're jealous you didn't get my girly drink now," I teased.
"Never," he scoffed, taking a sip of his own dark purple drink and grimacing at its potency. The sharp scent of alcohol wafted towards me.
"Here," I offered, passing him my glass. "Try some."
He accepted eagerly, his eyes widening as he sampled the fruity concoction. As he stole more generous sips, I snatched the glass away.
"This one's mine! You insulted it!" I giggled, feeling a genuine lightness I hadn't experienced in years.
"What? You said I could try it!" He grinned, looking almost boyishly charming. We were acting like a couple in the throes of a new romance, and for a moment, I allowed myself to bask in the illusion of normalcy and contentment.
Suddenly, his hand came to rest on my thigh, sending a jolt of desire through me. I felt myself responding, wanting him with an intensity that both thrilled and terrified me.
"How about we take these to go?" I suggested, already rising with my glass in hand.
He quickly followed suit, and we slipped out of the bar, poorly concealing our stolen glasses. Rokan tapped his percomm to settle the tab as we made our hasty exit.
A few doors down, we found the front desk for the array of hotel rooms. A weary old Mondian woman with vibrant green scales regarded us silently. Rokan produced his percomm, scanning it efficiently. The old woman rose slowly, reaching for something on her desk.
"605. Up these stairs and to your right. You need to be out by 10 tomorrow," she rumbled, her voice like gravel.
Rokan nodded firmly as he accepted the key.
To my surprise, Rokan offered me his hand as we ascended the stairs. I accepted gratefully, and we walked hand in hand, the picture of a couple, searching for our room. Identical doors lined the hallway, distinguished only by the glowing numbers projected onto their surfaces. 605 was adjacent to the first landing.
Rokan unlocked the door and stepped aside, allowing me to enter first. The room was modest – a single bed, a small sink, and what I presumed to be a bathroom. Nothing fancy, just clean.
Rokan locked the door behind us with a soft click. I turned to face him as he approached, his intentions clear in the hunger of his gaze. He set his drink on the nightstand, and I placed mine beside it.
In an instant, he had me pressed against the wall, his hot breath ghosting over my neck. Desire pooled within me, but I made myself stay focused on the task at hand.
I reached into my pocket, retrieving the small piece of leaf with purple veins I'd secreted away earlier. Purple for poison. I'd taken only the tiniest fragment, not wanting to kill him – just incapacitate.
Not the stem, just fragments of the leaves that I'd shredded as we walked, hoping, waiting for just this chance.
I dropped the leaf into his drink while he was distracted, kissing a trail down my neck. I watched intently as they slowly sank into the dark purple alcohol.
Now or never, right?
With a grin, I pushed him away. "How about we finish our drinks first? And then you can do whatever you want with me."
I saw his arousal twitch visibly through his pants. "If you want," he growled, voice thick with desire.
I handed him his drink, guilt gnawing at my insides.
Vinduthi were strong. This wouldn't hurt him at all. Just slow him down a little.
And I needed an edge, something I could use.
Forcing a smile, I held up my glass in a toast. He clinked his against mine, and we both took our sips. The warm, fizzy drink helped calm my frayed nerves.
I watched intently as he quickly downed his drink, oblivious to its extra contents. Taking his empty glass, I tossed it carelessly to the floor, then pushed him back onto the bed.
It was my move now.