9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Summer

Arik and Renick sat down and explained that Renick used Arik's GBA account to bid on me.

"Why couldn't you have used your own account?" I asked. "I know we don't know each other at all, but there's one thing I need to get straight right now. Don't ever lie to me."

Renick looked miserable, and it broke my heart. "It wasn't my intention. There's a reason," he hedged.

"I won't be lied to."

"I," he began.

"Listen, if the next thing out of your mouth is going to be a lie, I'll get right back out of this ship and find my way to the GBA and go back to Earth. I don't need this." A part of me hoped it wasn't true.

"Explain it to me," I demanded. I wasn't sure where this defiance came from; I'd always been more meek, more go with the flow, but this time, because I was in the middle of God knows where in space and I'd apparently grown a set of balls.

Arik brought out three steaming mugs of what I assumed was tea. "I'm listening," I said, blowing on my cup's contents. I brought the cup to my lips and tasted a spiced hot chocolate. "This is delicious. Does everything taste like chocolate in space?" I asked. "I could get used to that."

"Not everything, but corul, the drink, seems to be immensely popular among humans. If you tire of chocolate, there's plenty of military rations on this ship." Arik gestured to the cabinets behind Renick and me. "I'll see my way out. You've got a lot to talk about."

"Stay," I said. "I've got a feeling you're up to your eyeballs in whatever Renick's reasoning is."

"I want to tell you," Renick said.

"Then tell me."

"Have you ever lost someone close to you?" he asked.

I blinked, my thoughts immediately on David. "I have."

"And did this person mean everything to you?"

I bit my lip, unsure how to answer. "Well, he meant a lot. At the time, he was my world."

Renick's lips curled back in semi snarl. "Is that why you joined the GBA to run away from him?"

"No, no. David was my husband, but he passed away in an accident."

"You have a husband?" He glanced at the floor. "Arik told me the GBA wouldn't allow anyone to participate who was married."

"They won't," Arik piped up.

"I'm not married anymore," I clarified. "He's dead."

"I'm sorry," Renick said, instantly contrite. Inspecting his features, I made the snap decision he felt genuine remorse. "I've lost people too," he said.

Arik chugged his mug of corul and put it down on the table a little harsher than I believe he intended. "Listen, since Renick's not sharing, I'll give you the down and dirty version. Renick's father was killed. It's now up to him to assume his father's position in the council. In order to do so, he needs a bride because his father is, was, a politician and that's how things are done on Tenap. Renick didn't want any political enemies to know he was using the GBA."

I sat back. "I see." Out of all the thoughts turning through my head that was not what I expected to hear. A huge part of me heaved a sigh of relief Renick didn't have another wife, or long lost love that consumed his mind. "So what am I supposed to do," I asked. "I don't know anything at all about politics, my own home planets or Galactic politics."

Renick smiled. "Neither do I." He glanced at his uniform. "As you can see, I chose the military route instead of politics."

I grinned. "Not that you mention it, it's obvious. You chose this life knowing that you would have to assume your father's position?"

His skin flushed a deeper purple. "I did. I was also naive. I felt like my father would live forever."

I pressed my lips together and nodded. I didn't want to say anything because he was beginning to open up to me. The more I talked with Renick, the more I liked him. I had a sense he was a good man.

"If you're willing to, we can learn together." He placed his hand palm side up on the table. I rested mine in his.

"Sounds like a plan to me. I've always been a fast learner. Where do I get a crash course in politics?"

Renick grimaced and Arik burst out laughing. "My mother."

"What's so bad about learning from your mother?"

"She is a force to be reckoned with, but she is our best option and she's been in politics since she married my father. I'm sure she will help you understand your new role and she'll be by my side helping me."

Once Airk reined in his laughter, he stood, stretched and gave an exaggerated yawn. "Well, I'll get us started heading back to Tenap, then I'll put us on autopilot for some sleep. We'll be there in one rotation. Plus," he yawned again, "I'm getting tired. I think it's almost time for bed." He licked his lips and winked in Renick's direction.

Renick made an obscene hand gesture at his friend's face and I couldn't stop laughing. "He's not really so crude."

"Somehow, I don't believe that," I chuckled.

"Are you tired? Do you wish to change?" he asked. "I'll show you to my quarters. I'm sorry, they're the smallest ones on the ship. When I first heard the news about my father, I didn't intend to take a bride. Arik reminded me of my duties."

"So I'm a duty now," I teased, holding his gaze steady. I placed the mug in the small galley sink and searched for how to turn it on.

"I'll take care of that," he said. "My mother would tan my hide if I didn't take care of my bride properly."

"Smart woman." I waited until Renick had cleaned all three mugs. I enjoyed listening to him hum songs I'd never heard while he cleaned. I watched as his fingers slid in and out of the soap bubble covered mug, while his thumb rubbed across the outside of the brim. Butterflies floated low in my belly. I'd never felt this turned on watching anyone clean anything before, let alone dishes. Dishes were not supposed to be that attractive.

He turned a look of surprise on his face. "Summer, I thought you were going to change."

"I was, but then I realized I didn't know where your room, um, quarters, were, so I sat and watched."

"Come here," he held out his hand. He didn't have to; I could have followed him, but it was nice. I appreciated the fact he didn't want me to get lost even though the ship was small. When we passed the boarding entrance, I grabbed the handle of my suitcase and dragged it behind me. Renick opened the door to his quarters.

The room held a single size bed, one end table and a small desk with a chair in the room. "I'm sorry it's small," he flushed. "Through that door is a small shower facility." He pointed. "You can change in there, or you can change in here, the choice is yours."

"Thank you." I placed my suitcase on the bed, unzipped it and pulled out a pair of sweatpants, a toiletry pack, my warm gray slippers and one of my comfiest t-shirts. "I'll be right back." I hurried into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, washed my face free of the makeup, brushed my hair and threw it back in a loose ponytail before changing. When I re-entered the room I found Renick sitting on his bed, military overcoat hung on a rack which dropped down from the ceiling. He had an empty hanger next to his overcoat I assumed was for the sparkly purple dress. Before I could grab the hanger, Renick took the dress out of my hands and hung it next to his coat. He placed my heels under the dress along with his military boots. I licked my lips at the sight in front of me.

Renick wore a pair of loose fitting gray pants and a matching gray tank top that showed off the muscles on his arms. Hello gray sweatpants season!

Rennick zipped my suitcase and placed it underneath the table. "I'll contact the GBA and arrange for them to deliver the rest of your belongings to my house. I mean, our house on Tenap."

"Oh." I fumbled with the hem of my t-shirt. "That's all I brought." Heat flushed my cheeks. "My family didn't have much, and I left a majority of my clothes with them for my mother to wear. My younger sisters will grow into them eventually."

Renick nodded. "Then when we arrive on the planet, you'll get to go shopping with my mother. She'll enjoy that, and it'll give you the chance to bond with you."

"Will you come with me?" Shopping? With his mother? What did I get myself into?

"The first few times if you wish, yes." He sat close enough to smell my hair.

I held still, unsure what he would do. I didn't know if his sniffing was part of his people's mating ritual. I found myself leaning into him, resting my head against his shoulder. In no time at all, I yawned, exhaustion claiming me.

"Here." He pulled the covers back on the bed, made to military precision with sheets so taut you could bounce a coin off them.

"Are you coming to bed too?" I asked. "I mean, according to the contract we both put our thumbprints on, we are legally mates." Renick turned to the side as if headed into the bathroom. Only then did it become obvious he was going commando. Gray sweatpants season is right!

"I can sleep in the recreation area," he said. "You can have the bed."

I patted the seat next to me. "Or we can share and get used to it now. Won't people expect us to share a room or is that not how it's done on Tenap?"

"It is," he acquiesced. "Fine."

He headed into the bathroom. He was in there an awfully long time, and I wondered what he was up to. I heard the water run for a long time, then he came out of the bathroom, a towel slung low over his hips, his hair damp hanging down his back. I found his long hair attractive and I'd never found a man with hair longer than mine attractive before. My core clenched, and I tapped down the urge to be so forward and act on my urges.

He bent over to pull a pair of pants on, and I caught a quick glimpse of the globes of his ass. Had he turned even a few inches more, I would have had a view of his cock.

"I'm sorry, we have to share a pillow," he said.

"That's okay."

He rolled, placing his back in my way not that I was complaining. It was a magnificent back. I couldn't help but reach out and touch the defined lines of his muscle. I felt him stiffen under my hand.

"I'm sorry," I said, removing my hand instantly.

"If you want to touch me, you can," he said, his voice clipped.

"I don't know what's appropriate. I'm sorry," I said.

He rolled to face me. He propped himself up and rested his head on his hand. "What's wrong, little one?" he asked.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid."

"Of me?"

"No, of what my future now holds. I'm also afraid you don't find me attractive. You haven't really looked me in the eye," I said.

Renick's voice lowered into a deep rumble. "Oh I find you attractive," he said, "more than you can imagine."

"Then why haven't you looked at me?"

"I don't want to scare you away. I want to treat you right, and I want you to fall in love with me." He sighed. "Our mating is unusual."

I reached my hand to cup his cheek. "I find you attractive."

I brought his head down so our lips touched in an exploratory kiss. His lips were firm yet soft, and a gasp of pleasure filled my mouth. He wrapped his hand behind my head and pulled me toward him. His other hand rubbed my back and down my side, caressing me. His hand traveled down and squeezed my ass. He hiked up my thigh over his, pulling me against him. I felt the evidence of his arousal through both of our pants.

He broke the kiss, his breathing heavy. "Never doubt I find you attractive, but I will not claim you as my mate until we're in our home, in our bed and you are sure." His thumb stroked my cheek, and my eyelids fluttered shut. "Sleep now. I will protect you."

"I could get used to this," I murmured.

"For as long as you want." He brushed a gentle kiss on my forehead before he made an exasperated sound. "I forgot to tell you…when you meet my mother tomorrow, she's probably going to whisk you away."

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Why do you think I had to take a cold shower? One more thing." I looked up at him. "She's planning our bonding ceremony."