Chapter 40

Lorelai

I fretted, pacing the long balcony that ran the entire length of Ellax's house. The house—mansion, really—was three stories high. On the second floor, which housed the sitting rooms, an extensive library, and a dining room, along with other rooms I wasn't sure I could identity, a long balcony ran the length of the floor. Above us, on the third floor, were the bedrooms. Below, on the bottom floor, half built into the hillside, rather like a basement, were the kitchen, a gym or exercise room, Ellax's own private movie theatre—and I'd only ever seen pictures of luxuries like movies theatres—and storage facilities. The grandeur of the house should have overwhelmed me.

Instead, I felt blind to it all. Almost suffocated by it. My little home back on Earth hadn't been full of love or laughter, except between the twins and myself, but it was small, tidy, and adequate, even against the cold. Part of me yearned for it now, although I wasn't unhappy about the balcony in the warm sunlight. I could never be mad about sunlight, I decided, pausing my endless walking and lifting my face upwards.

Colors streaked across the sky, in time with the planet's twin setting suns. They were vibrant, enthralling, and heartbreaking at the same time. I didn't want to see the day end, because it meant the suns were going down, taking their warmth with them. On the other hand, I was curious to see what this planet would look like at night, as I hadn't paid any attention the previous nightfall.

"Lorelai?"

A calm, familiar voice made me spin. A twinge creased in my belly. Goodness, he was gorgeous. My mouth went dry, even though I told myself I was an idiot, acting like a teenager with a crush rather than a grown ass woman and mother of two.

"Ellax. How did it go?" I asked. I heard the tightness in my voice as the realization hit me of what he'd been dealing with. Far more important than wondering about sunsets, nighttime views, or even my attraction to my alien husband.

"It is difficult to say." He strode out onto the balcony, his silver skin catching the red and violet rays of the setting suns. Walking to the railing, he grasped it with both hands and breathed in. I watched him closely. He seemed to be bracing himself.

"Bad news?" I asked around a pang of fear in my throat.

Ellax, staring gravely at the green, distant mountains, shook his head.

"Good news, then?"

Rather than answer, he replied, "Considering your fear of heights, I was surprised to find you out here. We are very high in the air."

"Oh." I chuckled nervously, walking closer to him. "I found out I'm fine as long as I don't get near the railing. I tried that and instantly started feeling dizzy and lightheaded. But if I stay close to the house, or to the middle of the balcony, I can enjoy the warmth and sunlight. It's really nice."

"Ah. Would you consider standing near the railing if you stood with me?"

"Um, why? So you can throw me over the railing and be done with me and all your problems because of me?"

At this, he turned his head, a smile quirking his lips.

"I assure you, if I were to murder you, it would create more problems for me. I would then be forced to seek out another wife to give me an heir and draw up another pregnancy pact. I am quite weary of those matters."

"I can think of an Asterion female right now who'd be thrilled if I were out of the way and you offered her a pregnancy pact," I said, folding my arms. I couldn't deny feeling piqued over that matter.

"Who is that? Sirena?"

"Wait." Now my hands went to my hips as I leaned towards him. "You knew she liked you?"

"Sirena likes power," Ellax responded gravely. "She hoped to create a powerful wedge in the Council by marrying me, a fellow Elder and a Lead Advisor. I've no interest in Sirena, else I would never have gone to Earth to convince Caide to return to this planet. I would have simply remained here and wed her."

"Oh." My irritation deflated like a pricked balloon. That made sense. "Why didn't you want to marry her?" I asked, curious. "She's very pretty. She's younger than me. She implied you two have slept together in the past. She—"

"I do not care to spend my evening discussing Sirena, Lorelai. Not when I have matters to discuss with you. Come here."

I blinked, taken aback by the demand. In fact, I retreated a step, until Ellax turned completely, extending an arm in invitation.

"Please," he added.

I bit my lower lip, gauging the distance to the ground, the solidity of the balcony railing, my new husband's motives, and the arm that was open, as if waiting to embrace me. Not to mention his demand, and what would happen if I chose to disobey.

It's fine, I reassured myself. He's got a point. What's he going to do, drop you over the railing? He could have killed you a hundred times by now if that was his plan.

Cautiously, fighting against my fear and natural instincts every step of the way, I walked towards him, focusing on his face rather than the open air on the opposite side of the railing. He watched me steadily and, when I was close enough, reached out to slide an arm around me, pulling me into his arms, against his chest. Then he held me. Simply held me.

"This felt good last night," he admitted. "I wanted to practice it more."

I couldn't help a nervous giggle. "Practice? You don't practice hugging."

"I disagree. I am very much enjoying practicing holding you."

He felt good. He smelled good. And maybe he had a point. A long hug, a comforting embrace, seemed like such a simple thing, but when was the last time I'd done it with Charlie? Or Ellax with his former wife? That must have been what he meant. It was, actually, nice to stand there practicing holding each other. In fact, it was something I could very much get used to, I thought, pressing closer into him. In response, his arms tightened about me even further as I snuggled against his chest, turning my cheek to his shirt, shocked to discover how lovely the moment truly was.

"Lorelai?"

"Mmmm?" When had my eyes closed? The nearby balcony and my fear of heights seemed worlds away.

"The Coalition has been officially presented with the request to decimate the wild humans."

"Ugh," I groaned. Shifting a little, I pressed my forehead to his chest, as if by hiding my face I could also hide from reality. "What way did you vote?" I asked, albeit part of me didn't want to know. I didn't want this sweet moment to end. Didn't want my perceptions of him to be spoiled. Didn't want…

"I did not vote."

His hand lifted to the top of my head, and he trailed a palm over my hair, down my neck and back, making me shiver.

"You didn't?"

"There has been no vote as yet. We discussed the matter. Some of us were for the measure. Some directly opposed to it. I've…not made up my mind, as yet. I was asked to provide an alternative solution and submit it in writing when we convene in two days."

At this, I raised my head to study his face. "So, you're not really in favor of it then?"

"I am not," he agreed, shaking my head. "I would prefer a different solution."

"And you have two days to come up with one."

" We have two days."

I felt myself still, even as his fingers pressed against my waist, urging me closer.

"We?"

"You are my wife from Earth, Lorelai. This concerns your species. I was hoping you would assist me."

"You—you were?"

His request felt worlds away from the beginning of our relationship, despite its brevity. Charged with sexual heat, no knowledge of each other, and fueled by alcohol and loneliness. Now, a Lead Advisor of the entire Interstellar Coalition was asking for my advice on a critical matter. I was so shocked I could barely think.

"I have only a brief window of time," he said. "You are better acquainted with Earth and its humans than I. Will you help me?"

If he'd asked, "Will you strip naked and come to bed with me," I don't think I'd have been more emotionally charged. I felt this crazy surge of—I don't know. Affection, respect. Appreciation.

"Yes," I said, almost breathless, feeling as giddy as a schoolgirl in the presence of her crush. "I'll help you with anything."

I guess I should have worded it better. I realized my mistake when a slow smile spread across Ellax's beautiful face, deepening the lines around his mouth. "Anything?" he teased.

The pleasure at his asking me to assist him in something so extraordinarily vital altered into a hint of embarrassment at where this was headed.

"Well, um…" A sudden surge of boldness had me throwing caution to the wind. I slid my hands slowly up his chest, around his neck. "Maybe. Maybe anything."

I felt his body tense against mine.

"Lorleai…" he said. His voice had gone husky. "Do not tempt me. I know our pact is secondary in importance to what we face. However, if you do not wish to lie with me, you must tell me now."

My lips parted, then shut as I studied his face. No, I hadn't known him longer than a couple of days. But there was an undeniable pull towards him, like nothing I'd felt before. I think he felt it too. Beneath the trappings of myself as an angry divorcée, and him as a playboy, there was real, solid ground to build on. I sensed it. Leaned into it.

"You know what, Ellax Pendorgrin?" I whispered, lifting a hand to trace his mouth with the tip of my finger. "I'm more than ready to lie with you." I couldn't help a soft giggle at the old-fashioned expression. "We don't know how much time we'll have together. We certainly don't know what tomorrow holds— considering the craziness that's ensued since we met. If all we have is right here, right now, this moment…us…"

I lifted my other hand, framing his face with my palms. He didn't move. Raising on tiptoe, I pressed my lips to his.

No need to finish the sentence. He caught on immediately to what I was inferring. Before I quite knew what was happening, he'd broken the kiss, but only to reach down and sweep me up in his arms in a sudden movement that had me gasping, seizing his shoulders.

"Hey," I laughed. "What's all this?"

"This," he said, walking swiftly, despite his burden—me—"is the commencement of our mating. I will carry you inside. I will take you to my bed. I will remove your clothing. I will remove my clothing, unless you wish to do it for me, and I will join you on the mattress and we will join our bodies together."

As he spoke, he'd already carried me back into the mansion, through the sitting room, and was headed for the stairs at the end of the hall.

"Oh, is that how it's going to go?" I giggled.

I couldn't even believe myself. Since when had I turned into a giggling, blushing schoolgirl? When was the last time I'd looked forward to sex? Been nervous about sex? Anticipated sex? Felt…felt beautiful and desired and wanted and…

"Yes," Ellax agreed, now carrying me swiftly up the stairs, his arms never slacking, his strength far greater than his slender frame might have indicated. "And before the end I will have you crying out my name in pleasure, or my name is not Ellax Pendorgrin and I am not a Lead Advisor on the Interstellar Coalition."

"Oh?" I dug my fingertips into his shoulders, shivering, pressing my thighs together, already shaking with need. "That sounds like a challenge to me."

Once in our bedroom, he sat me down and gathered me in his arms, dipping his head to kiss me. Hot, hungry, demanding, exploring. His lips went from my mouth to my ear, my cheek, my neck.

"It is a challenge I will win, I assure you," he breathed as his lips kissed down towards the neckline of my shirt, while his hands untucked my blouse and slid underneath it, slowly reaching higher and higher.

My head had involuntarily drifted back, my breasts straining towards him, eager for his touch. I couldn't speak. Couldn't get any words out to argue with him. Nor did I want to.

I think this is a challenge he's going to win.

And I was happy to let him.