20. Amanda

Chapter 20

Amanda

C resar and Xax were amazing. They clipped the grass down low to the ground and then arranged the stumps in a pattern under my direction. Once I had "tables" and "chairs," they trooped into the woods. In a short time, they returned with enormous tree trunks perched on their shoulders. They collected a bunch of them and slowly constructed walls and a roof over my new shop. They even laid a row of small logs over taller stumps to create a counter in the back.

"Come wait over here." Xax took my hand and led me out of the shop and a few feet away. "One more thing, and your shop will be complete." Leaving me, he strode into the center and stopped, closing his eyes. His hum rang out.

I frowned, staring at the woods around us, wondering if more vegetation would perform at his command.

Cresar grinned, looking between us. He'd worked as hard as Xax to build this for me, and that made my throat ache. He barely knew me, but he was still eager to do something to please me.

Vines snaked out of the woods behind the structure, and I backed away, fear climbing my spine on needlelike claws. The vines engulfed the building, consuming it.

"Xax," I bellowed, rushing toward the shop. I grabbed onto the vines covering the front and started flinging them away.

Cresar thrust his arm between me and the next vines I intended to attack. "Wait. Don't. Xax isn't being harmed." He took my hand like Xax had and led me back to where I was standing before, remaining beside me. "We control the vegetation."

"That's not possible."

He grinned. "It is. Watch and see what Xax does. He's a master with vines. I want to be that good when I grow up."

The vines continued to squirm all over the building, weaving in and out of each other. Finally, they came to a stop.

I gaped, taking in the doorway and windows on the front, the only openings I could see from where I stood.

Xax remained inside, a big smile on his face. "Come in, lovely one."

"Go ahead," Cresar said, nudging my side. "I'm going to find my grandfather and tell him what we've done."

When Xax curled his finger my way, I could no more resist him than I could a big slice of chocolate cake—and I had a feeling Xax would taste even better .

I stopped in the doorway, peering inside. "Is it safe to enter?" I studied the mesh of vines covering the front wall that were both intricately woven and surprisingly pretty. Before my eyes, tiny strands burst from the stalks. Purple blossoms delicately opened, releasing a heady perfume into the air.

"Very safe." Xax's smile didn't falter. "I'm ready to show you your new tea shop."

After sucking in a deep breath and releasing it, I walked through the opening and over to stand in front of him. "How did you get the vines to do that?"

"It's a skill all of us are taught from the time we're young. Do you like what they did?"

I took in the walls on either side, each holding one window opening. Flowers weren't blooming within the structure, but their scent floated through the air from outside.

"I love it," I croaked, flinging myself into his arms.

He tumbled back onto the ground—on purpose, I was sure.

I straddled his waist, propping my palms on his shoulders. "I can't believe you made me a tea shop."

"I didn't make you sad, did I?" Xax asked. "That's the last thing I wanted to do."

"It's pretty. It's perfect." And because he was equally perfect and as pretty in his own alien way, I leaned forward and kissed him.

I intended it to be a sweet, brief thing, but one touch, and we combusted.

With a heady growl, he rolled us until he was on top. Just like a guy to want to establish control, but how could I protest when he tasted amazing, his tongue was entwining with mine, and his fingertips were tracing up my side?

I wanted to fling off my clothing and spread my legs wide, urge him to give me the same pleasure I'd found in our bed this morning. Then I'd take control and roll until he was on the bottom to do the same. There was no way I could fit his entire cock inside my mouth, but I was sure I could find a way to still give him pleasure.

Footsteps approached. Lost in Xax, it was a surprise I heard them.

He did as well, though, because he lifted his head. He gave me the cutest smile. "Yes, you do like your new tea shop."

I stroked his face. He was dear to me already, and I wasn't sure what that meant in the scheme of things. "It's amazing. Thank you."

"Anything to please you, mate. Anything." He levered himself off me and took my hand, lifting me off the ground to stand beside him as Bork and Cresar entered my new shop.

"Customers," I said, though I was only joking. I didn't have anything to offer anyone yet.

Funny how yet had slipped into that thought.

My shop was adorable. The vines would take some getting used to. What kept them from overrunning the inside of the building or flinging themselves away to disappear back into the forest?

"Welcome," I said as Bork and Cresar joined us. "My shop doesn't have a name yet."

"What would you name it?"

"I always thought Tranquiliteas. I know it sounds funny."

"It doesn't." Xax flashed me a smile. "I like it."

"I thought it fit with the cozy, relaxing atmosphere I was aiming for, but it also gave a unique twist on the word tea."

"Tranquiliteas is perfect," Bork said.

My heart swelled, pressing against my ribs. I couldn't tell him how much it meant to have his encouragement as well. And how sad I was that my dream had been popped.

Or had it? There was nothing that said I couldn't fulfill my dream here on Zuldrux.

With Xax?

Ah, I had to decide before the gods did it for me.

"Let me show you around," I said to Bork and Cresar. No need to come to a decision yet.

Because the baby start to my dream wasn't much, I was joking about showing them around, but pride still warmed my soul and shone in my voice. I hadn't built this with my own hands, but it had been constructed by someone who was desperate to please me.

And while it made me want to climb into Xax's lap and give him a sappy smile, I wasn't quite sure what to do about those feelings.