The ship began its descent into the atmosphere, and both men had to focus their attention on steering the craft, leaving Jacey alone with her thoughts. It sounded as if Aidan had been around for many years. Her thoughts trailed off as the craft made a noticeable descent into the atmosphere. The view screen went black, and she looked back at Aidan. He nodded at her, reassuring her that this was a normal occurrence.
The descent became not quite as steep and the view screen blinked back on, giving Jacey her first glimpse of BelaZed. A large continent loomed before her. She vaguely made out mountains and a patchwork of various colors, mostly greens and browns. As the ship descended further, the surface grew clearer. The holographic suite didn’t do justice to the planet.
“We’re almost there,” Aidan said as the craft leveled. “My estate is in the interior of the continent.”
Jacey watched as the patchwork grew into forest and fields. She saw small towns, but never any large cities. Fields seemed to dominate the landscape.
“Hang on.” The ship did a soft descent and soon landed on some kind of runway.
Looking outside, Jacey saw a large, sprawling stone building. A manicured lawn surrounded it, with forests off in the distance. The view screen only showed the palace, but she suspected that fields began not far from the main building. She reached for her safety harness.
Aidan suddenly stood before her. He offered her his hand, and she took it gratefully. “Why don’t I show you to your rooms? We can tour my estates later.”
Jacey nodded. As she stood, Aidan brushed his lips across her knuckles. Her stomach fluttered, and she tried to dismiss the sensation as being on a foreign planet. She couldn’t and knew she responded to his touch.
Each time he touches me, he weakens my barriers that much more. I have to be strong. I have to remember Earth.
Aidan led her through his ship with Linu following not far behind. The door opened, and Jacey blinked at the sudden sunlight. Beyond the door, she saw the expected fields but also saw people lining up to greet them. Men and women stood there all dressed in colorful attire. Many of the men had bare chests, and Jacey couldn’t help but admire the view. They wore leggings of a snug, sturdy fabric that ended just below their knees. She glanced at the women and turned pale. The women wore thin scarves tied across their breasts that did little more than cover their nipples. Some wore the same leggings as the men, but others wore gauzy skirts that were completely transparent.
“I present to you,” Aidan said, stopping beside her, “my household.”
Jacey glanced once more down the line of bodies, hoping she might have imagined their provocative outfits. She hadn’t. The women still wore revealing clothing, and Jacey felt her cheeks burn. She wouldn’t dress like that, not in a million years. She looked down at the head-to-toe robe and resisted the urge to pull her hands inside the sleeves for more covering.
“We only wear the robe when we’re off-world,” Aidan said in a low voice. His warm breath teased strands of her hair, and Jacey tried to suppress the shiver that darted through her. “I’ll get you settled, then we’ll find suitable attire for you.”
“Suitable attire?” Her voice squeaked. “How about a pair of jeans and a shirt?”
Aidan laughed. The throaty notes rolled through Jacey, sending heat spiraling through her body. “There are no jeans on BelaZed, my lady.” He offered her his hand. “Come.”
Another thing I’ll be missing. Jeans and television
. Aidan’s laughter echoed in her mind as she followed him down the stone path leading to the palace. The stone building looked like something out of ancient Roman history, with tall spiral columns flanking the porch. The flowerbeds boasted plants she had never seen before, with long, feathery petals in pastel hues that looked like leaves. She noticed the plants had long, deep purple stamens that resembled tiny cocks. A blush crossed her cheeks, and she forced her gaze away.
“Those are
mani
flowers, my lady,” the woman behind her whispered. “They are said to bestow joy and fertility where they grow.”
“Interesting,” Jacey murmured. She followed Aidan to the stairs leading to the patio that ran the length of the palace.
Aidan turned. With his hand on her shoulder, he gently led her up the stairs to stand by his side. He cupped her elbow, and Jacey tried to ignore the heat of his touch. His fingers, so long and sure, held her fast by his side. She looked out at the throng of people.
Are these his subjects? He called them his household. I know so little about his world
. The prospect scared her that she might have been kidnapped by a domineering lord. Sure, the people standing in front of her looked as if they wanted for nothing, but she didn’t know if it was a show put on for her benefit. On his ship it had been just the three of them. Returning to Earth seemed like a futile hope now, she realized, and she tried to abate the sorrow rising within her.
“I present to you Jacey. Treat her well, for she will be your lady as I am your Lord.”
A cheer went up from the assembled crowd. Jacey couldn’t help but notice that the people appeared to want Aidan happy.
A man stepped forward. His thick dark hair fell unbound nearly to his waist, and he wore breeches of supple black leather. A matching vest covered his torso. Rippling muscles covered his arms and his abdomen. She turned then and saw Aidan’s expression harden. The hand at her elbow tightened into a nearly painful grip.
“Who is that?” Jacey whispered.
Aidan glanced from her to the man, then back again. “Someone I hope you never meet.”
Jacey shivered at the inherent threat in Aidan’s words. Looking at the challenger’s imposing figure, she hoped she’d never meet him either.
“Does she love you?” the man asked. His voice rose above the crowd.
“She will.” Aidan’s certain words made the crowd cheer once more. He nodded once to those assembled, then turned on his heel and led Jacey into the palace.
Just inside the door Jacey halted. The finality in his words hit her. He’d declared victory without consulting her. How did he even know if she was going to fall in love with him? The fact that she was halfway there only made her angrier. She yanked her arm away. Hands on her hips, she turned to face him.
His high-handed tactics infuriated her. She was a stranger on this planet, far from her home. How dare he tell the crowd that she would grow to love him? If anyone asked in this moment, she had to admit she kind of hated him.
“You bastard,” she growled.
Aidan stepped back. His expression changed to confused, and Jacey forced herself to remember that he didn’t have feelings. He was a machine. Someone had programmed in his responses. He reached for her. “Come, I’ll show you to your rooms.”
Jacey yanked her arm back. Overbalanced, she stumbled against the wall and glared at him. “The hell you will. You bring me to a strange world. Inform me that I have to dress like the natives, and then tell everyone that I’m going to fall in love with you. You don’t have the slightest idea what love is all about.” Her voice rose, but she didn’t care if the entire planet heard her. Balling her fists at her side, she struggled against the urge to slap him.
“That is why we have Deactivation Day,” he said in a soft voice. He stepped forward and lightly brushed his fingers across her cheek. “I know this is an adjustment for you, but it will be all right. I promise.”
“The only way you can make it all right is to take me back to Earth.”
Aidan shook his head. “There are other ways.” Lightly, he stroked his thumb across her full lower lip.
A shock of awareness rushed through Jacey, and she cursed her body for betraying her.
I have nothing waiting for me on Earth
. The traitorous thought rolled through her mind. She dipped her head, avoiding Aidan’s touch.
“Please, Jacey.” His soft voice entreated her to listen, and she raised her gaze to look directly at him. Had he been human, she would have said pain filled his eyes. He wasn’t human. She had to remember that.
“Please what?”
I am not being unreasonable
. Her mental words failed to reassure her.
He should have asked me before making an announcement like that
. An image of the man in the audience rose to her mind. Who was he? Why did he seem so antagonistic toward Aidan? Aidan’s answer only created more questions.
“Please give me a chance.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “Give us a chance.”
Jacey sighed heavily. “I suppose,” she muttered. “I kind of have to, don’t I? It’s not like I can go home anytime soon.” She blinked away sudden pinpricks of tears.
“Don’t cry, Jacey. I’ll do anything within my power to make you love BelaZed, and me.” Aidan offered his arm. “Why don’t I show you to your quarters? You can rest for a while, and then perhaps we’ll dine together and I can show you more of my world.”
Jacey relented. The idea of sitting alone somewhere to gather her thoughts had appeal. She let Aidan lead her down the hallway, noticing the intricately woven tapestries covering the wall. The pale beige and pink stone looked almost like marble, and where beams of sunlight slanted across the floor, it sparkled. She swallowed hard, trying not to feel like a pauper who had just entered the prince’s castle.
He’s a ruler. I sure as hell won’t get that on Earth
. The thought did little to cheer her.
After walking down long, twisting corridors, Aidan showed her to her rooms. The heavy oaken door swung open easily, and Jacey paused in awe at the first chamber. A hearth with an inviting-looking fur rug in front of it dominated the far wall. More beautiful weavings hung on the wall, and a long couch covered in plush brown fabric sat clustered with matching chairs around a low wooden table. Overhead, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. A door led off to the right.
“Through there is your bedroom and a bathing chamber.” He reached for a small gold-tasseled pull rope that hung not far from the door. “There is one of these in each room. Simply ring and your servants will bring you whatever you desire.” He pointed to a dainty silver filigree chain that hung next to the gold tassel. Crystals hung from the end, sending a rainbow of light cascading over the floor. “This one will ring in my chambers. You may summon me with it. I have a matching cord in mine.”
“Can everyone summon you?” It seemed to Jacey that the idea of everyone in the palace calling for Aidan’s presence would be a horribly inefficient way to operate.
Aidan laughed. The warm notes of his laughter flooded over Jacey. Spirals of awareness darted through her. She stood with him in her private chambers. Tantalizing glimpses of the bedroom beyond, the wooden footboard for the bed, another hearth with matching rug, shone through the open door.
“No, this is the room for the woman who will eventually be my wife. Only you can command my presence.” He pulled the gold cord once, then leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers.
Jacey stilled herself against his touch. The gentle pressure of Aidan’s lips on hers only reminded her of the tender way he had made love to her. Reaching up, she twined her arms around his neck and pressed closer to him. Her lips parted.
Aidan deepened the kiss. His tongue stroked along hers. With hands on her hips, he pulled her against him. Through the thin fabric of their gowns, the length of his hard cock pressed against her, and Jacey clenched her hands at the back of his neck.
Heat filled her. Aidan might be an alien, but he kissed like a god. The slide of his tongue against hers made her want him inside her. Her pussy grew damp with need.
She pulled her lips away and drew in a shaky breath. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him again, this time demanding that he service her needs. Her hands slid over his shoulders, along the line of his back, until she could clench his ass.
Aidan’s moan reverberated through her body.
“Oh!”
A woman’s startled cry from behind them penetrated the haze of desire that filled Jacey’s mind. Reluctantly, she dragged her lips from his. Looking over Aidan’s shoulder, she saw a woman standing there. A light blue cloth was tied around her breasts, and she wore a loose, flowing skirt in the same sheer material.
Jacey stepped away from Aidan. He followed her gaze and turned to see the serving woman standing behind him. “Please bring Jacey the companion’s garments.”
With a brief nod, the woman scurried out the door.
Aidan stepped forward. He cupped her cheek with his hand. “I am sorry to have to leave so soon, but I should see if any business arose during my absence. I will hurry back.” He brushed his thumb across her kiss-bruised lips, then turned and left.
Jacey stood there, staring after Aidan as the serving woman entered again. She carried several garments over her arms, and, looking at them, Jacey found herself relieved that they weren’t the scarves worn by most of the staff.
“Your clothing, my lady,” the woman said as she carried them into the bedroom. She emerged moments later. “Do you need further assistance?”
“No, thank you,” Jacey replied as she accepted clothing from the servant.
The woman gave a hasty bow, then left.
Jacey walked into the bedroom, marveling at the opulent furnishings around her. A large four-poster bed dominated the room. A dresser sat off to one side, and next to it a vanity table complete with a mirror. She glimpsed the bathroom, a pink marble confection with a tub big enough in which to swim, through the open door. Her clothes hung in a closet, and she walked over to stand at the rainbow of jewel-toned dresses. Reaching out, she caressed the soft fabric with her fingers. The idea of having this slide over her skin sent shivers down her spine.
She chose a midnight-blue gown, thankful to see that while it caressed her body like a lover, it was far more modest than the clothing worn by the servants. She saw no shoes, but on the vanity sat a small pile of jewelry. She chose a silver toe ring and an array of silver bracelets. Staring at herself in the mirror, she could hardly believe she was the same person that had run off the road just a few days ago. I look like a princess, she thought, and then chastised herself for her foolishness. She should be thinking about getting back to Earth, except she wanted to give BelaZed—give Aidan—a chance.