Ar'Tok - Alana Khan Page 0,60
we’ll be done in four more days as promised. I’ll be happy to meet you back here to show you progress in three days' time on one condition.”
His head snaps in her direction, clearly stunned that the female would dictate demands to him.
“You dare impose conditions on me?” he snarls.
She nods. “Next time we need to agree upon the time of our meeting. And you’ve got to allow a little leeway in case of an emergency.”
He scowls, but agrees, and I carry Star back onto the hover. When I move to put her on the stretcher, she shakes her head.
“Your lap, Ar’Tok,” she says. After receiving more pain meds, she nestles against me, then falls asleep within minimas.
Star
The last two days are a haze of pain, meds, hugs, and Ar’Tok’s sweet caresses. I feel decidedly better today.
“What time is it?” I’ve been sleeping off and on around the clock, so even though sunlight peaks between the heavy draperies I have no idea whether it’s early morning or late afternoon.
“Breakfast time,” Ar’Tok’s voice is gentle and encouraging. It’s one of the things that got me through the pain over the last few days. “Feel like an outing? I have a small surprise planned for when you’re ready.”
“Food!” I demand. “Then an outing.”
“Tonight’s your meeting with Ergonn. It’s our last day on the Pleasure Planet.”
“Sorry I ruined it for you.” Poor Ar’Tok has been imprisoned here with me the last two days when he should have been exploring all the things on his bucket list.
“Are you crazy? I got to lie in bed all day with the prettiest girl in the galaxy. Nova was right, feeding you with my own hand was an experience. Frankly, taking care of you was far more fun than climbing Kimanji.”
“Anything would be more fun than climbing that mountain. Well, actually, it wasn’t the climbing that was a bummer, it was the falling.”
“My Star’s back! I love that mischievous smile on your face.”
He feeds me fruit dipped in cream, and thick slabs of bread slathered in jam. I lick his fingers after every bite.
“If your leg wasn’t broken, I would tear off your clothes and bury myself in you.” His brown eyes spear me with a molten gaze as he bounds up and carries me to the shower.
After carefully helping me wash and dress and tucking me back in bed, he calls, “I’ll be back soon,” as he scoots out the door.
A few minutes later, he returns to the room with a hover-chair. It’s set up so my right leg can stretch out in front of me.
“Oh, you got me a sexy ride!”
“Only the best for you, Star.”
Once I’m ensconced in the chair, he hands me a box wrapped in purple cloth with a golden ribbon. “Happy Blessed Peace Day, my Love.”
I’ve never received anything so fine. My whole life my parents ordered things delivered by drone, but the way this package is wrapped, along with the luminous look in Ar’Tok’s eyes, makes me feel special.
“Go ahead,” he urges when he sees my hesitation.
The box doesn’t weigh much, but it takes up most of my lap. I take my time, pulling the ribbon inch by inch.
“Hmm, what could this be?” I ask, knowing he’ll keep a secret and never tell. Shaking the box, it makes no sound, but I feel the soft slide of fabric inside.
“Clothes?”
He just shrugs, giving nothing away as he bends on one knee to be closer to me.
Finally, I toss the ribbon to the floor and open the box. Inside is shimmering silver fur. My fingers slide through it and my eyelids flutter closed as I luxuriate in the feeling. I’ve never touched anything so soft.
“What type of animal is this?” I ask, hating that something had to die to produce this. I have to admit, though, I love the velvet touch of the fur.
“Synthetic. No animals were harmed for this.” His gaze is flicking back and forth across my face, trying to read my expression.
“Even better!” I pull the fake fur out of the box and see that it’s a small blanket.
“They call it a lap blanket. I wanted you to have it for our little outing today.”
Moments later, he’s brought me in my hover-chair to the back entrance of the grand lobby. Before he pushes me outside, he tucks the blanket around me as if I’m the most precious thing on the planet.
“The Multi-Pleasure Hotel is known for its gardens,” he explains as he hovers me farther from the building. We