Mate Abduction (Alien Abduction #9) - Eve Langlais Page 0,24
not. Spinning around is likely to confuse his already less intelligent sperm. With your kind, it’s best if you maintain a single position,” Ishtara replied with sage advice and a nod. “On your back seems most productive, with your legs held in the air above your head after for maximum effect, allowing the seed to travel more easily to implant your womb.”
“We are not talking about this.” And then Belle did the oddest thing. She stuck her fingers into her ears and hummed loudly.
“What is she doing?” he asked the Zonian.
“Ignoring me. So let us discuss my accommodations, given we’ll be here for at least eight days.”
Clarabelle chose to hear that. “You can’t tell me you’re agreeing to this ridiculous deal.”
“Sounds reasonable to me.”
“It’s blackmail.”
“It’s a business transaction,” Ishtara corrected. “He gets something, you get something. I fail to see the issue.”
He knew just the thing to goad her. “It’s because she is already fighting her attraction for me and fears I am right when I tell her we are meant to be mates.”
“Why would she fear mating with you?”
“I am well endowed,” he declared in all seriousness.
Ishtara nodded. “My research says her kind like them large. And lubricated. I have creams if needed.”
“I’m sure we’ll manage,” he choked out.
Clarabelle ground her teeth. “I hate you both.” She stomped in the direction of her ship.
“Is she leaving?” he asked.
“Having a tantrum. She’ll come around. According to the other orphans, the redheaded humans are known for their fiery tempers.”
Was it the wrong time to wonder if that would extend to passion as well?
Seven
Clarabelle paced inside the ship. She didn’t want to stay on this planet, but at the same time, she did need to prove a point to him and nothing more.
Soulmates indeed. The guy had a freaking tail. And glowing eyes. And broad shoulders. Did he have wings, too? She’d not yet seen his back. The lack of lumps under his cloak seemed to indicate a flat surface, but the same cloak had also hidden the tail.
As if she’d ever hook up with a guy sporting extra body parts. She knew some of the orphans were okay with it, but she found herself averse with no clear reason why.
Perhaps she should try and look past her prejudice to see the man and not the tail. Would the appendage between his legs be as expected or shocking? He claimed it was big. How big? He’d probably show her if she asked.
She shook her head to dispel the thought.
“Are you done sulking?” Ishtara’s voice broke through her mental pacing.
“No, as a matter of fact, I’m not. How could you?” she said, whirling to face Ishtara.
“Not tell you possibility the planet was inhabited by non-humans?” Ishtara shrugged. “You would have said no.”
That actually wasn’t what she’d been about to ask. “Is that why you took his side instead of mine?”
“I do not understand your irritation. Our quest was to find compatible companions for you and the other orphans.”
“Human ones!”
“Which, as you’ve discovered, is harder than you thought.”
“They exist,” she said, her lower lip jutting.
“Yes, and he is the one with their location. Meaning you need to stop whining about the deal you’ve struck and make the most of it.”
“I am not whining. I don’t like being forced.”
“Then we leave. I will prep the ship.” Ishtara moved from the doorway.
It took her a moment to yell, “Don’t.”
Her friend hadn’t gone far. Ish peered around the jamb. “Yessss?”
The petulance shone in Clarabelle’s reply as she said, “I’ll give him his eight bloody days.”
“Was that so difficult?” Ishtara asked.
“It’s—" The ship jolted. Clarabelle’s eyes widened. “What’s happening?”
“The Spa’Rtk’un don’t allow surface vehicles to sit for long. They’re parking us in one of their underground hangars.”
Trapping them.
Since Ishtara didn’t seem worried, Clarabelle feigned nonchalance as well.
“Do you know where we’ll be staying?” she asked.
“I’ll be remaining aboard the ship, monitoring the repairs Thyos has offered to have made.”
“You make it sound as if I won’t be.”
“Your bargain is to spend your time with him.”
“Alone?”
Clarabelle probably deserved the snorted, “Is that fear I smell?”
She threw back her shoulders. “If he thinks I’m going to spread my legs for him…” She had a knife that would solve that problem.
She packed a rucksack of clothes, a few weapons, and a scanner to check all food and drink for narcotics. Last thing she needed was to be roofied and wake up with morning-after regret. As for booze, she’d steer clear of it.
The ship jolted a few more times before it stilled.