Jaded, page 6
The resort was a huge structure that expanded against a sheer wall of rock and left the wide expanse of the beach completely clear. The vehicle pulled into an alcove and Readic opened his door, moving around to let her out of the transport, touching her hand lightly.
There was a light spark as she touched Readic, but he jerked his hand back and surreptitiously rubbed it on his thigh. She chuckled and stood aside as Truanic picked up their bags and put his arm around her again.
The vacation was about to commence.
Chapter Ten
She could smell the sea in the air; all the windows of their huge rooms were wide open and facing the ocean. The curtains ruffled and billowed as the sound of the surf came in and wrapped around her.
“The resort offers beach wear.” Truanic opened the wardrobe and pulled out a few long swaths of fabric.
“I am not wearing that.”
“Good. It is men’s clothing. Yours is still in the wardrobe.” He peeled out of his clothes and began to wrap the fabric without hesitation.
She chuckled and moved to the carved wooden clothing storage and saw a set of fabrics in a deep blue all hanging together. “How the hell does this work?”
He snorted and moved past her, wearing the wraps with ease. One went on as a form of loincloth and another was a panel that hung down to his knees in front and back. It was different but had more dignity than Terran board shorts.
“Allow me to assist.”
He removed her clothing from the ship, stood her with her arms extended out straight from left to right, and he wrapped her breasts with one length, snugging and supporting her with a strange final twist that connected the first edge to the final edge behind her neck.
She was then allowed to put her arms down.
The bottom was arranged like his was, the front and rear panels were actually one piece slipped between her thighs and tied around her hips to hold it. The last length of fabric went around holding it over her hips and covering the curve of her buttocks.
Jayd turned from left to right and checked it in the mirror. “Well, I guess that is fine.”
Truanic walked up behind her and loosened her hair. “That is much better. Come with me.”
She looked at the darkness outside and back to her partner. His red eyes were glowing, so she shrugged and allowed him to lead her out. He wanted her to see something, so she would let him lead. Heck, he had to listen to her when they were working, she could return the favour during their time off.
The warmth of the air that ran up her inner thighs and stroked her back the moment that they walked out onto her balcony was a soothing welcome to the world.
“We have a private staircase down to the beach and can come and go as we please. There is a dining room and room service available to you and beach service as well.”
They left the steps and the sand was still warm under her feet, as if the ground under them were alive. He hauled her to the water without hesitation.
“If you will be all right, I would like to swim a little. It has been a while since I have been in the water.”
“You aren’t a water breather, are you?” She had examined his body and hadn’t seen any gill signs.
“No, Shushan just love the water. There is a chair over there if you want to take a nap.”
She grinned. “Fine. Go swim.”
He kissed her quickly then turned and waded into the surf.
She watched his silhouette dive into the water under the bright moons. She walked up the beach and took the seat that he had pointed out to her.
The moons gradually dipped beneath the sea and the sun crept up. Jayd got to her feet and walked to the edge of the sea, dipping her toes in the surf and letting the tide crawl up her legs with steady pulses.
The sun glowed on the horizon and formed a perfect semicircle. As if she had summoned him, Truanic rose out of the water and walked towards her.
The set of his shoulders were relaxed and his thighs pushed the water out of his way as he joined her.
She went up on her toes and kissed him, tasting the salt on his skin before his flavour came through. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
He groaned and lifted her against him. “I was thinking of nothing but you.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “I was thinking the same thing. You can hold your breath for a really long time.”
Truanic sighed. “Not as long as I used to. My mother’s people live at the seaside because they depend on the ocean for food. It was good to do some fishing while I was out there.”
“You went fishing?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Sort of. There is a reason that I can kill with neural disruption. It is how the Shushan hunt. Normally, we use the touch to stun, but due to the shift in my bloodlines, I kill.”
“And yet, I have no problem with you having your hands all over me.” She laughed and kissed him again.
“I know. It is a relief that you came to me that first time. Honour compelled me to keep my hands to myself. It is also a relief that you enjoy a little bit of rough handling.”
It was her turn to wrinkle her nose. “I don’t think of it like that. It just feels good.”
He used his nails and slowly stroked her back. “I am aware of that, but if you were one of my own kind, the clawing would have had you bleeding everywhere.”
She blinked. “Huh. There is finally a bonus to the alteration. Glad to know it.”
He used that slow stroke up her thighs until she shivered uncontrollably.
To her surprise, instead of walking to the room, he backed into the ocean.
She clutched at him. “Oh no.”
“Oh yes. It will do you good to experience all that Ghaluud has to offer.” His hands tightened and he kept her in his grip while he backed up.
When he was thigh deep in the water, he fell backward, hauling her under the waves with him.
She held her breath and almost let it out when his eyes glowed red and his skin illuminated the area around them. Her eyes stung a little, but after blinking rapidly, the sensation faded.
He kicked them deeper into the water and she held her breath until her lungs felt like they would burst. She fought to free herself, and instead, he pressed his lips to hers, a stream of oxygen blew into her mouth. She pulled away and exhaled, then placed her lips back over his and breathed in.
Once she wasn’t freaking out, he began to swim again, showing her the underwater world as it was touched by light.
He needed to breathe once every ten minutes, and she knew it was because she was sucking so much of his air. It made her feel bad until she remembered that he had hauled her into the sea without asking.
By the rise of the sun, it was an hour later when they emerged from the water. He walked, she staggered. Her limbs were not up to swimming for that long.
“You did better than I thought, Jayd.”
She grumbled. “You owe me breakfast.”
“This way.”
“Do they mind that we are soaking wet?”
“They had better not.” He laughed, and once again, his arm came around her as they hiked through the resort common areas.
“This is a really nice resort.”
“I am glad you like it. It is new. Readic is branching out from the family business, so we have managed to get in before it becomes popular for off-worlders.”
A server came to get them and seated them at a table for two.
She scowled at Truanic when he ordered for her in a fast language that was not Nyal common. “What did you order?”
“A standard traditional breakfast with a few additions that you will recognise. We eat a lot of fish, so this way, you can find something you will be willing to eat.”
She laughed. “Fine. So, what do we do now?”
“We rest, swim, eat, have sex. Not necessarily in that order. This is a vacation. Enjoy it.”
“I might slip a little. Where is Harry?”
“I am not telling you. You are going to sit here, relax and not have anyone in your mind.”
He extended his hand, palm up, and she slid her hand along his, enjoying the texture and the heat. She expanded her mind a little and could find nothing but workers delighted to be at the resort and a few guests who felt the same.
“This place is very tranquil.”
“I know. Ah, morning, Readic.”
Readic looked a little tired, but his blue-green eyes were bright. He was wearing a black version of Truanic’s garb, so he was right, it was proper clothing. “Cousin, it is good to see you so relaxed.”
“It is the company.”
Readic inclined his head toward Jayd, “It is good to see you again. I thought that your pallor was due to exhaustion. I am glad to see it is natural.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“It is my pleasure to repay Truanic for his assistance in getting this resort up and running. He managed to work out all the permits and authorizations I required.” Readic grinned.
Jayd looked at her companion. “Legal business?”
“You don’t think I would take a job with the imperium for the money? It was a trade. My services for a fast track for the permits needed to open this resort. It is a two-year contract.”
Truanic smiled, and Jayd had to push away the cold feeling in her belly. She had begun to think of a life with him in it, and now, he was showing her the expiry date. Damn.
Readic looked at her face, and he suddenly got flustered. “Please excuse me.”
Truanic looked at her and asked, “What is wrong?”
“I just forgot that we work together and that it will come to an end. You will go on and I will get a new partner.”
“I am only under contract for two years, after that, I can choose to be your executioner.”
She leaned back. “Why would you do that? You have a family, you could come and join the resort business with Readic.”
He kept his grip on her hand, got to his feet, pulled her to her feet and then he sat down, pulling her into his lap. “I don’t want to go into business with Readic. I have been with you for just over ten days, and I cannot imagine not having you with me. If you allow it, I will remain with you until the imperium retires you.”
Her heart pounded, and she leaned against his chest, muttering, “I could probably live with that. Of course, you could change your mind at any time.”
“As could you. Of course, if you decide to take another Shushan as a lover, you will have a problem.” He kissed the curve of her neck.
She swallowed as her skin warmed from that small touch. “I will?”
“Yes, you have chosen me. Readic found it out when he touched your hand yesterday. Whether you wish to end your days with me, for now, your body will cause pain to any Shushan male who touches you.”
“I don’t think I am going to be in the market for another lover. You have spoiled me.” She smiled and stroked his chest, lifting her head to kiss him.
They slowly communicated without words until the discreet clatter of plates broke their moment.
He pressed his forehead to hers and she felt the deep affection in his thoughts. She promised herself to show him how deep her affection went later. After she had found out how to unwrap the Shushan clothing.
It was going to take some work, but she had a few days to get some dexterity at the task. Suddenly, heading back to the stars and sitting in judgement didn’t seem to be such a lonely thing.
Jayd had to remember to ask the judiciary how long she had to serve before she could retire. Life with Truanic and no stress suddenly had a lot more appeal.
Just imagine how much money she would save on her wardrobe.
Author’s Note
Jaded was an effort to show how a woman who has seen it all…and who can see it all, can still be surprised. It just takes a little more effort to surprise a woman who can read your mind.
Jailed is the next instalment, and I have no idea what is going to happen. Seriously. Not a clue. Time to improvise.
Thanks for a great 2013! See you in the new year!
Viola Grace
www.violagrace.com
viola@violagrace.com
About the Author
Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.
Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.
Viola Grace, Jaded
