Boarded: Alien Romance Read online

  “Maol has been busy,” Nual whispered to no one in particular.

  The cub squirmed in her arms as Sadie carried it back to the table, seating her on the bench. The silky young fur slipped through her fingers. She loved to pet them but the smell was the best part. Any baby scent, didn’t matter what species.

  He observed from the kitchen doorway, a curious light in his eyes. How did his people raise their children? Her gaze strayed to his feathered cap where he’d hid the data chip. Without it, she couldn’t tell if that look was a good one or a bad one.

  Cine passed Nual on the way into the kitchen, with Sadie close behind. The pale golden wife pulled a paper wrapped package from under the butcher’s block and tore it open with her claws. Sadie’s gaze turned to the cabinets that lined the walls of the narrow room, then the large refrigerator next to where Cine dressed the meats.

  Nual leaned his back against the cabinets and grinned as the small wife displayed her gusto for shredding things with her claws.

  Sadie winked at him, pleased by the confused expression it caused. If he wanted to withhold information and make her learn about him the old fashion way, then he needed to figure out her human expressions.

  Cine offered her two silver foiled bags the size of her palm. “Does the Ambassador need some nutrient packs for after Jump as well?”

  She ground her teeth and she raised her eyebrow his way. “Nual?”

  “I don’t know. What is the nutrient pack for?” His brow creased in a frown.

  “Glitch, search for the contents of the packs. Ambassador Nual will need to go over the list to see if they are compatible with his Cyngi metabolism.” Then she addressed him. “Some species can withstand the stress of Jump better than others. Humans, as well as many races, drink these packets once we wake to avoid any residual long term effects on our organs. Chances are you’ll wake up nauseous and disoriented like the rest of us.”

  “My people have not had the opportunity to study such events since we don’t indulge in space travel. What should I do, Liaison?”

  “Let me download your data file, and we’ll see if your scientists have any suggestions.” Glitch sent the results of the nutrient packs to her CHIP.

  He gave her a wide smile. Satisfaction oozing from him. “I’ll drink them on this trip to be safe and inform our scientists of the issues when we reach Central Station. They can make the appropriate studies.”

  A hint of a headache started at the back of her skull. She’d been close to getting the data chip. She could feel it in her bones, but if she kept grinding her teeth, she’d end up with a migraine.

  The pale gold Denobola with ears laid flat on her head offered her two more silver nutrient packets.

  What had disturbed Cine? Their conversation only took a second to review from her memory banks. This was the young wife’s first trip with Maol. She’d been full of questions for Sadie about other cultures, finally admitting her fears of insulting someone by accident. They’d spent many evenings aboard the ship in the family room discussing Central World races. “Cine? What’s wrong?”

  She fluttered her ears and they straightened with obvious effort. “Nothing. Do you need anything else?”

  Sadie adjusted her stance, facing Cine better. “I need you to tell me the truth. Not as a friend, but as the Liaison on this ship. I can sense you’re disturbed by something. Don’t let these things stew. If we offended you somehow its best resolved now.”

  Cine’s claws flexed out then retreated back in. “The Ambassador shouldn’t be so disrespectful of your status.” She turned to Nual. “If the Liaison requires information from you then you should provide it. I understand your people do not travel, and have not needed their services in the past, but they have been invaluable to my race.”

  If Cine would have understood the gesture, Sadie would have given her a high five. “Thank you for coming to my defense but there’s no need for it. As you know, the Cyngi are very resistant to sharing.”

  “Sadie and I have come to a prior agreement about a data exchange and I meant no disrespect.” He bowed slightly to Sadie. “Truly, if we didn’t hold your profession’s status in such high regard then I would never have requested the presence of a Liaison.”

  Satisfied at the resolution of the small misunderstanding, Sadie touched him on the elbow. “We haven’t much time. Let’s finish the tour.”

  They left the kitchen and she stuffed the extra packs in her pockets. Better for Nual to experience his first cultural issue in a safe environment like the ship, instead of at the station. Citizens could be less tolerant.

  Her stomach dropped as they took the lift deep into the bowels of the ship where Maol’s two almost grown sons Jep and Sudu greeted them. They appeared to be younger versions of their father, both dark amber and stocky. The only way she could tell them apart was that Sudu had the tip of his left ear missing. Once they reached maturity, their mothers would marry them off to strengthen trade ties, just like they had their older brothers and sisters.

  “The ship’s reactor core is controlled from here.” Sadie gestured toward the engineering area. She stayed clear of the consoles where the boys focused most of their attention. The Traveler’s huge, glowing yellow, coiled engines sat behind them encased in an indestructible crystal.

  “We should be accelerating out of your planetary system by now.”

  Jep glanced away from his duties. “Yes, Liaison, we are.”

  “We won’t bother you then, and be on our way.” She turned back to the lift. “We’ll check out the escape shuttles next. They are above the cargo bay but below the living quarters. If there is an emergency, follow any instructions I or the crew give you.” She could sense how close he stood next to her. “Each of the two small shuttles is capable of sustaining life for a week.”

  He caressed her shoulder, warming her. “I have reviewed all the safety vids prior to your arrival. Before we go to the shuttles, I would like to check on the cargo Maol placed in a storage bin.”

  “Sure, do you know which bin?” She retreated a couple steps and leaned against the wall. His proximity interfered with her brain function.

  “No.”

  “Glitch, please scan the manifest for the bin’s location.” The serial number and level downloaded into her CHIP before she finished asking. Her POD was the best. “Follow me.”

  The bin sat five levels above them. She stood a step behind him in the lift. His broad shoulders tapered down to his narrow hips where his white cloth sarong clung to a set of firm, well-formed butt cheeks. It didn’t leave much to the imagination. She wanted to pull her admiring gaze from his ass before he caught her, but it was too late.

  He watched her over his shoulder. A simmering heat burned in his stare.

  She tried to swallow around the dry lump in her throat. “Eighty-percent of the cargo hold is for cold storage items like electronics, inorganic materials, and products.” Where she needed to stuff her over-heated libido. “Maol placed your equipment in the warmed section that has life support so we won’t have to suit up.”

  “I have to admit to being surprised at how small the living space is, especially with such a large family. I don’t think I could be a trader.”

  “Me either.” He’d caught her red-handed staring at his body. Most males would have pressed her for more, but he pretended as if nothing happened.

  The lift passed the floor with the bin. She pressed the button again, but it didn’t respond. Instead, the lift opened on the floor with their quarters.

  “Prepare for Jump.” The general announcement on the intercom alerted them.

  Chapter Four

  Sadie stripped off her one-piece suit and stowed it away in a wall-drawer under her cot to wear again later. She retrieved an extra blanket from its compartment beside the bathroom. Jump always made her cold. She looked over her shoulder at Nual. “Do you think you might need an extra blanket?”

  His eyes darted away. He’d been staring at the scars on her back. She suddenly
felt vulnerable in her pale grey, cotton underwear that clung to her athletic body. Four-inch scars, three parallel lines, ran between her shoulder blades where she’d been clawed.

  “No, I should be fine,” he muttered.

  His curious stare shouldn’t bother her as much as it did. She’d had them for over a year, yet his unmarred beauty stood in such contrast to hers, she struggled not to drape the blanket over her shoulders. Others saw the marks as a badge of honor—a symbol of her courage and determination—but to her, the scars were a personal reminder of her greatest failure.

  “Jump in fifteen minutes.” Maol’s voice announced.

  She crossed the room and unlatched her bunk from the wall so it would unfold on top of Nual’s. “Lay on your bunk, and I’ll set the safety net over you.”

  The extra blanket tumbled to the floor when she tried to toss it overhead onto her bed. She growled under her breath as she picked it up.

  He perched on the edge of his cot and stared down at his feet.

  “You need to lie down. I need to strap us both down before we make pretty stains on the walls.”

  The muscles along Nual’s jaw strained. “Of course.” He settled onto his back, hands behind his head. His stare drilled into the cot above him.

  After she placed the blankets over him, she touched his shoulder. “Everyone gets nervous their first time.”

  “I’m not nervous.” With lightning speed, he gripped her hand. The touch shot tingles up her arm. Their eyes met. He must have felt it too. “But I wouldn’t mind some company.”

  “Ten minutes.” Maol’s voice startled her. Was she going to crawl into his bed? Jump was disorienting and this was his first time…

  “Get in.” He shifted over to make room on the narrow cot.

  Standing, she grabbed the extra blanket from her cot and slammed it back up against the wall, latching it in place. She should stay close to him. Who knew how the Cyngi would react to the experience? Having access to his data chip would have helped in predicting any problems. She’d have to let this topic go though. Now wasn’t the time to argue.

  She crawled in and draped the safety net over them, locking it in place. The inertial dampeners prevented them from being crushed by the gravity created at the speeds needed to achieve Jump. For safety, the crew and passengers secured themselves because once in Jump things changed. Time and space warped. People have been known to disappear between Jump points. She chose to travel in bed since this Jump would last days. Thank the blessed stars humans passed out and didn’t remember a second of the process.

  Thick, solid arms wrapped around her as Nual snuggled her from behind. His warm breath brushed the nape of her neck and made her shiver.

  “Thank you,” he whispered by her ear.

  “Five minutes.”

  His leg pinned hers to the bed and heat grew between them. It felt nice to be in his arms. Maybe she wouldn’t need the extra blanket. The herbal scent he wore enveloped her.

  “Jump imminent. Ten, nine…” Maol’s rough voice counted down. The safety net snapped and molded itself to their form as the room elongated. Nausea rolled in her stomach from the visual distortion. She closed her eyes and held her breath.

  Nual moaned and pressed his face into her hair.

  “Just close your eyes. It’s not real.” Her voice sounded distant as if down a long tunnel. “We’re approaching Jump field.” Even though she yelled, the words could barely be heard.

  “Four.” A computer’s voice took over Maol’s. “Three.” The automatic pilot must have kicked in. “Two.” She never could make it to one before passing out.

  * * * * *

  The roar of her blood as it rushed by her ears woke Sadie. Her heart thudded against her chest. Wake up, wake up, wake up. Sadie blinked and gasped, bright lights burned her retinas. Her vision cleared to see a blue hand wrapped around hers. She blinked again. Who did it belong to? She turned over. A blue man slept curled up against her. Nual.

  Nausea threatened her, but she fought it back. An all encompassing weakness ran through her limbs. She groped for a nutrient pack in the pouch on the wall. Bit into it and gulped the liquid down in a few swallows. It tasted like salty slime, but her body needed the stuff to recover from the strain. She tore into the second one and drank it slower before mentally contacting Glitch.

  It floated from its secured perch to hover by the bunk.

  “How long,” she cleared her throat. “How long in Jump?”

  Glitch flashed the calculations. Over forty-eight hours in the wormhole void but the distance travelled in that period made up for the lost time.

  “All hands, Jump cleared. Permission to unfasten safety nets granted.” Moal sounded as bad as she felt.

  She released their net and watched it snap back into the wall by Nual. The feather cap on his head caught her attention. Her full bladder warred with the temptation to explore the feathers for the data chip.

  Maybe she could do both. She’d just take the hat with her to the bathroom. However, when she tried to slide it off Nual’s head, it refused to budge. The edges of each feather’s stem melded to his skin. With closer examination, she saw they weren’t feathers but made of a soft membrane. They were a part of him like hair.

  She traced the edges of one feather; it felt soft and warm. The membrane shifted over and curled around her finger. A squeak caught in her throat and she jerked away from its touch. Afraid to wake him, she started to scoot off the cot but his bright blue eyes were open and watching her.

  “I liked your caresses, bing-ta.” His voice was rough from disuse and sexy as heck.

  “Please, don’t call me that. I thought you were wearing a hat.”

  “Hmm. Are you looking for the data chip?”

  She handed him a silver foil package. “Here’s a nutrient pack.” Then she retreated to the bathroom.

  A blush burned across her cheeks. He’d caught her trying to steal. She must be losing her edge. The temptation had been too much though. And those things on his head, why would the Cyngi evolve membranous feathers on their head?

  After relieving herself, she stripped and turned the shower on. The hot water pounded on her back. She heard Nual use the facilities. At least their species had that in common. She chuckled until the shower door slid open.

  “What’s so funny?” He stepped in and hogged the hot water.

  Pressed into the corner her laughter died in her throat. She crossed her arms over her breasts and sucked in a breath. The water poured over his upturned face, bounced off his broad shoulders, and down his sculpted chest. Was this proper Cyngi behavior? For all she knew Cyngi males and females always showered together.

  She lowered her arms and allowed herself a peek at his abdomen. Dark blue freckles gathered in the center and trailed down. Did they reach all the way?

  He held out the soap. “Can you wash my back?” Then he turned to give her an excellent view of his firm ass.

  A little soap went a long way. It spread over his broad shoulders as she scrubbed down the line of his spine. The muscles flexed as he leaned into her hands. His skin felt smooth, and she resisted the urge to use more than her hands to rub against him.

  When did she lose her all discretion? When had they crossed this line? Probably the moment this luscious piece of blue male flesh walked through the airlock.

  Some Liaisons slept with their charges. They believed it made their job easier. She’d never had the urge. Without more info on Cyngi culture, she wouldn’t make the first move though. She’d learned from personal experience not to mistake alien mannerisms for flirtation. It could cost her what dignity she had left.

  After he rinsed, he took the soap from her hands. “Turn. I’ll wash yours.”

  She spun around to face the wall, anxious to feel his large hands. In quick sure strokes, he lathered her skin then kneaded the knots from her shoulders. They melted away and left her feeling like putty.

  “You’re so tense.” He traced his fingers along the scars betw
een her shoulder blades. They thrilled from his touch. “How does a protected member of the Galactic Liaison get such a wound?”

  “By not running fast enough from a Tegany beast in a Zair desert.”

  “You traveled to Zairan? Not many go there and survive.”

  “None of my guards survived the trip.” The memory hurt enough to steal her voice, leaving it a whisper.

  He applied soap to her head and scrubbed the tight, short curls of her hair. “Why would they send a Liaison of your caliber to such a dangerous place?”

  Reluctant to leave his hands, she dragged her body out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. She’d told this story too many times and was tired of reliving those events.

  He followed and accepted the towel she offered him.

  “They didn’t send me. I volunteered. The people of Zairan deserved a chance. Not all of them are from the warrior clans. Some wanted a different life.” She twisted away from him. Her chest ached. She shouldn’t have drunk those nutrient packs so fast.

  His arm brushed hers in the small room. “Either you're very brave or very reckless.”

  Tears burned her eyes. She’d left behind those people, unable to help them, and possibly had made things worse. “A faction wanted entry into the Central Worlds Government. They needed someone to guide them through the application process. Either a Liaison volunteered to go or one would be chosen and forced to go.”

  “I’m glad you lived otherwise we never would have met.”

  She managed a small smile. “I am honored to help your people, but my work with the Zair is incomplete.” She shook her head. “Most likely I will never see it finished.”

  “You want to return to Zairan?” He sounded as surprised as everyone else did when she mentioned her wish.

  “If the Liaison assigned to Earth had given up so easily on humans, all those centuries ago, I wouldn’t be standing here.” She glanced down at herself. “In a towel.” It had taken decades of serious work before Central Worlds accepted Earth’s application. The Liaison had worked hard with her kind.