Pet's Pleasure (22 page)

Starling said, “I hadn’t planned to say a word. While shocking to see, I’m not mad or anything.”

“You can turn around, Ms. Shy.”

She turned, ready to shield her eyes if it came to that. Webber had zipped his pants but remained shirtless. Nausic stood with his shirt gaped open, looking embarrassed. She wanted to smile at the scene they presented but didn’t. Nausic probably wouldn’t understand why she found it so amusing. Webber had followed through. He’d teamed up with the only
jattikan
open to his advances. Or maybe fate had a hand in it.

Nausic asked, “Did you wish something of me?”

She nodded. “I’m sorry for earlier.”

Nausic met her gaze. “I don’t understand. Your attack is my fault.”

“No, it wasn’t. I should have called you. I don’t want you blaming yourself. It’s stupid. I was stupid. That’s no one’s fault but mine. I’m sorry you got in trouble because of me. It won’t happen again.” She nodded. “That’s all I wanted to say. Goodnight.”

Nausic rushed forward, buttoning his shirt. “I will escort you back.”

“You don’t have to. Rois sent a guard with me. I’m safe. Go back to your fun.” She winked at him and left the room.

That little revelation kept her smiling all the back to the room.

Nausic and Webber, huh? It might be time she told Bekion the truth about Webber. If anyone but her told Bekion of her ruse to make him jealous, he would get upset.

Chapter Sixteen

Bekion didn’t let Starling out of his sight for the next five days. She seemed to enjoy his constant attention.

The rumors about his abnormal closeness with Starling, especially after his outburst with the court ladies, gained momentum. It even eclipsed the growing campaign of Panagiotans lobbying to have humans from Earth seen as a sentient people with equal rights of any citizen under Gorov Imperial law. Said campaign—started by those who enjoyed the addition of Earth’s media to the public archive even if they couldn’t understand the language—only justified the speculation of those who thought Bekion funded the movement to legalize his relationship with Starling.

He tried his best to ignore it all. The gossipmongers would have considerably less to talk about when Bekion presented them a bride. Something he would do soon.

He had a trip planned to three of the neighboring kingdoms. The women of Panagiota didn’t interest him. That meant he had to search a different area for his bride. Vieve chose three planets containing women who suited his interests.

Starling delayed his trip. He hadn’t told her about it yet. At first he had wanted her to overcome her ordeal with Ladrow. He later found himself unable to mention the bride search to her. Guilt silenced his every attempt.

“You’re frowning,” Starling said, smoothing her hand over his forehead. She sat on his lap, smiling at him when he focused his attention on her. “You’re also scaring the poor woman below.” She looked at the woman in question.

Bekion had let his mind wander again. The ailment annoyed him because he never had to deal with it before owning Starling. He pushed aside thoughts of his bride search and how to break that news to Starling in favor of performing his current duties.

He said, “Forgive my inattentiveness. Continue.”

Starling settled in the crook of his arm and laid her head against his chest with a contented sigh. He found himself rubbing his fingers back and forth over her thigh as he listened to the court proceedings.

The motion helped his concentration. It also put him in a better mood. He granted the petition of the woman before him as well as the next five petitions before calling an end to the day.

“You’re in a good mood,” Starling said as he carried her back to his chambers.

He smiled at her. “I am.”

“Any particular reason?”

He didn’t answer.

“Bekion?” She poked at his cheek.

He continued smiling but didn’t answer. Once they reached his chambers and he had them safely locked within his bedroom, he set Starling on the bed and said, “You.”

“Me? Me what?”

“You are the reason for my good mood.” He cupped the back of her head and held her as he placed his lips against hers.

She opened to him, allowing him to taste the depths of her mouth. This soft heat belonged to no other but her. Bekion craved her taste. He kissed down her neck as he unbuttoned her dress.

She grabbed his hands, stopping him.

He pulled back. “Starling? Do you want me to stop?”

“Never.”

His immediate apprehension faded. He thought Starling might have grown tired of his indecision. Her patience with him made her all the more precious to him. Any other woman would have abandoned him long ago.

Pet or not, Starling didn’t have to endure Bekion’s presence if she didn’t want.

She laid a soft kiss on his lips. “Let’s skip the foreplay. I love it and all but the chance of us being interrupted is really high.” She leaned into him, opening her legs wide so they encompassed his hips. The moist heat between her thighs caressed the bulge in his pants. “Don’t you agree?”

“Yes.”

Her seductive laughter tickled his ears as he pulled her dress over her head, no longer bothering with the buttons. He stripped away her panties, which flung her back onto the bed with her legs open to him. Bekion loosed his arousal as he poised himself above her.

She stroked his hard flesh, using the movement to guide him forward.

“Stop right there,” Webber yelled from the doorway.

Starling gave a startled cry and yanked the blanket over herself at the same time Bekion straightened, stuffing his stiff member back in his pants and fixing his clothing. He turned, expecting to find all his guards and servants staring at him.

Webber stood alone, anger blazing in his eyes.

Starling snapped something at Webber in her mother tongue.

Webber yelled back his reply in the same language. Whatever he said made Starling clutch the blanket around herself more securely as she moved off the bed. He bit out something that sounded like a curse and stalked out of the room.

Bekion grabbed Starling’s arm to keep her from following. “What are you two saying? What’s happened?”

She shook her head at him. “Webber,” she called as she pulled out of Bekion’s hold and chased the other man.

Bekion tapped his cuff, setting up the device to record. He may not understand them now but a day would come when he could. He wanted to hear this conversation firsthand. It angered him that Starling and Webber purposefully spoke in their native language.

He didn’t need the words to understand the conversation. Their body language spoke volumes. Webber didn’t appreciate seeing his mate with Bekion. Of course, Starling wouldn’t take kindly to being yelled at.

Bekion prepared to interfere in the conversation if things turned violent but the pair switched to normal tones. The mention of Nausic made Bekion wish he understood their serious, somber words. What did his guard have to do with Webber’s reason for interrupting? Had Nausic informed Webber of Bekion’s apparent mood? That might have upset Webber and the man came to put a stop to it.

The answer would be awhile coming but Bekion became distracted from his questions when he found himself the target of Webber’s anger. The man pointed at Bekion and yelled at Starling. She nodded, no longer appearing angry at Webber’s raised tone.

Before Bekion could ask what caused her solemnness, Webber hugged her. Starling hugged Webber back. They spoke in low, sad tones and then Webber kissed her.

Bekion had enough. He pushed the end button on the recording as he turned away, headed for his bedroom. If his attention so upset Starling then he wouldn’t burden her with it any longer. He pushed another button on his cuff.

Vieve said, “Here, Bekion.”

Bekion asked in a gruff voice, “Is my transport ready?”

“Always. Why?”

“I’m leaving now.”

He ripped open his closet doors and entered. He needed to change his clothes. Starling’s scent covered his current attire. The smell now annoyed him.

Vieve asked, “Now?”

He snapped, “Don’t repeat my words, Vieve. I’m not in the mood.” He stripped off his clothes, not caring if he popped a button or tore the fabric. Tossing the garments aside, he chose another outfit and dressed.

“I’ll make sure everything is in readiness but I don’t think Furielle had time to prepare Starling.”

“She’s not coming.”

“But, I thought—”

“Vieve!”

“Sorry. Yes, I’ll make sure the transport is ready to leave the moment you set foot on board.”

“Good.”

He ended the transmission with his finger jammed against the button. A thought made him push it again. “Vieve, how is the progress on the translation program?”

“Starling has at least two hundred more pages. Webber started the project and is progressing faster than Starling but her explanations are more in-depth than his.”

“Good. I want to know the moment it’s finished.”

“Of course.”

He ended the call again.

Starling entered the closet. “Bekion? What are you doing?”

He glanced at her then looked away quickly. She still wore the sheet she’d donned when Webber had stopped them. Below that sheet, she was naked. Before Webber had interrupted, she’d been ready for him. Now…

He said, “I have business to attend away from the palace.”

“Oh. Let me get dressed then. I won’t be long.” She rushed past him to her clothing.

“You’re not going.”

Starling stopped sifting through her outfits and faced him. “What?”

“You heard me.” He fastened the last button on his shirt and walked out of the closet.

Webber had left. Was that why Starling had come looking for Bekion? He didn’t care. Let her mate take care of her needs.

Starling asked, “Why not? Bekion, you promised I would go with you if you ever left the palace. You promised.”

“Not this trip.”

“Is it dangerous? Will you be okay?”

“My errand is mundane. Even so, you’re not going and that’s final.” He left the room before she could say more.

Nausic stood outside the door of the outer chamber. Bekion closed it behind him. Not two seconds later, Starling jiggled the knob, trying to turn it. When it didn’t obey her, she pounded on the door and called his name.

Bekion ignored her and looked at Nausic, who appeared uneasy. “She doesn’t leave that room until my transport is off the planet. And I don’t want her bothering me while I’m gone. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good.” Bekion almost glanced over his shoulder at the door but stopped himself. “Good,” he said in a softer voice then walked away.

Though not possible, he could still hear Starling calling to him far down the hallway. Guilt and the urge to return and apologize ate at him. He continued walking without turning back.

“King Bekion, does the day find you well?”

Bekion slowed his pace when Aurelan neared him. He wanted to see the woman least of all but didn’t show it. He wouldn’t vent his bad mood on an unsuspecting and undeserving third party. Besides, he’d abused the woman enough the day of Starling’s attack.

Aurelan had ended her blatant flaunting and started conducting herself like a normal guest of the palace. She should be treated as such.

He said, “I am well, Lady Aurelan. I am also leaving the palace for a few days. I hope you will find pursuits to distract you.”

Aurelan glanced behind them. “Where is Lady Starling? She refused to accompany you?”

“I have decided to leave her. The trip would bore her.”

“Ah. But if you do not plan to be gone long, it shouldn’t matter. She won’t have time to miss you.”

“My trip will take fifteen days, if not more.”

“Then I shall, of course, extend my stay so I am here when you return, Your Majesty.”

“Do as you please, Lady Aurelan. I must excuse myself now.” He inclined his head to her and turned the corner.

Truth be told, he hoped the woman wouldn’t remain at the palace with him gone. She might have left angry if he had told her his errand involved interviewing prospective brides.

Aurelan’s attitude toward Starling had doomed her as a bride candidate from the beginning. Even angry, Bekion wanted Starling to be happy. His pretty pet disliked Aurelan immensely. Webber didn’t seem fond of the woman either.

Bekion had never asked. He simply took it as fact and proceeded accordingly. If he found a woman worthy of being his bride, she would need to get along with Starling. Bekion would break the engagement otherwise.

That thought made him sigh over his coming task. He made it that much harder because he wanted his future wife to get along with the woman he loved.

* * * * *

Weariness to the depths of his bones made Bekion drop onto the nearest seat.

“Lady Palia and her daughter Dosfia are lovely women,” Rois said.

Bekion made a noncommittal noise. Dosfia was a beautiful girl with a lovely personality to match. She seemed a trifle on the subservient side but Bekion could simply make her his consort instead of his queen.

He didn’t want an ornament though. His wife and queen should be able to think and be unafraid to challenge him if she felt the need. She should be an individual.

She should be Starling.

He sighed.

The few
jattikan
women he met didn’t measure up to the little Earth woman who’d entered his life unannounced and demanded to be recognized as an equal. Despite all the anger that made him abandon her at the palace five days prior, he still wanted her…craved her. If he couldn’t have Starling as his wife, he wanted a close replica.

Rois asked, “Did you hear me, Bekion?”

“I heard you, Rois. I think you understated the situation. Lady Palia is a twit. She’s raising her daughter to be the same. Do you truly want to take orders from a woman like Dosfia?”

Rois snorted. “Honestly, no. You’re right. Dosfia will only serve her husband one way when he chooses her. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’ve shown no interest in any of the women you’ve met. Vieve searched long and hard for these candidates.”

“She should have searched far as well.”

“No matter how far she searches, Earth is not an option and never will be. Even if the Panagiotans For the Rights of Earth Humans movement succeeds, it cannot help you.”