ROMULUS (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 1) (25 page)

Aster looked at Rom for an explanation. He shrugged his shoulders then murmured, "Later."

Cherry reached for a man's hand behind her and brought him forward. "Aster, Rom, this is Thor. Say hello, darlin'." Thor was powerfully built, of medium height, with unruly black hair and a thick moustache. His brooding eyes made Aster think he was not at all the type to be content sharing Cherry's affections. He nodded to each of them without speaking.

"Thor doesn't say much. Then again," she said, stroking his well-developed biceps, "he doesn't need to. Out there on the floor, the tall, blond hunk swinging the girl between his legs is Apollo. He said he could teach me to do that stuff."

Aster caught the narrowing of Thor's dark brows and turned to Rom. "Would you excuse me for a minute? I'd like Cherry to show me the lady's room."

Inside the lavatory, Aster voiced her concern. "Thor looks like he wants to make a change in your relationship."

"Yeah, I know, but it's not the kind of change you'd expect. Truth is, I like them both. It's sort of like salt and pepper... food tastes better with a little of each."

"Hmm. Have you, I mean, have any of you, you know, been intimate?"

Cherry burst out laughing. "You're too much, kid. Here you are, probably having sex day and night, and you still can't bring yourself to say the words. Well, the answer is no. There's been plenty of heat with both of them, but the clothes stayed on and all hands remained above the waist. Gawd, I wish I had a picture of your face. I'm just fitting in with the natives. Anyway, Thor wants more and that would change everything. He and Apollo are best friends, like us, only for much longer. I'm afraid this is one triangle that would eventually hurt their friendship and I'd lose them both. I haven't decided what to do yet. But enough of that. You are absolutely glowing. Hell, even your little worry lines have disappeared."

"Why, thank you, dear." Aster made a quick check of her appearance in the mirror. "Of course, that's because I've died and gone to heaven, so I have nothing more to worry about."

"Well, kid, you know I've waited years to see you this happy but there's something you better worry about, and I'd rather you hear it from me than some stranger." When she was certain Aster realized she was serious, Cherry continued, "I heard more than a few comments this week, some of which were downright ugly, about the beloved chief administrator losing his marbles over a lowly Terran. Somebody's even started a rumor that you aren't even from Earth, but some other planet where the women are witches and you've cast an evil spell over Rom. He's getting a pretty bad rap and the insinuation is it's bound to hurt his career. He really is up for the governorship."

"I heard that too, but I thought it was something in the distant future. He hasn't said one word about it. He
has
told me there are some restrictions about relationships but I didn't think we were breaking any of their laws by being together unofficially."

"Apparently, only a handful of people really care about who someone like Thor or Tarla spends time with. It's different for Rom. He's a politician for goodness sake. Doesn't he know anything about being discreet?"

Aster felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach. "He, um, hasn't been himself lately." She gave Cherry's hand a squeeze. "Thanks for telling me."

Forcing a smile back on her face, Aster followed Cherry back to the dance floor, where Johnny and Betty Basiglio were chatting with Rom.

"Hi, Aster, Cherry. It's good to see you," Betty said in a cheerful voice. "Nick and his lady friend are here too."

It took several minutes to catch up on each other's news but Johnny saved his and Betty's surprise for last. "We wanted to do something where we could still be near the water. You know you can't teach an old dog new tricks. With the chief's help, we were able to set ourselves up as kelp farmers."

Betty took over the conversation. "The business is only the beginning. All our married life there was one thing we wanted terribly, but couldn't have. We both went through some thorough exams this week and we've been given the most wonderful news. By this time next year, we should be parents!"

Everyone was hugging and congratulating them when Cherry excused herself with a frustrated sigh. Aster's gaze followed her as she headed for the two men in her life. They were clearly having a heated conversation. Aster could not imagine how that story could have a happy ending.

The band struck up "Deep Purple" and Rom held out his hand to her. "I believe they're playing your song."

It was a dreamy slow song and Aster melted against him as he led her around the floor. The other dancers made room for them and eventually stopped dancing completely.

When the music came to an end, Rom dipped Aster dramatically, and the room filled with applause. Aster hoped the lights were sufficiently dim to hide her pink cheeks.

The next song was pure swing and, before Aster could object, Rom curled her into the crook of his arm and whipped her out again. She had never learned all the intricacies of the jitterbug but she knew enough to keep up with the basics. Soon the other dancers crowded back onto the floor again. Rom and Aster had had their moment in the spotlight.

The fast-paced dance was fun but Aster was even more delighted when the next song began and Rom held her close again.

Someone tapped Rom's shoulder and he turned his head to see a moustached stranger, almost as tall as he, with a smile that revealed a diamond in his tooth. The urgent pressure of Aster's fingers on his hand and neck and the alarm in her eyes told him who the man was.

Victor looked directly at Rom then greeted Aster. "You make a most attractive couple. I was hoping you might permit me to dance with the lovely lady."

Rom did not return his smile nor bother to exchange introductions. He felt Aster trembling in his arms and saw no need to be cordial.

"The
lovely lady
has reserved all her dances this evening for me. The room is filled with available partners. You should be able to find someone else to your liking." With two sweeping steps, Rom whirled Aster away from the offensive man.

Over Rom's shoulder, Aster watched Victor storm away. At the edge of the dance floor, she recognized the counselor, Edward, glaring at her. Edward spoke to Victor as he pushed by then they both disappeared into the crowd.

"Are you all right?" Rom searched her troubled face.

"That was Victor."

"I gathered that. I think your intuition is on target. There's something very wrong with that man, no matter what his file says. You're still shaking. Let's go sit out in the garden and cool off for a few minutes."

She gave him a slight nod and linked her arm through his. Casually, they promenaded out the back door, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

Rom found a secluded bench hidden from the shimmering lanterns hanging along the main path. Aster gave herself up to his protective arms, and for the first time, talked about the hijacking. "He thought nothing of killing those people or shooting Cherry. During the entire trip, he snorted cocaine and played with his knife. He as much as told me he didn't care if I was dead when he got around to raping me. A man that sick cannot be made healthy again in a couple weeks."

Rom rocked her slowly. "I'll take care of you, shalla. You believe that, don't you?"

She lifted her face to give him a soft kiss. "Yes, of course, I do. I guess it was the way he walked up to us, as normal as can be. I'll be okay now, really."

"Good. Sit still for a minute and look at me." He pulled out the tail of his shirt and used the underside to wipe the makeup streaks from her face. "I have no idea why you wear that stuff. You're beautiful without it."

"And you're a sweet liar. Aha! I caught you telling an untruth!"

"Wrong. I was being honest, as I see it."

"I understand now. There's variations to this honesty code of yours."

"I refuse to answer such a leading question. Now hush and kiss me again... like you mean it this time."

Aster needed no further incentive. "Oh, Rom, I love you so much," she breathed into his mouth.

Slowly, he pushed her away from him and tried to read her eyes in the dark. "What did you say?"

"I said I love you. I'm not sure if those words mean anything to you. They're the most important words in my world to tell someone how deeply you care for them. I know we've only known each other a short time but a lifetime wouldn't make any difference in the way I feel about you."

"Aster, I—" Rom tried to interrupt.

"I understand with you this is a biological obsession and I don't want you to feel obligated because I'm telling you this. I just had to let you know that I love you with all my heart and soul, no matter how you feel."

Rom drew her to him and his voice shook when he spoke. "How could you not know how I feel? I fell in love with you the moment I saw you and you weren't even conscious. The fever is only a symptom. If it ever goes away, I'll still love you just as much. It's been torture not telling you how much I love you. I was afraid of frightening you away if you knew the depth of my feelings. I love you, my shalla, and I want you to be a part of me... forever." He dotted little kisses on her nose, her cheeks, her eyes.

Aster felt her heart racing. Was it knowing he loved her that made her feel so lightheaded? She was suddenly so hot! Wherever his lips touched her, a tiny spark ignited and spread, until her entire body seemed engulfed in flames.

She became aware of the center of the heat. The pulse between her thighs increased, harder, stronger, uncontrollable. She had never experienced such desire without Rom being inside her. She urgently needed him this instant. He had to stop this ache before she exploded.

"
Rom!
Something's... it's so strong...
I need you now!
"

Rom stared at her in shock. Her voice was a ragged imitation of itself, her pupils dilated, her skin hot and clammy. Aster knelt between his legs, pulling at the opening in his slacks. As his manhood sprang out at her, she caught it, taking him deeply into her mouth. He could not catch his breath, as she devoured him.

The next moment she stood up and kicked away her panties. Without a pause, she straddled him, pulling him into her depths. Now as frantic as she, Rom tugged at her bodice. Driven to madness, he ravaged her breasts. When their mutual release came seconds later, they muffled their groans into each other's mouths.

"I love you," they both gushed at once.

Then Aster gasped. "Good Lord, what have I done? What if someone had come along?"

"To tell the truth, I didn't care at the moment. This particular moment is a different story, however." He gently kissed her, and lifted her off him so they could make themselves presentable again. "Let's go home. We have to talk."

* * *

A lone figure stepped out from behind a tree and watched the lovers' departure.

"How sweet," Victor hissed aloud in the dark. "So, you love the little nympho, eh, big shot? We'll have to find out how much you'll do for her."

* * *

Aster stretched her sated body in Rom's big bed. "Now, will you please tell me about this governor business?"

"Let's see, the head of each province is a chief administrator. Over the seven provincial administrators is the governor of Innerworld."

She punched his arm. "Don't be a smart aleck. You know what I mean."

"I'm getting there. The governors of Innerworld and other colonies report to the Ruling Tribunal on Norona. All top government positions are achieved by Tribunal appointment, but popular support influences their decisions.

"The current governor, Elissa, is retiring and one of the seven chiefs will be appointed to replace her. I'm one of the nominees. There's a strong possibility that I'll get it."

Aster remained quiet as she wrestled with her emotions. She edged away from him and reached for her robe. "This is what you've worked all your life toward, isn't it?"

"Except for the last couple weeks, I'd say I hadn't thought of anything else for forty years."

Keeping her back to him, she donned her robe and rose. "I'm moving back to my apartment tomorrow." It only hurt a little, like a small dagger piercing her heart. "In fact, the best thing for everyone would be if you just sent me back to California. Then you wouldn't be tempted anymore."

Rom couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was out of the bed and forcing her to look at him in a heartbeat. "Why would you say such a thing? You can't leave me. No one hates politics that much."

Aster felt her resolve crumbling beneath his crushed expression. "I have to, Rom. You've been protecting me all week. I found out tonight what's being said about us. They think you've gone crazy or I've bewitched you. You'll lose the appointment if I stay here with you. I won't be responsible for ruining your career."

"Aster, I'll repeat what I said. You can't leave. Look at what happened to me last night. But it's not only me now. What do you think happened to you tonight in the garden? That was hardly normal Aster behavior. I can only assume the stress Victor caused and your admitting how you feel about me triggered it. I don't know all the answers or how it's possible, but it's happening to you too, even though you're a Terran. I can assure you that the fever won't stop building now that it's begun.