Page 39 of Kazzon's Human Bride
Though the idea of being spanked in public, or even just in the earshot of others, left her utterly ashamed, the heat gathering in her core only strengthened. Her breath caught in her throat and she nearly moaned in desire, the intensity of the pulses making it difficult to concentrate on anything other than her absolute need.
Kazzon started leaning down and her insides fluttered, because she knew he meant to kiss her. She parted her lips slightly and closed her eyes, but a beeping sound interrupted their moment and he suddenly pulled away.
Frowning, she opened her eyes and realized the comm embedded in Kazzon’s wrist was glowing. He tapped at it and scrolled a few times, though she couldn’t see any of the words or symbols, but the abrupt tension tightening his jaw revealed it wasn’t good news.
“I must visit engineering, little human,” he said, giving her an immense look of regret.
She blew out a breath and nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. “It’s okay,” she said. “I know you have work to do.”
He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips, bestowing the softest of kisses upon the back of her hand. The heat in his eyes hadn’t yet dimmed and he pierced her with an intense, hungry look that sent quivers through her.
“I will find you soon,” he promised, then turned and disappeared down the corridor.
* * *
Caylee pacedin front of the viewscreen, impatience eating at her.
What was taking Kazzon so long?
He had promised to find her soon, but hours had passed since he’d left for engineering. What was he doing in there, anyway? He was an ambassador, not a scientist, so it struck her as odd that he remained so proactive with the goings-on aboard theCorrannelia.
Of course, Kazzon was the first Tarrkuan diplomat she’d ever met, so she supposed there was more to his duties than she’d originally thought. Perhaps he acted as the ship’s captain. After all, she hadn’t heard him talking about the ship having a captain. Just the two pilots, some guards, and some workers who spent all their time in the engineering room. She’d met most of them in passing during the past couple of weeks, and counting herself and Kazzon, there were twenty-five souls on board theCorrannelia.
She paused to stare out the viewscreen and gazed at the stars that streaked by. Before she’d switched places with Julie, back when she’d still believed she would become a Tarrkuan bride, she’d never given much thought to what interstellar travel might be like. Instead, her thoughts had focused on leaving New Leesburg and her family behind, as well as what kind of life awaited her on Tarrkua.
Would she have had a view of the stars if she’d traveled to Kazzon’s planet aboard theZenalliawith the other human brides? She placed a hand on the viewscreen. It was cool to the touch and she felt as though she were swimming in the stars.
A strange sense of giddiness filled her, the wonder of a new and awesome experience realized, even though she’d been staring out of this viewscreen for weeks now. The realization and appreciation of an experience most humans would never get.
A smile graced her lips. Though she still harbored some worries about Xollnax, she felt lucky, in a way. She was embarking upon the adventure of a lifetime, getting to visit two alien planets. How many humans could claim that?
Aside from the brides who’d left for Tarrkua, the rest of humanity resided in the dome-cities on Earth. Their lives were pretty much controlled. You went to school, lived in assigned housing, and usually worked in a business or a factory. Each person was assigned a job that best suited their talents, and few humans were given a higher education. Wilson was an exception in that he would be educated beyond high school and he would also have the opportunity to travel outside the dome-city of his birth.
Her mind continued to wander, and she resumed pacing in front of the viewscreen. She supposed she could walk the corridors of the ship until Kazzon was finished in engineering, but she figured his quarters would be the first place he came to find her, so she stayed put.
A servant arrived with lunch, but her husband still didn’t join her. She ate alone, with the stars streaking by in her peripheral vision, and hoped nothing serious was wrong.
Eventually, she sank down on the bed, keeping her gaze on the door, hoping Kazzon would find her soon, just as he’d promised.
Chapter 29
Kazzon navigatedthe corridors of theCorrannelia, making haste for his quarters. At this late hour, he expected to find Caylee there. Perhaps sleeping, though he sincerely hoped she was still awake.
He regretted that he’d been forced to spend nearly the entire day absent from her side, but duty had called. Trouble on Xollnax, to be more specific. Though he hadn’t told Caylee, the engineering room also contained a command center, which he’d used to confer with Tarrkuan authorities regarding an unfolding situation on Xollnax.
All contact had been lost with Ambassador Stonnas’s ship. No Tarrkuan authorities had been able to get through to any guards or other crewmembers either.
Some of Kazzon’s superiors suspected the Xollnaxians had killed Stonnas and those accompanying him on the planet, but Kazzon wasn’t so certain. To murder a Tarrkuan ambassador would be an act of war, and surely the Xollnaxians must realize how powerful Kazzon’s people were. Tarrkuan technology was vastly superior to that which the Xollnaxians possessed.
Still, it was a puzzle, and one that Kazzon was determined to solve. Though he hesitated to stop on Xollnax while Caylee was aboard, he knew he had no choice. He also knew any other Tarrkuan ship, no matter who commanded it, would answer the call of an ambassador in distress.
If Kazzon ever found himself in a precarious situation on Earth or another alien planet, there was no doubt in his mind that his people would do everything in their power to help him, as well as punish those who posed a threat.
Tarrkuans sent diplomats to many alien worlds. Interstellar trade was a way of life for his people. Ambassadors such as himself kept the agreements alive and helped negotiate better treaties and form important alliances.
He cursed under his breath. He hoped once they landed on Xollnax, Stonnas and his crew would quickly be located. With Caylee aboard, he didn’t wish to stay on the alien planet for a prolonged period of time, though he remained confident that she would be safe on his ship.
He rounded a corner and the door to his quarters came into sight. Immediately, the stresses from the day started to fade from his mind, because he had a sweet human bride waiting for him on the other side of that door. Carnal thoughts entered his mind and his blood heated.
