Fantasy Warrior (10 page)

“See?”

Pam shrank back against the wall. If he bit her throat out, at least he’d do it with clean teeth. In a strange way, the idea gave her some consolation.

“Try not to swallow the chemical. It isn’t poisonous, but your digestive system might revolt if you ingest too much. I’ll leave now.”

Pam nodded, staying silent while Kord approached. He stopped in front of a full-length mirrored surface next to her on the wall. He pressed a button near the edge and the entire mirror slid aside, revealing the doorway. Before he left, he gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, then trailed his fingers down her neck, leaving a hot trail that sizzled across the tender skin. His warm palm came to rest on her shoulder.

“I’ll show you how to operate the cleansing unit next. We’ll share it,” he told her before leaving. The mirror door slid closed as soon as he exited.

Chapter Eight

For some crazy reason, she felt a sudden urge to call him back, but modesty bit her tongue. Her bladder sent an urgent message she couldn’t ignore. Pam rushed to the far wall and then pressed the white button. The alien toilet came out. It looked sparkling clean. She straddled the oval-shaped container, and to her surprise, a seat-shaped covering emerged from the wall and slid in to place over the toilet. At least it was something familiar. She settled down and relaxed. Several long moments later, she felt much better. Afterward, she copied Kord’s use of the hand sanitizer. To her surprise, her hands felt cleaner than ever. They even smelled nice.
Amazing.

Her experience with mouth washing wasn’t near as pleasant. She followed Kord’s instructions to the letter and had no problem operating the sink, but the thick liquid disgusted her. It was warm and tasteless. Once she took it into her mouth, it changed. It felt as if she had thousands of prickly fibers attacked the inside of it. The sensation made her want to gag. Spitting was a pleasure. Worried about damage, she ran to the mirror to see if her teeth had survived.

Wow.
They were fine. No, better than fine. They were whiter than ever. Pam smiled at her mirror self and ran her tongue across the smooth, clean-feeling surfaces of her teeth. All of a sudden, she noticed the rest of her body. She was covered in grime and dirt along with the paint. She looked awful. The proof stared back at her.

Her hair was a tousled mess, and what was left of her makeup was smudged, giving her a black-eyed been-dunked-in-a-water-trough appearance. She looked at her dirty feet and groaned. Her sandals were ruined. The straps that weren’t broken were barely holding. She ripped them off and tossed them aside before facing the mirror again. For the first time, she read the printed message on the front of her stolen t-shirt.

One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila…Floor. The image of a drunken iguana passed out on a bar room floor completed the design. Yep. It looked better than she did. How had she gotten into such a mess? And how could Kord look at her as if she were the cherry on top his sundae?

As much as she wanted to explore the bathroom on her own, she knew better. The cleansing unit looked too complicated. There were buttons and levers covering one whole wall of the enclosure. No, she needed Kord.

She nibbled her lower lip while gathering the nerve to call him. Perhaps now would be a good time to come clean and tell him her real name. She couldn’t take it anymore. After sucking in a slow, steady breath, she exhaled calmly and pushed the button to open the door. The mirror slid to the side, taking her disheveled image with it.

Kord stood in the opening, arms crossed, still naked, still flaccid, but waiting impatiently for her. She could tell by his anxious expression. All the rest was pretty obvious. A relieved smile spread across his face. No, now was not the time to confess. There was no way she was going to turn that into a frown, at least not at that moment.

“Would you show me how to use the cleaning thing?”

He gave an eager nod and slipped by her. For a huge guy, he moved fast. Kord rushed to the enclosure and twisted the central lever.

“This starts the sequence. Remove your garment and step inside with me.”

Pam followed his instructions without complaint. Her shyness dissipated as she removed the t-shirt and then joined him in the small space. They were forced to stand close in order for the door to close. The fact that he was being straightforward and not treating her like a sex toy helped.

“Next, press the top button.” He waited.

Pam reached up and pushed the button. Warm air circulated around them. It felt good since the bathroom was a bit cold.

“Now, press the middle button, but shut your eyes and keep your mouth closed afterward.” Pam looked at him uncertainly. He gave her an encouraging nod, and she pushed the button, remembering to do as he instructed.

Splatters of something covered her from head to toe. One wet glob hit her forehead.

“Ick!” She squealed in surprise, but remembered to keep her lips sealed.

Beside her, Kord chuckled. “You can open your eyes now.”

She took a peek and laughed out loud. They were both dotted in green slime. She swiped at the large glob on her forehead. It doubled in size as soon as she touched it. Pam looked up a Kord. He rubbed the ever expanding blobs into his skin, spreading the slime all over him. Following his lead, she did the same. To her utter surprise, the tints on her skin dissolved completely as she rubbed the goop over her. In no time, they were covered in a mass of light green soapy foam.

“Could you spread some on my back?” he asked.

“Sure. Turn around,” she said. “I’ll do you first, then you can do me.”

Kord looked puzzled for a moment, then burst out laughing. Pam felt herself blush, and despite her embarrassment, she laughed with him. She couldn’t decide what she enjoyed more, their easy companionship or the feel of his hard muscles as she rubbed his broad back, but she knew what her hands liked. She pushed his hair to the side and spread the green foam all over his shoulders.

For the first time, she noticed a circular tattoo on the left side. It wasn’t as colorful as the one on his chest, but it seemed more intricate, almost Celtic in design. She wanted to ask him about it, but her mind derailed as her palms stroked down the curve of his spine and came to a stop at his trim waist. She retreated to his upper back where she gathered his hair into a thick ponytail. He tipped his head backward while she stood on tiptoes to work the lather into his scalp. She heard him sigh.

“No one has ever done this for me,” he confessed.

“I like your hair. It’s so long and soft. It feels like silk.” She threaded her fingers through the black strands.

“I’m pleased you like to touch it.” He straightened and turned toward her. “Would you allow me to wash your back now?”

“Sure.” Pam gave him a shy smile before turning away. She gathered her hair up on top her head and worked the green slime into lather.

His hot palms skimmed across her shoulders. He rubbed in a circular motion, massaging her back, but stopped short of touching her bottom.

“That feels good,” she murmured as he continued stroking up and down the length of her back.

“Your skin is soft. Now that the paint is gone, I can see your true coloring. You’re pale in some areas and darker in others.”

Pam giggled. “Those are tan lines. I wear a two piece swim suit that covers my, uh…pale areas.”

Kord growled softly. “I like your tan lines. They emphasize my favorite areas.” He traced her thong line with a rough fingertip.

“Oh!” Pam shivered and twirled around.

His lips turned upward in a devilish grin while his dark eyes widened at the sight of her naked breasts. “More favorite areas,” he pointed out.

Pam let go of her hair to cover his two new favorite areas with her hands. “Bad warrior,” she playfully scolded.

“I can be much better,” he taunted.

Pam choked back a nervous laugh. No doubt he could. “So what’s next?”

Kord moved closer and pressed her back against the enclosure wall, holding her there with his body. “Next…” he paused. Pam swallowed hard as she gazed at him. His expression seemed tense, as if filled with sexual frustration and hunger. In the next moment, he relaxed and smiled. “Next, we finish cleaning.”

He backed away and pointed to the third button. “After you press this one, it’s best to slowly turn around in the enclosure.”

Pam nodded without comment, and was relieved to see that her hand was steady as she pushed the button. Vigorous gusts of air mixed with a spray of fine mist buffeted the enclosure. They turned about, letting the damp mist and air evaporate the green foam. After a short time, the mist stopped and the warm air dried their skin. Once the cycle ended, she was amazed by how clean she felt, and her hair was almost dry. Behind her, she heard a growl.

Pam quickly spun about to face him. Kord gaped at her. At least he didn’t look angry.

“Your hair…”

“What’s wrong with it?” Nightmare tales of dyes turning other women’s hair into neon shades of purple or blue flashed into her head.

“Nothing is wrong. It’s the most amazing color I’ve ever seen.”

Pam grabbed a handful and looked at the strands. She sighed in relief as she gazed at the familiar auburn color.

“It’s my natural shade.”

“Beautiful.” His gaze dropped. “The color matches the small patch of hair just above your sex.”

Her mouth fell open. She wanted to explain several things all at once, but was unable to form a single thought into words.

A broad grin spread across Kord’s face. “Now your face matches your hair.”

Just in time to save her from further embarrassment, the door to the cleansing unit opened automatically. Pam rushed out and away from the sound of Kord’s amused laughter. The door slid closed behind her. That was when she realized Kord hadn’t followed her. Pam whirled around. She could see him clearly through the glass-like door.

“Aren’t you finished?”

“Not yet. I must clean my blades and I don’t want to frighten you. It’s safest for you to wait there.”

“I’m not afraid,” Pam protested, even though she was glad the door separated them.

Curiosity kept her rooted in place as she watched in fascination, unable to look away. This time, Kord twisted a small lever next to the center one while he held one arm up in front of him. A soft spray of greenish-blue-colored mist shot out from one small nozzle. After the liquid covered his arm, he turned the lever once more and stopped the mist. He stole a look at her.

“You were frightened when you saw my blades earlier. Are you sure you want to watch?”

Determined to prove she wasn’t afraid of him, Pam nodded mutely.

Kord grunted in response. In the next instant, a blue stained blade snapped out of his arm. Startled, she jumped back. Thankfully, she didn’t scream or run away. He froze in place.

“Sorry. I can’t release a soiled blade slowly. Krell blood is sticky.” He wrinkled his nose. “The stench is annoying,” he complained.

He reached up and removed a sturdy-looking brush from a shelf. Without further explanation, Kord went to work, vigorously scrubbing both sides of the wicked-looking weapon. When he seemed satisfied with the result, he turned a second lever and a clear mist shot out of a different nozzle. The spray washed away the cleanser along with the dried blood. Pam watched in fascination as he rapidly snapped the blade back into his arm and then out again several times. Each time, his little finger moved ever so slightly, inward and outward from his palm.
It must be how he controls the blade
.

He surprised her by holding his arm closer to the door, letting her visually inspect the now sparkling clean white blade. Fighting a panic attack, Pam clutched her throat with one hand, but managed to nod in appreciation.

“V-Very nice,” she stammered, proud of herself for not backing away.

“One more,” Kord said. He shot her an approving look as he deliberately made the blade disappear back into his arm at a snail’s pace. “It takes a lot of practice and extreme control to work an arm blade in this fashion,” he told her proudly. “You need not worry about me ever harming you.”

“I can see that,” Pam said. “So, do all warriors have the same control?” She tried to make polite conversation while she watched him start the process of cleaning his other blade.

“To some degree. It’s a natural ability for us. New blades practice daily to improve their skills before going to battle. Older warriors, like me, have the most control.”

“Older warriors?” Pam scoffed. “You can’t be more than thirty, give or take a couple years.”

Kord’s resulting laugher set her heart to beating faster. She was actually enjoying his company. The fact stunned her just a little bit.

“On our home world, my age is calculated at forty-two years past birth.”

“So you look really great for your age.”

He chuckled for a moment, then said, “I’m sixty-three of your Earth years in age.”

Pam’s brain froze.

Not waiting for her reply, he continued speaking while rinsing his blade. “Your planet is very similar to most habitable worlds. They use what we call Galactic Standard Time. By that method, Thoren is sixty-nine. Draven is fifty-seven. Flyn is forty-eight.”

The door to the cleansing unit slid open, and Kord exited. Pam snapped out of her stupor at the sudden appearance of his massive form standing directly in front of her. She shuffled backward, giving him some room.

“No way. You can’t possibly be that old.”

Pam didn’t think to protest as he drew her into his embrace. Pressed skin-to-skin with him, his warmth helped revive her. She looked up, and his amused smile completely captivated her.

“You think we’re too old in years?”

She shook her head. “How is it possible?”

“Species age at varying rates.” His explanation was accompanied with a casual shrug.

“A sixty-three year old human man doesn’t look anything like you.”

“I’m a warrior born Tauran, not a human male. We age much slower. Don’t worry. I’m still very much in my prime, and can take excellent care of a mate. Once I claim you, your body’s aging processes will slow to match mine. We’ll grow old together.”