Stud (11 page)

Not long after dinner, Lucy had tucked her mother into bed, wishing that the rest of the family would turn in as early. “Sleep well, Mom.”

“I’ll try. But it’s so difficult.” Tourelda’s voice was pettish and weak. “What would I do without you, Lucy?”

Lucy was so stunned it took a moment for her to reply. “I-I’m sure Reba would take care of you.”

Tourelda shifted uncomfortably in her bed. “No, I don’t believe she would. She doesn’t have your kindness.”

Lucy’s eyes widened. Was this really her
mother
speaking? She’d never said anything of the sort in her life—at least not that Lucy could recall. “She would if she had to. You’ve never needed her.”

“True. You’ve always been here.” Tourelda frowned. “Did you know that was why your father never let you marry? He needs you at the café, of course, but he also wants to make sure you’re here to take care of me.” Blinking, she went on, her voice even weaker. “I’m so useless. Have been for such a long time.”

Lucy felt more used than ever. She owed her parents a lot, but her whole life? No parent had the right to ask that of a child, much less force it on them. Even so, she felt some compassion for her mother. Having to rely so heavily on others couldn’t be easy. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m sure everything will work out eventually.”

“When I die, perhaps.”

“Which won’t be anytime soon,” Lucy said firmly. “At least not according to your doctor.”

Tourelda’s mouth formed a moue of distaste. “Doctors,” she said contemptuously. “They don’t know anything.”

Lucy didn’t see any point in arguing, but did wonder why her mother had seen fit to say all of this. It was the closest thing to a real conversation they’d had in a very long time. And today, of all days…

Lucy began to realize that her entire family would be better off without her to cater to their whims. Reba might actually get up and do something for a change, and Tourelda might find that she had more strength than she gave herself credit for. Of course, lying about for years would have weakened her muscles—including her heart—simply from disuse. Any sustained activity might actually be the death of Tourelda, though her doctor routinely recommended that she get more exercise. Lucy could see her mother dying from following the doctor’s orders, just to prove him wrong. “I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Lucy said at last. “Just get some sleep. Maybe you could go for a short walk tomorrow.”

“Not likely,” Tourelda said as her eyes drifted shut. “Not likely.”

As she left the room, Lucy heard her father call out from his study. “Get to bed, Lucy. You’ve been dragging around too much lately. Can’t get anything done with you wandering around in a daze.”

Lucy’s response was automatic. “I’m sure you’re right.”

As it happened, he was right this time. Lucy
hadn’t
been getting enough sleep, and she wouldn’t be getting much tonight, either. Not that it would matter to him. When he woke up, she would be gone.

Lucy would’ve given a lot to be a fly on the wall when breakfast time rolled around. Her father could cook it himself, of course, but as angry as he was bound to be, he would probably burn the oatmeal.

***

Tarq had finished his pie and left the biggest tip he could. He was still having a hard time believing that Lucy was already pregnant. The scanner had misjudged fertile periods before, but usually it was a delay rather than an early ovulation. It figured. The one woman he never wanted to leave had to be the one who was early.

There was no point in hanging around any longer, especially after she’d thanked God she was already with child. It didn’t fit with the way she’d acted toward him before, but, even so, her response had hurt. Knowing that he had no reason to visit her again hurt even more.

He wandered the streets wondering if he should try his next client, Rallene. Perhaps that would be best. Move on to the next and try to forget Lucy.

Tarq found the house again with no trouble; as long as he’d been somewhere before, his spatial orientation was excellent. He might not be able to tell you the name of the street, but he knew where it was located. When he knocked on the door, she opened it with a smile.

“I thought I should check and see if you were in your fertile period,” he said. “My scanner hasn’t been making very accurate predictions lately.”

Rallene welcomed him inside. A Terran blonde, she was small but shapely, with a pleasant face. Tarq had done a hundred women just like her. He could tell by her strong scent that she was anxious to mate with him. A quick scan showed that ovulation was imminent, but Tarq felt no inkling of desire. Not one tiny flicker. He tried purring and noted when her scent altered. She offered him a glass of tea. He took it from her hand and inhaled deeply.

Nothing.

No response from his cock, no twitch of his balls.

Nothing.

Terrans usually smelled good enough to give him an erection even when they weren’t interested, which was a rare occurrence in itself.

“You
are
Terran, aren’t you?”

“Full-blooded,” Rallene replied. “Is there a problem?”

“No, just wanted to verify that for my… records. I—you’re not ready yet. Almost, but not quite.”

Rallene smiled seductively. “Does it matter?”

Normally it wouldn’t, but this time, apparently, it did. “I have another client tonight. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Rallene didn’t even attempt to hide her disappointment. Her face fell so quickly it was almost funny. Too bad Tarq didn’t feel like laughing.

He didn’t feel like fucking, either—another rare occurrence. Tarq thanked Rallene for her hospitality and left. With nowhere else to go, he went back to his hotel and lay down on the bed. The setting was serene enough to have calmed anyone—patterns of sunlight adorned the walls, a soothing ocean breeze wafted in through the open casement while rhythmic waves lapped the shore and sea birds called to their mates—but Tarq seemed to be immune.

There was a perfectly good explanation for his current state, but Tarq refused to acknowledge it because it would have meant the end of the only useful occupation he’d ever had. Others might have assumed he was only spreading his seed for the pleasure he derived from the females he serviced, but it was much more than that. It was his calling; it gave him purpose. Without the ability to sire offspring, Tarq would be completely lost.

He’d lied when he’d told Rallene about the “other client.” He should have been with Lucy that night, but giving her time slot to someone else felt wrong. He didn’t know why. Part of him wanted to go to her anyway, but she’d made it very clear that another night with him would have been too much of a risk. Tarq was willing to take that risk, but he wasn’t the one who had to live with Lucy’s father.

Of course, there was a way around all of that. Lucy was a grown woman. She didn’t have to remain with her family. Tarq had already provided her with money, and he could just as easily give her a ride to any place she chose, which would give him even more time with her.

Or
you
could
ask
her
to
be
your
mate
.

In Tarq’s eyes, it was the perfect solution, though the possibility that Lucy might reject him because of his past was a genuine concern—aside from the fact that she’d only met him two days ago. She was a lot smarter than he was, too. She might not want to be stuck with a man who couldn’t read. Still, he was already kicking himself for not thinking of it sooner—for not asking her, at least giving her the opportunity to choose. Her refusal would destroy his hopes on several fronts, but at least he wouldn’t have that unanswered question plaguing him forever.

Lying there thinking about it wasn’t going to solve anything. With a sigh, he got to his feet and changed into running shorts and went out on the beach. He ran until he was exhausted and completely out of sight of the town. Then he swam back. The tide was against him, delaying his return. When he finally crossed the beach to return to his room, the sun was setting. He hadn’t eaten since lunchtime, but wasn’t the slightest bit hungry. Thirsty, yes, but not for wine. He wanted Lucy.

Darkness fell, but sleep eluded him. Sitting out on the balcony gazing at the stars didn’t help; he was too restless. A walk along the shore soon became a stroll through the dark streets of the town. When he reached Lucy’s dark, uninviting window, he realized where he’d been headed all along. Tapping on the glass, he waited, but there was no response. Either she didn’t want to see him, or she was sleeping too soundly to hear his knock. It didn’t matter which was true; the end result was the same.

The last time Tarq had felt this alone, he’d been traveling through the forest after the massacre of his family. When had Lucy become as much a part of his life as his parents, his siblings? He’d only known her for two days. How was it possible?

Dawn was breaking when he returned to his room. He showered methodically and dressed. The café would be open soon and he would see Lucy again—whether she would talk to him or not.

***

Tarq heard Lucy’s father shouting as soon as he walked through the doorway.

“What the devil do you mean, she’s not here?”

“I mean she’s not here, Uther,” the Twilanan replied. “Had to unlock the door myself this morning. Good thing I’ve got a key.”

Tarq had never seen a man so incensed. Uther’s eyes were wide and bulging and his cheeks were the color of a Norludian plum. Then his gaze landed on Tarq, and all the color drained from his face.

“You!” he shouted. “You’ve, you’ve…” He stopped in mid-tirade, seemingly unable to find the right words. “My daughter!” he finally blurted out. “Where is she? Did you take her?”

Tarq’s mouth fell open, but no words came out. He shook his head in reply.

“If he’d taken her, why would he be coming here now?” the Twilanan demanded. “Look at him. He doesn’t have a clue. What you ought to be asking yourself is
why
she’s gone, not
where
.”

The Tryosian server was nodding in agreement. “I’ve got a good idea about that myself. And if I can figure it out, it’s pretty damned obvious.”

Uther glared at the server. “Are you saying this is my fault?”

“If the shoe fits…” the Twilanan said.

“One more word out of you, Jublansk, and I’ll—”

“You’ll what, Uther? Fire me? I’d like to see you run this place without me.”

“And if you fire Jublansk, I’m leaving too.” The Tryosian crossed its arms and set its jaw in a firm line, displaying its more masculine side. Tarq had previously thought that this one seemed to be more female than male. Now he wasn’t so sure.

“No need for that, Neris,” Uther said. Scowling at Tarq, he snapped out, “If you haven’t got my daughter, what the hell are you doing here?”

“Breakfast?” Tarq began. “The door was open…”

“Well, then, sit down and Neris will take your order,” Uther snapped. “Otherwise, get your ass out of here.”

“Nice way to talk to a customer,” Jublansk muttered. She smiled at Tarq. “Don’t mind him, honey. His daughter ran away last night, and if you ask me, it’s about time she did!”

Tarq was already speechless, but this news nearly stopped his heart.

“Nobody asked you, Jublansk,” Uther said. Turning away, he ran a hand through his short black hair. “When she gets hungry enough, she’ll be back. She’s barely got a credit to her name. Shouldn’t take long.”

Tarq knew for a fact that Lucy had at least fifteen hundred credits, which would enable her to go a long way on a planet like Talus. No, she wouldn’t be back anytime soon. Tarq, however unwittingly, had made sure of that.

Uther stomped back to his grill, grumbling. Neris began picking up the chairs that Uther must’ve knocked over in his rage.

“Do you have any idea where she might have gone?” Tarq asked Jublansk.

“If I did, I certainly wouldn’t tell
him
,” she replied with a nod toward Uther. Gazing steadily at Tarq, her eyes narrowed. “Not sure I should tell you, either.”

Tarq frowned. “Why not?”

“Because something tells me that just because you didn’t take her doesn’t mean you aren’t part of the reason she left.”

Tarq knew she was right, but
how
she knew it was a mystery. “Why do you say that?”

Jublansk rubbed the side of her tusk with a blunt fingertip, a sly expression in her eyes.
“Joy, unlike any she has ever known?”

Tarq felt his face go numb. He didn’t know whether to deny it or tell her everything.

Jublansk didn’t wait for an answer. “Where are you headed after you leave here?”

“Yalka,” Tarq replied. “I have some appointments there.”

Jublansk chuckled. “Is that what you call them? Well, maybe you ought to head that way.”

“You think that’s where she’ll go?”