Theron's Hope (Brides of Theron) (18 page)

"Let's just call this our first argument.  It is hard enough for two people thrown together in the best of circumstances to never have a fight from time to time.  I think you and I can both agree that we were not paired in any kind of normal way."  She nodded at him, agreeing with what he just said.  "I will do my best to convince you that I am worthy of your love and affection.  Will you promise me that you will try and get to know me better before you make any conclusions about living aboard this ship with me?"

"I promise, I will do my best,” she replied and meant it.

They stayed in the food court finishing their pizza and talking about what to expect when they met with the council.  Gracie would most likely have to wait outside until all the other official business was taken care of.  She was excited about the prospect of making a difference for the future of Theron.  After finishing their meal, they went shopping to replenish the food she wasted yesterday and Zane found her a hair dryer. 

Being out of their quarters did a world of good with regard to her outlook on the future.  She could see what she had to offer the Theron warriors and their new earth mates in her proposal to the council. 

After they finished putting all their purchases away, they collided as they tried to get out of the kitchen at the same time.  They looked at each other surprised. Hesitant she said to him, “Thank you for a wonderful day.”  She did not know how to request what she wanted from him.  She was afraid he would want more from her, but she was even more terrified that she would not be able to stop herself and find herself wanting more. “You know, at the end of a “good date” on my planet, we have a good night kiss.  I am still not sure I want to go further than a kiss.  Zane, would you kiss me?”

Zane gazed deeply into her eyes and spoke no words.  He had waited patiently for her to ask this of him and now he was finally getting what he wanted.  He gently moved her hair behind her ear lightly brushing the skin of her cheek with his fingertip as he cupped her jaw in his hands.  Slowly, he moved in and brushed his lips against hers, moving his hands to cradle the back of her skull for more purchase.  He waited for signs from her to determine just how far she wanted him to take this kiss.  He could tell that she wanted more as she lingered there opening her mouth and letting him in.  He slowly entered her mouth with his tongue and to his surprise she placed her hands behind his head pulling him towards her, deepening the kiss. 

Amazing did not even describe it.  The kiss was charged and electrified even.  She never had this feeling before in her life.  It took all she had to end the kiss and gently push him away.  She could tell that this man would be important to her and could easily see herself spending the rest of her life with him.  She wanted to make sure that they knew each other well before they went any further. She had several relationships that moved too fast and ended just as quickly. 

He clearly did not want to stop kissing her.  He used every ounce of willpower not to pick her up, drop her on the bed, and have his way with her.  He also felt the same intense reactions as she did during the kiss and it was just as magical for him as it was for her.  He was determined to take this relationship at her pace. Unfortunately for him, he realized clearly tonight would not be the night when she pushed him away.  He saw the obvious physical signs of her arousal.  Her eyes were dilated even though the room was not bright, her heart rate was elevated, and her breathing was deeper and more rapid.  She wanted him just as much as he wanted her, he knew it.  He did not like having to wait another day but he would follow her lead.  Who knows what past personal experiences she used to build the temporary wall that now stood between them?

After her shower, she sat in the bed with her journal.  She began to plan out all the things that she needed to accomplish when she was down on the planet’s surface.  She wrote down the businesses that she needed to dissolve her personal ownership of, properties that either needed to be sold or distributed among family members, and plans for all her money to be placed in trust.  When she was finished she went to the kitchen to get some water and upon returning Zane was already tucked into bed and waiting for her to join him. 

She slipped into the bed.  She smiled at him and laid her head down on her pillow.  Neither of them said a word.  They did not need to.  It would happen, and most likely soon, but not tonight.

She woke up with Zane’s arm
draped across her chest.  His hand was cupping her breast.  He seemed to be sleeping and unaware that he had moved into this position on the bed with him cuddled close behind her.  She moved as slowly as she could to turn her body without waking him.  She wanted to watch him sleep for a little while.  She could see his eyes moving rapidly under his lids and the long lashes that accented them.  A woman would give her right arm to have lashes that were as thick, long, and dark.  He was so beautiful in his sleep.  Everything about him was right for her and she was falling like she never had before.  She was falling in love with him. 

He opened his eyes to find her looking at him.  She had a serious face as if she was studying and memorizing every little detail of his face.  She did not look away but just smiled when he looked into her eyes. When he realized where his hand was placed, he started to blush as he pulled it away.  “Good morning Grace.  Did you sleep well?”  It was the only thing he could think of to say.  

“Good morning.  I slept like the dead.”  She said.  “What time is it?  We have the council meeting at noon today, right?”

“Yes.  Would you like to go use the bathroom first?”

“Sure.  I won’t be long.”  She got out of the bed and entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her.   He took a deep breath.  It was getting more and more difficult to restrain himself around her.  He wanted her so very much.  He was definitely going to need a cold shower this morning. 

She came out of the bathroom and said, “It is all yours.”  He was reluctant to get up.  All he was wearing was his pajama pants and he was sure that she would not miss the sight of his animal attraction to her under the thin fabric.  He was going to wait to make his way into the bathroom but she was just standing there giving him a puzzled look probably wondering what he was waiting for.  He decided that maybe it would not be a bad thing to let her see the effect she had on him.  He lifted the covers off of him and got out of the bed.  She looked at him and immediately saw his hard cock making its presence known to her.  She turned red, obviously embarrassed and maybe just a bit impressed.  Actually, she was likely extremely impressed because she actually lost the ability to speak which was rare for her.  He went in to the bathroom and started to work on that cold shower.  It should be an interesting breakfast conversation when he got out.

She heard him start the shower.  Oh my God, she thought as she looked at him and all his male glory, his ample hardness hidden behind the thin fabric of his pants.  She started to feel aware if the ache in her loins.  She was at wits end.  There was no way she would be able to hold off much longer.  It was hard enough to look at him without wanting more.  Her desire for him was increasing exponentially by the second.  “Good Lord, please have mercy on me,” she whispered and made her way into the kitchen.  She thought she would try her hand at preparing breakfast for him.  When they put the items away in the cabinets, he described what to look for when rehydrating food.  She wanted to make the powa ona she had on her first morning on the ship.  She took out the packet of red dried food, opened it and placed it in a shallow bowl, placing it in the rehydrator and pressing the button.  As she waited for the food to rehydrate, she prepared another bowl and two mugs with tolka, adding the hoonay nectar sweetener and a splash of ona milk just like they liked it. 

Zane walked out dressed for the day and watched as Gracie reached into the cooler and pulled out the yazo fruit to sprinkle on the powa ona she just prepared.  The mugs of hot steaming tolka were placed next to the bowls.  She was really becoming proficient in the kitchen.  She shyly announced, “I made you breakfast this morning.  I hope I did it right.”

“I am sure that you did, it looks wonderful Gracie.  Thank you.”  He said as he took his place at the bar.  She could not help the color change in her skin that started traveling up her face as he looked into her eyes.  She remembered his getting out of bed this morning and him knowing that all she could see and focus on was his manhood standing at full attention in her presence.  She knew that she had a very real effect on him.  She waited for him to try his food before she dug into hers.  “This is really good," he paused between bites and said, "Why is it that food always tastes better when you don’t make it yourself?”  He laughed and continued to eat hungrily.

She began to eat.  She smiled and replied, “I don’t know really.  I don’t usually cook.  I hire people to cook for me or I go out most of the time.  The only thing I really make for myself is a quick sandwich or cereal.  I also can make really good single serve coffee.”

“Are you ready for this afternoon?”  He asked giving her a sideways glance.

“I think that I am.  I have outlined all the points that I need to make in my journal.  I also have made a list of all the things I have to take care of when I am back on the planet.  Are there any women on the council?”

“On the ship right now are two council members.  One is a woman, Vencenza and the other is her mate, Francescon. They are good people and represent the people of our ship well.  In our race, men and women are treated equally and have equal chances to fill any job.  For example, both my mother and father are doctors.”

She finished her breakfast and took her last sip of coffee.  “Do you mind if I leave this here while I get ready?” She pointed to her dishes.

“Don’t worry. I will take care of it.”  Zane said.  “You did prepare the food after all, I can clean up the dishes,” he said mocking what she told him yesterday. 

“Oh, okay,” she chuckled and made her way to the bathroom.   She used her new hair dryer after wetting it in the shower.  Boy, what a difference the hair drier made.  Her hair was not frizzy like it had been for the last several days.  She put on her make-up and dressed in stockings and a dark grey pants suit with a pair of Jimmy Choo wedges.  She picked out her accessories and made her way out into the living room as she was putting on the last earing.  “How do I look?” She asked as she spun around.  “Is this appropriate for a meeting with the council?”

Zane was stunned.  He knew she was beautiful but today she was positively radiant.  Her hair that looked like dark fire was styled away from her face in a twist.  Her large almond shaped green eyes glimmered like jewels.  He was in trouble.   Already he was starting to feel the desire for her arise.  “You are beautiful, Gracie.  We have about 30 minutes to the meeting.  Are you ready to go?”

“Let me get my journal and I will be ready.”  She went and picked up her journal on the bedside table and quickly skimmed her notes from the night before.  She had a feeling she would succeed on her endeavor today.  She was determined to share her love of the city with Zane in New York.  It would be fun to teach him about earth and her beloved city.

They arrived at conference room 2, with five minutes to spare.  Zeb and Brylon stood in the room waiting for the council members to arrive.  Zane placed his hand on Gracie’s back and led her into the room and this sent sparks up Gracie's spine just from his touch.  “Hello Zeb.  How is Avery today?  Has she had any problems with the translation disks?”

“No, she is doing great.  I think that she is happy that she does not hear two languages at once anymore.  She thought that was really annoying.”  Zeb looked over to his friend’s mate, “Grace, you look great.  Are you ready for your presentation?”  He looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer.

“Yes, I am.”  She looked over to Brylon as he stood next to Zeb. “I do not believe I have made your acquaintance," she extended her hand out toward him, "I'm Grace Abernathy.”