A series of expressions flashed across his face; confusion most prevalent among them. “But the pheromones. They bond us as well. I know you feel it.”
“Oh boy, do I ever,” she said, a little tingle forming between her legs at the memory of the epic pleasures they had shared together even with her new nasal filters in place. “But my people don’t get together based on just that. At least, not so far as they know. I mean, we have them too on my world, but not like you do here.”
“Then youdofeel the same.”
“That’s not the point. What I’m saying is I’m glad we had this chance to actually get to know each other more without things getting all out of hand. There has to be more than just physicality, amazing as it may be.”
“So, what are you saying? You wish to discuss our lives further? Perhaps back at my place?”
Even without that knee-jerk reaction she was tempted. “No, I can’t.”
“Can’t, or won’t?”
“It doesn’t matter. Look, just respect this boundary, okay? I need to sleep alone tonight. I need some me time.”
Though he looked pained at the declaration, Arkness nevertheless nodded his understanding. “Of course, I will respect your wishes. Just know I am now, and always, at your service.”
At my cervix is more like it, she thought, another flare of arousal spiking hard within her in spite of herself.Okay, I really need to get out of here before I can’t think straight.
Arkness walked her out but not all the way back to her domicile, leaving her a few blocks from home.
“May I call on you tomorrow?”
“We’ll see. I have things I need to deal with. But tentatively, yes.”
“Then I tentatively look forward to it,” he replied with a warm smile, taking her hand in his and pressing it to his lips. “Until our next meeting, then,” he said, then left her to her own devices, as she wished.
She watched him walk away, admiring his delicious form disappearing into the night crowd milling about. As for Olivia, she turned in early, planning on giving herself as much rest and thinking time as she could.
Morning came,and with it an invitation to join Zoldana and Harper for mid-morning tea. Apparently, the woman had taken a liking to their new guest now that her sedation had worn off, and Harper was learning the ways of this world, albeit at a somewhat slower pace than her friend, courtesy of the longer mending time for her leg.
It was a delightful little gathering, and the light and cheerful conversation made for a truly pleasant morning. But as noon approached, Olivia had to steel herself for what was coming. Shehad promised to speak with Rykker, and while she was still upset with him, the extra time for introspection had helped her calm her ire a bit and see things from his perspective.
She took her leave of the two women and headed home, readying her mind and body for a calm, rational discussion. But when noon came and went, she felt her annoyance flare.
“Hewas the one bugging me to talk. And now he doesn’t even show up?”
Olivia stormed out of her place and through the streets, but when she arrived at Rykker’s home she found he was not there.
“You looking for Rykker?” a neighbor asked as he descended from his own nearby unit.
“Yes. We were supposed to meet today.”
“Oh, I see. He isn’t back yet.”
“Back? Where did he go?”
“I’m not entirely sure. Something about you though, I believe. You can try asking Skrizzit Nijello, he was speaking with him before he left.”
Olivia didn’t like the sound of that. Rykker had absolutely no right to talk about her personal matters with the Skrizzit. She hurried to his chambers and rang the chime over and over.
“Yes, yes, I’m here!” the man called out. “Oh, Olivia, it’s you. I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
“Well, I’m here. Now what’s this about you talking to Rykker about me? Isn’t that sort of thing confidential?
The man looked confused. “I don’t understand. How is his tracking excursion confidential? Am I missing something?”
Now it was Olivia’s turn to be baffled. “Wait, his what?”
