The duke’s jaw sets, his face growing serious.
“I’m not sure if they would have modified you after the decontamination process.” He looks directly at me. “If you can’t remember, maybe it’s for the best.”
“Maybe you’re right.” I shiver, thinking of having a stranger do something that sounds so invasive.
I try to distract myself with a bite of the scary snake fish. It tastes amazing, like sautéed mushrooms drizzled in balsamic.
“Yuuummm,” I moan, eyes closing as I shovel another bite into my mouth. I sway my head back and forth, so fucking happy with how good this food tastes that I momentarily forget my current situation.
I only snap to as the duke clears his throat. When I open my eyes, he’s shifting away from me uncomfortably.
What a stuck-up ass. He can’t even handle me savoring something this tasty?Seems rude since he’s my host, but whatever. I adjust the robe, which has fallen off my shoulder during my happy food dance.
“I have some…things…that need my attention.” He’s curt as he addresses me, avoiding eye contact.
“Whatever ya gotta do,” I say, leaning over him to grab another hunk of the scal’pin filet.
He stands quickly, then walks awkwardly to the door while I continue my taste buds’ adventure. Everything right now kind of fucking blows, but I’m glad I didn’t end up on a planet where everything tastes like oatmeal or some shit.
My stomach is making so much noise that I can't even think about a game plan yet. Until then, I'll savor every bite of this miraculous spread.
I’ll get home, one way or another. There’s no point in doing it on an empty stomach, though.
CHAPTER6
?FOR NOW AND ETERNITY, MARTA?
?RAF’ERE
My pace is only hinderedby my attempt to hide my raging erection as I rush down the hall to one of the guest rooms.
I try not to think of the way the robe slipped from Marta's shoulder, revealing the soft curve of her chest as she swayed. As she savored the food, the sounds she made were almost indecent. I can only imagine the moans and sighs that would escape her lips with my face buried between her legs.
I enter the room with such urgency that I nearly rip the door off its hinges, the impact causing chips of tre'al stone to hit my back.
I have my hands already on my waistband’s auto fastener when I see a member of the house staff.
She smirks, glancing down at the tented crotch of my trousers. Her white structured uniform sways as she moves to touch me, the white plaited hair standing out against her gray fi'len skin. Her name is Far’ep, and she isknownto me.
Far’ep is from some closed chapter in my life now, a time before Marta. One where I would have happily had Far’ep help me work through my frustrations. My current timeline, for now and eternity, is after Marta.
My mate, a human stranger whose rejection I refuse to face, has ruined any other female for me.
“Out,” I say through a clenched jaw, trying my best to regain any small shred of dignity I have left. She pauses her hand, hovering it over my hip.
“You look like you need my assistance, Your Grace,” she says smoothly. Her hand quickly activates the auto fastener of my waistband, letting my cock spring free. The air feels cool and uncomfortable. It knows I need something soft and warm to rut, and the mate bond screams for Marta.
“Out!” I yell, pushing her to the side before she can reach for my shaft. She stumbles, tripping over her own feet, and crumbles to the floor.
“Your Grace?” she says my title again as if it’s a question. Her eyes are wide, and her brow is knit in confusion. Turning away from her, I shove my cock back into my pants. The brush of fabric is painful on its engorged deep blue length.
“Far’ep,” I say, slowly facing her, “leave. Do not assume we are familiar in that way ever again.” I want to make sure my point is clear.
She scrambles to her feet, straightening her skirts and smoothing her hands over their crumpled fabric. Far’ep’s eyes flash briefly with hurt before she drops them to the floor.
“Yes, Your Grace, it must be my mistake. Please accept my apologies.” She raises her cupped open palms to me as is customary when apologizing in the Liin’gan reefs. I know my next move should be to push her hands down with my own, but I don’t want to touch her.
I don’t want to touch any female but f’teeing Marta ever again.
