Heather stood over the downed woman. “Take that, you bitch!”
“Enough!” Commander Devlon yelled from the doorway. He motioned for one of his lieutenants. “Get the situation under control. Take Lazar to detainment.”
*****
When he’d looked at Heather then, a spark of attraction had flared between them. It had grown bigger and stronger each day since. It was the female she’d been protecting, Hali, who had let it slip that Heather’s mate still lived in another district in the subway. Because of that, Devlon had decided to try to ignore his attraction to her. But despite all his efforts to keep his distance from her, he couldn’t get her off his mind. With his imminent departure from Earth, he didn’t need any more complications or entanglements.
He’d had anamahalaonce, and failed her miserably. Devlon met Lara when she was still in mediko training and he’d just been promoted to lt. commander. Their parents arranged their union and he was pleased with their selection. Lara was beautiful and brilliant. A perfect match for him, since she was so independent. She never complained when he left on mission after mission.
Devlon’s ambition to rise in ranks slowly wore away at their union. He loved Lara, but there was something missing in their relationship. He always got restless staying at home any length of time and quickly took the next mission. Lara didn’t complain except when it came to the children. Lara would argue with him whenever he missed one of the boys’ special events like birthdays or graduations.
He knew he had to work on their relationship; he didn’t want her to be unhappy. That was when she insisted on a third pregnancy. The medikos warned them that Lara wouldn’t be able to carry another child without risking her life, but she was adamant. He didn’t refuse her, though he should have. He was away when she’d gone into labor and died shortly after giving birth to Kyle. Devlon still felt such self-loathing and guilt for putting her at risk, and for not dealing with the situation the way he should have. He didn’t regret having Kyle, though. His sons, all three of them, had suffered because of his bad decisions. He didn’t deserve another chance at a relationship. That didn’t mean he didn’t satisfy his needs.
He didn’t feel he deserved another chance at a relationship, although that didn’t mean he didn’t satisfy his needs. He chose his bed partners carefully, only those looking for sex without a long-term relationship. Easy and quick; with no strings, as the humans would say. He didn’t have any problems finding females who fell into that category. They enjoyed the passion they shared, and if one got too clingy, he simply stopped sleeping with them and moved on.
Heather was human, and though he’d heard many humans also shared sex without adding the complications of a relationship, he’d made every effort to avoid entanglements of that sort with them...and with her. She was mated to another, and even if the male wasn’t present, the fact that he still existed and that their union was alive kept him from acting on the things he’d been feeling.
He’d overheard Heather telling his daughters-in-law that she was separated from her husband, and that if she could she would’ve divorced him right then. Devlon had not known what divorce was until he researched it and found that humans could break their unions for all kinds of reasons. This was unheard-of on Drasta. It made him worry for his sons and nephew, that their human mates might lose interest in them and want this divorce thing.
He also worried over what would happen to the children if there was a divorce. He had a beautiful healthy granddaughter, another grandchild on the way, and an adopted grandson by his oldest son. But as he watched his daughters-in-law and saw that their commitment to his sons was strong, it lessened his fears a little. They truly loved his sons and gave them what he’d failed to—a real family. For that he was grateful.
He followed Heather to the lift. He managed to catch it before it left, and he also caught her off-guard. Her scent was delicious, like one of the moon blossoms from Drasta. She was exotic sweet and delicate.
“Commander.”
“Heather, I’d like to talk to you more about the ideas you have. I thought that since we’re going to be observing the housing built for Maggie’s tribe, this would be the perfect time.”
“I guess I’m yours for the day, then.”
He blinked as images filled his mind of what he would like to do to her the whole day. The thought made him flush. “Excuse me…”
She laughed. “It’s just a saying, Commander. It means that I’m available to go with you to the tribe district.”
He nodded and turned to look away from her. Being in such a small area alone with her was not a good idea. Her scent was getting stronger, and it was damn intoxicating. He glanced down at her, fighting his own body’s reaction. Heather was beautiful, with her dark brown hair and golden brown eyes. Her was pale and flawless. She was taller than most of the human women he’d met and had a very nice figure. Her hips were trim, and her breasts...they were full, stretching the top she wore.
“You’re human, and a woman.”
She laughed again. “At least you noticed.”
Oh, he’d noticed. He couldn’t stop noticing. “I mean... I need help picking out something for my daughter-in-law, Rachel. She’s expecting a baby and they’re having a baby shower. I haven’t found a present to bring yet.”
“I’m not an expert on that kind of thing.”
“But you’re female.”
“I’ve never had a child, or even been pregnant.”
She sounded defensive to him. Maybe this subject was a touchy one for her. “I’m sorry to bother you. I’ll find something.”
Heather sighed. “Do you know if the baby is a girl or a boy?”
“A boy.”
“Perhaps you can get a quilt or something with the baby’s name on it.”
“That’s a good suggestion. Any others?”
“A rattle or some kind of plush toy for them to hold that’s soft and won’t hurt them.”
