He studied her and then went to a silver pad on the wall, keying in some code, before speaking in the same rasping, lilting language that she’d heard the scarred alien speak.She wondered what they called themselves, what they called their language.It was odd, but for the first time, Beks realized that all of the species she’d seen had different cultures and customs, just like the people of Earth had.Until now, she’d been so preoccupied with escape, with getting back to her home, that she hadn’t even realized the implications of alien life, theenormityof it.
A voice came through the keypad after a lengthy pause and then the alien turned to her and said, in heavily accented English, “You may follow me, female.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, voice hesitant, as she fell into step beside him.Had it been a mistake, being this bold?She didn’t know what their plans for the human women were, after all.
“To the command center of the vessel.”
Well, alrighty then,Beks thought.
It was a short walk and Beks kept a wary eye on the towering alien next to her.When they came to a stop in front of a large set of metal doors and with one last sideways glance at Beks, her alien escort opened them, typing in a code.
Inside was a whirlwind of activity.But that only interested Beks for a brief moment…because there was a large, clear panel of glass—hugepanel of glass, really—that showed…space.Honest to God, real lifespace, the kind she’d only ever seen in pictures or movies.
So many stars, she thought in awe, her mouth hanging open, too stunned to realize that almost every single alien in the command center had turned to stare at her.
The scarred alien stepped in line of her view and her lips parted, remembering in a brief flash her physical response to him.The alien crossed his arms over his massive chest and Beks felt a tingle travel from the base of her neck to the tips of her toes.
“You should be resting,” he said to her, a small, impassive frown on his features.Over his shoulder, he bit out an order in his language and the rest of the men returned to their work, ignoring them.
Beks wondered if he was the captain of whatever this was.The men seemed to listen to him at least and there was no denying his strong, authoritative tone, even in his different language.
He continued to stare at her, as though expectant.“I was told you needed to speak with me,” he prompted.
Suddenly, she remembered why she was there.Looking at him had temporarily fried her brain, but, almost without realizing it, she said, “I want to know your name.”
His frown deepened and he widened his stance, his tree-trunk sized thighs spreading.A flash of heat made her sharply intake a breath and she saw his nostrils flare.
“You broke out from my quarters and came here to ask me my name?” he questioned, his voice deep, raspy, but unreadable.
The only thing she could say was, “I didn’t realize I was being kept prisoner inyourquarters.”
His chest stiffened and he shifted closer.But Beks wasn’t afraid.Even though he could kill her easily with his sheer strength alone, Beks didn’t feel threatened.He wouldn’t hurt her.
How she knew that, she didn’t know.It was just a feeling.
Something that sounded like a purr rumbled from his chest and Beks’ heartbeat fluttered in response.God, that sound…it was like a purr crossed with a growl.It was both calming, yet…primitive.She felt it reverberate down her spine and spread to her nipples.
“Lihvan,” he said, inclining his head to her.“My name is Lihvan, female.”
Lee-von, she whispered in her head.Lihvan.
Beks cleared her throat, thrown again by the surge ofsomethingthat passed through her body at the sound of his voice, at the knowledge of his name.“Well…I—uh…I have some questions for you, Lihvan.Questions that I want answered,” she said, her eyes sliding up to meet his.She added, “Right now,” just in case he didn’t take her seriously enough, not like it would do much.
His eyes seemed to flash the moment she spoke his name.A purring rumble once again sounded from his chest but he cut it short, like he didn’t want her hearing it.
Interesting, she noted.She wondered what that response meant.
“Right now,” he repeated, his frown growing even deeper, his eyes and face still unreadable, “is not a good moment, female.You should go rest back in your quarters.”
“You meanyourquarters,” she reminded, taking a step closer.He seemed startled by her sudden movement and took a step away from her before he scowled at himself.Female awareness spread to the tips of her fingers and Beks cocked her head to the side, wondering if the alien was either threatened or wary or attracted to her.Or all three.
Beks was no stranger to picking up subtle cues from men.She was no stranger to navigating the dating pool, to decoding vague text messages, to playing games.She was damn good at it too.And even though she preferred being single, a part of her missed that intricate little puzzle between sexes, that push and pull, those first moments of nervous excitement.
Beks eyed the tall, bulky alien in front of her and wondered if he would like the games she played with him.It might even be fun to see his serious, intense facade break a little under her flirtations.
A challenge was something Beks had never been able to resist.And she had an attractive, sexy, seven-foot-tall challenge standing directly in front of her.
Besides, after her capture and subsequent captivity, maybe she was due for a little bit of enjoyment, a little bit of fun.It was potentially dangerous, and more than a little reckless, but she needed a well-deserved distraction from her thoughts.
