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Chapter 19

Kendra sat on the floor, her back against a warm, softly pulsating heating pipe. She’d been in this room for hours. After Fridolph had abducted her from their date, he’d raced through the service tunnels until they were in the depths of the station. He seemed to know his way around because he’d found this room easily, slung her in here, given her a few more inappropriate sniffs, and left.

She shook her head as she looked around. She’d searched thoroughly, and there was no way out. The door was locked, and she was alone. She’d tried shouting, but no one had come to see what the noise was. Maybe the room was sound-proofed, or maybe no one ventured this far into the station.

After her initial panic had receded, Kendra realized this horrible mess wasn’t Fridolph’s fault. She blamed Ivy for this. Ivy should have checked to see if Kendra was fertile before sending her on a date with a Rolon. They all knew to be careful around Rolons.

In fact, Kendra felt a little sorry for Fridolph. He’d reacted on his primal instincts. He hadn’t hurt her. He’d just scared her when he’d thrown her over his shoulder, although his inability to maintain personal boundaries with that inquisitive nose of his was something else.

She sat up straight as she heard footsteps approach the door. She jumped up and hurried over. “Hello. Is anybody out there? I’m trapped inside. I need to get out.”

“It’s me,” Fridolph said from the other side of the door.

Kendra sighed and rested her head against the wall. This was bad. Rolons had so little control around fertile human women, but she had to find a way to talk him down and let her out so she could get away. She shuddered with fear to think what would happen if she didn’t.

“I’m not mad at you, but you need to let me go. People will be looking for me. You will get in trouble when they find out what you’ve done.”

“They won’t find us down here. I work in these service tunnels. No one comes here.”

“We were being filmed by a camera bot,” Kendra said. “It would have seen you take me.”

“It didn’t follow us,” Fridolph said. “I was too fast. The bot got trapped in the room. And these service areas have few cameras.”

Kendra rubbed her wrist, missing the feel of her wrist comm. Fridolph had taken it before leaving her alone. She could have contacted anyone and been out of here if she had it, or station security could have tracked her and discovered her location.

“I know this isn’t right,” Fridolph said, his voice mournful. “I’m trying to keep my distance, but your smell is so enticing.”

“I know,” Kendra said. “I’ve worked with Rolons at My Single Alien. I understand how difficult this is for you. We will sort this out. Go tell someone I’m here and stay out of the way until I’m gone. I’m not going to get you in trouble with security if you let me out, but you need to do it right now.”

He was silent for a moment. “It’s too late for that. I’ve claimed you.”

Kendra thumped her forehead against the wall. “Then un-claim me. You can change your mind.”

She jumped as she heard a thump against the door as if Fridolph had hit his fist against the metal. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m not hurt yet. Please, let me go.”

He was silent for several minutes, and Kendra walked away from the door, thinking he’d left. He couldn’t leave her in here for much longer. She’d had nothing to eat; her stomach was growling, and her throat was dry.

“I’m coming in,” Fridolph said.

Kendra hurried to the door. “No! It’s better this way. You can keep me safe by not coming into the room.” There was nowhere for her to run if he entered, and Fridolph wouldn’t be able to control himself once they were close. Although she couldn’t smell what Fridolph could, her hormones would intensify his primal urges, and there would be little he could do to control them.

“I need to be with you,” Fridolph whined.

“I don’t need you. I have a say in this too,” Kendra said. “Go and cool down somewhere far away from here. You’re not thinking clearly.”

“I can’t leave you, knowing you’re in this room, ready to be impregnated.”

Oh, stars! This was a nightmare. “I really don’t mind being on my own. And just to be clear about this, I’m not getting pregnant.”

“I’m not taking care of you properly,” Fridolph said. “You have no nourishment. I am a terrible Rolon. I have already messed this up.”

“I don’t need nourishment. I need you to let me out and for things to go back to normal.” She closed her eyes for a second. There would be no more dates after this, no matter how much Ivy yelled or Diadora threatened. She’d had enough of being messed around by other people. First, it was Faron and his gruff demands and rudeness; now she was faced with a randy Rolon who wanted to strip her and have his wicked way so she’d produce little Rolon pups. She was so done with this dating bullshit.

Kendra’s breath caught in her throat as the door slid open. She backed away until she was against the opposite wall.

Fridolph stood outside the door, his chest heaving as he stared at her. “You smell so amazing.”