Raptor's Desire (A Planet Desire novelette) Read Online Free PDF Page B

hospitality.”
    Andromeda coughed and laid down her glass. Her gaze fell to the metal table. His lap—and cock—were entirely concealed. The relief that showed in her deep sigh and relaxing shoulders made him feel extremely smug. He’d let her enjoy a moment’s respite from his pursuit. Maybe.
    She stuck a forkful of dry turkey into her mouth and proceeded to chew.
    “Where’s the pepper?” he asked innocently and rose quickly from his seat.
    She coughed and reached for her glass. When he returned with the shaker, her glare should have scorched his skin, but he merely gave her a bland smile and peppered his potatoes.
    He swallowed a bit of his turkey and grimaced. “This is as flavorless as a shoe. For me, there’s nothing more succulent than desert fowl in a bed of sweet grass.”
    Andromeda shrugged. “To each his own.” She took another bite and chased it with more wine.
    He knew better than to mention the fact she found the need to wash the colorless meat down. Besides, the wine would likely work in his favor. He put down his fork and picked up a strawberry. He popped the berry into his mouth and closed his eyes, savoring the sweetness. When he opened his eyes, he found Andromeda staring.
    She glanced away, but the color staining her chest betrayed the direction of her thoughts.
    His cock pulsed. He reached for the wine bag and squeezed more of the fruity beverage into her glass.
    “Thank you,” she murmured, not lifting her gaze from her plate. She cleared her throat. “I’ve wondered…”
    “Yes, Ha’abib ?”
    She looked at him then. “You said that before, when…”
    “When we made love?” How easily she blushed… He smiled. “Do you want to know what it means?”
    “Never mind,” she said quickly.
    “No, it’s all right. It’s an ancient term—an endearment. Roughly translated, it means ‘darling’.”
    “Oh.” She shifted on her chair, and her fingers tightened around her fork.
    “Now, what were you going to ask me before?”
    “Before? Oh, yes.” She blinked and took a deep breath. “Why haven’t you tried to convince me of your innocence?”
    He grew still, sensing his next words would determine his fate, he replied, “Would you have believed me?”
    Her troubled gaze locked with his. “Try me now.”
    He took a deep breath. “I was sent to accompany the Qahiran ambassador as his aid, but I was really his bodyguard. My people have no love for the Dominion—or trust. Before our oil reserves were discovered, we were beneath their notice.”
    “I was told you attacked the emissary, that you sought to disrupt the trade negotiations.”
    Khalim pressed his lips tightly together to quell the curse he wished to utter. “The ambassador was my uncle. Did the governor mention that?”
    Her eyebrows drew together in a frown. “No. It did seem odd they would hold negotiations on such a remote planet.” She sighed. “But I can guess what really happened.”
    Khalim nodded. “He was assassinated. It was well planned. We sat down to dinner our first evening there, and a guest at one of the lower tables stood up and opened fire. Out of my uncle’s entire entourage, only I was left alive.”
    “They needed someone to blame,” she whispered.
    “I was labeled a militant who was opposed to the strengthening of our ties with the Dominion. Now, they’ve made it truth.” Tension born of frustration stiffened his neck and shoulders.
    “You weren’t responsible, Khalim. How could you know—”
    He shot her a look laced with irritation. How could she understand what he felt? He had been the one responsible for his uncle’s safety. Instead, he’d watched him die.
    “And stop glaring at me. I’m not responsible either.”
    He realized his stare upset her. “The deceit of your governing council still enrages me.”
    “Thank you for telling me, just the same. It explains a lot. I wondered why the governor wanted you removed so quickly.” Andromeda canted her head to the side.