9781631053283HeartsLastChanceMichaels (7 page)

“Are you enjoying yourself so far?” Brock stabbed the
lettuce, wishing for the fourth time in the last hour his father was still
alive. He craved his father’s wisdom, after discovering the person he now
looked up to the most had betrayed him.

“I’d enjoy it more if you’d fill in some of the blanks for
me.” She laid a soft hand over his.

Brock winced. “Apparently
LoGar
allowed
KiRah
to accompany him on one of his many
trips to
Xaxa
, and is intrigued with their, ah, way
of life. Plus, it seems my baby sister witnessed
RiKar
and a member of his household sharing an intimate moment. Since that member was
not
RiKar’s
Chosen
,
KiRah
has
taken it upon herself to…make
herself
available to
him.”

Tricia gasped. “I got the impression she was waiting
for—what’s her future mate’s name again?”

“
DaTil
.
I
did also. Apparently,
SaLie
has informed her there
are other alternatives out there.” Brock put down his fork while shaking his
head. “I should not have checked
KiRah’s
mind. There
are some things a brother should never know about his sister.”

He heard Tricia snort, and looked at her as she tried to
hide her laughter. “You find this amusing?”

“I’m sorry.” She covered her mouth with her hands. “I
imagine you saw them ‘in the act’?”

Brock winced again. “
KiRah
and I
have always been close, and she hasn’t learned to conceal certain images. So
yes, the image of her entwined in
RiKar’s
arms is a
bit repulsive.”

Composing herself, Tricia wiped her eyes.
 
“Do you want me to talk to her? It seems
as if she needs someone to confide in.” She put the last of her sandwich in her
mouth. “It’s hard enough, with her mother and now her brother knowing her
secret. And since I know what it’s like to have a parent walk in on me, I can
sympathize with her.”

Brock grinned. “I had nearly forgotten that. Your mother
arrived home and caught you naked in the hot tub with—”

“Yes, and it scared the hell out of me.” Tricia turned a
becoming shade of pink. “I don’t think I invited any boyfriends to my house
ever again.”

“Personally, I was happy. Watching you grow up was painful
at times, especially when you discovered your sexuality. I could not reveal
myself to you yet, and I so wanted to be your first.”

“Brock, you are my first.” Her tone was gentle. “I will
never again be with anyone else.” She picked up her goblet and downed the rest
of its contents. “Now, come back to your room with me and I’ll prove to you
where my loyalties lie.” She stood up and took his hand.

Brock followed her out of the room, taking the lead after
exiting the eating area. Once in the privacy of the bedchamber, he cupped her
head in her hands and tasted the sweetness of her lips. Brock pulled the sash
of her robe and slipped his hands inside the soft material. Cupping her warm
breasts, he brushed his thumbs over her nipples, feeling them bead under his
touch. Starting with the sensitive area under her left ear, he kissed his way
down her neck, ending on the swell of her cleavage. Tricia’s breath hitched
when he traced the outline of her breast to the nipple, teasing it with his
teeth.

She moaned. “Brock,” he heard her whisper as she leaned
back.

He kissed the little bud.
“Patience.”
Brock turned his attention to her other breast, giving it the same treatment.
He fastened his lips around her right nipple and tugged on the robe, causing it
to slide from her shoulders.

He knelt as the robe pooled at her feet, kissed his way to
the bare skin of her womanhood, nudging her thighs apart. Tricia shifted her
weight, pushing her fingers through his hair. Brock parted the puffy lips and
kissed the apex, feeling her body respond. His tongue found the little nub and
circled it, then moved downward. Her sweet musky cream landed on his
tongue.
 
Cupping her bottom, he drew
her closer, snaking his tongue farther into her depths.

“Oh Brock!”
She rocked toward him,
panting her arousal. He returned to her clit, hearing her scream in delight
when he hit the right spot. Her grip on his hair grew painful, so he slowed the
movements, hearing her groan in protest. Brock stood up, gathered her in his
arms, and laid her on the bed. His mouth returned to her clit, enjoying her as
she writhed in ecstasy, clamping his head between her knees. When she finally
went limp, Brock shed his own robe and gathered her in his arms.

Tricia threw her leg over his hips. “I still want you
inside.” She blew in his ear and tugged on the lobe with her teeth.

“Top or bottom?”

She pulled him on top. “Love me, Brock.”

He slipped inside her slick pussy, feeling her wet heat
envelope him.
“Always.”
He moved slowly, but she
grabbed his hips to demand a faster rhythm. Soon she threw her head back and
cried out again, her face twisted in a look of pure bliss. He felt the pressure
surge up his cock and increased the pace. “Yes…Tricia…Tricia…Tricia…”

Rolling to the side, he fell on his back, panting heavily.
Brock turned to look at her, saw she had her head propped up on one hand. He
reached out to smooth her damp hair from her forehead. “Did you enjoy that?”

She smiled.
“Almost too much.
I
hope your walls are thick.”

“Better. Soundproof.”
 
Brock shifted onto his side and traced the valley between her breasts
with a fingertip. “I feel complete with you beside me.”

Her eyes watered. “No one has ever said that to me before.”
Her voice faltered. “Brock…”

“
Shhh
.”
He wiped away her tears with a thumb. “Let us get under the covers before you
get too chilled.” Brock scrambled to tug the blankets down and get under them.
In the end, they stood and pulled the covers back, sliding under the cool
sheets to nestle in each other’s arms.

* * * *

Tricia rolled over and reached for the warm body beside her,
but discovered she was alone.

Brock, Brock,
Brock…can I come down wearing only the robe or do I need to dress?

She was startled to hear a feminine voice in her head.
A robe is fine.
 
We are not formal until after the noon
meal.

Thank you.
Tricia
slipped from the bed and donned the black silk robe, thankful Brock had shown
her the bathroom facilities area the night before. She relieved herself,
then
discovered the door leading to the hallway was already
open. Tricia found the stairs which took her back to the main floor, following
the corridor to the kitchen area.
ReNei
and
KiRah
were seated at the table, eating something which
resembled orange eggs.

“Greetings,
TriSha
,”
KiRah
smiled. “Sit.
 
Cook will return in a moment.”

“Thank you. Good morning.” Tricia seated herself beside the
younger girl. “Are we going to town this morning?”

“Yes. Mother was just going over the items she wishes me to
purchase.” She waved a slip of paper. “After we eat, perhaps you would like to
see if any of my garments will fit you?”

Tricia smiled. “I’d like that.”

Cook arrived, carrying a platter. “I have a container of
your special drink,
TriSha
. Help yourself to the
ne’chei
eggs.
ReNei
,
your
ta’lohs
will be ready shortly.” She set the platter in the center of the table.

KiRah
picked up the plate in front
of Tricia and spooned the orange mixture onto it. “Try it.”

Tricia poked at what resembled orange scrambled eggs with
her fork,
then
scooped a mound into her mouth. A sweet
flavor hit her taste buds.
 
She
chewed then swallowed. “Delicious.” She ate with gusto, looking with interest
as Cook brought in the platter of flat
ta’lohs
, which looked like small pancakes. Cook also set a
goblet in front of Tricia’s plate.

ReNei
placed
three
ta’lohs
on her plate, urging Tricia to try one. “Cook has a special recipe which she
will not share with anyone.
BaRok
said you would
enjoy these also.”

Tricia sampled one, finding it to her liking. She washed it
down with her berry-flavored drink. She tried other dishes and was soon full.
After
KiRah
finished eating, the two girls went to
KiRah’s
bedchamber.

“Where is Brock?” Tricia looked around
KiRah’s
yellow room.

“Mother said he went to the Council to try to establish
another link with
NiKoh
. Here, try this on.”
KiRah
tossed her a lavender dress and pointed to the
washroom cubicle. “You can change in there.”

Tricia entered the room and shed the robe, then slipped the
dress over her head. The skirt fell past her knees, and the bodice laced up
from waist to the scooped neckline. Tricia pushed the sleeves to her elbows and
readjusted the neckline. Conscious of the fact she wore no underwear, she
nevertheless admired her reflection in the mirror before removing the garment.
She wrapped herself in the robe and returned to
KiRah
.

“It fits, I think. Come down to Brock’s chamber so I can get
my shoes.” Tricia gaped at
KiRah
, whose dress left
one shoulder and the tops of her breasts bare. She tore her gaze from the
younger girl, so she wouldn’t seem rude. “You look pretty.”

“Thank you.”
KiRah
wrapped a loose
brown shawl over her shoulders, tucking the ends into the belt of her dress and
effectively concealing her bodice. She followed Tricia down the corridor to
Brock’s sleeping area. She waited in the sitting area while Tricia put on her
bra and the dress. Tricia rinsed her underwear in the sink and draped it over
the shower nozzle to dry.
When in
Rome
…I should have worn
multiple pairs!
Tricia adjusted the neckline to a modest length,
then
opened the door to show
KiRah
.
Thankful her shoes could be worn with or without pantyhose, she slipped her
feet into the soft leather flats.

“Am I presentable? Or do I need a shawl like you’re
wearing?” Tricia pirouetted.

KiRah
toyed with the ends of her
wrap as her face took on a light blue hue. “I wore this because it’s my
favorite dress and Mother doesn’t think it’s appropriate for daywear.”

“Why not change into it later?” Tricia sat down beside her
on pretense of adjusting her shoe.

“Because I might not have time.”
Ki’Rah
stood up. “Shall we go?”

Tricia nodded and followed her from the room. No one said
anything as they exited the house, following the same path as they had the day
before.
KiRah
walked toward the wall and touched a
keypad, activating an opening.
 
Tricia followed
KiRah
through it and found
herself on the outskirts of a bustling market area.
KiRah
produced the list and the girls went from shop to shop,
KiRah
making arrangements for the articles to be delivered later in the day.

“There.”
KiRah
put away the list
and clapped her hands. “That is done, so would you like to look around some
more, or can I suggest a trip to the bakery?”

“I am a little hungry after all that walking,” Tricia
admitted. “And I’m surprised everyone seemed to know who I am.
 
I expected more questions.”

“Word travels fast around here.”
KiRah
led the way down a quiet alley. “This is the quickest way to get to my favorite
place.” She passed more shops from which various smells enticed Tricia’s
senses.

KiRah
paused outside the door and
grasped Tricia’s hands. “Please do not judge me for what I am about to do. This
is the only time I can see him alone.” Her blue eyes gazed into Tricia’s before
letting go of her and unwrapping the shawl so it hung loose around her elbows.

“Is it—
”

“No.”
KiRah
took a deep breath and
entered the establishment. She headed for a dark corner where a tall figure
stood.

Tricia’s eyes widened as he embraced
KiRah
.
He kissed the young girl’s lips,
then
placed an arm
around her waist. “Blessings,
TriSha
.”

RiKar
?
Tricia gulped. “Hello—I mean, blessings,
RiKar
.”

“Please sit, both of you. I’ve already ordered water for
TriSha
, and your favorites.”
RiKar
indicated the table.

KiRah
beamed. “You are always so
considerate.” She slid into the chair closest to
RiKar’s
.

Tricia sat down on the padded seat
RiKar
held for her, trying not to gape as
RiKar
joined
KiRah
, slid his arm around the back of her chair and smiled
as he ran a finger down the lace of her neckline.

KiRah
touched
RiKar’s
bearded face,
then
lowered her eyes as the light blue
blush stained her cheeks.

“Mother would only agree to let me come to town if
TriSha
accompanied me.”