Dating Outside Your DNA (28 page)

But then, they'd never met her. Oh, she was so bad!

She cleared her mind and removed the key from her pocket.  "Here we go." She unlocked the door and pushed it open, letting him step inside first.

He looked around. She waited anxiously, hoping he wouldn't change his mind. The cabins were pretty bare. If he was used to a five star hotel then this might not  work for him. There would go her chance for a romantic evening. And maybe sex.

"This will suit me." He faced her.

She relaxed. She'd been so afraid. But none of that mattered

now. Especially when he looked at her like he wanted to devour her

right on the spot.

It was all she could do to take a breath. "Then I'll see you

tonight?"

"Yes."

Her hands fluttered. It was a nervous habit, but she couldn't stop doing it. Banyon didn't seem to mind.

Heat crept up her face again. God, she was standing there

staring at him like a moron. She hurried out the door, shutting it

behind her. She was going to take a long, hot, rosewater bath, then

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she was going to dust rose powder all over her body.

Banyon watched her run across the space back to the main

building. He was disgusted. Women didn't interest him that much.

They were toys to be used, then discarded. Simple creatures with

very small brains.

If he'd known the daughter wasn't here, he would have sent

someone else to gather the information. Normally, he wouldn't dirty

his hands, but he wanted to see the daughter for himself.

Did she look like Aasera? He could feel himself growing hard

just remembering the last time he'd seen Aasera.

There had only been one woman with whom he'd wanted to

mate, but Aasera had cri nged when he proposed they copulate. He'd

been furious and grabbed her. She'd grabbed a glass dish and hit

him.

He fingered the scar on his face, remembering it as though it were yesterday. Anger burned deep inside him, festering over the years like rotti ng flesh. Now that he was this close, he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way. He would have his revenge.

The communicator in his pocket buzzed. He brought it out, setting it on a nearby table, then pushed a button. A screen rose and clicked on. Kragen.

"Your Majesty." He bowed slightly.

A thrill went through Banyon. He'd waited a long time to be addressed as such. He should've had his father killed years ago. It wasn't as though they had cared for each other, but his father had been useful when Banyon was growing up. He'd taught his son what was important in life--if there was a weak link, you got rid of it. His father had been right. Now that the weak link was gone, nothing could stop Banyon.

He looked at the screen. Kragen was another weak link. "Do

you have information that I can actually use this time? Neither Aasera

nor her child are here."

"You should've let me send a soldier to discover the child's

location."

"That's why Aasera wasn't killed last time. I sent someone else

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to kill her and Aasera  has lived in peace all these years because I

was told she was dead. I carry the scar she gave me, while she paid

no price for inflicting it."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Kragen bowed again.

"Do you have new information?"

"Aasera is still on Nerak."

Anger fused through him. He was surrounded by incompetence. But then, he already knew that.

"You requested daily updates."

"Then you have done your duty." Banyon snapped off the communicator. "Imbecile."

His men would take the child when he located her. Once she

was back on his planet, he would begin the torture. He would know

that he caused Aasera pain.

The day passed slowly. He had no desire to explore this planet.

He sat in the chair instead, and thought of everything he would do to

get revenge.

There was a knock. He would have his answers. He stood and

walked to the door. He'd learned quickly that everything was manual

on Earth. Very primitive. Why anyone would want to defect was

beyond him. Nerak might be disgustingly bright, but at least the

Nerakians were  far more advanced than earthlings.

He turned the knob and opened the door. This woman would

give him all the information he needed, then he would destroy her.

He sniffed. "What is that smell?"

"Roses. I hope you like them."

He didn't. It was a disgusting odor. "Wonderful," he exclaimed.

Her hands began to flutter. He wondered if she would take off in

flight. Yes, she was much like an irritating little Nagem.

There was only one species worse than a Nagem that he'd

come across. The Adnams. They were puffers. A shiver of disgust

ran through him. The Adnams grew bigger and bigger in size when

they were threatened, then exploded an odorous substance all over

their victim. It usually wasn't enough to kill anyone, but the gray slime

took forever to remove. Nasty, slimy creatures.

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But they could be useful, and they owed him. They'd caused a

disturbance so that he could enter Earth undetected. Not that he

thought earthlings had detection equipment that was high tech  enough to know he'd landed. However, he wasn't positive they hadn't  advanced over the years. His father had restricted travel after the  incident with Aasera had almost caused an interplanetary uproar. But  his father was no longer ruler of Rovertia and things were going to  change. One day soon the Roverts would be a force to be reckoned  with.

"I thought we could go to a restaurant not far from here. I hope  you like fish," Anna said, breaking into his thoughts.

For a moment, he'd forgotten where he was. "It's my favorite."

He wondered how Aasera had adapted to Earth life. That must  have gone against everything she had been taught. Nerakians didn't  eat. Nor were there any men on Nerak except for companion units,  which were only machines. They had gotten rid of all their  temptations.

Since arriving on Earth, he'd encountered some of these spoils  and hadn't been impressed. His planet had just as much, if not more,  to offer.

He smiled at the thought, then frowned. Aasera had been a purest and shunned all he could offer. It must have been difficult being banned to a planet that had many indulgences.

He curled his hands into fists. Obviously there had been one indulgence she'd succumbed to since she had borne a child. She'd refused to copulate with him, but had lain with a man from Earth. For that alone, he would eventually kill her child, and he would make sure  Aasera knew there would be nothing she could do to stop him.

"I've never even seen the inside of a limo," Anna said as she got in and slid across the seat.

"I am glad I can give you pleasure."

That was the last thing he was able to say. The female Anna chattered incessantly on the way to the restaurant. She talked about everything except Aasera and her child.

Once inside the restaurant, they were shown to a table and

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seated. When she took a drink, he was finally able to talk. "Tell me  about my friend and her child. It has been many years and I long to  hear about them."

She set her glass down, still looking unsure. He reached across

the table and took her hand in his. Hers felt cold and clammy. A

shiver of revulsion swept over him, but something else, too.  Anticipation. He enjoyed the thought of leading her on. Making her  think she was important to him, then later, being able to tell her she  meant absolutely nothing. He wanted to see the dark despai r enter  her eyes. The tears fall from them. He wanted to laugh at her  ridiculous idea that he could be remotely interested in someone like  her. The hunt was exciting because the kill was close on its heels.

"I have worried you," he spoke softly. "That wasn't my intention.  I realize I'm a stranger to you. Maybe we should go. It wasn't my wish  to make you feel uncomfortable." He started to stand.

"No, no!"

Her face lost some of its color. He'd won, but then, he'd already  known he would. Women were silly creatures. Aasera had been the  only one whom he'd felt challenged by.

He took his seat again. "I would do nothing to cause you  distress. It's just that it's been so many years since I have seen my  friend. Aasera and I lost touch and it pained me very deeply. I would  like to look upon her face and see if she is still the same."

"I guess it wouldn't hurt. I mean, you are friends and all." Her  eyes widened. "I have a picture of Aasera."

His gut clenched. "I'd like very much to see it."

She reached inside her purse and pulled out a small book, then

opened it. "Here she is."

He took the book and looked at the picture. Aasera. She had

aged without the compounds Nerak had to offer. It pleased him to see

the wrinkles on her face.

He flipped to the next page. His heart pounded inside his chest as heat unfurled inside him. The woman in the picture gazed at the sun as though she worshipped it. There must have been a slight breeze when the picture was taken because her clothes hugged her

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body like a lover.

The next  page was a close-up of the same woman. Her pale

blue eyes drew him in and captured his attention. There was

something familiar and mesmerizing about her. He would have this

woman before he left Earth. Maybe he would even take her back with

him, enjoy her until she bored him.

He looked at Anna. "And who is this?" He turned the picture

toward her.

"Oh, that's Lyraka, Aasera's daughter. Isn't she a beauty?"

Excitement rushed through him. Not so much the child then.

No, this was a grown woman. "Yes, she is very beautiful." He smiled

inwardly. The contemplation of revenge had never been sweeter.

"She is on vacation?"

"Yes. Such a sweet child. I hope you get to meet her."

"I'm sure I will." He only had to locate her. That might prove

difficult.

"I'm her godmother," she said. "I knew Aasera when Lyraka  was born. She opened the book to the last page and showed it to  him. "I even have a lock of her hair."

He almost laughed. This foolish woman had just given him  Lyraka's location. Not as simple as a drop of her  blood, but in just a few hours, he would know where to find the daughter. First, he had to end this farce.

He looked at Anna. She met his gaze, then blushed. He knew the effect he had on women. It made him feel powerful that they couldn't resist him. He doubted it would be different this time.

"Have you ever met someone and knew that was the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with?"

She began to shred the paper napkin she was holding. "You're teasing me."

"This is too sudden for you. I'm sorry, but I couldn't stop myself." He looked away.

"You're serious?"

He took her hand, rubbing his thumb across the palm. "I have

never wanted a woman as much as I want you right now."

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"But you're so handsome and I'm...I'm..."

"The most beautiful woman I've ever met. You stir my blood  with a fire I haven't felt in a very long time. I want to take you back to  the cabin and make love to you all night long." He sighed. "Now you  probably hate me."

She squeezed his hand. "No, I don't hate you at all." She

l ooked away. "Not when I feel the same way."

Of course he would win. He had no doubt about his ability to  seduce. "Then we will leave now while my passion burns inside me."

"Oh, yes, I wouldn't want it to die out. Let's hurry." She jumped  up, grabbed her  purse and stuffed the photo book inside. The waiter  hurried over, but Anna waved him away. "We've changed our mind."

She practically ran to the limo, pulling him alongside her. The  driver hurried to get inside. They climbed in the back. As soon as the  door shut, he pulled her into his arms. Roses filled the space between  them and he thought he would be sick. The odor was nauseating.