Norvir (The Mating Games Book 9) (6 page)

“We will be stopping on the planet Ursala tomorrow. I know you ladies have wanted to do some shopping and that will be a good place.” Morelan mentioned.

Norvir shot him a hard look. “It might be dangerous, so you should consider that too.” Norvir added.

“We’ve had several stops and there has been no danger.” Heloise pointed out.

“We will just go to a few stores.” Nat agreed.

How could both women be so intelligent in science and lack the basic understanding of danger or self-preservation? Tomorrow would be a hard day for him. He would have to keep both females safe while he worried the whole time. Security was not his specialty, it was part of Morelan’s but he couldn’t tell with the way he’d just put the ladies in danger with his suggestion.

“I will accompany you and we will have guards.” Norvir said.

“Okay, they can carry our bags.” Heloise suggested with a huge grin.

Norvir felt bad about the whole plan, but the females insisted on going. When they left to go to their own rooms, he walked his female to her door. Norvir leaned in, inhaling her wonderful scent before claiming her soft luscious lips with his own. His demon roared to be set free, but he dared not do it. A kiss was one thing, but to claim his female without permission, was another. A shiver ran over him and he felt the same from her. Norvir pulled back, it was that or lose control completely.

“Sleep well, Nat.” He whispered before he turned and hurried to his room. A good night’s sleep was needed so he would be alert the next morning. It was a surprise when he readied himself for bed, and fell asleep immediately.

The blaring alarm woke him and he remembered what today would bring. Norvir groaned and covered his head with a pillow but with his super senses, he could still hear the alarm. Dragging his reluctant ass out of bed, he turned off the alarm and began to get ready to face his day. Once he hit the private dining room, he had accepted what he had to do. It still didn’t make him happy with Morelan.

When he saw the sumptuous breakfast laid out on the table, he decided to forgive his cousin. The ladies weren’t there yet, but Norvir and Morelan were starved, so they both ate something to get them through until Nat and Heloise got there. Their demons were hungry beasts, their male sides were too. They had eaten a full plate of food by the time the ladies joined them.

“Thanks for waiting for us.” Heloise snarked. Nat just laughed.

“There is plenty for you.” Morelan observed.

Norvir and Morelan, who had stood when the ladies entered the room, helped them seat before sitting themselves. “Have you decided which stores you wish to visit?” Norvir asked.

“Yes, they have a wing with stores that have clothing and beauty needs. That’s a must do. If there is time, they also have a store with art, such as paintings, handmade dishes, and other things.”

“I will escort you and two guards will follow us for protection.” Norvir directed.

“Sure, whatever you say boss.” Heloise said.

They were getting used to her sarcasm so they ignored it. Everyone finished breakfast and Norvir and Morelan had their cups of crue. “What is that you two are drinking?” Nat asked.

“It is crue. The males of our planet drink it like many from Earth drink coffee.” Norvir explained.

“I want a taste.” Nat demanded.

“It is bitter and strong. Most females don’t like it, some males don’t either.”

“Hand me your cup. I’ll just taste a little.” Nat took the smallest taste and her mouth wrinkled up. She spit into a napkin. “That was horrible. How can you stand it?”

“We enjoy strong flavors. I told you females don’t like it.”

“Why don’t we go to the space station now?” Heloise asked. “I’m glad I didn’t try that shit.”

“Yes, we’ll go now.” Norvir agreed. He got up and led the way to the door holding it open for them. Morelan walked up to him too. “You’re not coming. You’ve done enough.”

“I thought you forgave me?”

“You are forgiven, but all is not forgotten. Who knows what you might suggest next?”

“What if I promise not to make any suggestions?”

“We will see you when we return.” Norvir said firmly. Morelan hung his head, but Norvir refused to be influenced. He hurried to catch up with the ladies before they stepped off the ship. “Step this way,” he instructed as he caught up with them and took Nat’s arm. He guided them out the door and down the ramp.

Norvir led the ladies to the first of a long line of stores. His two guards seemed as thrilled to stand around and wait on them as he did. They tried on item after item and finally ended up buying nothing. Only to move on to the next store and do the same thing. Finally, in the fifth store, they each bought one item.

“Does this mean you two are through?” He asked hopefully.

“Sweetheart, this means things have just started to happen.” Heloise explained. Norvir let out the breath he’d been holding and his guys had long suffering expressions on their faces. Now they followed the ladies and each guard carried a pink gift bag. Jedl, the more experienced guard, looked at the pink bag then stared at Norvir who just shrugged. What did he know about females anyway?

“Why don’t we grab a bite for lunch?” Nat asked.

Norvir and the guards always enjoyed a bite to eat. The males were all for that. They found a steak house and as soon as they entered, the smell of good food smacked them in the face. Norvir asked for a table against the wall where he and the guards could see the door. He might not be a security specialist, but he did have some training. It was his intention to keep these two ladies secure, no matter what that entailed. They ordered drinks and appetizers, talking while they waited for the waitress to return.

She came back loaded with drinks and another waitress carried the appetizers. Norvir’s attention was split between the food, the ladies, and their surroundings. Instantly on alert, he saw some men enter looking around the room until they saw him and his party. He nudged the guard next to him hoping he’d understand without words.

Norvir knew something was about to happen when the men were seated near them. These Earth companies just couldn’t leave them alone. It shouldn’t be a surprise. He fingered the weapon he carried in his pocket. Soon, he would be putting it to use. Was it too much to hope for that they would let them eat first? The appetizers were finished and the waitress came to remove the empty platters.

That was when the men made their move. They had stunners, so these guys weren’t going for the kill. The waitress just turned staring at them and she was hit right away. Norvir got one of the three guys, Jedl got one, but the other one got away.

“Chase him down, Mirl.” Jedl yelled at his little brother. Two out of three might not be bad, but to Norvir, it wasn’t good enough. They restrained the prisoners while the ladies fussed over the waitress who was out cold. He would have to give her a big tip.

Even though they had made a lot of noise, no one came out of the kitchen. Norvir looked up and was gratified to see Mirl with the third guy being carried over his shoulder. Norvir pulled out some money. “Nat, put this in her pocket so no one will take it.” He handed her a large bill, tossed another on the table for their food, and then picked up a prisoner carrying him over his shoulder. “Follow us, ladies. Our visit is at an end.”

Chapter 6

Secrets Revealed

Nat understood that they had worn out their welcome here. It was even possible the local law, whatever they might have here, might try to arrest them. She wasn’t going to slow Norvir down as he and the guards hurried away. She and Heloise grabbed their bags, stuck the money in the girl’s pocket as Norvir had suggested, and followed with all haste.

Now they were abducting three criminals and Nat wasn’t sure what Norvir planned to do with them. She didn’t think he would torture them or kill them. It did worry her that someone else might. Nat knew little about the Mazlans except that they stayed isolated, revealed little of themselves, and had originally been a political penal colony. What did she know about how they treated prisoners? Right now she and Heloise were almost running to keep up with the males in front of them. Nat was proud that she’d remembered to call them males rather than men. Norvir and Morelan, their real names, had been teaching them about the etiquette on Oison.

They made it to the ship and Nat felt relieved. Because shit had gotten real lately, Nat looked around to be sure no one was going to attack them as they boarded. She and Heloise sighed in relief as the door closed behind them. Nat had toured the ship and Norivr had explained the technology they had onboard that was available to them. It made her feel safe while she was on the ship, she didn’t think she’d get off it again.

“What do we do?” Heloise asked.

“You’ve been deciding everything up to now. We are in a mess, and you want me to decide what to do?” Nat glared at her good friend.

“Do you think they’ll kill those guys?”

“No, I don’t. Those guys weren’t using deadly force so I don’t think the Mazlans will use it either.”

“Nat?”

“Yes, Heloise?”

“I’m hungry. I didn’t eat much of the appetizer. I was saving room for my meal.”

Nat giggled. Maybe they were in shock. “Let’s go get something to eat. They won’t starve us.”

They sat in the private dining room eating the cheeseburgers and fresh cut fires they had ordered. Nat thought they were perfect and it made her think of home. Norvir and Morelan came in while they were eating. Morelan groaned. “I’m starved to death. Want to share a few fries with me while I wait for my food?” he asked Heloise.

Heloise finished her burger and pushed the rest of her fries to him. He immediately started wolfing them down. “Thank you.” He said through a mouthful of food. Nat shook her head as she watched him.

Norvir didn’t ask for any food, he waited and their plates came quickly. He didn’t dig in like Morelan either, although she could see he was hungry. Her attention moved to his lips and she remembered the sweet kiss he’d given her. It made her think he might have an interest in her that wasn’t strictly professional. The man was gorgeous, she might return that interest, if it did exist.

Right now she would admit she was tired. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m feeling tired.”

“Are you alright?” Norvir turned his concerned look on her.

“Just sleepy and tired of being fucked with.”

“I can relate to that. These companies have messed with us for a while now.”

“Did the prisoners tell you anything?”

“They don’t want to talk, but I think they work for your friend James. We’ll find out when we get home.”

“Home.” Nat repeated. It had been a long time since she’d felt at home anywhere.”

“Yeah, there’s no place like home.” Heloise said with a laugh.

“You will like Oison.” Morelan said. “I will show you around and you will have a nice place to live near mine.”

“You will both like Oison. There are many life forms to be studied and you will be able to help us preserve something instead of watching it being destroyed.” Norvir pointed out.

“It will feel good to make a difference. It was something we weren’t allowed to do on Earth.”

“We appreciate your willingness to help. Let me escort you to your room. I’m finished with my meal.”

“Okay.” Norvir stood up offering her his hand. She took it and let him help her up. They left saying goodbye. Nat felt nervous, would he kiss her again? In no time they stood outside her door.

“Ask me in?” Norvir asked.

“Want to come in?” She said and her heart beat like a drum. Her breath came faster and she was almost dizzy with anticipation. Nat opened the door and he followed her in.

She turned and he was right there, almost touching. Need showed on his face, he wanted her. Was she ready for this? Yes, it wasn’t like she’d never had a lover, she’d just never had one like him. It was like slow motion as his head dropped and his lips slid against hers. He was giving her every chance to stop him. His tongue ran over the seam of her lips then he sucked her lower lips into his mouth and nibbled on it. Never had she felt anything so erotic. His hands stroked her back slowly, again the male was in no hurry. It was as if he was saying he had all night.

His attention was on her and nothing else. Moving his mouth to her neck, he lightly kissed her there. “So beautiful, so soft.” He whispered in her ear. Norvir’s heated breath made her break out in goosebumps. The male was taking the time to seduce her properly. She was melting inside and out. Her temperature soared, she breathed in his spicy scent and she feared she would want this male for a long time.

Her arms moved up and around his neck so that she was clinging to him. A moan rumbled through the air, she was surprised to discover it had come from her. She and Norvir had danced around their attraction to each other and had only had one sweet kiss, more of a friendly one than a ravenous one, but that was changing. His hands were soft, where they weren’t calloused. The male did hard physical work and the callouses were interesting. It made her wonder what they would feel like on other parts of her anatomy.

Norvir was unbuttoning her shirt. She shivered as the air hit her, not that it was cold, and it just wasn’t exactly warm. He stepped back, looking deeply into her eyes. “We need to talk first. There are secrets I must share with you.”

Secrets? Nat loved secrets. That was why she had become a scientist, well one of the reasons, anyway. Her job was to unravel secrets and find understanding. Then she could solve problems and improve lives. It was like being a superhero, in a way. She fought with her brain, using reason and facts to solve problems, when she was allowed to. The satisfaction that finding a way to reverse a pollutant that killed the environment brought her was indescribable. The rage she felt when she found a solution but couldn’t apply it was also impossible to put into words. It made her realize that no matter what Norvir revealed, Oison was the place she needed to be.

She could find the solutions and someday, when Earth was ready, the work would be done and answers waiting on them. “Alright. I’m ready.”