He turned toward her and did not miss the way her voice faltered as her gaze caught on the muscles visible through the robe. Khar smiled to himself. He had suspected before that his appearance affected her, but he had been too preoccupied with sulking and a wounded ego to explore it further.
It was time to correct that oversight.
“I am fine. Do not worry about me. How were Vegrun and his companion?”
Relief softened Lily’s features, but at Vegrun’s name, annoyance returned.
“Everything went according to plan. Silomarila noticed nothing, though I think even she is tired of all the shopping. Vegrun also asked me to order a gift for her, something that would be waiting in the suite when they returned. You know, when you warned him about the vukri, he pretended that was why he was calling us.”
Khar barely remembered that detail, but as she spoke, it resurfaced.
“What did you buy?”
Lily smiled mischievously.
“A game. It is called Predestination. There are characters printed on cards who face random disasters in random locations, and depending on your choices, they survive or they do not. A strategy game. You can play alone or with others. BothSilomarila’s and Vegrun’s species are included as playable characters, so Madame Turtle can see exactly how many ways Vegrun might bleed out.”
Khar liked the concept, though he doubted Vegrun would appreciate it. The extent of their shared taste ended with Vitro. Vitro, in Khar’s estimation, was perfect.
“It sounds good. I would accept it.”
Lily’s smile widened at his approval.
Khar remembered the first time he had seen her, how despite his irritation, his gaze had lingered on the delicate curve of her mouth. Now, with joy radiating from her, he had to restrain himself from touching her. Instead, he finished tidying the medical bay and walked toward her in slow, measured steps.
When he reached her, he braced one arm against the doorframe above her head and looked down into her dark-pupiled eyes.
“How do human females celebrate when they have done very well?”
Khar prided himself on maintaining composure, but he had to fight to keep a neutral expression as Lily flushed crimson, dropped her gaze, and let it trail from his exposed chest down along the lines of muscle disappearing beneath the robe before she snapped it away again.
She stammered. Khar laughed softly, unable to stop himself.
“Come, Lily. Let us secure Vitro and I will walk you home.”
Chapter 10
Free to Dream
Lily
“Under Section 34/B of the IMPERIUM Personnel Protocol, any interaction of a sexual nature, including interspecies coitus or equivalent forms of intimate bonding, is strictly prohibited within all service zones. Violations are subject to sanction.”
Official Protocol on IMPERIUM Protocol Violations
Khar sat naked upon the massive, heavy chair like a king upon his throne.
In the dim, flickering light, his skin looked velvety black, his body sculpted with the lethal elegance of a jaguar. He was enormous, far larger than any human could ever be, yet perfectly proportioned. The devilish glow of his eyes and the curve of his horns made the sight decadent, almost obscene. Like a demonic being beyond humanity, come to claim her body and soul if she did not flee at once.
Lily felt she had never seen anything more unsettling or intoxicating in her life.
“Undress.”
She did not know how she had ended up here. She only knew she could not resist even this simple command.
She slipped out of her fitted uniform and stood before him in nothing but her underwear.
Until now, Khar’s sex had rested heavily against the cushioned seat, dense and dormant. The moment she moved, it stirred, rising with slow certainty. As Lily shed the last of her clothing, Khar wrapped his hand around himself and began to stroke, unhurried and deliberate, until he stood hard and unyielding.
