Goddess's Saga 1: Touch of the Goddess Page 7
Maria’s voice shook him back to reality.
“You seem far away, what are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking about you on the kitchen table.”
The honest answer made her laugh.
“Well handsome, good things come to those who wait, and you’ve only waited a couple of hours.”
It wasn’t easy to pretend to suffer, but he sighed and tried a sad puppy look.
“But, that’s forever.”
He trailed his hands up to her shoulders and rubbed them.
Think, Stephan... I want to take the dress off, but it’s so sexy on. Stop thinking about sex. What’s here that’s safe and something she might like? Oh, I know.
“C’mon.”
“Where are we going?”
Grinning, he smacked her butt.
“I’m not telling. Good things come to those who wait, remember?”
She stuck her tongue out. It was impossible not to tease her.
“Oh sweetheart, I know somewhere you can put that.”
She rolled her eyes and tucked her hands around his arm.
“You’re hopeless.”
“Yes, but you’ve grown fond of me.”
Even when zigzagging through the crowds it was a matter of minutes before Maria gaped at the entrance to the holo-theatre with its fourteen holographic movie posters. She stepped into one of them and walked around the objects and characters.
I wonder how many hundreds of years it has been since she saw a movie.
She circled an ugly alien with hairy mandibles and five purple eyes on long stalks, and Stephan couldn’t help but look at her ass when she bent down to check if she could see the underside of things too.
“Can we see that one?”
The poster promised knights on horses, kings, queens, and a wizard.
“Whatever you want.”
He balanced tickets, sodas, and snacks down an aisle to surprisingly plush chairs. It was only a few minutes until the next showing, and Maria squeezed his hand, nibbled popcorn, and looked around with wide eyes.
“You’ve been at movies before, right?”
“Of course. Back on old Earth... nineteen...eighty...something. It wasn’t anything like this.”
The movie was true 3D of course, and even he found himself ducking when a horse appeared to jump over their heads.
“Can I sit on your lap?”
He winked at her and gestured to come on over.
Holding her tight, he murmured, “I’m the luckiest man in the universe.”
*****
A few rows behind Stephan sat a man with wide shoulders and eye-catching red hair next to a man in khaki-coloured pants, beige shirt, beige tie, khaki jacket, and khaki shoes. His hair was almost the exact same colour as the shirt, but his eyes were bright blue, completely out of place.
“You know you could have your eyes changed to match the rest of you?”
“Shut up, Paulie.”
“How can two people be this preoccupied with each other? I wish they picked another movie, this is damned boring.”
He started to pull out a weapon, but the man in beige shook his head.
“No, no, no, you can’t start shooting in here. We’re supposed to keep it quiet, idiot. We’ll get them when they leave.”
Paulie looked disappointed, but shrugged and tucked the pistol back into his pocket.
“Wha’cha say we go wait outside? There’s nowhere else for them to go.”
*****
Stephan lost interest in the movie the second Maria sat on his lap.
He had never seen a knight in armour, a wizard throwing flames from his hands, or even a horse, and the story was too far from his world to captivate him. Besides, it was impossible not to think about sex when she pressed against him. He rubbed her back, enjoying the silky fabric of her dress and her warm body close to his.
When the king’s best friend seduced the queen, Maria whispered, “It wasn’t like that at all.”
Does she think this is real? Oh well, at some place in this vast universe, something along the lines of this might have happened, and maybe she was there.
To his joy, it ended her interest in the story, and she gave him her full attention instead, kissing his neck, tickling a sensitive spot with her tongue and caressing his chest. He pulled his finger along the side of her breast.
The dress was sexy on, but she might wear something even more enticing under it...
Making out in the darkness in the middle of a crowd was a turn-on in itself, something just a little bit forbidden, and a soft moan escaped him.
“Babe, maybe we should go back home for a bit, but if you keep that up I won’t be able to walk out of here.”
“Yes we should, but walking isn’t required.”
Her hot breath on his skin made coherent thought impossible. A split second later, he sat on the edge of the bed with Mister Teddy next to him and Maria tugged at his shirt.
*****
Outside the theatre, Paulie and the man in beige watched people pour out, but Stephan and Maria was nowhere in sight.
Paulie wheezed, “We can’t have missed them. There’s no way to miss those two, and there’s no other way out.”
“Maybe they’re still making out in there.”
“Oh come on, they can’t be that interested in each other.”
They didn’t have to take many steps into the now brightly lit room to see it was empty.
“What the hell? Where did they go?
*****
Maria rested with her head on Stephan’s shoulder, trailing lazy patterns on his chest. She was relaxed and content, and completely unprepared for his question.
“Does this happen to you a lot?”
“What?”
He smirked.
“Hooking up with a mortal, staying until you get bored or they grow old and die.”
Whoa, where did that come from?
“No.”
And I really don’t want to talk about this, so please drop it.
“But...”
“But what? I’m so old?”
“No... Well, yes, but I didn’t mean it like that.”
Dammit.
“I’ve never been in this kind of relationship with someone outside my own species, if that’s what you’re getting at. You’re the first, and you’ll probably be the last. Happy?”
She rolled over enough to be able to lean on an elbow and look at him. He didn’t seem particularly happy.
Handled that well, didn’t I... Is he still worried I’ll disappear?
“I know I’m not human, but you’re not really human either. I think we make a good team. The past is gone and now is now. I think now is pretty good, don’t you?”
Please, let’s not fight. I don’t know how I lived without you, and any day now I might even be able to say it.
He pulled her closer.
“Now, right now, is very good.”
She relaxed again, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the feeling of his strong arms around her.
“Hey, I should probably take you to dinner.”
She opened one eye. “Naah, it must be late by now, and if you’re hungry, I can get us something right here.”
He brushed a lock of hair away from her face.
“It’s late ship-time, but that doesn’t matter on the station, you know. It’s always open. I know this really nice restaurant and I think you’d like it.”
Sounds like he wants to go.
“Okay.”
She crawled out of bed as slowly as possible, making sure to tempt him. With any luck at all he’d change his mind and want to stay on the ship.
Stephan gave her butt a slight tap, but showed admirable constraint, so she pulled on one of his shirts. It made an excellent robe.
His eyes burned into her back.
“What?”
“Nothing. You’re just too cute.”
She shrugged and moseyed over to the closet. Nothing seemed just right and she twirl
ed a lock of hair around her finger.
“Put a belt around what you have, and it’ll be fine. Or take it off...”
Now he looked like he wanted to eat her. She poked his chest with a finger.
“Think unsexy thoughts, Mister. You wanted to go to dinner. I don’t even need to eat.”
He flashed a smile, clearly trying to look innocent.
“How about something red?”
*****
Paulie leaned against a wall, struggling to look casual. When Stephan and Maria walked by, arm in arm, it seemed even more improbable that he could have missed them leaving the theatre. Either of them would draw attention on their own. Together, they were stunning.
Enjoy it while you can, it won’t last.
As soon as they passed, neither acknowledging him with as much as a look, he lifted his arm and spoke into his cuff.
“Jack, I got them. They’re on the move.”
“Good. Let’s try not to lose them this time.”
“I’m not too worried about that, they stand out.”
“Well, that’s what we thought in the theatre. Keep your eyes open.”
~ 11 ~
Stephan had been right. Maria adored the restaurant. It was comfortable and cosy, with real wooden boards for floor and ceiling, panelled walls, and nice furniture. A big chandelier lit with old-fashioned candles hung over their table, and close to the entrance was an alligator.
Building this place all the way out here must have cost a fortune.
An old man with wrinkly dark skin and merry eyes hurried up to them and Stephan leaned his elbows on the table.
“Joseph, please meet Maria Callaway.”
“Enchanting.”
It was impossible not to be charmed.
“May I ask, how did the gator end up out here?”
“I grew up in Louisiana as a boy. I keep it around to cheer me up when I think I’m up to my eyeballs in alligators.”
Stephan looked puzzled.
“Eyeballs?”
She ran a finger over his hand.
“It means you’re stressed. I haven’t heard that expression for a very long time.”
He glanced up at her and smiled, and the gaze gave her butterflies.
Joseph said, “I hope you’re hungry. For this lovely lady we shall make a special, yes?”
It was a matter of minutes before they had samples of innumerable courses in front of them. Stephan gathered up combinations for her to try and made her giggle.
What a magical night.
A girl from an adjacent table said, “Wow, that looks good.”
“Try some.”
All the guests were soon engulfed in discussions of which of the many courses, wines, and later desserts might be the best.
This is a lot of food, I bet we’ve emptied the kitchen. We have to remember to tip everyone…
They spent almost four hours in the restaurant, but eventually the last piece of dessert; Cajun bananas with brown sugar and homemade vanilla ice cream was eaten, the coffee pot was empty, and Stephan rubbed his stomach.
“I think it’s time to go for a walk.”
“Yes… It’s a good thing I’m not human or I’d have to roll out of here.”
*****
Paulie, Jack, and their posse waited outside the restaurant. Jack held a casual pose, but Paulie marched up and down the hallway.
“What the hell is taking them so long? They’re eating. It should only take like, what, 20 minutes?”
Jack chuckled.
“For you, maybe, but those two are in luuuuuve. Heh, maybe we should get them both and have them make porn holos for us.”
“We should burn the place down is what we should do. That’d get them moving. I didn’t think a guy that size could be such a romantic sap.”
Jack smacked him over the head.
“We’re in space you idiot. It’s suicide to set fire to things in space; you’ll use up all the air.”
“Can you think of a better way to get them moving?”
“They’ll come out when they’re done. We know where they are. We just need to get them to a quiet place.”
*****
The glittering crowds still intrigued Maria, and her eyes were wide as they strolled away from the restaurant.
They walked slowly, arm in arm, and didn’t cover much ground. It didn’t matter; she was content.
Stephan said, “I ate too much, I need to move. Activity…”
She nodded towards a bright sign.
“Let’s go shoot some pool. I’ll kick your butt.”
“Really? No using powers, though, you have to win fair and square.”
Her face was the model of innocence.
“Cheat? Me? What do you think of me, lover?”
Dammit, he’s going to win.
He had bad luck in the first game, or maybe he let her win, she couldn’t decide which. Then, she lost three in a row. As hard as it was to confess, he was much better than she at commanding the colourful little balls.
“I think you’re cheating, no one is that good. Let’s go home, we can play more some other day.”
He looked much too sexy to be allowed in public anyway; unkempt hair, stubbly cheeks, and the top button of his shirt open so she could glance the muscular chest...
Snap out of it.
He wrapped his strong arms around her and inched her closer, sending an expectant tingle down her spine.
“Home sounds good.”
She stood on her toes and met his lips.
Maybe I should just teleport us there? All this walking is overrated.
“Come on, beautiful.”
At the last row of stores, almost back at the ship, Stephan stopped outside a bar.
“Do you want a nightcap?”
“Not really, I had something else in mind.”
Her words made him look like a contented cat.
“Sounds good to me.”
“Hah, I might have a one track mind, but you’re just as bad.”
He laughed and they continued towards the docking bay. When they almost passed the door, a man dressed in beige stepped out, grinning.
“Hey, long time no see. Wha’cha been up to, you old pirate?”
Maria frowned; the stranger’s smile was too wide and his eyes too cold.
Something’s up. No, don’t be so prejudiced; not everyone can be handsome or look friendly, and it’s not his fault he looks like someone eating kittens for breakfast.
The man patted Stephan on the shoulder.
“Come on in, I’ll buy you a drink.”
“Thanks, but some other time maybe. We had other plans.”
“It’ll only take five minutes, you guys can’t be in that much of a rush, can you?”
She played with Stephan’s fingers.
“We need to go.”
The stranger met her gaze.
“Oh come now, sweetheart, he can’t be that whipped, won’t you let him have a drink with an old friend?”
That hit a sore spot.
She wanted to punch the man’s face in, or maybe turn him into something that would break easily, like a teacup she could throw at the wall.
Of course I’m dominant, I’m a freakin’ Goddess and you should be crawling on your knees, grateful to be in our presence…
She clenched her jaw and fought it down.
Stephan sighed.
“Give us a minute will you.”
He pulled her a few steps to the side and ran his hands over her shoulders.
“I have no idea who this guys is.”
Lemme guess, so many people in so many ports, and you met most of them when drunk?
There was no malice in her thought, just a statement of a fact.
“I’m just sayin’ it might be faster to humour him. If he keeps it up, I’ll hit him?”
No, we need to go. We really need to go. If you don’t know him, there’s no harm in offending him.
She opened her mouth intending to say we’
re leaving, and was surprised to hear her voice utter, “If that’ll make you happy.”
The stranger placed his arms around their shoulders and more or less shoved them through the door. Then, his arm fell off her, and Maria pretended it was normal to have objects pass through her.
Stop touching me you little twirp. Eeeew, his hands feels like some slithery kind of vermin. I don’t like this guy.
In spite of all her misgivings, she didn’t object. She shifted her weight and wondered if she was really just being possessive of her boyfriend. Was she so egotistical she couldn’t let him talk to and have fun with anyone but her? She didn’t think so, but she wasn’t sure.
Stephan was already by the counter, where the bartender had drinks conveniently ready for them.
Something is wrong, it’s not just me.
She called out, “Stephan, no!” just as he raised his glass to slam the drink down.
He glanced back at her but was already in motion, and in the next second, he sank to the floor.
The man poked Stephan with the toe of his boot.
“Sorry mate, it’s nothing personal, just business.”
He looked towards Maria with a smirk.
“Well, sugar, there was no getting around it, really. And if it hadn’t been us, it would’ve been someone else.”
Another man stepped up behind her, pressing the nozzle of a gun against her back, urging her further into the room. She was happy to oblige; it was where she intended to go anyway.
“You and your lover have eluded us all day, but you can forget about him now. He ain’t gonna save you this time.”
Oh, shut up.
She ignored him and knelt beside Stephan, searching for a life sign. His heart beat, but faintly, and she whispered, “Stay alive, okay? Please, I love you so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
The man with the gun kicked Stephan’s side.
“Oh you love him? That’s cute, but that one ain’t going nowhere. This poison would kill an elephant, and even if he’s beefy, he’s not that big. You’re on your own, doll. Get up.”