Naked Read Online Free Page B

return home as quickly as possible.
    There was a set of loose trousers that matched the shirt, and she couldn’t figure out if they were exercise wear, a religious garb or pyjamas.
    Sighing, she closed the wardrobe and did her least favourite thing. Exercise. If she was going to be stuck in this small space, she was going to exercise.
    Cierra was into her thirteenth push-up when Ahket returned. He cleared his throat, and she got to her feet, dusting her hands off. He was carrying a tray, a wide pouch and two one-gallon bottles of water.
    She took the tray and set it on the bed. “Thank you. Let me just go and wash my hands.”
    A quick trip to the lav and her hands were clean and the scent of the food drew her to it.
    “I brought you ration packs, because I won’t be able to bring you food while I am on duty.”
    Cierra nodded and reached for a chunk of bread, nibbling quickly while consuming every crumb.
    The com unit chimed and he turned. “Remain quiet, please.”
    She sat on the bed and worked her way through the food, drinking from a bottle of water.
    Ahket answered the com and then turned to her. “You tried to use this?”
    She shrugged, swallowed and said, “I did use it. I just don’t know the codes to get through to the surface.”
    He sighed and turned back to the screen. “What do you mean they want her back? The Xerat don’t pay ransom for those who are not citizens.”
    The low voice on the other end of the call said, “She is not a citizen, but they are eager to have her back for twice the standard fee. She is a Terran, and they want her to find a mate amongst their people.”
    “No. She has to stay with me.”
    “You are sure of this? The tribunal will not be happy.”
    “I do not care. She is coming to Sebach. There is an urgency about it now.”
    The man on the other side of the conversation sighed. “You cannot keep her in your quarters once we are in motion. I will arrange something for her.”
    “Thank you, General.”
    “You are going to have to answer for this, Ahket.”
    “I am aware of it.”
    The general disconnected the communication, and Ahket ran a hand over his head.
    Cierra swallowed. “He said you said I was the right colour?”
    Ahket turned to her in surprise. “Yes. It is a side effect of my heritage. I am the twelfth generation born on Sebach, but my family line still retains some of the talents that our ancestors fled Admar with.”
    “I have heard of Admar.”
    He chuckled. “Of course. If you are Terran, you must have heard horror stories about what my ancestors did to yours.”
    She tilted her head. “No. We only learn of it when we leave. We are given an education on the races that have coveted us or made war on our soil, so that we can understand where our myths and legends come from.”
    “Oh. Well, we have heard of your kind from the time we enter school. I expected you to be smaller, paler and weaker.”
    She snorted. “That was then, this is now. Our average population increased in height by twenty-five percent in the last century alone. It is amazing what decent nutrition for growing children will do.”
    Cierra looked down and the tray was empty. She picked it up and carried it over to the small desk he was sitting at.
    She slid the tray onto the flat surface and smiled brightly. “Now, why aren’t you letting the Xerat have me back?”
    He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into his lap. He glowed a bright violet to her senses, and she didn’t know what that colour referred to.
    “Because my senses are telling me that I need you and that insistence is growing with every passing moment.” He kissed her.
    She shivered and held tight to him as she closed her eyes. Bright, vivid lights flashed beneath her closed lids, and she waited until he leaned back before she analyzed what she was thinking.
    Her body had taken up a weird hum, her nipples pressed against the front of the shirt and his purple aura was flaring and pulsing with intensity.
    She