Page 6

Olivia

MY EMOTIONS WERE ALL over the place, like a freaking rollercoaster since I left the marketplace. I kept switching between crying and snapping at people. Granted, I was crying a lot more than usual over the past few weeks.

Grace and Rekna attributed it to pregnancy, but I disagreed it was the sole reason.

Whenever I saw Orin, I kept hoping he would finally show some interest in me, but he never did. I wasn't sure why I continued to set myself up for disappointment.

The incident at the marketplace replayed in my mind as I made my way home.

It was obvious Orin didn't like Clor, but I had no idea why, since I knew they didn't know one another. I hadn't bothered to tell Clor about Orin, but maybe I should have.

Orin punching the guy who shoved me was a surprise. I couldn’t believe how he reacted. On the ship, I saw Orin get irritated, especially with Avery.

While he didn’t smile often and seemed grumpy most of the time, he had never lost his temper in front of me. His behavior now was different from when we were on the ship. I wasn’t sure if it was my fault or if there were other causes.

After some Krilex aliens took us from the Chetok, I woke up on the ship to find him standing by my bed in the medical bay.

It had been so awkward when he tripped over his words and apologized for not protecting me. I didn't even think it was his fault we got taken.

How could it be? How in the world could he be expected to protect us from a weapon that knocked everyone, including himself, out?

Orin hadn’t given me a chance to speak my mind, though. He left without a word from me.

That day kept replaying in my mind for months. It made me wonder if he did feel something for me at one point, but changed his mind.

I’d hoped once everything settled down that he would come to me...and ask me how I was doing here on this new planet...anything that might make me feel he cared about me.

But he didn’t.

I let out an enormous sigh and shook my head in frustration. “It’s time for me to accept that he isn't interested in me.” Recognizing that all the emotions I believed I sensed from him on the ship were products of my imagination, I chastised myself.

Looking down at my stomach I spoke aloud to my unborn baby. “He’s a warrior, whose first instinct is to protect females from harm. Whatever he did was never about me.”

A loving partner would be a wonderful addition to my life. But I refuse to settle for anything less than what I deserve.

The baby shifted, and I felt a little fist pressing against my side. I smiled, but my heart felt the weight of my responsibility toward this fragile being. I wanted to make sure he had an enjoyable life with lots of love that I didn’t receive growing up, because my parents were abusive jerks.

When I left for college, I never looked back. Choosing my own path was the best decision ever. When I stopped talking to my parents, they never tried to connect with me again.

My child will grow up in a nurturing environment. And I will give him the best life possible. I got comfy with some cushions behind my back, and tried to stay awake as exhaustion washed over me. A nap might be just what I need to feel better.

Orin was the star of a steamy fantasy when I drifted off to sleep. It was a lot like most of the dreams I had been having for months involving him.

In this state I was no longer expecting a baby. Our naked bodies were pressed together as we engaged in a heated make-out session, his grip on me firm and possessive.

His enormous member pressed against me, heightening my arousal to new levels. My subconscious filled in all the gaps of what he might look like under his uniform.

I ran my hands along his hard chest inhaling his spicy scent into my nostrils.

Orin’s kisses started out soft and became more intense as his hands caressed every inch of my body. He caressed my breasts, exerting a slight pressure as he played with my nipples.

Moaning, I ached for more of his touch. My desperation grew as I pleaded for him to make love to me.

His seductive grin sent shivers down my spine as his eyes glimmered with warmth. Then he parted my thighs and knelt down between them. His face reflected utter devotion as he leaned in and swiped his tongue along my crease.

In an instant, I was wide awake and let out a disappointed groan in response.

Overwhelmed by a tingling sensation, I had to pause and catch my breath, feeling as if a thousand tiny electric shocks surged through my body. I exhaled with a mix of frustration and discomfort as I became aware of the wetness between my thighs.

As I fidgeted in my seat, I found myself unable to stop replaying the intimate encounter in my mind. I was left with a heightened sense of arousal and a flushed feeling. Deciding to treat myself to a quick shower and some much-needed self-care, I got up and began to strip off my clothes.

THE FANTASY-FILLED shower did little to quell my craving, leaving me wanting more. My sexy warrior continued to dominate my thoughts.

Grunting, I reminded myself he wasn’t my sexy warrior at all. Despite grabbing a snack that failed to provide the dopamine boost I wanted, I found solace in sipping Tulian tea, its warm and comforting aroma filling the air.

Before long, sharp cramps began to gnaw at my belly. The longer the pains persisted, the more my discomfort intensified, making me increasingly uneasy.

To be on the safe side, I chose to have Rekna come to my suite rather than walking hunched over in pain to the infirmary. When he arrived, he was holding a scanner and had a furrowed brow. “Where does it hurt?”

“My lower abdomen. It’s sharp. Could they be contractions? The baby was kicking a lot over the last few days, but this isn’t the same thing.”

Rekna helped me to the sofa and had me lie on my back. “For how long have you been experiencing discomfort?” He leaned over me with his scanner in hand.

“About an hour, on and off.”

The idea that the excitement of my shower might be related to my cramps made me cringe, but I didn’t mention it to Rekna.

The kind medic gave me a quick once-over and scanned my belly. When he stood with pursed lips, I knew he was about to speak. “You are not in the process of giving birth. The discomfort is caused by the mild contracting of your uterus.”

Discomfort? I’d say it was a little more than that. “Are you sure?”

“Quite sure. Queen Grace mentioned this sometimes happens with human females this late in their pregnancy. I will give you something to help with the pain...don’t worry it is safe for the youngling.”

I bobbed my head. “So... false labor?” Though Grace had told me it could happen, I hadn’t expected it.

“Yes.” His lips curved into a smile. “Scans show a lively youngling, but not yet ready to emerge.”

I felt a mix of disappointment and relief because I wasn't prepared to meet him yet.

“Okay, good.” I gave him a sheepish grin. “I'm sorry for bothering you.”

He nodded while wearing a smile. “You did not cause me any inconvenience. I am here to serve as your medic. When you have a health concern of any kind, contact me. Day or night.”

A happy chuckle escaped from me at the sincerity in his words. “Thank you for being so understanding, Rekna. I’m happy you are my medic. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to take care of me and my baby.”

The cheeks of the older Alaran male darkened a deeper shade of blue-green and he exited my apartment.