Page 10 of Taming the Alien Outlaw (Brides of the Bohnari #2)

Janik

This is the first I have spoken of my relationship to Alik with anyone but my mother.

I had wanted to tell the other rebels. To give them another reason to support my leadership beyond our mutual hatred of the corrupt king and his son, but she forbade it.

She didn’t want anyone to know her shame.

I tried to tell her it was King Danik who should be ashamed, but she took to her bed claiming illness until I gave up on the idea.

It has only made my efforts at keeping their support that much harder. And now to discover there could be someone in my midst attempting to sabotage all the work I’ve done.

A soft hand encompasses mine and soothes the embers that threaten to flare to life again.

I glance down at where Olivia and I are connected.

Her skin is several shades lighter than the dark copper mine has turned since the mating fever struck.

Although she is far softer than I am. I lift my gaze to meet hers.

“Does he know?” she asks. “Alik, I mean? That you’re brothers?”

“He’s no brother of mine. He is an interloper of a position that belongs to me.”

Olivia winces at my sharp tone and I apologize. “Forgive me for being harsh.”

“It’s okay, I get it.”

“Still, I should not take my frustration out on you. You don’t deserve it, nor should you accept it.”

“Do you want me to yell at you? Because I’d be more than happy to do so.”

She makes me laugh. “Yes, I’m sure you would.”

At least the tension has been broken. I also realize we never made it to get food. Olivia must be starving. “Come, let’s try again with getting you something to eat.”

Olivia hesitates and clutches my hand tighter. “Would you mind having food brought here again? I don’t really want to go back out there.”

I incline my head. “Of course. But unless you’d like me to feed you in this bed, we should probably go out into the living space.”

Her cheeks darken in color, and the mating fever that has only just now receded to a manageable level threatens to surge hotter again.

Olivia jumps to her feet, releasing my hand as she does. She clears her throat. “I’m going to grab some—something to—water.”

Leaving me to stare after her, she rushes out of the bedroom. I rub my hand over the back of the one she’d held, but the echo of her touch is already disappearing. Almost like I merely imagined it.

Except I didn’t. The sensation of Olivia’s skin against mine is branded on my body.

I suspect it will be for all of eternity, no matter that she’ll be mated to some other Bohnari or if she somehow finds herself back on her own planet.

A stabbing pain shoots through my chest that I’m not entirely sure is due to the mating fever alone.

Since it’s pointless to worry over things I can’t control, I quickly send a comm to Ryvik asking him to bring us food.

Once finished, I join Olivia out in the living area.

She’s seated on the sofa in the same spot as last night and I take a moment to observe her.

The tilt of her head. The long line of her neck.

The quiet way she appears to be deep in thought.

I’d give anything for a peek inside her mind.

Is she also recalling the drowning sensation when we gazed into each other’s eyes?

As though a storm was upon her and she merely needed to ride it out to claim victory?

Olivia must sense my presence, because she glances my direction. Color rises in her cheeks and the small dark circles in the center of her eyes dilate, but she doesn’t look away. A shift occurs inside me. Something visceral and life-changing. I only wish I knew what it was.

“Our food should be here shortly.” I step farther into the room, an uncertainty I’ve never experienced before filling me.

“Good, because I’m starving. Whatever that hangover cure is, it’s a miracle worker. You could sell that stuff on the black market back on Earth and make a fortune.”

“Black market?”

“It’s an illegal method of purchasing items that are rare or scarce outside of government regulations.

” Olivia cocks her head, and there is a devious gleam in her gaze.

“What’s one more criminal activity to add to your name?

I think black market marketer has a way better ring to it than rebel kidnapper, don’t you? ”

I pause as though I’m actually thinking about it. “Perhaps I can start this black market thing here on Bohna.”

“Like I said, you might make a fortune.”

Maybe then I could afford the prince’s fee for kanet powder. Although, Alik allegedly gives it away to everyone on the planet. Since it will be awkward if I remain standing where I am, I go into the kitchen area to get myself something to drink as well.

“I’m surprised your mom hasn’t busted down the door yet to check on you.”

As am I. Not only to check on me, but also Olivia. If anyone knows the potential consequences of a female being alone with a male struck by the mating fever, it’s her. Does she not care that I could have harmed her, however unintentionally?

“She knows I wouldn’t hurt you.” At least I hope she knows that. I finally join Olivia in the living area and, like her, take the same spot where I sat last night.

She snorts. “I’m pretty sure it’s not me she was concerned about. She acted like it was my fault you had an attack. More than that, I swear there had been fear in her eyes.”

I have seen my mother experience many emotions, but fear has never been one of them. Some have called her ruthless. She may not always be warm or kind, but it could be the memory of how I came about that causes it. I try not to hold it against her.

“I am sure she knows all is well.”

“Yeah, that’s probably it.” The tone of Olivia’s voice says she doesn’t believe me.

There’s a knock on the door. This time I’m the one who answers it. Ryvik is back with another tray of food.

“Mohneek wishes to know if you’ll be attending the meeting later? Or if you’re going to be otherwise occupied?” He doesn’t attempt to glance over my shoulder to search for Olivia, but I can tell he wants to.

“Of course I’ll be there. We have several things to discuss.”

Ryvik inclines his head. “I’ll let her know.”

I take the tray from him without a word, closing the door behind me.

Olivia leans forward. “What, did I scare him away or something?”

“Ryvik had other duties to attend.”

She rises and meets me in the kitchen area. “Like what?” She doesn’t wait, but rather takes the lid off one of the platters and plucks a berry from it to pop into her mouth.

For several beats, I merely watch her mouth move as she chews and the way the juice from the fruit glistens on her lips. Olivia snaps her fingers directly in my face.

“Eyes up here and focus.”

I narrow my gaze. “Has anyone ever told you you’re bossy?”

She exhales a loud puff of air. “All the time.”

“It’s a bit rude.”

“That’s funny coming from the guy who kidnapped me.” She laughs and takes a tray back with her to the sofa.

I suppose I should be glad she’s feeling so comfortable to speak to me in such a way. I gather the second tray and join her since this is apparently how we’re eating now.

Olivia tucks one leg beneath her and rests the tray on her lap. “You were just about to tell me what Ryvik is busy doing.”

“I was?”

She pops another piece of fruit in her mouth and nods as she chews.

I suppose there’s no harm in telling her a few inconsequential things. Nothing that will matter if it gets back to Alik or the commander. “Ryvik is in charge of organizing raids.”

Olivia swallows. “So you have a raid planned soon?”

“Not at the moment.”

“What’s your meeting about later?”

“Oh, you know, rebellion details.” I grin because it’s funny she thinks I will share anything damning.

“You told your mom you took me because you saw an opportunity. What kind? I mean, I know Alik and Horek will come for me, but that’s only because of Quinn. Other than that, I’m not special.”

It was merely an excuse I gave to temporarily appease her. The fact is, the madness that controlled me when I saw Olivia made me to it. A primal instinct that overrode any sense of rationale.

“You are a prospective bride and savior of our species. You are more special than you realize.”

Her lips turn down. “So basically, I’m only important because I have a womb.”

“Of course not. You are important because you represent the very thing the Bohnari have long since given up on…hope. You are the answer to every prayer we have spoken to the gods. You are our future and it could not be more promising.”

“Oh.”

“It only helps that you have a womb.”

Olivia’s mouth falls open and, with a laugh, she throws a piece of food at me. “You are such an asshole.”

I catch it mid-air and toss it in my mouth with a laugh. We finish our meal in a comfortable silence that is only interrupted by Olivia’s occasional question of what she is eating and her commenting on her preferences.

“You know, I never had real food until we stepped foot on the ship you all sent to pick us up on Earth.”

“Yes, you mentioned something to that effect before.” It is still not a fact I can comprehend. What kind of place does Olivia come from?

“I swore when I got here, I was going to experience everything your planet had to offer in regards to food. So far, you don’t disappoint.”

“What has been your favorite thing?” I wish to soak up all there is to know about her.

“Hmm, good question.” She sits still as if contemplating her answer. “I’d have to say it was the tannek at Erik’s place in the market center.”

Perhaps when I am the prince, I will take Olivia back to this place and she can share this meal with me.