Page 5 of Taming the Alien Outlaw (Brides of the Bohnari #2)

Olivia

Whoever this woman is, she’s not happy to see me. Of course, the same could be said of me about her.

“Mother.” There’s a clear warning in Janik’s tone, but it’s clearer she has no intention of listening.

Wait. This is his mother?

“What were you thinking bringing one of the humans here?” She paces the length of the floor.

Something about her sets me on edge. She reminds me of my own mother in a way I can’t explain, especially considering I’ve only spent two minutes in her presence.

“I saw an opportunity and I took it,” Janik replies. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s late and I’m sure my guest would like to get settled for the night.”

There he goes with that guest bullshit again, but I’ll argue with him about it later.

After his mother is gone. She glares at me a moment longer, and I give her one of my fake half-smiles.

A far too familiar flash of disdain crosses her face—one I’ve seen enough times from my own mother not to recognize it—but she dips her head in acknowledgement.

“I shall see you in the morning, then.” With that, she spins and walks out the door, her back ramrod straight.

“She’s a delight.”

“She is concerned.”

Right. “Yes, she’s concerned that I’ll distract you from your rebellion against Alik.”

Janik sighs. “Come, I’ll show you to the hygiene room.”

I let him lead me through the living area into a separate room where I pause.

“This is your bedroom.”

“Which is where the hygiene room is.”

I don’t know why I’m feeling weird about this. It’s not like my bathroom isn’t also in my bedroom back in Preska. Maybe because the room smells exactly like Janik. It’s overwhelming…in too good of a way.

“I will leave you to get cleaned up,” he says. “I’ll also find you something else to wear.”

“What’s wrong with what I have on?” Quinn helped me pick out this dress.

Janik scans up and down the length of me. Everywhere his gaze touches along my body tingles. One side of his mouth curls like he knows exactly how it affects me. I’m annoyed that my core throbs in response.

Bad pussy .

“You look stunning, but I am sure you’d like to be a bit more comfortable. Am I right?”

As annoyed as I am to have to admit it, Janik isn’t wrong. At least the part about wanting to be more comfortable. I’m choosing to ignore his compliment, strictly for the fact he’s only saying it to get under my skin.

“Fine.” I stride across the floor, into the hygiene room, and curb my desire to slam the door behind me.

Instead, I close it gently. Of course, there’s no lock on the damn thing.

Then again, I don’t want Janik thinking I’m scared or nervous of him or the fact he could walk in at any time.

It’ll take a lot more than some cocky jackass to intimidate me.

Intimidate? No. Be acutely aware of? Ugh.

Taking care not to snag or tear it, I unwrap the fabric from around my waist and slip the dress over my head. I fold it neatly and set it on the long vanity.

The mechanics of the cleansing stall are similar to mine, so I easily get the water turned on and set to the perfect temperature.

A quick glance around confirms the fact my hair is going to be abused by the lack of proper products, but I’ll make do.

I won’t ask Janik to provide me anything special.

The only thing I want from him is to take me back to Preska and my friends.

Not that I think he’ll invade my privacy, but I still make quick work of washing up.

No need to tempt him to come and see what’s taking me so long.

I forego washing my hair by wrapping it in a towel.

After I’ve cleaned my face and the rest of me, I grab another drying cloth and wrap it around me. Twice.

I expect to find Janik waiting in the bedroom, but it’s empty.

Lying on the bed is the clean clothing he left.

There’s a black, sleeveless shirt like the one he’d been wearing and a pair of linen pants I can already tell are going to need the waistband rolled.

Even with my curves, they’ll be too big.

I’m not keen on not wearing any underwear, but I’m less keen on putting a dirty pair back on. Commando it is.

Just as I’ve slipped the too-big shirt over my head, there’s a knock on the door. Before I can even give them permission to enter, it opens and Janik walks in.

“Excuse me, but maybe you should wait to be told you can come in.”

“It’s my room.”

“So. Do you walk into the room unannounced with every guest you host? Guests who might be naked?”

“I wouldn’t know, since you’re my first. And if I’d have known you were naked, I would have come a few moments earlier.” He gives me that cocky-ass grin again.

“You’re just asking for someone to punch that smug expression off your face, aren’t you?”

“Many have tried and failed.” His nonchalance is infuriating.

“Let’s hope there’s a first time, then.” I send him my own mocking smile, but Janik is either completely oblivious to my sarcasm or he’s baiting me, because he doesn’t react. At least not the way I want or expect him to.

“Are you hungry?” he asks instead. “I know the mating celebration feast was about to begin when you left the palace, which means you missed it.”

I cock my head. “How do you know that?”

“I know many things.”

“That’s right, you have spies doing your dirty work for you. God forbid should you actually man up and do things yourself instead of sending lackeys to do it for you.”

“You should have a care with your words,” Janik says softly.

After Craig, I told myself I’d never let another man get the better of me or push me around. No matter the consequences, I don’t ever back down. I don’t plan on starting now, either.

“Why? Are you going to hurt me if I don’t? Beat me? Throw me in whatever it is you call a prison? Stop treating me like an honored guest?”

Janik rears back, horror evident on his face. “Of course not. I would never harm you in any way. Never. I would sooner let the mating fever take me.”

To my utter shock, I actually believe him. Doesn’t mean I’ll apologize for anything I said.

Janik runs his hands down his cheeks. “Let us begin again. Are you hungry?”

My grumbling stomach answers for me. “I suppose I could eat.”

He dips his head. “I’ll have food brought over.”

“Thanks.” It’s a begrudging appreciation, but I’m too tired to keep being snarky.

Janik types something into a comm on his wrist that reminds me of the ones Horek and his guards wear. When he’s finished, he glances over at me. “While we wait, can I get you something to drink?”

“Since you’re offering, I’ll take something alcoholic. Make it strong, too. I’m in the mood to drown my sorrows. Or at least get drunk enough to forget what a shit day this is.”

He chuckles and heads for the kitchen area. “Are all humans this dramatic?”

I snort. “You haven’t seen dramatic. This? This is calm in comparison to how I could act. Be grateful.”

Janik nods. “I’ll take your word for it.”

I glance around the place to see if I can get some sort of idea what kind of person he is. Except there’s nothing. No mementos of any kind. The place is functional, but that’s the extent of it. Considering Janik thinks he’ll be moving into the palace when he takes over, I shouldn’t be surprised.

He glances over his shoulder. “Have a seat, if you’d like. I’ll bring you your drink.”

Bohna has spoiled me. Before coming here, I wouldn’t have been waited on by anyone.

Those of us from the bottom tier did everything for not only ourselves, but also for those in the upper tier.

The fact it’s Janik doing the waiting on makes it easier to get comfortable on the couch and not protest. I’ll let him serve me.

“How have you enjoyed your stay on Bohna, so far?” he asks like this is some kind of date.

“Up until some dick kidnapped me, I’ve enjoyed it just fine.”

Janik glares at me. “Is it much different from your Earth?”

“We have kidnappers there, too. So, in that case, not really.”

He slams the glass down. Janik must have forgotten my promise to make his life miserable. Unless he plans on forcing me to keep my mouth shut, he’d better get used to it.

“Did you think I was just going to make nice with you because you’re feeding me and bringing me something to drink?” Guess I wasn’t too tired for snark after all.

“I am trying to be hospitable, Olivia.” His exasperation is evident.

“Is that what this is?”

Janik walks into the living area carrying the glass in his hand. “Yes.”

I take it from him and sniff the contents. “Did you drug it so I’d shut up?”

His expression shifts and a small grin appears. “I have much more effective ways of keeping you quiet. If I recall, my mouth on yours did an excellent job earlier tonight.”

My cheeks grow warm, but I smirk back.

“And if I recall, I made you bleed for it. I’ll do it again, too.”

“Some things are worth the risk.”