Interplanetary Love Page 4

  “I’d like that. I could do with a drink. Your city is so pretty with all the trees and gardens.”

  Ekim helped her down from the rickshaw and unloaded her bag. He spoke briefly to the driver before offering his arm.

  “Let me carry my bag.”

  “It’s no problem,” Ekim said.

  This part of the city was quieter and most of the people roaming the precinct carried image makers, stopping to record images of their visit to Nidni.

  “Look at the weird statue,” a kid shouted to his parents.

  Of course, Carly had to take a peek. It depicted a man but he bore an elephant-like face. “Is that one of Nidni’s Gods?”

  “Yes. That’s Pranesh.” Ekim laughed. “We have many statues in a similar vein. I don’t notice them any longer.”

  “That is enough, Marius,” a woman said, hustling her son along with a hand in the middle of his back.

  Heat from the solar star poured down, and Ekim purchased floppy hats for both of them.

  “Where do you live?” Carly asked when they took seats at an outdoor cafe.

  “I have an apartment,” Ekim said. “It’s more a place to sleep since I don’t spend much time there.”

  “You work long hours too?”

  Ekim nodded and sipped his drink. Carly watched his face, mesmerized by his handsome features and the way his throat worked with each swallow. How had she got so lucky?

  “I guess it’s the nature of the job,” she said. “Long hours and little pay.”

  “Exactly.” Ekim flashed her a smile and changed the subject. “Have you traveled much? I understand this is your first visit to Nidni.”

  “I love space travel but haven’t had the opportunity to do much.”

  After their drink and a tour through the rest of the bazaar, they wandered around the Blue Fort before boarding the rickshaw again. It was now late afternoon, and they continued through the city, the houses becoming more luxurious. The rickshaw turned and passed through an elaborately carved gateway and traveled up a long, curving driveway. A gasp escaped when the rickshaw came to a halt.

  Ekim’s family lived in an honest to goodness palace that looked like the pictures she’d seen of the Taj Mahal. The shape of the building and the turrets matched, but the building was a beautiful honey gold and it gleamed in the afternoon light. Lush green plants and beds of yellow and orange flowers set off the dwelling, highlighting the elegant curves.

  “You live here? It’s beautiful.” Carly’s breath eased out as she stared. Then she laughed, glad none of her cop friends were present to witness her gaping mouth.

  “My parents live here,” Ekim said. “I stay at my apartment.”

  She observed him from beneath lowered lashes, still stunned at her good luck. There had to be something wrong with him. It was a pity men didn’t come with convenient signs on their foreheads, signs to point out their bad characteristics.

  Carly bit her bottom lip and attempted to ignore the blast of cynicism punching her in the chest. But facts were facts. Her track record with men was none too good.

  Ekim climbed out of the rickshaw before turning to assist her from the vehicle. Normally, Carly would have clambered down without aid. She was no pushover cupcake.

  “I can do it,” she murmured, good sense reasserting itself. But nerves had her miscalculating, and she tripped straight into Ekim’s outstretched arms.

  He gathered her against his muscled chest—close enough for her to feel the uneven beat of his heart. She glanced up into his amber eyes and fell into immediate stupidity. Without a thought to the consequences, she pushed up on tiptoes to close the distance between their mouths. His lips were close, and she craved a taste.

  A vibration against her hip made her eyes widen before realization set in. Ekim’s phone. It wasn’t a new sexual technique. Renewed heat surged to her cheeks.

  Grimacing at her pure neediness, Carly stepped away from Ekim. She frowned, unhappy with her thoughts and stared blindly at a bed of bright orange flowers. Hellfire, her emotions sailed closer to desperation than neediness.

  “Can you pay the rickshaw driver for me?” Ekim handed her a handful of glittering coins.

  She accepted them automatically and stared at them with incomprehension. “You’ll have to help me out. I have no idea what these are worth.”

  “Sorry.” His broad grin weakened her knees, leaving her swaying. “Give him all of the coins. It’s the right amount.”

  Not only did her knees turn to pasta noodles, but his smile stirred her stomach until tingles whipped through her veins. Awareness and anticipation became her first cousins. Extra blood took a side journey to her cheeks and her astonishment rippled through her mind. She handed the coins to the driver and studied Ekim’s face as he spoke into Nidni’s slimline version of a cell phone.

  While the driver unloaded her bag, her mind wandered. She’d never felt this way before—this mixture of desire and the knowledge this man could hurt her, cut her off at the knees. She never fell hard and fast like this, let her emotions rule her cop’s head.

  Never.

  Too full of a cop’s cynicism and pragmatic from seeing the worst humans could do to each other.

  Ekim finished his call. “My apologies. There’s a problem with my case,” he said in his husky voice. It made the hairs at the back of her neck stand at attention, her mind trip straight to the bedroom.

  “Do you need to go into work?”

  “All sorted,” he said with satisfaction. “I’m all yours.”

  Carly heard sex and her body rejoiced. Oh yeah, baby.

  “Come and meet my parents.” Ekim ushered her through a carved set of double doors and into cool luxury. The honey color continued, interspersed with bright primary colors while concealed lighting displayed knickknacks. Statues guarded recessed spots on the walls. A frieze of elephants marched across a room partition. She took in the highlights as Ekim guided her deeper into the maze of fantastical rooms.

  “Kumar, where is my mother?”

  “In the garden room, sir,” a droid said in a rich masculine voice.

  “Thank you.” Ekim retraced his steps and led her down a short tapestry-lined corridor to a bright room full of tropical plants. A blaze of color—green and red and blue and yellow and white had her halting. The scent was delicate and floral, and over in the corner, concealed by a leafy green-and-white bush, a golden parrot-like bird squawked.

  “Ah, Ekim.” A delicate woman—an older version of Rala—approached them with arms outstretched. “You’re here. I thought you’d decided to put me off, and I’d soon receive a call with your excuses. Are you going to introduce me to your companion?”

  “Mama, this is Carly. She’s from Earth and is visiting for a few rotations.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Madam Ramuk.”

  “A confession.” Ekim grasped both her hands and gazed deep into her eyes. “I promised Mama I’d take her on a pilgrimage to the Temple of Ynroh. My fault since I’ve mixed up my days. Would you like to come with us? It’s a beautiful part of our country.”

  A mama’s boy. Disappointment surged through Carly, killing every bit of tingling anticipation in her nether regions. Talk about a passion killer. His mother.

  “That sounds lovely.” Carly knew her response sounded weak and attempted to raise her game by smiling.

  Ekim lowered his head to whisper in her ear. “I know you’re disappointed,” he murmured. “Your visit is short, but I’d like to get to know you before we advance further in any relationship. I hope you understand?”

  Carly shivered at both his words and the moist air skimming the whorls of her ear. Excitement bloomed again along with a more natural smile. This attraction wasn’t one-sided. Getting to know Ekim sounded better than jumping his bones straightaway. The request—his sentiment—indicated his thoughts spanned more than one date. His actions indicated a possible future, and who was she to argue with that suggestion.

  Chapter Four

&nbs
p; A private hire shuttle delivered their party—consisting of her and Ekim, Rala, their mother and a companion for Rala—to the village of Ytnelpxes, the location of the Ynroh Temple. After disembarkation, Ekim guided them down a short passage to an opulent room that reminded Carly of the frequent flier, first-class lounges on Earth. At least they appeared similar to the rooms she’d glimpsed while dashing through spaceports. Cops didn’t travel in luxury.

  “Ynroh is a special holy place for our people. Very sacred,” Ekim murmured, taking her arm and ushering her to a small counter to the right.

  A young male wearing a pristine white turban with a matching white tunic and trousers stood behind the counter. A selection of filmy squares of material, sorted according to color, sat in front of him.

  “For the lady?” he asked. “What color would you desire?” His gaze drifted across her face and briefly across her shoulders. “Does memsaab wish to match her scarf to her attire?”

  Carly could have sworn distaste flickered across his face. She glanced down in case her buttons gaped or worse, her fly broadcast the type and color of panties she wore today. Nope. All intact.

  “We’ll take one to match her eyes,” Ekim said, pointing to one in soft blues. Currency exchanged hands. “I’ll help you don the scarf.”

  Ekim smoothed the loose tendrils of hair around her face and shook out the delicately embroidered blue fabric. He tucked one end under her hair, glanced over his shoulder at his mother and sister then pressed a quick kiss on her lips before he flicked the other corner of the scarf across her face. Carly would have argued about the covering but she’d noticed the other women had their faces screened as they left the shuttle. Obviously an etiquette thing.

  “Couldn’t resist a kiss,” Ekim said and squeezed her hand. He pulled a black hat with silver stitching from his pocket and placed it on his head then turned to his mother. “Are you ready to go to the inn, Mama? Should I summon a rickshaw?”

  “Not a rickshaw, Ekim. I wish to travel by bullock carriage.”

  Both Ekim and Rala groaned, and Carly caught Rala’s companion grimace before her expression faded to neutral.

  “As you wish, Mama.” Ekim turned to her with a rueful grin, the brim of his hat hiding most of his face from her gaze. “You are in for an experience, Nidni style. Let’s hope we can find an experienced driver. Would you like to come with me?”

  “Yes, please.” Sudden heat blasting her cheeks let her know the unfortunate trend in blushing was continuing unabated. At least the scarf was good for one thing.

  Sex. She couldn’t seem to force her mind off the act. She blinked at Ekim and averted her gaze. Sex, specifically with him. The thought of running her hands over his bare chest made her edgy, her nipples bead tight, and an insistent voice chanted at the back of her mind. Yes. Yes. Yes.

  Ekim led their group from the private room, and they stepped into a cavernous entrance hall full of colorful passengers. Some hovered by the departure gates while other anxiously studied the wall screen of incoming and outgoing flights to nearby planets.

  With light pressure at the small of her back, Ekim guided her through groups of excited pilgrims who had arrived to visit the temple of Ynroh. The scent of flowers filled each breath and the haze from burning incense made her eyes water.

  An elbow jabbed her ribs, knocking her off balance. Ekim drew her even closer, protecting her from the pushing and shoving of the animated crowd. Finally, they exited through huge glass doors. Outside, a stiff breeze blew, tugging at clothes, sending gauzy scarves fluttering madly.

  “Hold tight,” Ekim murmured in her ear. “It’s the afternoon winds. They blow every afternoon for two hours.”

  “Each afternoon? For two hours? You’re kidding.” Carly laughed, searched his face for signs of deceit.

  “No, you can set your timepiece by their arrival. You’ll see.” He glanced past her, scanned the different abodes of transport and let out a piercing whistle that impressed the heck out of her. Whistling was one skill she’d never mastered. She blamed it on the tiny gap between her front teeth.

  A whip cracked, audible over the increasing wail of the wind. A protesting groan followed then a loud squeak.

  Carly’s eyes widened when the largest bovine beest she’d ever seen pulled up in front of them drawing a beautiful glass coach that looked as if it belonged to Cinderella. Carly glanced down at her black combat boots. No Cinderella here, especially since her feet fit a large, ugly-sister-size of shoe.

  A loud roar drew her attention back to the beest. Huge. Black. Wicked horns. With its big hump, it looked like a Brahman bull on steroids. The beest gave another roar and promptly lifted its tail. A steady stream of waste dropped to the ground, splattering the coach. The stench was indescribable—a cross between rotten fish and something dead.

  While she slapped a hand over her nose, several small men scuttled from a nearby shelter, each bearing a shovel. They shoveled the steaming pile into a wooden cart and wheeled it away. Another group arrived bearing silver water dispensers. Before Carly’s startled eyes, they washed the glass coach until it once again sparkled. Finally a group of petite women, all dressed in flowing white gowns with matching scarves screening their faces, appeared bearing baskets of sweet-scented flower petals. They tossed them over the beast and the coach, the flowers somehow dispersing the horrid scent of beest waste.

  Carly blinked when the tiny women vanished as quickly as they’d appeared. Nidni’s version of a car wash. Amazing.

  Ekim had ignored the cleaning process to negotiate a price with the tubby driver. After a protracted discussion and much hand gesturing, gold coins exchanged hands. Ekim also transferred currency using his personal wristband.

  “All set.” He flashed a grin that upped her pulse rate and stole her ready reply. “Wait here while I collect Mama, Rala and Aisha.”

  Ekim strode back inside, and Carly seized the opportunity to check out his butt. Very touchable. She sighed, the idea of waiting to have sex now a bad idea since their time was short.

  He returned almost straightaway, pausing to hold the door open for several porters bearing luggage. They loaded the bags into a rear compartment, and Carly couldn’t believe this amount was necessary for the short time they would spend here at the resort. A high-pitched whirring averted her attention.

  “Load up as quickly as possible,” Ekim called to the porters. Despite the bulk of the bags and packages, the men scuttled about like busy ants.

  “Mama, why can’t we get a rickshaw instead of a bullock carriage?” Rala grumbled. “It’s so expensive and an antiquated method of transport. A droid rickshaw would take half the time.”

  “Stop complaining,” Ekim said, his tone terse. He opened the door, extended the stairs and helped Rala and his mother inside, then Rala’s companion.

  “What’s the problem?” Carly whispered.

  Strange humming sounds came from within the carriage.

  His smile turned grim. “The winds seem worse than usual. Let’s hope the driver is as skilled as he purports.”

  Carly clambered up the stairs to enter the coach, feeling a bit like a faux Cinderella in her clumpy boots. She slid across the plush, red fabric-covered seat to sit opposite Rala, her companion and Ekim’s mother. Huh, it was the three women humming. All had their eyes closed and were ommmming in a rhythmic chant.

  The luggage compartment groaned on closing, distracting her attention. Ekim climbed into the coach and sat beside her, flinging his hat on the spare seat beside him. A porter pushed the stairs back into place and slammed the door shut. Carly noticed everyone stood well back. The sharp crack of a whip reverberated around the coach. The beest accelerated without warning.

  Taken by surprise, Carly flew forward, bounced off Rala and hit her head on the wall of the coach nearest to her before Ekim grabbed her arm and hugged her tight to his chest. The scent of exotic spices surrounded her in a blanket of comfort, even as her forehead throbbed.

  “You okay?” Ekim’s warm
breath tickled her ear.

  “Took me by surprise, that’s all.” Carly struggled to straighten on the seat.

  Ekim’s arms tightened around her. “Stay here.”

  “But what about—” She shot a glance across to the other women and frowned at their slack faces and vacant stares.

  “Don’t worry.” Ekim glanced at his mother and sister then focused on her, his brown eyes full of devilment. “Mama, Rala and Aisha have all gone into a trance. They won’t wake until we reach our destination in a half an hour.”

  Carly studied their serene expressions. She waved a hand in front of their faces and not one of them reacted with so much as a blink. They sat with a restraint belt around their laps, swaying with the movement of the carriage.

  “Why are they in a trance?”

  “The ride might become rough. It depends on the skill of the driver, the mood of the beest and the velocity of the afternoon winds.”

  “But if it’s dangerous, why does your mother want to travel this way?”

  “It’s a status thing. She will return home and brag to her friends.”

  “Oh.”

  The bovine beest boomed out a cranky roar and swished its long tail. It kicked up its heels, making the driver curse. The whip cracked and the beest roared again.

  “How are you with heights?” Ekim asked.

  “Okay.” Carly peered in the direction he indicated and drew in a startled breath. “We’re crossing that?”

  If anything the winds had picked up strength, and the coach rocked in a dangerous manner.

  “Yes, we’re crossing that.”

  Carly eyed the swinging bridge with doubt. Perhaps falling into a trance wasn’t such a bad idea.

  “Don’t worry. Coaches have crossed this bridge safely for many years. The driver is skilled.” Ekim ran his finger across her lips, the scarf fabric soft and teasing against her mouth. “I have wanted to kiss you all day.”

  “Okay.” Carly’s voice emerged in an undignified squeak. Very uncool. Her workmates would laugh themselves silly if they witnessed her acting like a girl. She attempted to resurrect her cop mien, the one she wore when she interrogated a suspect.