Page 27 of Across the Crimson Sands

ARILEE

Iwas almost glad to see him.

What the hell did that say about me? About whatever our weird, twisted relationship had become?

As he stood watching me from across the street, my mouth went numb. I was dazed, stock still, waiting to see if he was real, or just a mirage my brain had conjured up out of panic.

“Rokan,” my voice said, and while he wouldn’t have heard me, the look on his face said what my heart was feeling. He missed me too.

Sure, I’d gotten away, and I’d done everything I could think to do to make this escape permanent, but it wasn’t enough. Clearly, there was nowhere I could run to get away from him. Yet, as I watched him cross the street to join me, a rush of excitement coursed through my veins. Despite my best efforts, our little game wasn’t finished.

Rokan stood in front of me, swinging one hand on his hip, exposing the plasma pistol he kept there. The threat was apparent, and yet the half-cocked grin on his face made it clear he was only doing it for show.

“Shit,” was all I could think to say.

“Well, look what we have here,” he said, standing calm yet firm in front of me. “How was the vacation?”

“Short.” I shrugged, hoping he was as glad to see me as I was him. I had started to enjoy his company, even if he was escorting me back to hell. This hide-and-seek relationship had me fluttering between wanting to run and wanting to stick to him like glue.

We stood there, desperately quiet as the din of the city streets hummed between us. The longer it took him to act, the more I started to fret. Out of a sense of obligation, I put my arms forward, ready to receive the handcuffs. I guess I deserved them.

“You know, in times like these, a good bounty hunter takes a hands-on approach.”

I didn’t understand him, not until he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. The next thing I heard was a loud smack as his hand smacked my backside.

“Ow! Put me down!” I screamed. He answered me with another one.

“I’m starting to think you enjoy this,” he mused, hauling me across the street. I kicked and screamed and the more I fought, the harder he spanked me.

And once again, with every stroke I felt a little hotter, until I could only squirm, trying to make it not so obvious that I was getting wet.

“Help! I’m being kidnapped!” I tried to get the people around me to react. Either I was a bad actress or the Vinduthi carting me was too intimidating for anyone to stand up to. Eyes avoided me as he hustled me through the crowd.

“You enjoy this, you sadist!” I hit his back, his shoulder digging into my middle. But no matter how hard I fought, he never let me go.

He snorted

“I spent a fortune getting here, your little tricks are starting to cost more than I’m getting paid for this job.”

“It serves you right!” I argued. “Maybe you should quit!” He simply tightened his grip, his fingers digging into my thighs with his force. I was snug in his grasp, and I wasn’t going anywhere.

After a few minutes, I propped my face up with my hand, my elbow digging into his shoulder as he walked the pair of us back to the spaceport.

Rokan’s silence enveloped us. His breath steadied with each stride. Perched atop his shoulders, a wicked thought slithered into my mind. I should’ve bedded him once more before slipping him the poison. A blunder on my part. It would’ve bought me time and provided some amusement.

His percomm buzzed from his pocket. He remained still, ignoring it. Bored and with nothing better to occupy myself, I fished it out and handed it to him.

“Much obliged,” he muttered, his tone icy as he answered, keeping it on audio only.

A guttural voice filled the air. My insides twisted as Gorin’s unmistakable snarl crackled through the device.

“What in blazes is the holdup?” the Krelaxian barked.

Rokan’s neck tensed as he replied. “I’m on her trail. You’ll have her once I’ve secured her. I’m not wasting time, so let me do my job.”

My owner scoffed. “I’m paying you to deliver. So deliver.”

Rokan growled. “I’ve got her now. We’re on the next flight to Quixa.”

---