Page 23 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
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.”
