Page 65 of Champion
Have mercy, he was pretty. And mine… all mine.
I faked a yawn, raising my arms over my head so the blanket fell, exposing my breasts. I loved the way his golden eyes darkened as they swept over my skin.
“I could stand to spend a little more time on my back,” I grinned saucily.
“That can be arranged,” Charick growled, climbing onto the bed.
I squealed playfully as he grabbed my legs, pulling my thighs to rest over his shoulders.
“Goddess, you smell so fucking delicious. I’m starving for you,” he moaned, letting his tongue run up one side of my inner thigh, then the other, teasing me.
“We’re going to dinner in a bit. You may not want to spoil your appetite,” I suggested, squirming against him, loving the way his hands felt on my skin.
Golden eyes narrowed at me under a cocked brow. “Given the choice of eating the Duke’s finest fare or you… I choose you.”
“Good answer,” I sighed, giving myself over to the pleasure.
I tried, at least. But someone knocked at the door.
Charick growled, casting a murderous glare over his shoulder, which made me giggle.
“I’ll get it this time. I worry you might hurt whoever’s knocking.” I wriggled out from under him, pausing to smack his gorgeous bum before swiping his discarded towel from the floor, wrapping it tightly around my body.
“You are a wise female,” Charick grunted, flopping on the bed and arranging the blankets to cover his pretty naked ass as I plodded toward the door.
“Willa!” Emmy stood on the other side, grinning broadly.
“Hey.” I held on to my towel with a death grip as Emmy slung her arms around me. She pulled away, glancing at my attire—or lack of it—then over to where Charick lounged on the bed.
“I didn’t interrupt anything, did I? She asked, winking bawdily.
“No,” I rushed my answer, casting a scolding glance at Charick when he growled softly.
“I won’t stay long,” Emmy promised with another wink and a laugh. “I just wanted to make sure you had something to wear for dinner tonight. It’s a small party, but with the Alliance Prime in attendance, it’s a rather formal event.”
My gaze went to the stained leather kilt and tunic on the floor, and onto the towel I clutched around myself.
“I thought so,” Emmy clucked, looping her arm through mine and leading me toward the bathing room. She paused in front of a gray ATM-looking machine mounted just outside the archway. “Let me introduce you to a girl’s best friend… the fabric replicator!”
Emmy showed me the basics, and afterward, I spent hours playing with the replicator, sketching out versions of my favorite movie dresses, and then trying on the outcomes. Charick was completely indulgent of my play and even let me design an outfit for him to wear to dinner, reminiscent of a naval dress uniform. For me, it was a toss-up between the little black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the red off-the-shoulder dress worn by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Since trying on the red dress had the effect of having Charick toss me on the bed and eat me like a starving man—I decided on the black dress. Charick giving in to temptation, laying me across the buffet table, and chowing down probably wouldn’t go over well with the other guests.
The grand dining hall resembled a Renaissance painting brought to life, with its ornate chandeliers hanging from the high, vaulted ceilings. Shimmering silverware, porcelain, and dozens of candles adorned the long banquet table.
The only people in attendance besides me and Charick were Emmy and Khaion, Pearl, and her mate Jutuk, Duke Ako, the Alliance Prime, and her attaché, a short, rather rotund pale green creature with large almond-shaped dark eyes and pale purple lips. Someone introduced him as Sahikas, and Charick covertly whispered to me that he was a member of the Forlak species, beings known for their analytical minds.
Everyone milled about at the far end of the long dining table, talking on innocuous subjects, and sipping colorful fizzy drinks. Emmy insisted I try something called Valat, a wine from Charick’s home planet. Its sweet, fruity taste tickled my tongue,warming as it slid down my throat. My mate never moved far from my side, always touching me with a hand on my back or an arm around my waist—just like Emmy and Pearl’s mates treated them.
The ting of a short, manicured claw against a glass brought everyone’s attention to Duke Ako. He looked regal, wearing a pale lavender tunic and slacks, along with a robe in a darker shade of purple. He smiled, the perfect rendition of a gracious host, but there was sadness in his eyes that never waned.
“I want to welcome everyone to dinner this evening. I’m so honored to have you join me. I suspect we are in for a treat tonight. Pearl has been gracious enough to teach my chef some wonderful recipes for us to enjoy.”
I cast a glance at my friend, noticing a hint of color spring to her cheeks and the way she clung to Jutuk’s arm. I’d never seen her look this happy.
“If you will be seated, please?” Duke Ako gestured to the dining table, which appeared carved out of something akin to clear quartz. The table could have seated fifty easily. The nine of us settled on one end—the end nearest the bar.
“I’m very interested in sampling the recipe,” the Alliance Prime commented, taking her seat across from me. Her long dark hair was a myriad of braids piled atop her head, and she wore velvety robes in differing shades of blue that made her golden eyes pop. She glanced first at Charick, then at me, her lips turning upward. “I assume you have sampled your friend’s cooking before.”
“Many times,” I answered, returning her smile. “Pearl is a renowned chef back on Earth. You are in for a treat.”
