Page 13 of Kidnapped By the Beast
Part of her wanted to sass the big Kindred some more and tell him what she thought of him, just to see what he would do. But the practical part of her told the other part to shut up and behave. She was already in enough of a mess as it was, being kidnapped and dragged to a strange planet. For now, at least, she had better behave herself.
Otherwise she might find out exactly what Dr. Brandt meant when he talked about “punishment.”
5
BRANDT
The curvy little human has finally settled down, much to Brandt’s satisfaction and relief. He didn’t really want to hurt her, but he had to take the upper hand in this situation. There were methods employed in nectar production and collection here on Bio-Terius Centra that she would probably object to if she was allowed to.
Brandt didn’t intend to allow any of it. Alexandra was going to behave and cooperate with him so that he could fulfill his mission and his promise to his dead mate. And he didn’t care if she liked it or not.
All right—maybe he cared a little. Deep down he knew he shouldn’t be doing this—shouldn’t be forcing her to help him. He was acting against every Kindred’s most deeply held beliefs that females were equals and that they must be treated with respect and care at all times.
But he was so close to a breakthrough, and she was literally the only one who could help him. She was the only female in the thousands he’d interviewed that had the necessary body chemistry to make the golden nectar and keep the Bacillus Aurum alive.
Are you sure that’s the only reason you snatched her away? growled a hungry voice in the back of his head. What about how full and ripe her breasts are? Or how hot she smells when she’s aroused? You can’t tell me you didn’t enjoy sucking the Bonding Fruit cream off her tight nipples…watching her writhe and listening to those soft, helpless little sounds she makes when she’s about to come. You want her—don’t lie.
Brandt did his best to push the voice away.
That simply isn’t true, he told himself. Of course Alexandra is extremely attractive and yes, her scent is damn near maddening when she’s aroused, but I made a vow never to call another bride and I intend to keep it!
So he pushed the guilt he was tempted feel out of his head and concentrated on landing the long-range shuttle on Bio-Terius Centra. There was much to do and not much time to do it in. He had no time for self-recrimination or shame.
Or so he told himself.
6
LEXI
Bio-Terius Centra was a beautiful planet with lush green and purple vegetation everywhere, Lexi saw as they disembarked from the shuttle. Or rather, Dr. Brandt got out first and then lifted her down from the high step. She tried to protest that she could manage herself but he had given her a quelling look.
“You fainted not that long ago and you’re probably still weak, Alexandra. You will allow me to take care of you in whatever way I see fit. If you don’t behave, I’m going to carry you rather than letting you walk. Is that what you want?”
Lexi bit her lower lip.
“No, Sir,” she muttered rebelliously. She didn’t want to be carried around like a child in her captor’s arms. She had a vague idea that it might be easier to run away from Dr. Brandt if she was free and on her feet—but run where? She was on an alien planet and there was nowhere to go. She would just have to play along with his little game until he hopefully brought her back to the Kindred Mother Ship.
He’d just better pay me what he promised, she thought, shooting the arrogant Kindred a resentful look. She did have to admit that thirty-six thousand dollars would make it worth putting up with the whole nectar harvesting business. It would not only pay off her uncle’s debt to that sleazy loan shark, it would also pay off the rest of her student debt and leave a little left over for starting her PhD.
Why, by this time next year she would be working on her thesis and this whole crazy trip to another planet would be nothing but a distant memory!
Comforting herself with these kinds of thoughts, Lexi looked around as she followed Dr. Brandt away from the ship.
They were walking on a wide, flat silver bridge that was suspended above the green and purple foliage. Looking down, Lexi could see several waterfalls flowing below and the wind that blew in her face was sweet and wild without even a hint of pollution in it.
The elevated pathway led them out of the forested area where Dr. Brandt had parked the ship to a cluster of white and silver buildings. Though buildings might not be the right word, Lexi thought. They looked more like giant, sleek metal mushrooms with broad stalks that soared up into perfectly round disks.
The disks had rows of windows all around their sides, giving a three-sixty view of the gorgeous natural habitat around them. Though they were clearly man-made, they looked organic—as though they had been grown rather than built.
“Wow…” Lexi whispered as she craned her neck to look up at the clusters of metal mushroom buildings. “These are amazing!”
“Yes, the Terians excel at architecture,” Dr. Brandt remarked. “They strive to build within their natural environment rather than disrupting it. For instance, no trees were cut in order to build this community—the dwellings were built around them. Likewise, no animals were displaced from their habitats. The Terians believe that no living thing must be harmed.”
“I’m betting they’re all Vegans then, huh?” Lexi murmured, still looking around her.
“You’re correct—they eat mostly fungi harvested from their private gardens but they’re able to do some remarkable things with it,” Dr. Brandt said, nodding.
“Fungi?” Lexi wrinkled her nose. She was a confirmed carnivore so living on a world where they mostly ate mushrooms didn’t sound appealing. “How long did you say we’d be here, again?” she asked and added, “Remember I have to be back to work next week.”
