Page 3 of Radakk's Mate
Smelling me. He’ssmellingme.
Chapter2
THALIA
Time seemsto stand still as the emperor’s nose repeatedly grazes my neck and cheeks, and his warm exhales dance along my flesh, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body. Heated pulses that I don’t quite understand surge between my thighs, and there’s a part of me that wishes we were alone right now. Just me and the emperor. No captain or his command team. No security officers. No advisors. Only the two of us.
How very strange. Never in my life have I wished to be alone with a male. And this male… this male is the most terrifying creature I’ve ever beheld. If he decides to hurt me, I won’t be able to stop him.
Judging by the darkness in his gaze, I’m pretty sure he wants to hurt me. He wants to make me pay for interrupting his meeting.
A low, dangerous growl emanates from Emperor Radakk’s throat, and he straightens and glances from side to side. He says something in his native tongue that sounds like an order. From my peripheral vision, I notice everyone is backing away and giving us space.
I instantly retract that weird brief thought I just had about the two of us being alone. No. I don’t want that.
What the hell is happening?
Before I can summon the nerve to ask, the emperor turns me around, places a hand at the small of my back, and guides me to the far side of the docking bay. No one follows us. I gulp hard.
Ohgodohgodohgod.
Maybe he plans to kill me for spying.
Maybe he’s about to snap my neck or strangle me.
There’s another alcove with a seat near the airlock, and he urges me to sit down. I obey in a fearful trance, not daring to defy him. Part of me still clings to the hope that this is a dream.
The huge muscular alien crouches in front of me, his face level with mine, his gaze intense and curious as he takes his time studying my features. I can’t help but flush under his scrutiny as his eyes repeatedly run up and down my body. He touches my hands, examining my fingers, which are so tiny compared to his. He also strokes my hair and brushes over my skin in various places—rubbing circles on my arms, neck, and cheeks.
Despite my fear, his touch keeps causing pangs of heat in my core.
Goosebumps rise on my arms, but he seems to delight in tracing them.
When his eyes once again collide with mine, a satisfied growl leaves his throat. He sure seems to growl a lot. I find myself wondering if he could roar like a lion or a bear if he got angry. Of course, having lived my entire existence on a worldship, I’ve never heard a lion or a bear growl or roar in real life, but I’ve seen enough videos depicting now-extinct Earth animals to make the comparison.
When his lips curl back in the briefest smile, I nearly gasp at the sight of his sharp, pointed teeth. But that smile… I get the sense that he’s gentling his expression in order to put me at ease, though I can’t imagine why he would want to comfort me. Why he would care about my fear. I was caught eavesdropping on his very important meeting. I interrupted just when the negotiations were getting interesting.
“Little spy, you are so tiny and beautiful,” he says in a tone filled with awe, “and you smell exquisite. I would greatly enjoy licking you all over.”
I suddenly realize almost a year has passed since my last hormone suppression shot. Maybe it’s arousal that I’m experiencing in his presence. My face heats further at the prospect, and I make a mental note to visit the medical bay as soon as possible. If I ever get the chance.
I peer across the docking bay and my eyes go wide. Not only do all the Darrvasons have their backs turned to us, but they’ve formed a barrier in front of the human males, blocking us from their vision. Giving us total privacy.
My gaze darts back to Emperor Radakk. He’s still studying me, still running a hand lazily along my arm. Not for the first time since entering the freezing docking bay, I find myself wishing I’d worn long-sleeves today. The feel of his bare hand on my bare skin is so tantalizing, I can scarcely form a coherent thought.
“What is your name, little spy?”
“Thalia.”
“Thal-eee-ahh.” He savors each syllable, his deep rumbling tone inciting more heated pangs in my core.
Drunk. For a reason I can’t fathom, I feel intoxicated in his presence. Pleasantly lightheaded, slightly giddy, and not quite in control of my actions. His masculine scent overwhelms me, and I purposely inhale deep breath after deep breath, needing to fill my lungs with the essence of him. Heat also radiates from his huge form, tempting me to lean closer.
“Why were you hiding behind those boxes, Thalia?” His jaw tenses, his eyes darken, and he suddenly looks quite stern. Nerves flutter in my stomach.
I shrug one shoulder and try to appear casual even though I’m freaking the hell out. “Well, if you must know, I was eavesdropping. Just for the fun of it. I-I heard there was going to be an important meeting held in the docking bay today, so I decided to hang out and see what it was all about.” I force a smile. “My mother always said my nosiness would get me in trouble one day. It would seem she was right.” Liar. I’m such a liar. My mother went missing shortly after my fourth birthday, and my memories of her are vague at best.
“Eavesdropping? For fun?” he asks in an incredulous tone. Then he leans forward and smells me again, once more dragging his nose along my throat and cheek. He finally straightens and gives me a sharp look. “As I suspected. You are unmated. I don’t detect the seed of a male on you.”
