Acting Out by Paulette Oakes Read Free Book Online

gave it a distinct crunch that Jessica enjoyed.
    After their impromptu meal, they continued to stroll through
the marketplace, laughing and sharing stories as they went. Jessica was having
a wonderful time with the warrior and found him to be easy to talk to and quite
funny and gentle for a man who was so tall and intimidating in appearance. He
never grew frustrated or impatient with her questions and willingly followed
along as she flitted from one stall to the next. He even gamely helped her
select several different headscarves, even though he protested at the idea of
her covering her unusual-colored hair.
     It didn’t take long before she realized that gossip about
her had spread quickly from the companion store. Many shopkeepers began to
shout out such things as “Pretty human, our king would love to see his guest in
this dress!” or “King Korian would no doubt enjoy seeing this jeweled clip in
your hair!” It wasn’t very original as far as sales pitches were concerned, but
she did her best to at least browse each stall that beckoned her, even if she
didn’t always purchase from them. She did select a jeweled hair clip that had a
T’Kalan warrior dagger designed in phosphorescent silver stones. It was intricately
designed, down to the detail, in miniature fashion and it was both feminine and
tough.   For Mahoney , she reasoned, though she thought she might wear it
to the gala the next evening first. By the time the twin suns began to descend
toward the horizon, Jessica was exhausted, but elated, with her outing with
Zandar, and not just because her purchases left King Korian several thousand
credits poorer.
    As they made their way back toward the main thoroughfare
where her conveyance awaited her, Jessica leaned her head against Zandar’s arm
while they strolled unhurriedly through the bustling crowd. Her heart was
overflowing with happiness, and she couldn’t wait to get back to the compound
so she could send a transmission to Mahoney and tell her all about it.
    Glancing up at her escort, she said, “Zandar?” When his eyes
met hers with warmth, she continued, “I can’t thank you enough for today. I had
such a good time with you.”
    Zandar picked up Jessica’s hand from where it was hooked
around his elbow and brought it to his lips for an innocent kiss. “It was my
pleasure and honor to be allowed to spend time with you today, Jessica. Perhaps
we may be able to see each other again soon, if your schedule permits? Of
course, I will be at the king’s gala tomorrow night, but it will not be the
same as having you to myself.”
    Jessica came to a stop next to the hovering conveyance and
faced the warrior for their goodbye. “I would love to see you again. As soon as
I know my schedule, I’ll send you a transmission and let you know when I will
next be free.” Careful not to jostle or squish her new pet, she wound her arms
around his waist and hugged him tight. She felt his body tense for a split
second before he returned her hug gently.
    Reaching down to tip her chin up with his finger, he slowly
lowered himself until his lips pressed softly against her cheek for several
long moments. Drawing back once more, he searched her eyes for something
unknown to her. “I cannot speak plainly my intentions while you are under the
king’s protection, but just know that when your month with him has expired, we
will both be free to make our own choices and declarations. Do you understand my
meaning, Jessica?”
    She nodded her head silently, her eyebrows lowered with
consternation. With one final wave of farewell, she slid inside the plush
interior of the hover craft. Her heart was full of turmoil and her pleasure in
the day dimmed as she scooped her new pet out of the sling and cuddled her to her
cheek.
    “My sweet little bimbop , what should I do? How can
that kiss from Zandar leave me cold when he is so kind and gentle and
wonderful, and yet Korian can leave me a trembling wreck of desire even after
he