Acting Out by Paulette Oakes Read Free Book Online Page A

rejects me and leaves me wanting?” she whispered into the minty-scented fur
of the wriggling alien pet. She kissed the soft, downy fur between its rounded
ears and settled back into the seat for her trip back to the compound and the
one warrior she wanted who didn’t want her back.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    It was late evening and Jessica found herself in her rooms
unpacking her purchases and putting them away while her new pet scampered after
her every step. Since it was late enough to prepare for bed, she had slipped
into a light green silk chemise with an overwrap belted around her waist. She
tried on her new headscarves, slipped a purple jeweled collar on her companion,
and sang softly under her breath as she bundled the package wrappings together
to dispose of in the incinerator.
    A light chime sound at her door startled her, and her little bimbop stiffened and began to growl in a tiny, baby voice that made her
laugh. “Come in!” she called out, laughter still in her voice.
    The door slid open to reveal Korian standing uncertainly in
the threshold, his hands buried in the pockets of his loose trousers. Jessica
felt her heart give a leap in her chest, but she tempered the smile that had
started to form on her lips and she greeted him cautiously. “King Korian, I
wasn’t expecting you, or I would have dressed more appropriately.”
    A lazy half-grin pulled his lips up at the corner. “My
apologies for calling on you so late, Jessica. I only wanted to ensure that you
were well and that you had no troubles with your shopping today.” His ghostly
lavender eyes traveled up and down her length, and he added, “And I have no
complaints about your attire, for that matter. It is quite…becoming on you.”
    Jessica could feel the heat climbing up her chest and
seeping into her face. “Thank you, Korian. Won’t you come in for moment? I’d
like the opportunity to thank you for your generosity today.”
    Korian tipped his head in agreement and strolled deeper into
her rooms. The small, squeaky sound of a growl stopped him in his tracks and he
looked down to see the little black and white bundle of fur vibrating with
warning at his feet. His eyes lit up with delight and he slowly lowered himself
into a squat to better view the tiny protector. With cautious ease, he placed
his hand flat to the floor and waited. A few moments later, the baby bimbop slowly approached him, her nose quivering, until she was right upon the king’s
hand. When she determined that he was no threat, she began to make the adorable burr burr noise and Korian smiled. Gently, he scooped the small animal
into his hand and stood back to his feet to cuddle the creature against his
wide, muscled chest.
    “She is adorable and already very fierce,” Korian chuckled
as he ran his finger over her downy head. “Have you decided on a name yet?”
    Jessica couldn’t take her eyes off of where the king held
the small creature so gently and lovingly against him. Swallowing past the
dryness of her throat, she croaked, “Don’t tell on me, but I started calling
her Little Mahoney after we got home and she began to growl at everyone that
approached me. Somehow, I don’t think that the real Mahoney will be honored.”
Jessica chuckled nervously, unsure of how to react around Korian after their
last disastrous meeting.
    Korian, completely at his ease, took a seat on the bed and
played with the animal by rubbing its nose and allowing it to gnaw on his
calloused finger while it playfully growled and clutched his hand between its
paws. “I think it is an appropriate name, for this little one is already quite
protective of her mistress. You know, I had two bimbops when I was growing
up, and they were my most faithful and loving companions. I still miss them,
even after all these years.”
    Jessica found herself drifting closer to man sitting on her
bed. He was so relaxed and had his guard down for the first time since they
met. She was intrigued by this glimpse into the