Creations 3: Creating Chemistry by Marie Harte Read Free Book Online Page A

sensitive canal. When he nipped her lobe she almost moaned aloud. A waft of scent drifted on the breeze, and she prayed the wind blew it away before Nu realised her desire. Thankfully, he did nothing more. But her body remained tense, needy. She wanted so badly to relax into his frame, but Set’s warnings held fast and she remained apart.
    Set cautioned her with a narrow-eyed stare before smiling. He waved at the bleak landscape. “What do you think, Anin?”
    She glanced around. Ragga was pretty in a stark, simple way. The orange and brown clay underfoot gave way to patches of darker sand the further they drew from the Fas homestead. Large, green-barked trees waved like spindles as they drew closer to the mountain looming in the distance. Raggas, by trade, tended to be miners. Their strength enabled them to withstand the planet’s heat and proximity to the sun, as well as to endure the harsh conditions of mining. Deep underground, the temperature fluctuated from molten hot to bitter cold. The shafts were particularly deep, and trudging through the uneven terrain required skilled and strong labourers, according to the vids she’d studied on the shuttle.
    “It’s pretty in its own way,” she said when she realised both men waited on her answer.
    “You don’t like it,” Nu rumbled.
    She lowered her head, aware of his displeasure, when Set cleared his throat. She forced herself to turn and meet Nu’s glare. “I didn’t say that. The planet doesn’t have the lush woodlands of Mardu, or the metropolitan structures of Eyra. It’s simple, uncomplicated. I like that.” And she meant it. Nothing on Ragga seemed hidden.
    They soon reached Nu and Set’s home. They left the raks in a covered stable where the wind made the area pleasantly cool. Entering the small dwelling, she was disappointed to see two large, single beds, a table and some chairs. A pitcher and bowl sat on a smaller side table. Dust had gathered over everything.
    “Um. This is quaint. Simple.”
    Set snorted. “This is for show. The actual house is underground.”
    She looked around but saw no doors. Nu brushed by her and set his hand on the wall in the corner of the small home. A panel in the floor slid open revealing a darkened stairwell.
    “Follow me.” Nu walked down the stairs, and as he did, a dim glow gradually illuminated the large space. The minute they touched the bottom, lights brightened the large room.
    “Wow.” Though rugged, the home had been built for comfort. Overscaled furniture, to meet the needs of the large men with her, dotted the room. Stuffed chairs and couches covered in rak -hide and littered with norwali silk pillows invited her to sit. A large cooking area sat to one side. Through one of the three doorways on the far wall Anin saw a large bed.
    Nu didn’t blink as he stared at her. “Set and I wanted a place to come home to where we can relax. Though most Ragga homes are like our parents’, we’ve had to take extra precautions.”
    “Precautions? Why?” Anin couldn’t imagine anyone stupid enough to willingly take on a Ragga.
    Set answered. “We’ve been bounty hunters long enough to make enemies. No matter that Ragga doesn’t take to offworlders, it wouldn’t take much for anyone to find us here. The home upstairs deters thieves. Only family can access this underground haven.”
    Anin trailed her fingers over the tanned pillows, comforted by such safety.
    “My bedroom’s through there,” Nu offered, pointing towards one of the doorways off the main room. “I’d be happy to show you around.” The intensity of his gaze and depth of his voice told her to tread warily. If she hadn’t known better, she’d swear Nu emitted pheromones of his own.
    Nervous, Anin took a step back, freezing when Nu frowned. Set shook his head behind him.
    Steeling the backbone slowly growing within her, Anin forced a laugh. “Yeah, well, maybe I’ll take you up on that. After I’ve had a trip to the lav. I need to clean