The Bond That Ties Us by Christine D'Abo Read Free Book Online Page B

able to give a look like that. Negotiation times would certainly be reduced.
    “What happened this afternoon?” Taber asked abruptly.
    The mouthful of amber liquid Kamran took was larger than intended. It burned as it made its way down his throat.
    “I changed my speech at the last minute. The humans don’t need a Briel history lesson the minute they enter the colony.”
    “Agreed. But there was something else going on. You seemed distracted.”
    30

     
    Kamran paused to examine his friend. How did one go about telling a friend of his sexual desires?
    “There is a human. She is one of the new colonists who arrived earlier today. She was sick when she got off the ship. I offered her some assistance.”
    He felt his cock surge to life again at the memory. The contrast of her pale skin against her dark brown hair was striking. She was small compared to him but tall for a human. Their bodies would fit nicely together. He liked the way her breasts pushed against her jumpsuit—taunting him. He’d never noticed how tight-fitting women’s clothing was. Before her . He’d been driven mad by an unusual floral scent that lingered in the air the rest of the day. It had to be hers.
    “A sick human is not an uncommon occurrence. “
    Kamran, startled out of his thoughts, drained his glass. After having negotiated peace treaties with warring worlds, you’d think he’d be able to discuss this with Taber.
    “I seem to have a problem, my friend. And I’m not sure what I should do about it.”
    Taber straightened and Kamran caught the flash in his eyes.
    “I can assist with the problem. Is it with this human?”
    “I don’t need that kind of assistance.” The last thing he needed was Taber starting a manhunt for his future wife. He cringed. “I don’t know what to think, but I seem to have some sort of connection with this woman,” Kamran said. He rose to fix himself another drink.
    “What sort of connection? Is she trying to blackmail you?”
    “No, nothing like that.” This wasn’t coming out right.
    “What then?” Taber said, clearly annoyed. Kamran knew he hated not knowing everything.
    Kamran closed his eyes, letting the woman’s face drift back to the surface of his mind. Bright, inquisitive eyes framed in a perfectly oval face. The way she’d looked at him as she sat on the floor, like she wanted to rip his clothing off, tested the limits of his control. The way her exotic scent rolled off her in waves, intoxicating his senses.
    What then indeed?
    “I am aware of her on this station. I don’t mean consciously, but physically. I can describe her in perfect detail. Her face, body, scent. I even know that she is walking around the station right now. It wouldn’t take me very long to hunt her down.”
    He then turned to face Taber. His expression hadn’t changed from before, but Kamran recognized disbelief when he saw it.
    “That is impossible,” Taber said, his voice even.
    “I know.”
    “You are describing this woman as if she were your mate.”
    “I know.”
    31

    “No Briel male has ever responded to an off-worlder in that manner. Many have tried.”
    “I know the history.”
    “Which brings us back to the fact of that being impossible.”
    “Exactly. And that is the reason I’ve accomplished nothing all day.”
    Taber’s hand twitched and flexed before he laced it through the other one behind his back. He walked over to Kamran’s window and paused. The winds had picked up again, pelting sand and small rocks against the glass in a mad frenzy. Kamran felt a kinship with the planet tonight.
    “Do you think it’s a trick? A chemical or toxin perhaps, used to confuse your body into thinking it has found a mate?”
    “I thought of that. I had the computer scan me for any foreign substances. Nothing.
    Had you seen her you wouldn’t question her reaction either. It was genuine. Besides, what would she gain by doing so?”
    “The Ecada have lots to gain.”
    He’d thought of that too. “I