Entwined (Intergalactic Loyalties) Read Free Page A

there’s a program on the Furea that children use when they’re learning to speak and read. You could use that to get started, then we could work on conversation pieces together. If you’d like…”
    “Oh yes, that would be wonderful.”
    “Let me get the Furea for you, and then I want you to rest. You’ve had a busy morning. It will be lunchtime before long.”
    “Maybe I’ll close my eyes, just for a little while.”
    “I’ll leave the Furea beside the bed. I think you’ll be able to figure out how to use it, but I’ll show you if you want. Otherwise, I’ll just let you go at your own pace. It can be yours until we can buy something later. I’ll take you shopping once you have clothing that makes you comfortable. I think you look stunning in what you have on, but I noticed you kept tugging at it.”
    “I don’t like things that cling to me.”
    He smoothed a hand down her side to rest on her hip. “I love seeing your curves on display. But since it makes you uncomfortable, we’ll order you something else. I had already placed an order for more garments like this one, but orders can be changed.”
    “I know it’s been a long time since you’ve been with someone, but I don’t think I’m ready to be intimate yet. Maybe after a few more meals…”
    He placed a finger over her lips. “Shh. I’m not rushing you. Just lying next to you at night will be pleasure enough right now. Knowing that you’re under my roof and that you’re mine, that’s worth far more than one intimate encounter. You’ll let me know when you’re ready, and until then we’ll just get to know one another.”
    Her heart thawed a little more. She hadn’t even realized it was so cold, not until Bane had said he had bought her from Arko. Being with him was amazing. He was just so… well… there were no words for Bane. She was afraid if she got to know him any better, she’d fall completely, madly in love with him. She didn’t know if her heart would survive such a thing. She’d never been in love in her life, but she’d read plenty of romances. It seemed like it would be wonderful, as long as he didn’t break her heart.
    With a sigh, she settled back against the pillows and closed her eyes. Her hand rested on top of Bane’s, his presence a balm to her soul. If anyone could help her through this trying time, it would be him.
    * * *
    A noise startled her awake. A quick look around showed that the suns were setting. Another crash downstairs had her jolting upright. Was that Bane?
    She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood slowly, making sure they would hold her weight. Surprisingly, she felt almost a hundred percent better. Whatever the doctor had given her to wake her at the hospital, combined with the food she’d had and the nap she’d taken, had done wonders for her.
    She heard a chittering sound and frowned. Bane didn’t have pets that she knew of. Deciding to be brave and investigate, she made her way downstairs only to stop in open-mouthed shock at the sight before her when she’d reached the bottom step. She had no clue what the furry critters were that were bounding around the lower level, but they were blue with swirling pink eyes, pointed ears and bushy tails. They kind of reminded her of the squirrels on her home planet, if squirrels were the size of small dogs. At the moment, the beasts were intent on wreaking havoc on the few knick-knacks Bane had scattered around his home. She cringed as something else crashed to the ground, shattering on impact.
    Ariana stepped further into the room. “Stop it!”
    The chittering stopped. A dozen beady eyes focused on her. Was it her imagination or did the one by the window just lick its lips? What exactly did an alien squirrel eat? She hoped to God it wasn’t people.
    They began to converge on her, creeping along, their eyes intent on their prey. Should she throw a stick? Did they play fetch? Looking around for an escape, she saw that they had maneuvered