Page 66 of Abalim
He chuckled. “And he promised the first movie would give us a historical glimpse into mankind and how they viewed life in general.”
Her eyebrows raised. “Oh lordy. What movie did he show you?”
“Monty Python’sThe Meaning of Life.”
Lisa couldn’t help it. She whooped with laughter. “Oh my God, my mother made me watch that ridiculous movie when I was a teenager! Please tell me that’s not the only movie you’ve seen.”
His smile was full of mirth. “No, but when that movie was over, Pete claimed we had to know how humans viewed aliens. So he playedGalaxy Quest.” He laughed and grabbed another dessert ball, chewed, then spoke. “By the time that movie was over, we were terrified of being around humans. The prospect of becoming slaves again looked pretty good.” He chuckled. “Thank the God An, his older brother Raiden put a stop to Pete’s teasing and explained how movies were supposed to be for entertainment and not “historical” vids like Pete claimed.”
Abalim leaned back on one of his elbows and crossed his ankles. “Then Raiden went into detail about the human need for storytelling. And the fascinating people who created those tales and legends that have been handed down throughout the centuries.”
She grinned and wrapped her arms around her bent knees. “That’s a great story, but you haven’t answered my question. Why do you call me inkheart?”
“Well, by then, the whole family joined us and declared we needed a movie-marathon night. When they asked us if we had any special interests, I told them I was fascinated by how these stories came about. That’s when they explained the concept of people called authors and how they created these fantastic tales.
“I was so fascinated by the process of anyone creating an unknown reality, one of my nephew’s wives, Julienne, insisted I watch a movie calledInkheart. I think she had a crush on the leading actor, but I found myself drawn to the drama of people who wrote stories from just their imagination, giving it a life of its own. Whenever possible, I devoured what I could about the variety of authors throughout the centuries.”
“And then I met you.”
His intense gaze made her speechless.
“Here you were, someone who fabricated stories out of thin air and put them into worlds that didn’t exist. You gave them a solid foundation for all the trials and tribulations to work through.” Abalim chuckled. “I confess, while on theGalactic Serpentheaded here, I had JR15 download several of your novels to an eReader I created with the help of their replicator.” He leaned closer to her. “I especially loved how you had the uncanny foresight to end your stories with a satisfying, happy ending.”
As if he said something that startled him, Abalim jerked his head back and frowned, moving away from her. “Well, this has been nice, but as we know, real life has a way of inserting itself.” He glanced over her shoulder before facing her again. He didn’t look her in the eye. “Once we leave here, what are your plans?”
Lisa pressed her lips together. “What do you mean, what are my plans? The Krystalii must be stopped, and I’m gonna be a part of that!”
His smile was weak. “Yes, I understand that. But what happens afterward? I mean, what I’m asking, is since you didn’t get a chance to attend the alien exchange program, do you plan to go back to it?”
Her mouth opened and closed like a cod fish as her thoughts raced. “Why in the world I be interested in going to that after meeting you?” Did she completely misunderstand what happened between them? How could the man not know what he meant to her? He was a freaking psychic, for God’s sake! You’d think he’d not only see what he meant to her in her mind, but he’d feel what she did.
She bit her bottom lip to stop from spouting something stupid. For once, she opened her new psychic ability to sense what he was feeling. What came back shocked her. Anguish, anxiety, defeat, and sadness mixed with a healthy dose of fear.
He shrugged. “You know you don’t have to still see me when we go back.”
His monotone voice made her scowl. Okay, that was it. Meal over. If the big jerk hadn’t figured out how she felt about him, it was time to prove it.
Keeping her eyes glued to his, she plucked away the food he held and threw it over her shoulder. Its soft landing on the blanket was ignored. Mesmerized by his intense, dark gaze, she gathered the strength needed to declare once and for all what she felt about him. “Listen here, mister. You and I belong together.” She reached out and brushed one of his dreadlocks away from his striking features. “We share a deep connection that transcends the mere wordlove.” She leaned into him and kissed the side of his mouth before whispering, “I dare you to tell me I’m wrong.”
He shook his head, his eyes squeezed shut. “You—” He swallowed hard, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “You… I didn’t want to presume…”
She kissed the other side of his full lips. Silly man. She’d make sure before they left this room that he’d have no doubts about them being together. At all. “I give you full permission to merge your mind with mine.” His breath on her face was warm, inviting. The skin of his mouth was so soft, so persuasive, it made her heart leap. “I love you with every fiber of my being, Abalim. I am the keeper of your heart, as you are the keeper of mine. Join with me, know me, and leave all your doubts behind.”
His lips crushed hers in a devouring, masterful stroke. His mouth was hot and male and exciting. Lisa circled his neck with her arms. Together, they entered a world of hunger and passion. She slid her hands over his suit to caress his well-defined muscles. She ached, and her body turned liquid and needy.
“Abalim.” His name came out in a tortured whisper.
He gave her lower lip a gentle nibble. “Shall I give you all that I am, inkheart?” His hand shaped her breast, and his thumb teased her nipple into a hard peak. He leaned down until his mouth replaced his hand over the soft mound, hot and moist, sucking through the fabric of her suit.
Lisa arched and caught his hair to drag him closer. An insane fever rose inside her, a physical tsunami threatening to take over. Her knees went weak, and she cried out, afraid she’d shatter.
He licked along the valley between her breasts.
“Yes.” She strangled a reply and surrendered. Just like that, the master became the servant.
“We have too many clothes on.” His voice was husky.
When he spoke the last word, cool air caressed Lisa’s body in all the places Abalim didn’t cover. No time to marvel at the wondrous way he made them both naked. She wiggled her hips and kneaded his dark tresses with a whimper. The slick feel of his taut skin against hers ramped up the spinning sensation deep inside her womb. Unable to resist the urge, Lisa burrowed her hand between their groins and grasped his thick length, her fingertips memorizing the feel and shape of his heavy erection. With her touch strong and sure, she traced every inch of him as her fingers danced and played with him.