Free Not Quite Terran Part 4 (Scifi Alien Romance) by Erin Tate Page B

She almost snorted. She wished to be at home snug in her bed with Karru at her side.
    They resumed their course toward the structure, and she offered smiles to some of the station crowd as they made their way. They carefully navigated the steps, Rebecca keeping her strides small due to the constrictive nature of the dress, and she finally paused at the top of the stairs.
    Advisor Takkol’s chastising began immediately. “What’s wrong? How could you stop like that? Do you understand the kind of image it projects to these people? I did not spend so much time on this so you can destroy my work. You must—”
    She dealt with a lot of bitching and anger in her job as intake officer. That she could deal with. The whole “ordering around” thing from someone other than Poxu while she worked for the federation, or Karru when he was trying to protect her—not a chance. This man did not deposit credits into her account nor was he the male she slept beside each night. Since he didn’t occupy either of those slots in her life, he could take a hike. She admitted her anger bubbled over, her frustration and rage at being separated from Karru while she was trying to learn about a new culture and her new position consuming her.
    “Advisor Takkol,” she quietly broke into his rantings, but he kept going.
    “—not disgrace our people. You must present a strong image they can take seriously—” that last little bit ended on a high-pitched squeal because Rebecca reached out and struck like a Terran snake. She captured his upper arm and dug her beautifully manicured nails into his flesh.
    He whimpered and glared at her, which had her tightening her grip further. “Advisor Takkol, the only thing I must do at this point is step through that doorway and take a seat at a table. Nothing more. And even then, I’m not sitting to speak with them, but because my feet hurt in these stupid shoes. So why don’t you think about that for a few tics because, as I said, I don’t have to do anything. Your people wanted me, not the other way around.”
    “You represent—”
    The man was still trying. “Until eight wentics ago, I represented myself. I have been patient, I have dealt with everybody poking and prodding me everywhere , and I have tolerated Karru being sent away. I’m on my last nerve at this point.” She tightened just a little more. “Do you understand?”
    “Yes,” he wheezed and she released him.
    Admittedly, that was probably a little over the top. But between the condescension, constant pricks and then his further derision, she figured it had to happen eventually. At least it wasn’t directly in front of the federation representatives.
    “Wonderful. I’ll take that data pad now.”
    Hand trembling, he carefully passed her the device and when he spoke his voice was thin and high-pitched. “Our concessions are on the first—”
    She waved him away. “I’m sure I can figure it out.” She turned toward Rasu and couldn’t miss the smile he was fighting back. “Can we enter now?”
    “Of course, Jhoari. This way.”
    She skirted the still wheezing advisor and couldn’t miss the flurry of his racing steps as he fought to catch up with her. She strode down the long hallway, her group trailing behind a guide who led her toward the massive meeting room. She tried to split her attention between their guide and the data pad in her hands and grew uneasy. Uneasy? The truth was she didn’t want to bumble and slam into someone’s back because she was too consumed with the device in her hands.
    She lowered her voice to a whisper and spoke to Rasu. “Hey, make sure I don’t run into him.”
    “Jhoari?”
    “Just cough or something so I know to stop.”
    “As you wish.” He was really starting to sound like Advisor Takkol.
    Again with the wishing. Pushing away the comment and the memories of Karru it brought forward, she focused on the information. She flipped from one screen to the next, trying to remember the hierarchy