Free Ristèard Unwilling Empress by S.E. Smith Page B

several things that helped, I think,” she absently responded. “One, Jo had returned with Manota. She trusted him and he brought her home. How can anyone be bad if they do that? The second thing I think that made the biggest difference is that most of the members of the circus are rather strange and unusual themselves. It wasn’t that difficult to accept an alien any more than it was to accept Katarina, Mattie, Marcus, Stan, my parents, or the countless others. I mean, look at Marvin and Martin! They have been with the circus for almost ten years and we never suspected they were aliens.”
    “The Kor d’lurs are known for being able to blend in. That is how they study other species,” he commented with a shrug. “The information they bring back is very useful, such as…”
    Ricki raised her eyebrow at him in question when his voice faded and all he did was shrug again. It was as if he suddenly decided that he had said too much. If he was worried that she or any of the others in the circus would hold the fact that Marvin and Martin were alien against them, he needn’t have worried. They had proven they were fair and decent individuals, especially to her. They had been incredibly protective of her parents and her over the years. Everyone loved them.
    Well, except for Thea right now, she thought with a sigh. Thea was still deeply hurt by their lack of trust.
    Ricki started when she felt the warmth of Ristèard’s hand through the thin cloth of her dress as he wrapped his arm around her and drew her so close she was pressed against his side. A low squeak escaped her when his hand slid up under the yellow sweater she was wearing and ran his thumb along her skin where the dress dipped in the back. The heat from his touch seared through the rest of the material as if she wasn’t wearing anything at all. She silently cursed when she felt a matching heat blossom inside her and spread from the core of her womanhood all the way up to her cheeks.
    “You are feeling... well?” He asked in a husky tone, leaning closer so he could whisper in her ear as he guided her off the bridge. “Perhaps you should rest. We will be arriving on Elipdios soon.”
    Ricki wrapped the fingers of her right hand around the strap of her purse while using her left hand to straighten her glasses. She would be damned if she let him know that his touch was affecting her in any way. Stiffening her shoulders, she pulled away from him, taking an additional two steps to the side for good measure.
    “I feel perfectly well, thank you,” she replied in a frosty tone. “I’m just not accustomed to someone constantly being in my personal space. I don’t remember reading anything about this being a habit of your culture.”
    She knew immediately that it wasn't customary the minute she saw the wicked grin that curved his lips. "It's not," he informed her, reaching out and wrapping his hand around her right arm so he could turn her around. "But, you should get used to it," he added, backing her up until she was pressed against the wall just outside the bridge.
    Panic swept through her before it was replaced with icy determination when she saw several warriors’ grin at her when they passed by. Even standing as straight and ridged as she could, she still had to look up into his dark silver eyes. Mischief and heated desire blazed from them.
    "I wouldn't if I were you," she warned with an icy tone. "I demand that you step back."
    "And if I don't," he replied in a low, thick voice filled with promise. "What will you do?"
     

Chapter 10
    Ristèard glared over at Ricki, wincing as the healer touched the knot on the back of his head with the scanner. He absently rubbed the center of his chest and the scowl on his face turned even darker. She briefly glanced at him before returning her attention to the tablet he had dropped when she had knocked him on his ass… again.
    “I want you to know I have killed for less than what you did.” Wincing again, he glared at