Free Michaela by Tracy St. John Page A

they were still on shaky ground. She didn’t say anything about it until Govi finished ordering food to be brought to her room.
    She decided to take the bull by the horns. She couldn’t stand the tension, though clearing the air made her nervous.
    “Okay. Immediate needs are being attended to,” Michaela announced to the men. Their purple eyes riveted on her. “Now what do we do about – this?” She made a sweeping motion with her arm, indicating herself and the clan. “Now that things have gotten so far ahead of where it should be, we need to figure out what comes next.”
    Govi winced. “I am sorry about that, Michaela. I can’t imagine how horrified you must be.”
    Michaela sputtered shocked laughter. “Horrified wasn’t exactly the word I would have said. If it was, I’d like to be horrified more often, please.”
    At last the men laughed for real. Raxstad in particular bellowed at Michaela’s frank expression of lust. She was reassured to see no disgust. Korkla and Govi seemed more relieved than anything else, but again, there was no sign they were repulsed.
    Looking more relaxed, Govi said, “Perhaps we can start over from the beginning? I think we should get to know each other a little better before going into headlong passion.”
    Korkla grinned and nodded. “I believe you Earthers call it dating? That’s correct, isn’t it?”
    Michaela felt disappointment that they wanted to take a step back, though she was glad they weren’t trying to find a way to avoid her outright. “Dating,” she mused. “Like dinners and taking walks?”
    “But not in that garden. At least, not for another day or two.” Raxstad winked and grinned with lecherous wickedness.
    The heated look renewed the excited churning in Michaela’s gut. She snickered at the Nobek’s lascivious teasing.
    Govi rolled his eyes at his clanmate. “A bit longer than a couple of days, I think. Behave yourself.”
    “Not in my nature.” Raxstad never took his eyes off Michaela. He stared at her, his grin that of a voracious shark.
    He made her feel scared and excited all at once. If Raxstad only pretended to want more of her, he was a damned good actor. His attitude was pure lust, and Michaela wondered what it would be like if his clanmates let him off his leash.
    Korkla sighed. “Nobeks and their appetites. Food and sex, and the more the better.”
    “Absolutely.” The growl in Raxstad’s voice made Michaela shiver. He continued to pin her with his stare.
    “Don’t frighten her, Raxstad,” Korkla warned.
    The stern command broke the spell the Nobek seemed to have fallen under. He blinked, and the menace in his look drained away. He patted Michaela’s shoulder awkwardly. “I’m sorry. I think you’re amazing. I guess I let myself get carried away.”
    Before Michaela could respond to that astonishing statement, Govi told Raxstad, “You can’t be left alone with her if she has that kind of effect on you.”
    “That might be a good idea for us all.” Korkla took Michaela’s hand and rubbed the back of it along his smooth-shaven jaw. Now it was the Dramok’s gaze that drilled into hers.
    He murmured, “It’s not just Raxstad who is hypnotized by your appeal. You make me want to throw control aside, little one. The temptation to have you after what happened in the garden is almost too much to be borne.”
    Michaela felt breathless at the admission. She couldn’t speak. She stared at Korkla as if bewitched. The cinnamon-like scent rose in the air once more. He wanted her. Even after having seen what she was, he still wanted her.
    Govi’s strained voice broke the growing tension. “I see we’re all swept up in the passion of the moment. Yes, it would be best if we weren’t left alone with you. You must be sure of us before anything else happens, and I don’t think we can guarantee we’ll maintain the control we should.”
    Michaela worried they would leave now. She kept her tone bantering, as if it didn’t matter.