Free Cali & Drake (The Alliance Book 1) by Stormy McKnight Page B

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    Because a small part nagged back. She had enough
to worry about. Crazy mother betrothing her to a friend she didn’t want to be
betrothed too. Said friend chasing her all over the Buffer Zone, a crew to
worry about, and friends sacrificing their careers to help her.
    Arrggg , Cali wanted to scream.
Maybe a nice run in the gym would help clear her mind. Ha! Yeah right . Like she was a runner. Taking the lift to the command
deck she immersed herself in command of the ship.
    She had a lot to think over. The problem with thinking is that sometimes
you just run yourself in circles. Cali’s philosophy was, when in doubt, ask your
friends. That is why she invited Vareen, Nellia, and Diandra to her rooms for
dinner that night.
    After the food was cleared away, and over drinks, she told them what
happened and Drake’s last words to her.
    “Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand?” Diandra had a strong look of
displeasure, which surprised her. Diandra was very open-minded and Cali figured
she would be the most supportive.
    “’If you come back to these quarters, I will have you.’ What else could
he have meant, Diandra?” Vareen didn’t look surprised.
    “I don’t know.” Diandra put her drink on the table.
    Nellia muttered, “He meant exactly what he said. What to do about it is
the question.”
    “I think it’s a huge mistake for you to see him again Cali,” Diandra
spoke vehemently. “You’ll just have to let Vareen deal with him.”
    “Why shouldn’t Cali have a sexual relationship with him?” Vareen argued
for her. “It’s not like he’s going anywhere. He hasn’t told us his home world
or what spacecraft might be looking for him. When he does decide to tell us, we
drop him off and return to Cestori.”
    Nellia must have spoken with Vareen about her plans to return home. It
was good that her friends were on the same page.
    “That’s one of my problems,” Diandra insisted. “We know nothing about
him. If you ask me, for Cali to have a physical relationship with him, is just
wrong.”
    Nellia scoffed loudly at Diandra’s words. “It’s not as if life-partners
have to remain untouched. Loads of people have intimate encounters every day on
Cestori when they know nothing about each other. How is this any different? If
we’d met Drake on a night out from classes at the Academy, you’d be pressing
Cali to have fun.”
    “This isn’t the Academy and we aren’t those people anymore. We have bigger
responsibilities now.” Diandra wasn’t backing down and Cali had to admit she
had a point. “I’m not telling Cali to stay celibate. I’m saying she doesn’t know
this male. She’s attracted to him, but what about his character?”
    “If he had been inclined, he could’ve killed her when she was alone with
him in the medical unit.” Vareen offered. “So he isn’t totally crazy.”
    “He could have seduced her into staying in his rooms and not worried that
she would end up hurt, ” Nellia smiled at
her.
    “Thanks—” Cali was tired of being reminded of how badly it would end for
her. She wasn’t that thin skinned to fall apart over sex with one male.
    “What changed your minds anyway? You said that Cali needed to be careful,
now you are saying she should go for it.”
    “Cali is facing a life without love being forced to life-partner with
Vathral. As the most emotional of the group, it will be the hardest for her.”
Vareen looked to Diandra. “I’m sorry, this must be painful for you as well, but
we’ve got to face reality. If a way could be found to keep Cali away from
Cestori and you to have Vathral, we’d have seen it by now.”   Vareen pointed out, and Cali flinched at the
look that crossed Diandra’s face. “There isn’t anywhere to run. Atheon isn’t an
option. Titus is too barbaric, and we don’t know of any other planets that
would suffice for our needs.” Vareen took a deep breath, breaking eye contact
with Diandra, she added. “The crew is going to become