Free Forbidden (A Serian Novel) by C.T. Nicholson Page A

showing."
    They all burst into laughter.
    Ryder groaned. A good long spanking sounded like a suitable punishment for Anara. He pushed away thoughts about her, before he ended up giving the women more to snicker about.
    "Do you see his skin color?" The tallest of the group, with dove gray hair, leaned in close, pointing at his exposed chest.
    Ryder stiffened.
    Dee stepped beside the bed and studied him closer.
    Ryder started to get a bad feeling in his stomach. He didn't like the looks they gave him. "It's a skin disorder," he lied. A lie he was taught to use with humans. Rules of navigating on Earth were to travel at night, stay covered, or at least keep to dim lighting when he interacted with humans.
    Dee pushed her glasses higher up on her nose, then pointed her finger at him. "Very pretty skin condition."
    A wave of relief hit him. "Something about not getting enough oxygen and the sun isn't healthy for me either.
    "Are we sure we want to release him. I don't mind having our tea here." Said another lady who wore tiny glasses on the tip of her nose.
    Dee propped her hands onto her hips. "Now, you know that would be rude."
    "He sure is gorgeous."
    He didn't know who said it, but they all started to laugh again.
    "All right, ladies, let's quit staring at the poor boy like he's a piece a meat and untie him. Though a fine piece he is." Dee untied him.
    He scooted off the bed and dressed quickly as the women just gawked at him. He smiled at them.
    "Thank you." He tipped his head to them all before gathering his things. Ryder became anxious to take off after Anara, but the women had different plans.
    "No problem, son; this was the most fun we've had in years." She grabbed his arm and escorted him out. "What's your name again? My mind isn't as sharp as it used to be."
    "That's okay, my name is Ryder."
    "Well, Ryder, why don't you come have some tea with us?" Dee's pale blue eyes looked up at him through her red-rimmed glasses.
    She didn't wait for an answer as she pulled him along with her and the others.
    "I should really get—" He didn't see the Traveler. The little trouble-maker had taken it . Why did he still want to help her? "I'd love to, but I need to find another form of transportation."
    Dee made a funny noise with her mouth.
    "I'll call Mr. Michaels to get you a rental car. He has a few cars he rents out every once in a while. He's also Betty's husband." She gestured to the lady who wore the small glasses. "You'll be ready to go in no time, but until then you could keep us company."
    They all smiled up at him.
    "A drink would be great." He lifted her frail hand to his lips. She snorted at him and then dragged him across the road to a little brick house.
    "This is my home. We have tea here every Saturday. It's nice to have a guest this time."
    He walked into the small home with the other clamoring women.
    Inside the little dining area, Ryder sat awkwardly in the small chair as the ladies surrounded him. He felt like a giant with the teacup in his hand.
    "So, how did you find yourself tied up on the bed?" Dee asked, trying to sound stern. She would've achieved her serious tone if not for the grin on her face.
    "Just a misunderstanding, that's all." He took a sip and hoped they didn't ask too many questions.
    The lady with light pink hair and a great big smile nudged Gail's arm. "Must be a girl." She looked toward him. "What's her name?"
    Ryder stayed quiet at first as he tried to figure out how he got himself into this mess. Finally, he answered to keep the women happy. "Anara. She misunderstood something I said and became irrational."
    They all laughed and he knew he shouldn't have agreed to the drink.
    "No matter how good-looking a man is, they still don't understand us women." They all nodded in agreement.
    "I agree, but look at his face when he speaks of her. Love. He's so in love, he doesn't know what to do. No wonder he messed up; his brain is probably slush." All eyes studied him closely.
    He shook his head in