Tair’s voice was still stiff. “You do not know me very well, Sharon.”
Sharon realized he was serious. He felt insulted, his pride injured. Feeling bad, she tried to explain, “No, I know that. Idon’t doubt you or your…uhhhh abilities. I have to point out, though, that I do know Kate. She’s my best friend in the world so I can tell you the truth. Nobody walks on Kate. She can be a cast iron bitch if you try.”
Tair’s shoulders relaxed a little. “I know about her temper, Sharon.”That temper was going to make things quite interesting between them. He smiled at the thought.
She leaned forward. “That’s not really what I meant. Kate doesn’t do submissive. Liken’s domineering ways make me crazy and, believe me, I let him know about it. Kate, on the other hand, would’ve just killed him and been done with it. No need to compromise or explain. She might even be a little sorry afterward, but she’d get the job done. She’d never put up with Shimerian attitudes.” She looked at Liken to see if he, at least, understood.
“Sharon, look at me.” It was an order, given by Tair in a voice that was intense and compelling. He didn’t sound like himself. She watchedas Tair’sface grew harsh. His eyes, which had looked gentle and charming in the past, took on a predatory hardness. His mouth held a touch of cruelty. “Do I look like I do not know how to get what I want?”The change in him was drastic to see.
She said his name with a questioning note, “Tair?” Sharon felt a pang of pure panic. The man sitting next to her had become a dangerous stranger. He stared at her in silence. She swallowed. “I get your point.” She clasped her hands together in her lap and suddenly wondered if insulting him had been such a bright idea.
Liken’s hand covered hers in her lap with a comforting warmth. Aiming a warning glance at Tair, he said, “My brother will make Kate very happy in the end,sherree. Do not worry.”
Sharon wouldn’t place any bets on that statement. She was relieved to see the waiter approaching the table. As he placed their dishes in front of each of them, they remained silent.
Even after he left, Sharon stayed silent, lost in her thoughts. She had no idea if she was staying on Shimeria, regardless of how well things had been going. The last week had been a kind of honeymoon period, but she knew there were bound to be conflicts ahead. She and Liken had spent most of their time in a sensual haze, not wanting anything to spoil the pleasure. They were both on their best behavior. It couldn’t last indefinitely.
She wasn’t sure if she would stay, so the thought of Kate becoming Tair’s pactmate didn’t bring a lot of comfort. If she stayed, Kate might still file incompatible. If Sharon filed incompatible, Kate might choose to stay. It was unlikely, but seeing Tair in a new light, she knew it was possible. Kate was used to calling all the shots with men. Sharon had always figured the right man for Kate would be one she couldn’t walk all over. Maybe Tair was the right man. Or alien, in this case. Either way, the future was still uncertain.
“You are not eating, Sharon.” Liken’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Are you truly upset by Tair’s news?”
Liken knew by her face that she was upset. He was trying to stay out of her thoughts more, since they were both adjusting to the intimacy. He knew it made her uncomfortable, particularly when she was upset.
Sharon made an effort to appear more relaxed. She took a quick bite of her food, but her turmoil made it tasteless. “Not at all. I’m fine.” Her voice said just the opposite.
Tair felt guilty for ruining her mood. She had been radiant when she entered the eatery and sat down at the table. Hisvoice held unmistakable remorse when he spoke. “I thought only to bring you happiness with my news. My apology to you, Sharon.”
She looked into a face that had grown softer. His eyes sought to reassure her. She liked Tair, even trusted him to some degree because he was Liken’s brother. He was trying to regain her earlier comfort with him. She wasn’t fooled.
With serious eyes, she studied him. “Thank you, Tair, but the apology isn’t necessary. What happens between you and Kate will be up to the two of you. I would like you both to be happy. If you end up happy together, that would be terrific.”
She wanted to put them on an easier footing as well. With more enthusiasm than she felt, she picked up another square-shaped bite of mystery meat and popped it in her mouth. In an abrupt change of subject, she swallowed and said, “What exactly am I eating again? This is delicious.” She picked up another bite and turned to Liken to answer her question.
He regarded her solemnly. “I am glad you find it so tasty,sherree. It is calledufrantri and is considered quite a delicacy.”
He waited as she put the bite in her mouth and began to chew. “The literal translation would be yellow worm in your language I believe.” Sharon choked a little as his words registered. Liken winked at Tair.
Worm? They were feeding her worm?! Sharon felt the moist meat in her mouth and nearly gagged. Should she swallow it or find some way to ditch it in her napkin? She was pretty sure it was bad table manners to throw up the main dish in a crowded restaurant. Even on weird Shimeria. She decided then and there that adventure sucked. Exotic cuisine. Yeah, right.
Liken did not let her suffer for long. “Go ahead and swallow it,sherree. It is not really a worm. I said that was the literal translation. It is actually not a meat at all, but a tubular vegetable.” He could not contain his laugh at the killing look she aimed his way.
Tair began laughing, too. “It is similar to your potato, Sharon, but longer in length and more narrow.” As she swallowed and continued to glare at both of them, they laughed harder.
Liken’s voice was apologetic but his eyes sparkled with mirth. “I could not resist.”
Reaching down, he picked up another square shaped bite. This one was brown. Holding it out to her, he said. “Come,sherree, where is your sense of adventure? I would not feed you something abhorrent, would I?”
Taking the brown thing in her hand, she examined it suspiciously. Her voice was dry. She said firmly, “I believe I prefer my adventure between the covers of a book.”
“Not you,sherree. You are a woman of fire.” His voice held a sultry warmth while his eyes dared her to put the bite in her mouth.
Sharon keep feel the heat climbing into her cheeks at his passionate reference. He was driving her crazy on purpose. She was sure of it.
“Oh, that’s right. I’m a new woman these days. I think nothing of interplanetary travel. I seek out new life and new civilizations. I boldly go where…” She slapped her free hand against her forehead in mock surprise. “Whoops, that not me. What was I thinking? I’m just the idiot who tastes whatever you give her.”
She rolled her eyes. Pushing aside any thoughts on what it might be, she put the bite in her mouth. She was relieved to find it tasted pretty good.
Liken watched her with satisfaction. “An idiot? I think not. I would say you trust me,sherree. And that makes you very smart indeed.”
“I trust you not to poison me at least, “she said with an exasperated smile. Her voice was light. She wasn’t about to feed that colossal arrogance of his.
His eyes held hers. “Progress is still progress, however small.” Both had forgotten Tair, who was listening to the exchange with great interest.
She shrugged and looked away. “Or maybe I just can’t resist a dare.”