She felt heat rise to her cheeks as she finished the last of the buttons. Spreading his shirt, she leaned forward and swirled her tongue around one of his nipples. She could feel his big body tense. Her husky voice dripped satisfaction as she said, “Nope, I believe it’s my turn for a little revenge.”

She placed teasing kisses in a steady downward path. Peeking up at him through her lashes, she watched his eyes darken with arousal. She paused and unbuttoned his pants. He went completely still under her hands. “You’ll have to adjust…”

Liken watched the dark curtain of her hair lower over his lap. When her mouth closed over his aching cock, he couldn’t stifle his moan. He could feel the blood leaving his head and heading south. Bringing his hands to tangle in her hair, he arched upward helplessly. He had one last thought before his mind went completely blank. She was a librarian, for goodness sake, and she had conquered a warrior.

Chapter 17

On the twenty-first day since her departure from Earth, Sharon, Liken, and Tair stood on the Shimerian side of the portal. They were waiting in line to transport back to Earth for the pledging ceremony. Tair glanced over his shoulder at the pactmates. Sharon was dressed in her pledge clothing. Her shimmering white halter was thin, and showed off her full breasts beautifully. Her white skirt stopped at mid-thigh calling attention to those wonderful legs.

She certainly did not resemble any librarian Tair had ever seen. Liken was in black, but his boots shone and he was wearing some expensive scent Tair could not identify. Tair studied the couple with great satisfaction. Sharon looked radiant and Liken could barely keep his eyes off of her. They were obviously happy. Sharon turned to him suddenly and said, “Tair, we need to talk.” Her voice was serious.

Both men shuddered in instinctive dread at her words. Liken shot him a look of sympathy. Tair couldn’t imagine what he had done. He couldn’t keep the defensive note from his voice. “What is it, Sharon? Perhaps another time would be better to have this discussion?”

She wasn’t being put off. “No, I don’t think so. When are you planning to make Kate your pactmate?” It hadbeen on her mind for some time.

The line moved forward. There was only one person ahead of them now. Tair shrugged and said, “She will be at your pledging today, will she not? It is an ideal time.”His casual gesture belied the depth of his real feelings. He was anxious to claim his pactmate. After seeing Liken and Sharon together, especially this last week, he was eager to start his life with Kate.

Sharon nodded slowly. “Well, yes. But, don’t you think I should talk to her first? Maybe explain a few things about Shimeria? It might smooth the way.”It might prevent major warfareshe wanted to say.

Tair smiled. “No. Absolutely not. She will learn as you did.”

Sharon couldn’t contain her doubt.Since she liked Tair and loved Kate like a sister, she wanted to spare both of them some of the pain and confusion she and Liken had gone through in the last few weeks.“She’s a lot more… ummm… explosive…than I am, Tair. I don’t think her knowing period will be as easy as mine.”

Tair laughed. “I am relying on it.” He stepped through the portal and was gone.

Sharon turned to Liken, who was watching with an incredulous look on his face. “What?”

“Easy? Your knowing period was easy?” Sheer amazement permeated his voice.

She laughed. “Compared to Kate, believe me, I was easy.”

Liken placed a hard kiss on her mouth. “Maybe they will be fortunate and find love as we have.” Her eyes softened and he placed a tender hand on her cheek in response. She heard people in line behind them shifting restlessly. She turned and walked forward.

Grinning shamelessly,Likenwaited until she was about to enter the portal. His voice echoed in the large room. “If not, a little interplanetary nookie won’t kill them.”The others in the line around them heard his words and laughed along with him.

Sharon couldn’t help it. Men were always so sure of themselves. She laughed. “No, but Kate might.” She was still laughing as she stepped into the portal and disappeared.

As he stepped through the portal on her heels, Liken thought about his soon-to-be pledgemate. He was very grateful she had agreed to make a life with him. His sweet librarian was beautiful, and intelligent, and a fiery dream come to life. She was walking, talking love personified. She meant everything to him. But, obviously, she did not know Tair. He felt the grin on his face grow wider. Sharon was going to be surprised again.

Of course, not as surprised as Kate.