Michaela by Tracy St. John

best that the night end now, allowing them the certainty of not making any mistakes. He still felt disappointment when they reached Michaela’s suite in Israla’s home. He hated that the date had ended. Aching arousal notwithstanding, Govi could have happily spent hours longer in the Earther’s company.
    It seemed Michaela was just as loath to have the night end. She looked up at the men with those big, dark eyes that Govi found so mesmerizing. “Would you come in for a drink? Israla sent me some leshella and shel this morning.”
    They all hesitated. Korkla and Raxstad looked to Govi, which felt odd to him since Korkla was the Dramok. That they did so rather than immediately begging off told the Imdiko that they felt as he did: they didn’t want to leave Michaela yet. This in spite of their agreement that she was too much temptation to be alone with, especially with them all aroused. The other two men were deferring to Govi’s knowledge of emotional health and hoping he would let them spend more time with the Earther. 
    Govi knew it might be a mistake to linger, and yet he had another worry. He was concerned that if they did not accept Michaela’s invitation, she would take it as rejection. She was fragile when it came to how she thought others perceived her. He didn’t dare upset these first motions of trust.
    I’ll just have to keep myself and the other two in check. I have to keep in mind the damage she’s endured and not let my cocks rule my brain.
    The Imdiko smiled at his would-be Matara. “One drink would be all right. Thank you, Michaela.”
    Her face lit with delight, and she led them into her room. Moments later, she poured leshella into glasses for them all.
    Michaela settled on the small lounger in the middle of the room, and Korkla and Govi sat on either side of her. Raxstad settled cross-legged on the floor at their feet.
    Conversation hit a lull. Govi was all too aware of the Earther sitting next to him, sipping delicately at her leshella. His arm touched Michaela’s. Her skin felt warm and soft her skin against his. That led to all sorts of other thoughts, thoughts he had been determined not to have. Coming in for drinks had been a mistake.
    Fortunately Michaela got the conversation going again, in a safe direction. “I wonder if Jessica got in all right.”
    Korkla smiled reassuringly at her. “I’m sure she’s fine. Prince Egilka is not the warmest Imdiko in a social sense, especially with those he doesn’t know well. However, I can assure you he’d never cause a woman harm.”
    Govi nodded. Egilka did tend to be aloof around strangers, and sometimes even in the company of those he counted as friends. It was no surprise, given his history and recent events. The Imdiko prince had weathered much sadness in his past, and the latest news had no doubt rattled the usually stoic man. There had been a lot of pain behind his anger tonight.
    Govi told Michaela, “Egilka is a good man. Unfortunately, you saw him after he got devastating news.” He directed a question to Korkla. “Did you know his research was being cut off?”
    His Dramok nodded, his expression grim. “The word came just a few days ago. Clajak was struggling with how to tell him. I’m surprised he let Egilka take off on his own after getting the news.”
    Raxstad sighed and stared moodily into his half-consumed drink. “I guess that’s that. The Empire is officially giving up on our existence.”
    Michaela blinked around at the men surrounding her. “What are you all talking about?”
    Govi said, “Prince Egilka heads up a research team that has been trying to find a way to restore fertility to our own women. In the last few years most of the research community has given up all hope of doing so, but not Egilka.”
    Korkla added, “Saving us from extinction has been his passion for decades. Poor man. Despite all the evidence that showed we couldn’t be saved, he kept right on trying.”
    Raxstad still glared at his drink.