TICEES by Shae Mills Page B

be finished well before then, my Lady, and I will have the sequins with me. I also have your shoe design, and I will see what I can do with it.” With that, the warrior dutifully gathered up all his equipment, bowed, and left.
    Chelan turned to Fremma; his features were alight. “The gown is resplendent. You are truly enchanting, my Lady,” he commented softly.
    Chelan stepped up to him, taking his lips briefly. “Thank you. But now, I believe it is time for you to get some rest.”
    Fremma smiled and nodded obligingly. “I know you are right. The long day has indeed taken its toll.” He turned slowly and followed her to the bed.
    Chelan watched him carefully and noted with relief that his right arm commanded much more freedom. Then she smiled to herself as she threw the blankets from the bed. She knew they had been there for her sake, and Fremma would have no need of them. She pulled down the sheets. “Tonight,” she said firmly, “you’ll get into bed properly, and stay there.”
    Fremma chuckled and shook his head at her, but before he could protest, she reached for his jacket and began to gently remove it. Fremma stiffened slightly to her touch, and he watched her as she moved her pretty hands to his pants. Sensuality oozed from her, and the love Fremma felt for her welled up in his heart. She pushed on him gently, and he sat on the bed as she completed his disrobing.
    Chelan could sense his wanting, but she was adamant about remaining aloof until he was much better. She had been the reason for his original injury, and there was no way she was going to be an accomplice to any further pain. She pushed on him again, urging him back onto the pillows, and then pulled the sheets over him. She sat gently on the side of the bed and smiled down at him. Her long fingers brushed the sides of his face, her touch tranquilizing him, his eyes becoming heavy. Chelan kissed his forehead gently, noticing that his face was a picture of contentment. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she whispered.
    “Tomorrow,” he acknowledged, and Chelan left.

Chapter 3

    The rest of the week went quickly for Chelan. She spent most of her days in the company of Fremma while she meticulously attached the lace and sequins to her gown. Every evening she returned to the Command Center and to her cherished Korba, attentively loving him through the nights and into the early mornings.
    By the end of each day, Korba’s desire to be with her was unquenchable, his body and heart thirsting for her with an anticipation that rendered him feverish. Although he was well aware of her time spent with Fremma and their intrinsic friendship, a sense of foreboding coupled inextricably with his need slashed through him just before he returned each evening. He knew that despite all his people’s ways and the sexual freedom he had willingly granted Chelan, he would be rocked to his core upon his return if he found her anywhere other than in his bed.
    He had struggled with his feelings of possessiveness in an attempt to dilute the alien sensations of jealousy. But he had finally succumbed to the irrevocable conclusion that his struggle was futile. The turbulence within him was unyielding and defiant. He simply worshiped everything about her. He wondered if his intense feelings were because of her vulnerability and his all-consuming need to shelter her from harm and pain, and ultimately, from other men. But despite all his acumen, he could not pinpoint the true source of his feelings.
    His decision not to interfere with her pursuits with Fremma had indeed become a bleak one, but he knew that denying her Fremma would only instill in her a deep sense of guilt and the perception that she had been disloyal. In turn, Korba shifted his attention unwaveringly toward attending his provocative and sensual temptress, smothering himself and the troublesome ache within his chest with her innocent and devoted love, burying his body within her willing and eager flesh. She was his