Encounters with Rhade

 

 

Part one

Rhade watched her fumble in her new surroundings. He'd heard rumours that she was a tough nut to crack so decided that it was just better to watch and wait for an opening.

I 'd heard all the rumours about Nietzscheans. Their arrogance. Their ruthlessness. I'd spent many years trying to avoid all contact with them. So I knew Nietzscheans. Humans were so far down on their food chain I wondered why he was even here bothering with me.
I knew he was watching me. Standing there with his strong legs slightly apart, his hips thrust slightly forward. Arms folded across the acres of strong chest. I tried to ignore the eyes that bored into the back of my head.
"How can this conduit make this kind of racket!" I kicked at it angrily and cursed under my breath.
"That's not going to solve your problem." His deep rich voice was edged with sarcasm.
"Thanks for stating the obvious." I said as I glared at the mess of wires that were sparking and shrilling at my nerves. I didn't have to turn to sense his eyebrow arched. In the short space of time I'd been on the andromeda I'd been given the low down on rhade and his closed off attitude.
I pushed the panel shut and eased myself up off the floor, brushing the muck from my trousers. "Is Harper selling tickets at the door?"
This time I saw him arch his brow.
"Ringside's usually the first to go." I tapped at the flexi, trying to ignore the intensity of his brown eyes. Attack was always my best form of defence. "It's always best to come early."
"If my presence here is unwarranted you only need to say."
Why did my knees want to buckle every time he talked? Liquid chocolate that's what he sounded like. I shook my head and realised it had been hours since I had anything to eat.
"Women! Go figure!" Harper stood next to Rhade.
"Indeed." Rhade turned swiftly and left.
"You could be a bit easier on him. You're both newbies." Harper lowered himself slowly down into a gap so all that was visible was his head. "And he doesn't seem your typical off the shelf Nietzschean.

"Well that's typical of men!" I stormed back to my quarters and drowned my cares away in the shower. Men! They all stick together. All low lives and untrustworthy. Wouldn't know commitment if it bit them on the ass. Didn't matter what race they were from men were all the same.
A persistent knocking at my door dragged me from my shower. I was struggling to fix the towel around my damp body. "Yes?" I opened the door. "Oh!"
Rhade stood holding a covered tray and wearing a wicked grin.
"Yes?" I said trying to recover. I could feel the blush colour my cheeks. My toes wiggled in a pool of water. I felt as vulnerable as snow in a heat wave.
"I thought I had better help you." He continued that grin and stepped into the room. My room. "I noticed you hadn't had anything to eat for a while." He put the tray down on a table next to my bed and uncovered it. The smell was heady. I hoped it was just the food that was making me light-headed. In this light and in a softer surrounding Rhade seemed more relaxed. Damn it he wasn't going to get under my skin!

Part two

"Thank you but you needn't have bothered." I made sure I stood well away from him. But I couldn't escape those brooding eyes.
"It was nothing. I assumed you ate meat." He eased the silver cover off the food.
My mind raced. What did he mean by that? Was that a strange way of telling me I was carrying a few extra pounds? I shot him a glare.
His eyebrow arched and a smile pulled on the corners of his mouth. He took a long look, too long, at me. It was the kind of look that would surely melt the ice caps in some god forsaken frozen waste land. He skimmed his eyes over the towel and I could swear he could see through it. The strange thing was I wasn't uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
"Informal's fine. But you might want to put something else on." He smiled broadly. He liked what he saw, and was glad he was seeing a lot more than he had planned to tonight. He longed to touch her skin. It looked so silky glistening from the water. And soft too. He had to win her over. Get her interested in him. Win her trust. It was obvious she didn't trust men or Nietzscheans. He was both. That irony wasn't lost on him. He'd seen something in her though and it gave him hope. There were times when she smiled at Harper when they were working that simply took his breath away. He wanted to be on the end of one of her smiles.
I'd found the most baggiest trousers and shirt I owned and pulled them on. I tried to casually walk back into the room. I thrust my hands into my pockets. "You not eating?" I perched on the bed next to him and tried the steak. It melted in my mouth. God! I had forgotten how much I liked the taste and texture of fine foods.
He watched her devour the meal he had prepared for her, and longed just to be a small sliver of meat to be held, tasted and enjoyed. "I have already eaten." His voice was rough with emotion.
I looked at him. He actually looked uncomfortable. "Good." Well, that was lame! I tried again. "Thanks. this is so good."
He had regained his composure. "I know. Cooking is one on my specialities."
"One?" I joined him on the offensive tack. "I thought your race was perfect. There was nothing beneath you?" I took another gulp of wine. Maybe I had had too much. I felt so achingly tired..
"Occasionally I like things beneath me." He got up and strode to the door. He could feel her embarrassment from here. He smiled and quickly turned on his heals. He went to her and picked her up off the bed.
"Do you mind?" I struggled against his chest but he held me firmly. He felt warm and strong. He was everything he looked. Big. Solid. Sexy. His lips crushed mine briefly. Then he slowed and explored my mouth with his. His lips were smooth and soft. His hands glided up by back. His hands laced in my damp hair. His tongue flicked playfully at mine. I couldn't resist. Didn't want to resist. I leaned into him, and had to stand on my toes to return the passion in his kiss.
He pulled away smiling. "Goodnight." He gently released me and left me alone and stunned.

Part three

It had been a week since our last encounter and throughout that time Rhade had been, well, nothing more than kind. Even attentive. It had thrown me. How could someone with all that passion and power inside him keep it in check so easily? Probably another Nietzschean trait. I smiled. Damn him. He was beginning to make me think of him. Think there just might be a decent man out there. No, I wouldn’t give in.
I stepped wearily into my room after another gruelling day. I hadn’t slept in days it seemed. The damage repair to the ship had been even more than Harper had imagined. And boy, he could imagine a lot! I couldn’t remember eating either. Both were luxuries I didn’t have time for. Somehow we’d been lucky and caught a break with parts at our last stop so the pace had slowed somewhat.
What I needed more than food was a shower and a good long sleep. I needed to feel something soft holding my body and not the hard floor or strange angles I'd put myself in. The water felt good. Little pin pricks bombarding my skin. Finally my hair felt clean too. I quickly dried myself and slipped into a pair of shorts and a thin T-shirt I slept in. I stretched wearily and got into bed.
“Damn it!” I cursed as aloud bang echoed against my door. “Go away!” I called and pulled the sheet over my head. The bang echoed again.
“Help!” The call was muffled.
I got up and opened the door. Rhade was balancing a huge tray in his arms. “Service with a smile.” He eased past me.
“Oh Rhade. Can’t you just....” He silenced my weariness with the briefest of kisses.
“You have been working hard and need to be looked after.” He sat down on the bed and started to eat. “And you need to build up your strength.” He smiled playfully up at me. “Join me, please.”
I was too hungry and tired to fight him tonight. It was true he was a good cook. I guessed I could let the looking after remark go until later. Did I need someone to care for me? I shook my head. Focus and I could get through this meal and send him on his way.
“Is that what you want?”
What was it now? I glared angrily down at him. Could he read my mind too?
“The food? Is that what you want?” He smiled at her. She looked so small and vulnerable. So tired too. He wanted to hold her against him and smell her hair. Let the freshness of her sent surround him and take him under. How did he tell her he was a lost man?

Part four

Rhade woke first.
Soon after the meal she had fallen sound asleep. So that hadn’t really been his plan but he could make the best out of any situation. He’d covered her over and watched her sleep for awhile. Watching her slow breathing undulate her breasts. Feeling the ache and longing for her grow again. He downed the last of his coffee, undressed and slipped into the bed beside her. He pulled her into his arms and held her against his chest. She had murmured slightly at this but held him tighter and carried on sleeping. He soon followed suit.
He kissed the top of her head and got up.
A strange sound woke me. What was wrong with my shower? I eased myself up against the pillows and the headboard. I was having the most wonderful dream about Rhade too.
“Good morning.” Rhade walked calmly along side the bed and picked his clothes up off the floor. He bent over her and kissed her.
I pulled the cover up over my chest. Well, this was strange. Had it been a dream? “What happened last night?” I never thought I'd get into this situation.
“Nothing.” Rhade let the towel slip from his hips. He turned round as he pulled his trousers up over his long muscular legs. He eased the blood red shirt over his damp hair. “And I was the perfect gentleman.” He smiled wickedly. She had eyes the size of moons and a glow to her face that would have put the deadliest sun in its shade. “I’m glad I meet with your approval.” He walked round the bed and sat along side me. Red must have been made for Nietzscheans or maybe just him with his dark brooding power. I had gathered that nothing had happened as I was still clothed and all. But why? Why was he holding back?
He linked his fingers with mine, letting his thumb brush gently along the edge of my hand. Such an intimate gesture. I had never expected this from him. He traced his fingers slowly along my arm leaning further into me. He traced the outline of my jaw with warm lips and nibbled at my ear. His tongue slowly snaked down my throat. He caught me up and pulled me to him. His hands seemed to scorch my skin as they went under my T-shirt. “Rhade.” How I managed to even make a sound was beyond me. I let my hands sink into his damp hair. He could have it all. I wanted to give everything I had to him. I wouldn’t hold back. I wanted to drown in him. I didn’t even care that my shift was starting in ten minutes.
“There’s not enough time.” He barely whispered. He rested his head against mine. “I want time to love you.”

Part five

“I want time to love you.” My mind was anywhere but where it should have been. Right now that should be concentrating on fixing a coolant leak. “I want time to love you.” Rhade’s words swirled round in my head. Over and over.
“Damn it all to....!” I cursed as I dropped my tools again.
“I can see you’ve really got your mind focused on the job at hand.” Harper picked up the blow torch. “Don't think you should be using something like this, eh? Mind elsewhere, and it wouldn’t happen to be on our resident house trained Nietzschean, would it?” He grinned clearly loving my awkward silence. “And right here’s not the only place you’d see sparks. And believe me I know all there is to know about sparks. It’s always Harper and sparks, sparks and Harper, but never in the way I really want.” He winked at me “You know what I mean!”
“I believe she does.” Rhade’s deep voice made me shiver. He stood watching me. Taking every inch of me in. Suddenly it was really hot in here. And uncomfortable.
“Well, I can see that I'm no longer wanted for my scintillating wit, and snappy one liners. I shall take my genius elsewhere.” Haper’s eyes met Rhade’s for a moment. The briefest of recognition passed between them.
“Are you having a tough day?” Rhade move some stray hair that had fallen out of my pony tail.
“Yes.” What was with him and this gentleness? He unnerved me so. “Can’t seem to think straight.” I regretted that the moment it left my lips.
His eyebrow arched. “Is this why?” He stepped into me and pinned me against the wall. He cupped my face in his hands and brought it up to his lips. He slowly, carefully, sort out a reaction from me. What could I do? He knew he was winning the battle. His hips pressed into my body and I felt him stir. I opened my mouth to him and he began to slowly devour me. My lips yielding against his. His body pressing harder against mine. I could feel the sharp edges of the panels jab into my back. I flinched and he suddenly stopped. Concern etched on his face. “Too much?”
“No.” I pushed him back a little. “Panels.” I tried to look over my shoulder to see if I had been cut. He ran his hands over my back. There were deep indentations but no skin had been pierced. Only my heart by the depth of his passion and love. I swallowed nervously. Yes, I had felt his love for me in his kiss. In the way he held me. The way he aroused me.
“Should I bring food tonight?” He slipped his hand into mine. “ For what I have planned I need to keep your energy levels up.” We walked to the door of the engine room.
Fear of accepting him bubbled up inside. “Tonight? Well, I think I'm pulling a double shift.”
“No, you're not!” Harper had appeared out of nowhere again. An annoying habit he took pleasure out of perfecting. “No one is now Mr. Harper’s come to the rescue.”
A pleased smile claimed Rhade’s face. “You can’t deny me forever.”

Part six

I paced nervously in my room. I had pulled the bed straight within an inch of its life. I’m sure it shook when it saw me walk to it again.
I tried to take a calming deep breath. We were both adults and I wasn’t going to give into this silly notion of falling in love. I could cope with the passion but I would keep my heart locked I lied to myself. We had adult needs and would openly and with level heads work through those needs tonight. Tonight! I almost baulked and ran out of my room. It was too soon. How had he managed to get through my well-guarded defences so easily? Who would have thought a Nietzschean had such softness in him? I checked the time again. He never said when he would be here. Oh, for crying out loud. What I needed was a shower. Something to calm my spirit and ease my nerves.
I stood and shut my eyes to the water. I slicked back my hair and reached for the soap.
“Is this what you want?”
I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Rhade standing holding out the soap.
“You should be more careful. Leaving doors unlocked like that.” He started to undress.
“Yes, I'm sorry. It won't happen again.” I was flustered. He’d already taken off his jacket and was peeling his top off over his head. “But the food! You brought food?”
He smiled his reply.
“Wont it be getting cold? I could be out of here in no time.” Panic gripped me as he started to unbutton his trousers.
“There is no need to worry. It will keep. Unlike us.” He stepped out of his trousers and into the shower. He lathered up the soap and rubbed his hands. “Turn round.” He started to wash my hair. Gently he massaged my scalp. The tips of his fingers moving in slow circles.
I shut my eyes as pleasure spread along my body. The water bounced off my face. He squeezed the water out of my hair and let it fall. He buried his face in it. His hands, still soapy, slid round my waist and he cradled me against him.
He knew he had to take it slow. Had to hold onto the blood that was pumping in his veins and hammering into his brain. If he rushed her now he’d lose her. Even his urgent need for her wasn’t worth loosing the ultimate prize. He wanted to sink his teeth into her soft slippery skin. Wanted to taste her. He needed to love her though. Slow and gentle. When she was finally his he could give rise to his deep growing need for her. He shut his eyes and held his head back. How he hoped it would be tonight.
I turned to face him. I wanted to see what was burning in his eyes. I touched his lips softly. They fell apart and he looked down at me. Love. It was there. I let my hands slide down his chest and rest on his heart.
He looked down his brown eyes so soft and soulful. “It’s all right I won't let you drown.” He took her mouth hungrily. Wondering what she would do. He caught his breath when she leaned into him and tried to get him to pick her up. There was not enough room. “Wait.” His breath dissolved like the water into her skin. His hands sort out every curve and every inch of her. “I need time.” He kissed her fully on the lips as he made her nipple grow hard with his thumb.
I was melting under his hands. I wanted him to love me. To take me so deeply my body would burst from his power. I had to get out of the shower. He seemed to want that too as he kicked open the door and led me out. He wrapped a towel round me pulling me into him as he did. He rubbed my hair dry and then picked me up in a swift and surprising movement. He carried me to the bed and laid me down. I watched him toss away the towel and arched my back as he pulled the sheet from under me. He crawled up the bed and along me. My body tensed at his touch. His hands were rough but knew just where to touch and how much pressure to apply to send sparks flying through my veins. He moved his hands slowly tantalisingly along my legs, and skimmed past my hips. He caressed and delighted in every inch of me. I felt a moan escape from my lips. He was amazingly caring lover. I cupped his face in my hands and he let me pull his body down to mine. We kissed for what seemed a lifetime. Lost in each other. I had to break the kiss to breathe. He smiled down at me with such burning intensity I had to fight for air again. He slid his hips down to mine and slowly moved himself to me. All night we held each other. His body grew more demanding as he loved her further. Deeper than he had ever loved.

What could I do but love him? He had opened up a world of love and trust to me. I knew when that night was over I had ever had love like that before. That trust was something better when it was a two-way street. They were both things Rhade gave without question because he loved me.

The End

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