Torkel's Chosen: A World Beyond Book 1 Page 6

  Torkel had feared his Chosen would wish to leave him after their night together when she leaped from the bed despite her promise. When her face paled, he’d made the connection and got her to the cleansing room in time. Her color looked better now and she’d eaten everything he provided on the breakfast tray. It pleased Torkel to see the healthy appetite she exhibited.

  Faye’s rounded hips and sloped curves tempted him. He didn’t want her to lose them. Holding her in his arms and absorbing her warmth filled him with peace. He meant it when he said his job sent him into deadly situations which left him disgusted and angered. She could erase those thoughts for him so easily.

  “What kind of job do you have?”

  Torkel shifted her plump weight and ran his hands down the outside of her arms, enjoying the feel of her smooth skin as she shivered. She was not immune to him. “I’m a Jutak warrior,” he stated proudly. “The government sends us to quell uprisings, retrieve information or perform rescues of prominent officials. We’re also sent off world to battle the continued rise of slavery in the Catlon zone.”

  “Slavery,” she gasped.

  “The slave trade has always been a problem in the more rural sectors. Jutak teams are sent to areas within easy reach of where they’re stationed.”

  Faye pushed away and turned completely to face him. She folded her legs to the side of her and propped her elbows on her knees. “A Jutak warrior sounds like Navy SEALs or Marines from Earth. Except they don’t travel to other planets.”

  “They’re elite fighters?” Torkel wondered, missing her in his arms.

  “Yes.”

  Torkel reached out and smoothed the loose hair back from her face. It gave him an excuse to touch her. “Then this is the same. What role did you leave behind on your world?” He hardly knew anything about humans from Earth other than rumors.

  “I worked with an internet and wi-fi company in a contractual role.”

  Torkel took a wild guess. “Computers and communicators?”

  “In a nutshell.”

  He frowned at the odd phrasing. “Nutshell?”

  Faye shook her hair over her shoulder and the feminine gesture entranced Torkel. She must have noted his confusion. “It means in basic terms.”

  Which brought Torkel to the next order of business. He rose to his feet and helped her up. “If possible, I will see if there is a similar job on Enotia that will fulfill you if you have the need to stay occupied.”

  Torkel hadn’t expected to make the offer but the words came naturally and her excitement made it worth it.

  “I’d love that. I’m not used to being idle. ”

  Faye bent to retrieve the tray but he caught her hand in his instead. “Later. I’d like to take you to Dr. Maku this morning.”

  “I’m fine.” She showed him her arm. Last night he’d had to roll the sleeves of his shirt almost to her elbows but she’d been insistent on wearing it. It looked cute on her. “The medical technology here is amazing.”

  No bruises marred her pink and gold skin. Torkel ran a blunt fingertip down her arm and paused at her elbow when the flesh pebbled. “Axan was wrong to touch you in violence. He shamed his father, Naine, and will pay a hefty fine.”

  Though, Torkel would have loved to have taught the man a lesson with his fists.

  “No doctor needed, right?”

  She looked anxious. Torkel reminded himself of his purpose. “We’re not seeing him for your injury. You need to receive the language transplant. It should have been done last night but considering your condition it wasn’t wise.”

  Faye placed her palm over her face and moaned. “I’m never living that down am I?”

  Torkel entwined his fingers with hers for the sheer pleasure of touching her. He tugged and led her back inside. His shirt fluttered around her thighs and Torkel’s arousal returned. He thought he’d satisfied himself with her last night but his desire left him slowing down to eye her shapely rear.

  When they reached the bedroom, he spun her in his arms and pulled her flush with his bare chest. “No one will make fun of you.”

  She struggled briefly before placing her hands on his shoulders. “I feel like there’s so much for me to learn.”

  “I will help you, Chosen.” Torkel vowed to do anything to keep her happy. If anyone upset her they’d meet Jutak justice.

  Chapter 8

  Dr. Maku spoke little during the procedure to implant her with a language translator. Faye had initially been leery of having a device surgically placed into her ear canals where an electronic transmitter would connect to her brain. His demonstration on the computer monitor hadn’t helped much but Faye gave in when he threatened to sedate her.

  “All done. You should understand everything someone says no matter the language.”

  “Just like that?” She couldn’t help if her tone carried doubt.

  He raised a blond brow. “Do you understand me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then it worked.” Dr. Maku rolled his eyes and started to arrange all of his equipment back in the case on a rolling cart.

  Faye supposed even aliens could be sarcastic. Torkel had escorted her to another floor in the building where he resided and left her with the doctor in a health clinic of some sort. After a threatening glare from the doctor, he promised to wait for her right outside.

  Her gaze bounced around the sterile room. Most of the equipment looked odd and she recognized none of it. Then again she wasn’t a medical expert. In addition to the bed she sat on, there were two other narrow bunks. An assistant worked on a computer screen behind an enclosed glass wall but paid them no attention.

  “Do you need anything else from me?” Faye eased off the table and got to her feet. Her tennis made squeaking sounds as she followed him back to the front of his clinic. She’d changed into jeans and a long-sleeved cotton pullover though she planned to keep Torkel’s shirt for sleeping unless he asked for it back.

  “I took blood samples to start an electronic file on you since I’ve never worked on a human before. Torkel is adamant we prepare in case you have a medical emergency.”

  He didn’t sound pleased but Faye couldn’t quite tell. They entered the waiting area and Torkel’s eyes brightened when he spotted her.

  “Did it work?”

  Faye shrugged. “I think so.”

  “It will translate unless a word has no equivalent,” Dr. Maku chimed in.

  Torkel nodded and shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you, friend.”

  “She’s easier than patching any of you up.”

  Torkel curved his arm around her shoulder and they left together. “I want to take you to spend time with my team. I’m with them a lot and want you to be comfortable around them.”

  Faye appreciated his efforts. She’d enjoyed meeting them from her hazy memories. She snuck a quick glance at Torkel. He focused on leading her down the hall. She had her whole life to adapt to a new world and a new husband. He still wore the black pants but had added a black pullover shirt with long sleeves. She wished his arms were bare for another view of the sleek skin she’d touch the night before.

  He opened the door to a different room. Training equipment identified it as a gym of some sort. Without the odor. Only a few shirtless men were present in the room similar dressed in black pants. They turned in their direction and Faye’s eyes widened. If she was back home she’d make a calendar of these Enotian men and sell them for millions.

  Torkel didn’t let her slow down, pulling her along with him. “My Chosen is going to spend time with us.”

  “You may want to rethink that.” Jaron pointed behind them.

  An older couple came in the room behind them. The woman had the delicate blonde beauty Faye had envied in her teens until she’d embraced her curves and size. Standing next to Torkel didn’t hurt either. His height and brawny frame increased her feelings of femininity.

  “Maman, what are you doing here?”

  “Torkel.” The woman spread her arms wide
and bumped Faye when she hugged Torkel.

  He patted her back awkwardly and leaned back. “I said I would call.”

  The man joined their small circle. “Apologies Torkel but she wouldn’t wait. She insisted we arrive first thing.”

  Torkel smiled and waved at Faye. “Faye it would please me to introduce my maman and papan. Shaya and her Chosen, Marlin Alonson.”

  The man’s blond hair had dustings of silver. The small lines at the corners of his blue eyes hinted that the smile on his face stayed often.

  “Welcome to our family.” He bowed his head at Faye but the woman reached out and pulled Faye to her.

  Tears glistened in her eyes as she squeezed Faye’s cheeks. “You make us so happy.”

  “Thank you. I think.” Was the only response she could come up with.

  Marlin wrapped his arm around Shaya’s shoulders. “I’m sorry if we interrupted your bonding phase with our son.”

  Their son. Faye studied the couple closer. Both of them had blond hair and blue eyes though Shaya’s were lighter than the man who stood but inches taller than her. Marlin, while slender, still had a sturdy frame but Shaya’s lean beauty looked as if a mild wind would tip her over.

  Torkel pulled Faye to him. His arms curved around her waist as he rested his chin on the top of her head. “Faye is my Chosen. She’s from Earth as I mentioned last night.”

  He’d already talked about her to his parents. A weight shifted on her shoulders and Faye leaned into Torkel. She liked being close to him. His arms tightened as if he read her mind.

  Shaya pressed a fist to her mouth and a tear trembled on her blonde lashes. “Thank you, Faye.”

  The profuse appreciation made her feel awkward.

  Torkel straightened but maintained his position behind her. “Why have you come out this early? I would have brought Faye to the home to meet the family.”

  Shaya’s lips pressed tight and the tears dried instantly. “Axan has lodged a formal complaint about the presentation.”

  Marlin’s brow creased. “He’s not taking this well at all for some reason. Be on your guard with that one until this is handled by the Commission.”

  Faye was stuck on one phrase. ‘Formal complaint.’ “What formal complaint? They can’t make me not choose Torkel can they?”

  Torkel squeezed her waist and stepped away. “I haven’t checked the communicator but if the complaint is approved they will send me notice.”

  The men in the room ceased their training and focused on them. The ones she remembered from the night before all wore varying frowns. Their reactions revealed the depth of their concern for their friend and team member. Faye didn’t question her own concern. They’d been together for one night but already her heart knew she wanted this man. Wanted to let the small flame inside her soul grow into a bonfire with all the feelings that could grow between them.

  Jaron came over and answered her. “They can’t but they can disqualify him and you’d have to attend another presentation for a Chosen.”

  Torkel glared then softened the look when he spoke to Faye. “It won’t come to that. Axan is reaching. He’s spoiled and unused to being told no.” He turned her fully to face him and cupped her jaw. “We haven’t built a connection yet but I’m asking you to trust me.”

  Her throat tightened. His request was simple and anything but at the same time. Faye thought of her childhood dreams. Her fantasies of a family life. Those memories helped guide her as she stared into pleading liquid-brown eyes. “I trust you, Torkel.”

  His mouth hitched in the corner, revealing a deep groove in one masculine cheek. “Thank you.”

  Faye’s heart fluttered. A dimple. His already devastating appearance didn’t need a dimple.

  His mother clapped, disrupting the moment. “I can’t wait to tell your sister Lissi.”

  Torkel groaned and hugged Faye to his chest. It seemed her husband was very affectionate. “Lissi is a menace, maman.” Humor threaded his voice.

  “She tried calling earlier and left you a message. I’ll tell her that your papan and I stopped for a visit. We’ll leave now since Marlin made me promise we wouldn’t overstay our welcome.”

  Torkel’s hands lingered on Faye’s shoulders with a slight caress before releasing her. He hugged his maman and clapped his papan’s shoulder. “I’ll bring Faye to the home after we’ve had time together.”

  His parents included Faye in their farewell and left after a cheery wave toward the others.

  Geile and Gregir walked over. “If you want to skip sparring with the long sticks Gregir and I will work with Jaron and Arak. We’ll understand if you decline.”

  Torkel sighed and arched a brow in her direction. Faye could tell by the eager light in his eyes that he wanted to. “Is it okay if I watch?”

  He relaxed and a broad grin spread over his face, teasing her with the dimple again. “Of course you can.” He waved a large hand. “Sit anywhere. This is the training room where we hone our skills. We have a strict workout schedule that everyone follows. As Unit Leader I was listed on today’s roster before…”

  Before he was Chosen she mentally added. Faye made a shooing motion with her hands. She had no desire to guilt him into remaining at her side. “I’ll cheer for you.”

  He flushed but removed his shirt and handed it to her. Now she understood the drawstring pants and bare feet. He followed the brothers to a sectioned-off mat area and Arak moved over to stand beside Torkel. Each man hefted a long wooden stick from the rack mounted on the wall. The slender rods were golden in color and at least five foot in length.

  She wasn’t sure what she expected but it wasn’t for them to break into teams of two on two with Jaron on the sidelines to judge. The brothers worked together against Torkel and Arak. Similar to martial arts but faster, they attacked and lunged at one another but worked in coordination with their designated partner. At one point Arak back flipped across the mat and came up behind Geile, who promptly struck with the long stick. Faye winced when he spun on his heels but Torkel lunged forward, using his stick as a spring board and kicked out. Gregir flipped over Torkel’s head and landed on his feet between the men.

  Sweat soon dripped from each of them but Faye only had eyes for Torkel. The flex and pull of his body as he bent and stretched. The drawstring pants allowed him a freedom of motion she wouldn’t have expected. She sighed loudly at the way the fabric clung at the crotch when he performed a split to prevent being beaned on the head by Gregir.

  Torkel glanced in her direction at the noise, chest rising from exertion. A bead of sweat traveled from the crease of his collarbone, down his chest to cling for a minute before following the hollows of his abs and finally disappeared beneath the waist of his pants. She licked her lips and shifted on the couch. The material twitched and expanded. An already snug fit became tighter.

  “Time,” Torkel said and rose to his feet with a groan.

  Faye met his stare head on.

  “Continue without me.” He tossed the stick behind him without glancing back to see if anyone would catch it.

  Fortunately, Arak snagged it mid-air with a smug grin. Torkel prowled toward her, the determined light in his eyes instantly making her wet. Faye climbed from the sofa just as Torkel reached her and swung her up in his arms. Her hands grasped for his damp shoulders.

  “Torkel, your practice” she thought to protest.

  “My Chosen needs me.” His voice grated in her ear and Faye relaxed.

  She had no desire to pretend she didn’t want to tear the pants off of him. With her teeth. The thought left her smiling.

  ***

  Torkel lowered himself over Faye’s naked body. It had been an easy matter to remove her odd clothing. He’d kicked his training pants to the side and now stared at the rich bounty displayed in front of him.

  “I could almost smell your lust across the room.”

  Her head shifted across the pillow as she eyed him. “Should I apologize to your men for taking you away?”


  She didn’t look remorseful. She looked amused.

  Torkel battled a grin. Her amusement chipped at his heart. Having a Chosen had added benefits he had not considered. He didn’t laugh with the females he’d sex shared with in the past. “The only person you need apologize to is me. You distracted me.”

  She licked her lips and lifted her hands to cup his face. “How should I apologize? Maybe a lap dance.”

  He frowned. They both had implanted translators to understand various languages but the translations were literal. Like now. He couldn’t understand how dancing from her lap would be a reward. “Lap dance? Explain, please.”

  Her hands slid from his face to his hair where she tugged lightly. “I don’t think so. I prefer to show you. Another time.”

  Torkel groaned at her smug look. He had the feeling she planned to torture him with some Earth custom. Shaking his head, he dislodged her teasing hands. His lips kissed the caramel tips of her breasts until she quivered. Sliding down, he mouthed the curve of her belly, his tongue licking slowly.

  “Torkel, please.”

  “I’m going to please you, Faye.” He nipped her inner right thigh, causing her leg to twitch. “I’m going to please you while I feed on the delicious nectar that pours from your body.”

  She cursed and squirmed beneath him.

  “Spread your legs wider, Chosen.” He waited as her legs parted. “More. Spread them wide enough I don’t miss a single spot.”

  Faye groaned and her legs slid until her heels hit the edges of his bed. Torkel grabbed her thighs with satisfaction and held them there as he lowered his mouth to the wet folds. As soon as his lips dipped into her honey, she jerked. The sound she made was full of female hunger. Hunger he intended to satisfy.

  He tongued her moist center. She was wet. She was sweet. She was everything he wanted. Torkel plunged his tongue deeper and tasted her honey as it dripped from her. He groaned as the rich taste of her filled his mouth.

  “Whatever you do, don’t stop.”

  If he wasn’t buried between her legs, he would have laughed out in exultant relief. Her passionate nature matched his. Torkel focused his energy on the fleshy nub protruding from her lower lips. He sucked and kissed until she begged.