Freeing Luka: The Clecanian Series Book 2 by Victoria Aveline (readict books TXT) 📕

His arms were crossed over his chest, and his expression turned bewildered when she slowly traced a finger over his bicep, leaning toward him suggestively.

When he caught sight of Alice and Rhaego, he dashed toward them, leaving Lucy to pout in his wake.

“Why did you do that? Lucy seems to really like you.”

Zed’s jaw clenched, something it did very often. “She likes everyone. She’s always flirting with one of the guards. I don’t like being toyed with. And our males don’t understand that flirting is common to Earthlings. They have begun to assume the humans are attempting to court a husband and are getting their hopes up.  This week alone, I’ve had to issue three citations to my males for unprofessional behavior.”

Alice shrugged. The men here were turning out to be a lot pickier than she’d thought men from a planet low on females would be.

“We’re leaving as soon as you’re ready,” Zed announced, causing Alice to pick up speed.

When she approached the door to her home, she spotted a beautiful plant floating on a clear round platform. The leaves of the plant were bright green and bushy and cascaded over the edge of the glass bowl they were planted in.

Quickly, she grabbed the plant and brought it inside, leaving the floating platform to fly away. She placed it on her dining table, along with three other beautiful plants she’d received. There was never a note, but she could guess who they were from. Asivva, who’d come to tell her about Rhaego’s lesson, had explained they were common courting gifts from a time before the Ceremony existed.

She stared at the plants for a moment, trying to squash the materialistic joy she felt at having received a present. She wanted to get to know Luka and didn’t want these presents to sway her emotions. A grin spread over her face. But I do love gifts.

Biting her nails and rechecking her hand clock, she crossed to her wardrobe and glared at her clothing. Her outfit had to be functional, that was all she knew. Should she try and look nice? Should she dress down? She couldn’t decide.

After several agonizing minutes weighing the pros and cons of trying to look attractive for Luka, she settled on shorts, boots, and a long-sleeved top. The outfit was utilitarian while still showing off her figure. She allowed her hair to hang loose but decided to tie a ribbon around her wrist just in case. After a few minutes futilely struggling to tie the ribbon one-handed, she gave up, sticking it in her pocket instead.

My kingdom for a hair tie.

Butterflies started to dance around her stomach as she and Zed made their way to the exit. She needed to distract herself. “Zed, isn’t this against the rules? Someone in the city might see me, right?”

His eyes continued to scan the lake. Although off duty, he seemed unable to stop keeping everyone safe. “You’re allowed to be seen. The Queen doesn’t want the other females seen because they could potentially call forth a Clecanian’s mating marks.”

Anxiety and excitement still coursing through her, she blurted, “Is Luka a good guy? Does he…watch a lot of girls?”

He shot her a sidelong glance.

“Oh, come on. I know you know about him doing that. You saw him in the woods that day, right? I won’t tell anyone,” she urged.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She scrunched her mouth to the side, tsking.

“Luka’s always been very driven. He’s always thinking, always working, and very rarely does he fail. If he wants something, he goes for it, and he doesn’t stop until he succeeds.” Zed aimed another smile at her. “I’ve never seen him want a female like he wants you.”

Brightening, she remarked, “Is that right?”

“You’ve been good for him.” A knowing smile on his face, he added, “He needs to fail every so often. He gets too cocky if he doesn’t.”

They walked in silence the rest of the way to the transport, and once inside, they remained lost in their own thoughts.

Alice hadn’t seen the city yet and was frustrated with the lack of windows in the mirrored vehicle. “Why aren’t there any windows? Don’t people like to look outside when they travel?”

“I haven’t given it much thought.” Zed frowned, staring at the ceiling of the cab. “I know there are thousands of tiny cameras all over the cruiser’s surface to allow it to steer without hitting anything. The shell of the vehicle is very strong, as well. It may not be as visually appealing, but it’s safer.”

His explanation made sense, but even so… An alien city, and she couldn’t see it?

Before long, Zed announced they’d reached their destination. He reached for a communicator, but when he made no move to leave, Alice grew confused. “Aren’t we getting out? Where are we exactly?”

“We are in Luka’s building. He asked me to bring you here, then let him know. He’d like to come down and meet you, rather than us going to his home.”

“Why?”

Zed sighed, likely tired of answering questions about his brother. “He’s very private and pretty messy. He probably didn’t want to straighten up.”

Alice smiled mischievously. “Have you told him we’re here?”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “No, not yet.”

“Good. I want you to take me to his place.”

“Why?” he asked, brows drawn.

“Because!” she cried. “He gets to hide in the trees and watch me and sit outside my house, but I’m not allowed in his? That’s crap!”

Auzed laughed loudly, an odd sound coming from the normally stoic man. “I agree. Let’s go.”

They exited the transport and made their way to a set of doors a few feet away. Beyond the doors lay a large winding staircase.

“How many floors up is he?” she asked, craning her neck.

Walking over to a control in the wall,