Terra looked over at the large chronometer that adorned the wall of Tamerlane's office. She took a deep breath and felt a wave of nervousness run through her.
After Tamerlane had walked away, Terra had stood there for a long moment debating on what she was going to do. She wanted to talk to Tamerlane. However, she was there with Maximillian. Indecision had kept her inactive for a long time before she finally made up her mind. She had made her way through the crowd to Maximillian and lightly touched his shoulder. He was in the midst of conversation so she doubted he would miss her if she disappeared for a few minutes. She had quickly whispered in his ear that she needed to visit the washroom. He had just nodded and told her he was ready to leave whenever she wanted to depart. Terra was certain he wanted to leave so they could go back to his place for the rest of the evening. Nearly all of their dates ended up between the sheets. But Terra had no complaints.
She had then kept an eye on her mother and brother before slipping out the side door and heading towards Tamerlane's office. She knew he was still in the ballroom when she had departed. She also knew he had seen her leave because every time she looked in his direction, he seemed to be gazing in hers not matter where she was in the ballroom.
Ashan had been cordial and allowed her to enter the office when she said she was supposed to meet Tamerlane. It had surprised her that he had just let her in. Then again, she guessed Tamerlane had alerted him that she might be coming. And Terra guessed Tamerlane wanted no one else seeing her waiting for him in reception. Since then, she had been pacing the length of the bookcases, looking at Tamerlane's collection while casting glances at the chronometer as the seconds seemed to pass like hours while she waited.
Terra looked over when the door to the office opened. Tamerlane walked in with Ashan. After a moment, Ashan left the office, closing the door behind him.
"You have things to say that might change the context of our previous encounters and conversations," Tamerlane's voice floated in the stillness of the office as he made his way over to his desk. He perched himself on the front edge of his desk. "Talk."
"I … ummm," Terra wasn't sure exactly what to say at the moment. She made her way along the bookcase, around the end of the oversized sofa and walked toward him at his desk. She had not expected to talk to Tamerlane tonight other than polite greetings. She certainly was not prepared to discuss personal issues. She glanced over at the chronometer. It had been more than five minutes since she excused herself to go to the washroom. She wondered if Maximillian realized she had not returned or if he was still caught up in the discussions he had been having throughout the evening.
"You … ummm …" Tamerlane raised his eyebrows questioningly when she stopped before him.
"I … wasn't expecting to really talk to you tonight," Terra replied as she tried to decide what she should say to him.
"Would you like me to begin?" Tamerlane asked as he put his hand out to her. Terra looked at it for a long moment before glancing back up at the chronometer. When her eyes moved back to Tamerlane, he gave her questioningly look. "Or would you like to get back to … what is your escort's name this evening?"
"Maximillian Arnault. And you may begin," Terra relented as she put her hand into his. He pulled her between his outstretched leg before dropping her hand on his chest. His fingertips caressed her jaw lightly as his gaze held hers.
"Have your lips touched any part of Maximillian Arnault this evening?" Tamerlane's voice was soft and low when he spoke. He cupped her jaw lightly as his thumb ran lightly over her bottom lip.
"His lips," Terra replied as her eyes searched Tamerlane. She almost told him it was none of his business but she was certain that would have ended any chance of a conversation. "There was a quick kiss hello when I met him in front of the palace. How about you?"
"My lips have never touched any part of Maximillian Arnault," Tamerlane shook his head with a faint smirk.
"I meant your wives," Terra shook her head in exasperation.
"Other than the smallest token of acknowledgment, I have not kissed nor been kissed by any of my wives in at least the last week," Tamerlane replied after a moment of consideration. "and before you feel compelled to ask … I have not engaged in sex with any of them since Minerva desired to have a child. I have not engaged in sexual intercourse with any contracted females in nearly a year. Lilith kissed me … rather thoroughly last night before I declined her offer to mount me in the formal dining room. Would you like to divulge your sexual escapades of the last few weeks?"
"No," Terra shook her head. She was surprised to hear Tamerlane had not been with any of his wives since Minerva. She was even more surprised that he had not used the contracted female service in nearly a year. Lilith was just a ladder climbing vixen or pawn for her family as far as Terra could ascertain.
Terra, herself, had no desire whatsoever to share even the broadest of strokes about her private life. She was dating Nate, Bart and Maximillian quite often these days. She had a few dates with other men she had met at the university. She guessed one could say she had a very active social life. She kissed all the men she was dating. She engaged in some mild making out with a couple of the university guys. Making out with Bart was really nice. Sex with Bart was less than fulfilling. Nate was not much on making out but he was a lot more adventurous. Sex with him was good but rarely left her satisfied. Maximillian was very tactile most of the time when they were together. They really did little in the mild making out department, it was limited to kissing her while leading her to his bedroom. Foreplay actually existed with Maximillian which made the sex all the more enjoyable. In Terra's mind, if she could combine all of them together, she could have the perfect lover. Terra had no compunction about engaging in sex with any or all of them. She just didn't think it was information that Tamerlane Anasazi needed to know.
"Good," Tamerlane replied as he pulled her closer to him. His eyes searched hers for a long moment as his thumb ran lightly over her bottom lip again.
He always seemed to find himself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory when it came to Terra Hawkins. The relationship between them had always been tainted by suspicion and uncertainty. The attraction he felt for her was undeniable even though she was Human. Over the years, thoughts of her drifted through his mind even when she was not on Arktos. Their interactions now were varied and confusing to him. He found her interactions with other males … Human males … disquieting. If he were to be honest in his reflections of his relationship with Terra, he would have to admit he was covetous of the relationships she was allowed to have with her Human consorts. They were available to her when she wanted or needed. They had the freedom to do as she desired. His life was not one that lent itself to easily accommodate a female the likes of Terra Hawkins.
"I really have no desire to hear of them," he murmured before he leaned and brushed his lips ever so lightly over hers. His lips toyed with hers for a long moment until a beep filled the air and Ashan's voice followed.
"Sire?" Ashan's voice was strong as it broke through the still air of the office.
The interruption of the quiet moment between them aggravated Tamerlane to no end. However, it reflected the majority of his life these days. There was little time in his life that was not disrupted by the pull of his Empire.
His lips were light as they feathered light kisses over her lips. Terra's lips responded slowly to the soft caress of his fingertips over her skin and his lips against hers. She was mildly flabbergasted by his behavior thus far. She was also delighted by it as well.
"Sire?" Ashan's voice flowed through the air once more. This time his tone was tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
Terra's hand on his chest could feel the soft growl of discontent rumbled through Tamerlane's chest as his gaze held hers. The sound and the expression in his eyes sent a wave on anticipation through Terra. His lips slowly caressed her bottom lip then her top before pulling away. He took a deep breath before he leaned back slightly to press the comm link button on his desk.
"Yes?" Tamerlane replied to Ashan's intrusion as he sat back up straight. His hand returned to her hip while the fingertips of his other hand caressed her jaw once more.
"Sire, Representative VanHelfsey from Goolong was looking for you at the reception. His aide de camp is here, inquiring if you have left for the evening or if you are taking further informal discussions this evening?" Ashan's voice was still filled with uncertainty as he spoke. Tamerlane knew it was because he had instructed Ashan to not interrupt him for the next few minutes when he closed the door behind him.
"Inform Representative VanHelfsey's aide that I am currently with someone. I am uncertain if I will be available this evening," Tamerlane replied as his eyes followed his thumb as he caressed Terra's lower lip again. Terra was a bit surprised when he leaned and kissed just her bottom lip. "If I find myself available, I will find the representative in the ballroom. If not, encourage his aide to take one of the short appointments tomorrow during the mid-morning."
"Yes sire," Ashan replied hurriedly. "And sire?"
"Yes Ashan?" Tamerlane sighed deeply when his aide spoke once more. His lips lightly caressed her top lip this time.
"Sire," Ashan replied hesitantly.
"Yes," Tamerlane prodded Ashan with a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. Whenever Ashan was hesitant, it always meant he did not want to speak with Tamerlane about a topic.
"Sire," Ashan began again. "Security is looking for Ms Hawkins. It seems her escort for the evening wandered into a secure corridor while looking for Ms Hawkins. It seems she went to the washroom some time ago and has yet to return to the ballroom. He became concerned and went in search of her. When he failed to locate her in the facilities closest to the ballroom, he continued his search, resulting in his unauthorized incursion into a secure area."
Tamerlane could see the look of concern and mild panic cross her face when Terra glanced toward the chronometer on the wall.
"Have security return Ms Hawkins' escort to the ballroom," Tamerlane informed Ashan as Tamerlane's fingertips caressed her jaw. His lips teased lightly over hers. "Inform him that Ms Hawkins is fine. She had to take her leave this evening. She will speak with him at some point tomorrow."
"What are you doing?" Terra's voice exploded through the air when she heard what he was saying to Ashan. Her voice hushed when she realized Ashan could hear her as well. "You can't do that."
"I just did," Tamerlane murmured as his lips caressed hers again.
Terra searched his eyes for a long moment before her hand slipped up to cup his jaw. Her lips caressed his slowly before deepening the kiss. Her tongue easily parted his willing lips and dipped inside. It slipped along his before twirling along the tip. Then delved deeper, exploring the recesses of his mouth.
His hand slipped under her hair, caressing the back of her neck as he pulled her even closer to him. His tongue followed her retreating one, eagerly exploring her depths. His other hand slipped from her hip to her back. His hand flattened against the bare, warm skin of her lower back, revealed by the plunging back of her dress.
Breathing deepened. Eager lips and tongues teased and explored.
"Sire?" Ashan's voice broke through the air once more.
Terra pulled her mouth from Tamerlane's as she tried to catch her breath. The fevered kiss lit the desire deep inside her. She opened her eyes slowly to meet his golden brown eyes. His eyes were warm and open and inviting for the first time in the longest time.
"What?" Tamerlane snapped in frustration when his aide's voice interrupted them once again. His hand on the back of her head urged her back to him, yet she resisted.
"Sire," Ashan's voice sounded uncertain and almost timid when he spoke. He had heard Tamerlane's directive but then heard the female protest. The rest was muted and garbled so he was uncertain as to what to do at the moment. "What shall I have security tell Ms Hawkins' escort?"
Terra took a deep, calming breath as she tried to push back her desire for Tamerlane. Her eyes moved slowly over his as she caressed his jawline. She leaned and pressed a firm kiss against his lips.
"Tell Mr Arnault that I will meet him in the ballroom shortly," Terra spoke into the air in a clear, authoritarian tone.
"Sire?" Ashan spoke once Terra had finished.
"Have security inform Ms Hawkins' escort that she will meet him in the ballroom shortly," Tamerlane replied in a quiet, terse tone as he gazed at Terra.
"Yes sire," Ashan replied. Tamerlane reached back and turned of the comm link to his office.
"I am here with a date. You have a ballroom full of guests who would give their first born for a moment of your time," Terra began softly as she stroked her fingertips lightly over his jaw. A frown tugged at the corner of her lips as her eyes searched his. The open warmth was gone for now. It bothered Terra at times how quickly his demeanor could change and he could shut her out.
"And I am fairly certain … you are not looking for a playmate," Terra leaned and pressed her lips to his. Her mouth coaxed his patiently until he returned her kiss. She gazed into his eyes for a long moment.
"If you think the private dining room between dinner and dessert is inappropriate," Terra gestured around them as she moved away from him. "Your office is definitely a no-no."
"Enjoy the rest of your evening," Tamerlane gestured toward the door with his head.
Terra stared at him for a long moment before turning and hurrying towards the door.