"Hey," Terra's voice cause Tamerlane to stop when he headed toward the door back into the palace.
"Yes?" Tamerlane asked as he stopped in the courtyard and turned back toward Terra.
"I was wondering … if you aren't … headed back to the office … maybe we could … talk?" Terra replied hesitantly as she closed the short distance between them.
"I am not headed back to the office," Tamerlane shook his head as he looked around the courtyard. Being there, with her, knowing anyone might appear at any moment, had him on alert.
"Would you be interested in … taking a walk … talking?" Terra ran her fingertip along the fastener running down the center of his vest. It was a cool evening but not unbearably so. Terra's long halter style dress covered her legs and a light wrap covered her bare arms. She was by no means warm but changing clothes before heading out might catch Kindred's attention.
Tamerlane's free hand came up to cup her jaw. His thumb ran lightly over her chin as he gazed down at her.
"What would you like to talk about?" Tamerlane asked softly as his eyes searched hers. In the days since that night in his office, he had not spent an appreciable time with Terra. His schedule was full with work and his children. Her time was fill with the university and apparently, if tonight was any indication, her Human males.
Terra's hand slipped up his chest and around the back of his neck, urging him to her. Her lips brushed firmly over his just once before moving over them a little more fully. His mouth responded to her actions immediately. His hand slipped from her face and joined the other that was moving around her waist, pulling her to him. Her tongue parted his lips and teased the tip of his tongue before delving inside. Firm hands ran over the lower part of her back then down over the upper part of her rear.
Terra pulled her mouth from his and took a deep calming breath. Her eyes opened slowly to meet his.
"Take a walk with me," Terra whispered softly before lightly kissing him. The courtyard outside her mother's suite was not the place for them at the moment because Terra really had no desire to just talk at the moment. For an instant, she saw the indecision in his eyes as she gazed up at him.
"If the remainder of the evening were mine, I would join you for a stroll through the gardens," Tamerlane replied softly as his hands ran over her lower back. "However, Evangeline requested that I make myself available to her after I am finished with business this evening."
"Oh," Terra eyes widened ever so slightly before she nodded her understanding. Her hands slipped from chest as she put a little space between them. "Time to make another baby."
"She did not specify a reason for requesting my presence," Tamerlane's hands slipped from her waist when she took a step back from him. He looked around them when he thought he heard a sound. His gaze moved to Beka's door which was closed at the moment.
"I guess you should go then," Terra started to move away from him.
"Terra," Tamerlane caught her hand to keep her from leaving. "From the first moment you and I met, you have known who I am. You have known what my life is."
"I have," Terra nodded as she allowed him to pull her back to him. Although she would prefer he remain with her, she understood his commitments to his wives and children. She had known all along from the first moment she kissed him until now. She reached up and caressed his face. She started to lean in to kiss him when he suddenly pulled away from her, dropped her hand and nudged her away from him.
"Sorry," Lex's voice filtered through the night air. Terra whirled around to find Lex a few steps behind them heading in the direction of Beka's suite. "Didn't know anyone was out here. I left a flexi at father's." Lex pointed in the direction she was going. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You aren't interrupting anything," Terra shook her head before glancing back at Tamerlane. "We were just talking … about stuff wedding stuff."
"Talking about wedding stuff," Lex nodded slowly as she looked between Terra and Tamerlane. A small smile graced her lips as she gestured in the direction of Beka's suite. "I'll leave you to … talk … about wedding stuff."
"Alexandra," Tamerlane's terse tone caused his sister to stop. She turned and looked at him for a long moment.
"Don't look so worried Tamerlane," Lex shook her head before giving him a little wink. "I can keep a secret."
Without another word, Lex continued on to Beka's door. A moment later, the door opened and Lex disappeared inside.
"I'll talk to her," Terra's tone was apologetic when she turned to look up at Tamerlane.
"Don't," Tamerlane shook his head. "Alexandra will not say anything because there is nothing to tell."
"What do you mean?" Terra's brow furrowed slightly. Lex had pretty much caught them about to kiss and Terra had no idea how long she had been there. If she mentioned it to Kindred or Beka, all hell would probably break loose with the Hawkins.
"We were talking when she walked by us. There is nothing more she can say other than we were talking," Tamerlane replied as he glanced in the direction of Beka's suite then Kindred's. "Therefore, Alexandra would have no reason to bring up the event in casual conversation. If nothing else, my sister is very discrete."
"I guess," Terra wasn't as certain as Tyr seemed to be. However, Lex was his sister so Terra had to trust that he knew her well enough to believe she would keep her mouth shut to Kindred. Terra gestured in the direction of the doorway. "You should probably be going."
"I should," Tamerlane hesitated just a moment when Terra turned to walk away. A part of him wanted to call her back to him. However, his duty to his wife was a definite force in his life. His connection to Terra was still being determined.
"Terra," Tamerlane's voice seemed loud in the quiet of the night.
"What?" Terra asked as she turned and looked back at him. At the moment, she just wanted to take a long hot shower and go to bed. Even though it shouldn't bother her, it bothered her that he was going to have sex with his wife instead of spending time with her. Then again, Terra supposed the opportunity to breed more children would always trump time with her.
"157break289break346," Tamerlane replied as he took a step backward toward the doorway back into the palace.
"I am not …" Terra started to protest.
"157break289break346," Tamerlane repeated as he neared the door. "If you want to talk."