Regardless of the medicalsituation, he had a treaty to negotiate. It was always easier with worlds thathad been contacted. The hard work of agreement had already been done and theywere prepared to negotiate.
The three men turned immediatelyto him, pleading looks in their eyes.
“McReidy, Gillespie,” he decidedwithout hesitation. “Giacomo.”
“Yes,” Giacomo whispered tohimself, clenching a fist and smiling with delight. The smile disappeared atMcReidy’s instant frown.
“Don’t make me regret it,” Johnwarned.
“I won’t,” Giacomo answered.
“How old are you?” John askedHumphries.
“Twenty three,” he answeredproudly.
John remembered himself at thatage. “You’re not going anywhere. Mister Tan’s in charge while we’re gone.”
Humphries was visiblydisappointed.
John hit the intercom. “MisterTan, Mister Hartford, to the bridge.” He didn’t wait for the acknowledgementsbefore switching the intercom off.
Tan and Hartford were there inminutes. Giacomo set the ship in orbit and almost leapt from his seat. Humphries sulked as he took the helm. A quick warning from John about hisbehaviour and a threat to suspend him from bridge duties soon changed his mood.
“Got the treaty?” McReidy askedas they headed to the transporter room.
“Yes,” John tapped his jacketpocket.
*
The landing party transportedinto a large foyer. Warmth and sunlight bounced around them. The foyer waslight and airy, appearing to be made of a marble-like substance. A landscapemural covered one wall, flowing into the view out the window beside it. Thepolished floor shone, reflecting the sunlight streaming through the openwindows.
Senator Bela and some of theSenate Council were there greet them. It was almost impossible for John totake his eyes from Bela, but he did note there wasn’t a male in sight.
“Is it me or is it hot in here?”Dunlop asked quietly, lifting his chin momentarily and stretching his throat.
John tried not to choke on hisbreath. Kat and Wanda looked around, their gaze meeting McReidy’s as theyassessed the situation.
Bela stepped forward, her eyestwinkling in their discomfort, and offered John her hand. “Welcome to ourworld.”
John took her hand gently betweenhis thumb and forefinger. The temptation to raise it to his lips was almostoverwhelming. Instead, he gazed cautiously into her eyes.
Two could play at that game, hedecided. As long as he was careful.
“We are honoured,” he answered politely. “My first officer, Lieutenant Commander McReidy.” He half turned to his crew,gesturing with his free hand. “Doctor Dunlop, Nurses Lockett –”
At the introduction of thedoctor, Bela withdrew her hand and strode directly to Dunlop. John shivered asher gaze left him.
“Doctor, please, you must helpour children,” she implored.
“I’ll do what I can,” Dunlopsmiled politely.
Bela waved her hand, summoningtwo aides. “Take the doctor and his staff to the nursery. Give them whateverassistance they need.” Her voice held a power that was not to be questioned.
The aides nodded obediently,lowering their eyes occasionally in their subservience as Bela spoke.
“Yes, Senator,” they answeredwhen she had finished speaking, and turned to the medical staff. Any sense ofsubservience disappeared as they followed their instructions.
“Please make yourselves athome.” Bela had turned back to John. She was using her eyes to pierce throughhis exterior. “We have refreshments… entertainment… Our city is at yourdisposal.”
He was aware of a dumb smileforming on his face, but had no power to stop it. “We would be delighted.”
“Treaty,” McReidy hissed.
John lifted a hand to brush heraway.
Giacomo and Gillespie had allowedtheir eyes to wander. And settle. Bela picked out their targets. “Entertainour guests,” she instructed.
Giacomo was like a lovesick puppyand would have followed his escort anywhere. Gillespie as least had thedecency to show some decorum.
Bela stared at McReidy, as thoughsumming up a rival. “I can find someone to entertain you,” she offeredsweetly.
“We have a treaty to discuss withyou,” McReidy answered civilly.
“I’m sure the commander and I candiscuss this on our own.” Bela’s eyes melted through John.
“I’ll… go and see if I can help thedoctor,” McReidy chose discretion.
Bela gave her an escort. Thatleft her alone with John.
Without McReidy, he suddenly feltdefenceless. He wasn’t going to let Bela use her charms against him. He askedfor a tour of the city, the treaty burning a hole in his pocket. Every time hebroached the subject, she distracted him, pointing out the public library, townhall, botanic gardens or noting the warmth of the sunshine.
He walked slowly beside her, hishands grasped behind his back in an attempt not to fidget. He tried to keephis eyes averted, but found them straying back to her body. Long, shapely legsled to a well curved figure and blonde hair fell halfway down her back. Hereyes were the most brilliant green he had ever seen.
She caught all of his glances andsmiled approvingly. This only caused him to feel more uncomfortable. She hada seductive power that hit his core, and made him want her like he’d neverwanted anyone before. It was hard to think straight. It was hard to think ofanything except the way she would feel in his arms…
He shook his head. They’d onlyjust met. Feelings that like weren’t real. Their intensity had him cravingevery word, every smile, every half sideways glance she threw at him. Hischest tightened, his breath shortened, the blood thumped through his body andparts of him felt like they didn’t even belong to him.
No. He had a job to do. Therewas a treaty to negotiate. But the words were drowning in his head, and fadedaway with her smile.
She linked her arm through hisand he felt himself tremble. Damn it! He tried to relax, focusing on the longbreath he was slowly letting out. His lips were dry, but he wasn’t game enoughto moisten them. Before he knew where he was, she had led him back inside. Hefound himself seated on a large bed. The scent from a vase of fresh flowersreached him.
Bela’s eyes held him entranced. Her fingers gently brushed the hair across his forehead, teasing a bit at histemple that refused to sit still. Her touch was light and feathery. Everyfibre of his body told him to give in. His mind told him not to. She didn’tcare for him; she was just using him. He closed his eyes to try to break thehold she had on him.
“I’m here to negotiate a treaty,”he began.
“Later,” she whispered, her warmbreath on his throat.
Her body was gently pressed tohis.
