Thorn laughed, and she realized she sounded a bit manic. They were gone? The krottel had left their planet that fast? Could it really be that simple? Nothing with the freaking bugs was that easy. I’ll have to talk to Betsy about this … it means Earth is probably in more danger … but my people? We’re going home!
The three continued to discuss Abritos, the krottel, and evacuation. They decided to talk again once there’d been a better survey of the planet.
***
Once off the phone, Thorn sighed and leaned back. She’d heard Scout come home and head to his room during the call; school was finally out.
Thinking of school made her think of Viera. She missed Viera. She hadn’t seen her in over a week. They’d both been busy—her with evacuation planning, Viera with all the work of finishing out the last days of her teaching.
I wonder what she’d do if she came home and found me at her house?
Back at her computer, she made another call.
“Commander Firoza, how can I help you?” A large, blue-scaled qynad—dragon to these silly Earthlings—faced her through the screen.
“Horax, could you come down and hang out with Scout? I’d like a night off. I’d leave him alone for the night, but Tiffany may be with him, and I don’t think her parents like her without supervision.”
The qynad’s eyes danced with glee. “My pleasure. I’ve been looking for an excuse to get off this ship.”
As soon as he’d transported down, Scout ran out from his room. “Horax! Can we play re’tast with Tiffany? We can go to the community center.”
Horax nodded. “We sure can. Is Tiffany here?”
“Not yet. We can reprogram these tablets to teach Galactic Standard from English. Both Tiffany and Ms. Kor need them. I want to see if I can do it.”
As the two hunkered down to work, Thorn contacted the ship for a transport to Viera’s house. She knew the soon-to-be-retired teacher would still be at work if Scout had only just gotten home. Her girlfriend always had something to do after school, even on this last day of classes.
In Viera’s house, Thorn headed to her kitchen. What can I make her for dinner? She’s probably had a long day. If she’s had to deal with that principal …. Thorn imagined the ways she could torture the manipulative bitch. There weren’t many people she didn’t like, but the principal of her son’s school was near the top of the list, a few notches below the krottel.
There wasn’t much in the fridge. Her mind spinning, she tried to piece together a meal but couldn’t quite fit the pieces together. She found honey in the cupboard then turned to the panel on the wall. “I guess you’ll be cooking tonight. Bottle of Port wine, while I wait.”
The bottle appeared. She went to a cupboard and selected two periwinkle glasses. All her spoils in hand, Thorn went out to the living room to wait for Viera. She placed the glasses and wine on the table. Narrowing her eyes, she returned to the kitchen and found a bowl and filled it with a few pieces of ice. Viera’s freezer made ice in the shape of orange slices, which Thorn always found intriguing.
Back in the living room, she sat on the couch and shut her eyes. This is the first time I’ve relaxed in weeks.
It felt like she’d only closed her eyes for a moment, but the sound of the key in the lock jolted her awake. It couldn’t have been too long; the ice hadn’t melted. Thorn stood to meet Viera at the door.
When the door opened, Viera gasped at the sight of Thorn. She dropped her bag as Thorn wrapped her in a hug, dipping her head down to capture Viera’s mouth in a kiss. Viera slid her hands around Thorn’s waist, holding on as if Thorn were a lifeline.
After too little time, Thorn pulled back. “Welcome home, Viera.”
She groaned. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. A balm on a long day.” She smiled sheepishly. “Not that I’m not thrilled to see you—or baffled that you and Betsy can always get into my house whenever you want—but what are you doing here?”
“I missed you.”
Viera let her head fall forward, her forehead resting on Thorn’s chest. “I missed you, too.” Her hands tightened on Thorn’s hips. “It feels like it’s been a lifetime. I’m very happy to see you … and kiss you.” She lifted her head, blue eyes gazing into Thorn’s. “I’m hoping there's more?”
Thorn wrapped her arms around Viera and picked her up. Viera squealed. After kicking the front door closed, she carried the smaller woman to the couch and dropped her onto the cushions. Kneeling next to her, Thorn kissed her again, her hand exploring the treasures beneath Viera’s shirt. “Oh, yes.” She purred. “Much, much, more.”
Viera’s eyes crinkled at the side as she smiled mischievously. “But you’re wearing too much clothing.”
Thorn laughed, then stood, pulling Viera up with her. Feeling light-headed and addicted, she leaned down for another kiss before pulling Viera’s shirt off. “Okay, you do the rest. I’m pouring some wine.”
“I don’t have wine.”
With a snort, Thorn tilted her head to the table. “Then what’s that?” She filled each glass with the bottle she’d uncorked earlier, to let it breathe.
Viera laughed. “Oh! Wine.”
Thorn swirled the red liquid and sniffed the earthy scent before handing a glass to Viera. “You do know you have a panel in your kitchen that will grant all your culinary wishes, right?”
“Hmm? Yum,” Viera said, seeming distracted. “Oh, I keep forgetting. Yes, the panel of wonders.”
After sipping the wine, Thorn slipped out of her jeans and shirt, noticing Viera watched her every motion, tongue darting out as she licked her lips.
“One sip, then I’m mimicking that tongue of yours, licking your lips … but maybe not the ones on your face.”
Viera’s face turned so red, Thorn thought she’d light on fire. Gently taking the glass from Viera, she placed them both on the table. She helped the other woman out of her clothes, then navigated her back to the couch, lying her down with a series of small kisses along her cheek and neck.
Once Viera laid back, her body flush from the wine, Thorn reached back for the bear-shaped honey bottle. Beneath her other hand, resting on Viera’s upper belly, she felt her lover tense. “What are you going to do with that?”
“You’ll have to trust me.”
Viera breathed shakily but didn’t leap up from the couch and run for the hills.
Tipping the bear's head down, Thorn created a small bit of art on Viera’s body. A wavy line starting at her neck. The path was small dots of the golden syrup that looped once around her right breast, with a larger drop at the top. A second drop went to the other nipple with the pebbled line continuing down, across her abs, with another circle around her belly button. It ended just above the juncture of her legs.
Thorn reached down and gently stroked between the folds of Viera’s most private area. Her lover was hot, and wet, and obviously enjoying herself. “You seem to be liking my ‘more,’ Ms. Kor.”
