Read City Of Tears for Free Online

hand around the back of her neck and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Say my name, and I’ll kiss you again.”
    “Lyrik.” The word was out before she could stop herself. His lips settled over hers, firm, yet surprisingly gentle. She eased her hands under his uniform top, needing the warmth of his skin. Following his lead, she parted her lips and nibbled.
    “Say your name, or I’ll stop.” He whispered the words against her lips.
    She stiffened. Didn’t he realize what he asked of her? She’d been beaten and starved, locked in a cold, dark room until she accepted her distinction. “I can’t.”
    He framed her face between his palms, his thumb tracing her bottom lip. “I will never hurt you.” Compassion warmed his gaze, and her defenses slipped a little more. “Do you want me to kiss you again?”
    She nodded, her throat too tight to reply. His mouth covered hers, and she wrapped both arms around his back, pressing her body against his. He moved his lips over and against hers. His tongue traced her lower lip, and she murmured. What was he doing? Tasting her? He delved inside, and she shuddered, letting out a surprised little cry.
    He ended the kiss with a soft chuckle. “You’ll never convince me you’re not a virgin now.”
    Virginity could be relative. Nothing she’d experienced so far involved having another person’s tongue in her mouth! “Does everyone on this planet kiss — like that?”
    “Afraid so.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. “You didn’t like it?”
    “That is irrelevant.” She stepped back and took a deep breath. “I never should have encouraged you to touch me.”
    “Why not?”
    She scowled. He was trying to confuse her again.
    “We were both enjoying ourselves until I rushed you,” he went on when she didn’t reply. “Shall we try again now that you know what to expect?”
    Neatly sidestepping his halfhearted advance, she tucked her hair behind her ears and turned the conversation onto a more productive course. “Why are there more men than women on your planet?”
    Tension hardened his features, making her regret the question. “There was a war between the two controlling powers about a hundred cycles ago. The Reformation Sect unleashed a bio-weapon designed to wipe out our females. Unfortunately the weapon was more effective than they realized, and many of their women died as well.”
    “That is irrational.” Even against the horrors she had suffered, what he described was hard to comprehend. “How would wiping out your females further their … I don’t understand.”
    Raking his fingers through his damp hair, he heaved an audible sigh. “It’s a long, involved story. Maybe it’s better if you get a grasp on the current situation before we get into history.”
    He was probably right. “How long was I in stasis? I have no recollection of the journey here from Earth. You claim we traveled a great distance.”
    “That’s complicated, too. Using conventional transportation, it would take several lifespans to travel from Earth to Ontariese.”
    “Then how did I get here?”
    “Through an interdimensional portal.” He moved toward the cabinets inset in the far wall. “This could be a lengthy conversation. Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
    He was stalling, and he hadn’t answered her original question. “A beverage would be acceptable, but I will not allow your evasions indefinitely.”
    “Hey. Who’s the handler here? I thought I was giving the orders.” He flashed a lopsided grin, then crossed to the cupboards.
    She activated her optical scanner as he scooped powder out of a canister and filled two mugs with steaming water. A light blinked behind her eyes when the scanner initialized. She didn’t want him to realize what she was doing. She could monitor his respiration, pulse, and body temperature as he spoke. It wasn’t an infallible way of gauging truthfulness, but it was the best she could do without her armor.
    “Instant blish