Chapter 6
They ended up going to the swimming pool area. A few people were swimming, but there was an empty area in the corner that contained a set of benches. It would be the perfect spot to allow allowed them to have a private conversation. Once they got to the benches, Esan let her elbow go. She turned on him.
“Do you want to tell me what that was all about in there with Jet?”
“He wasss pushing me for a fight.”
“Did ... did you fight him?”
“No, Rage ssstopped usss before either of usss could throw the firssst punch.”
“Rage must have a lot of power.”
“He’sss taking over the training for the fightersss ssso that he could ssspend more time with hisss mate and baby. One word from him and I could be taken off of the next circuit and sssince Jet is still under his probationary period, he could be let go without compensssation. Now, it’sss my turn.”
“Your turn for what?”
“What makesss you think I’ll let you handle my gathering?”
Nina sat down and motioned for him to sit next to her. He didn’t sit but instead just stood towering over her. She really hated that, but she wouldn’t let him get under her skin. She crossed her legs and acted like it was nothing to her. Keep it cool Sinclair.
“Your sister has asked me to help organize things because she would not be able to be here to help. She loves you and only wants the best for you.”
Esan’s tension in his body lessened. “I love my sssissster but I can pick my own mate.”
“I’m not here to pick your mate for you, only to organize the gathering.”
“What doesss that entail?”
“I will be able to help you with choosing the right venue on the ship, helping you to pre-screen the females and making sure that you have enough time to spend with each of the potential candidates.”
“Wait, what do you mean by ‘venue on the ship’?”
“Your sister suggested prescreening the potential females, then have them come here for the gathering for further screening. She felt that you would be more at ease with a familiar environment, and it was important to her that your friends and coworkers surround you with support. Also, your sister made a very vaild point. If a female is going to mate you, she would need to see the lifestyle she will need to get acquainted with.”
Esan finally sat down next to her some of his tension eased. “I could have handled all that. Sssersssan should not have gotten a ssstranger involved.”
She ignored the irritation of being referred to as a stranger, but she had to admit it was the truth. She had only been around Esan a few times. He didn’t know if she was trustworthy either. Nina tried to imagine how she would feel if her mother and sisters planned a matchmaking event for her. How would she feel?
“I know this is probably weird for you, it is for me too. I usually meet with potential clients several times before I agree to take on a job. I like taking time to get to know my clients, their likes and their dislikes. We’re at a disadvantage because we haven’t had a chance to get to know each other. However, I do know your sister and she has given me some insight on you. She loves you and thinks you are an amazing brother. That says a lot to me about your character.”
“What did she tell you?”
“She said that when others wanted to separate you as kids, you fought to keep the two of you together. That you never left her or betrayed her and that ... you’re a male worthy of love.” She noticed a blush come over him as he looked away.
“I jussst did what any brother would do.”
“That’s not what she says.”
“My sssissster only ssseesss the good of thossse around her, which leavesss her open to being usssed and taken advantage of. Of courssse I had to protect her from her own naivete.”
She didn’t quite believe his dismissal. He wasn’t one who liked to talk about himself. That was probably why his sister wanted to make sure he had help arranging this gathering. If it was up to Esan, he might end up pushing the females away instead of winning them over. No wonder his sister was determined that he get assistance.
Sighing, she put out her hand to shake his. He looked surprised, but then took her hand and shook it in response. “We had a rough start. I think we need a do-over. Hi, my name is Nina Sinclair and I’m the new event coordinator for the GCFA.”
His lips twitched as if he was about to break out into a smile. “Esssan, GCFA fighter in need of an eventcoordinator for my Reptan gathering.”
“Nice to meet you, Esan. It just so happens that I have an opening.”
“Great, you’re hired.”
“I don’t come cheap,” she warned with a wink. That caused him to burst out into a full throaty laugh.
“I think I can afford you.”
Wow, he had a great laugh, and that smile was rare for him which only made him more appealing. Oh boy, he was dangerous. She also realized she was still holding his hand. She quickly pulled back.
His eyes darkened as he looked down at her. “We’ll disscusss the venuesss tonight ... over dinner.”
Whoa, that was presumptuous. “Sorry, I can’t tonight. I have two other weddings on board the GCFA to plan this week and next. I’m meeting with one of my couples tonight.”
“They can wait. I take precedence.”
Oh, he was going to be a demending client, she could see that right now. “I have already made commitments and I am not someone who breaks a commitment once I make one. I meet with my other clients tonight, but their rehearsal is three days from now and their wedding is not until the weekend. I can meet you for lunch tomorrow and show you some of the venues I think you might like.”
“I have morning practice but should be available around one in the afternoon. You can come to my sssuite.”
Um, being alone with him in his suite was not a good idea. Just his laughter did things to her. No, they needed to keep their meeting public.
“I’ll meet you at the first-floor grill and bar at one,” she said, standing up. He stood up as well and walked her out of the swimming area. They parted ways as he went back to the gym. She couldn’t help but glance back and admire his backside. Damn, that man was fine.
*****
Esan watched Nina walk away admiring the sway of her hips. He felt his body respond to her and knew it was not appropriate but he couldn’t control it. Maybe a sparring match could get his mind off his libido.
He stepped inside the gym and noticed almost everyone was gone, except for Rage. He was moving one of the training mats but stopped as soon as he caught sight of Esan. He dropped the mat and approached Esan. The reprimanding look Rage gave him made him feel like he was fifteen and had been caught sneaking out.
“Look, before you get on my cassse, I know I wasss out of line.”
“And…” Rage prompted him for more. He expected an apology.
“I’m sssorry for disssrupting practice.”
Rage grunted as he turned to lift another mat. “Jet was out of line. He’ll be docked ten thousand off his first month’s pay.”
“That’sss all?”
“He made a mistake.”
“He wasss insssulting to Nina and me.”
“He challenged you without any right and is going to pay for it, literally. If he does it again, he will be taken off the circuit roll call.”
“I don’t think it’sss good enough. I’ll have to have a little talk with him myssself.”
“Let it go, Esan. That’s not a suggestion. It’s an order.”
Esan growled with frustration. “Fine, I’ll go hit the treadmill and burn off some of my energy.”
“Good luck with your gathering thing.”
“Doesss everyone know about it?”
“Pretty much. We’re like family around here. At least that’s what my mate says. Besides, Nina came her to ask your friends insight on what you might like.”
What the hell! “Who did she talk to?”
“I don’t know, everyone. She spent the most time talking with Zen.”
“Oh God no.”
Rage chuckled. “Go burn off that energy before you see Nina again.”
“Sssee you tomorrow morning for practice.” Esan turned and headed toward the weight room. Hopefully hitting the treadmill would help work out some of the anger he still felt toward Jet’s bold flirting with Nina. H couldn’t believe Nina talked to Zen of all people. What did Zen tell her?
Nina Sinclair — she was something special. She didn’t back down from him and she used calm reasoning to handle him. Normally, he would be irritated, if not enraged, if someone tried to handle him. He was intrigued with her. She wasn’t an drop dead beauty but she wassexy and... cute. When she was talking about her job her eyes would sparkle with excitement. The idea of “cute” usually didn’t do it for him, but he was still hard from sitting so close to her in the pool area. The chlorine had been strong but he could sense her pure essence, and it was simply delicious.
Hell! What was he thinking? She was human, not the pure Reptan he was seeking. A Reptan female was the only way he could bring honor to his name and honor to the family. Sersan deserved to finally be looked upon by their society with respect. It wouldn’t matter that she mated a different species, not as long as Esan mated a full Reptan female with prestige.
As the only male in the family, it was his place to bring that honor to them, and he would. He was determined to make that happen. He would not let a cute, curvey human distract him from his goal. Not when he was so close to getting everything he ever wanted.