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 I am not certain at all. But think, Griffin. Why did they come to us, back when the
Landaun invaded? We could have been dispersed to refugee settlements as so many others have
been. They owed us nothing; they could have left us to die. Instead the coalition placed us on an
isolated planet with priceless resources. What was the purpose?
I shook my head. Back in beginning, we d been trying so desperately to survive that no
one had given any thought to the ulterior motives of our rescuers. Now that we were home and
our people were recovering, new concerns were rising.
 Griffin, don t you think they must have known what was here? On this planet?
 This planet is on the very edge of coalition space. Perhaps it is strategic in terms of
defense. I didn t want to believe the Somian and the Vash had deliberately set us on a planet
that was a political powder keg. We were undoubtedly the wealthiest society in many systems,
yet the very wealth that promised so much was potentially deadly; we dared not take advantage
of it. If an aggressive, greedy species like the Landaun discovered what was just under the
surface of our planet, once again we would be stripped of our home and perhaps our lives.
I wasn t the only one keeping a wary eye on the skies. We all glanced up several times a
day.
Helios clasped my hand.  I brought you up here to celebrate, but instead we are burdening
ourselves with worry.
 Celebrate? I asked.
An Uncommon Whore 2: When I Fall 29
He sat up and opened a satchel he d carried up to the roof. He pulled a slender crystal
bottle from the bag. Two glasses followed.
 Somian wine.
That brought a smile to my face. The stuff was light, delicate, and laced with an
aphrodisiac. He poured and handed me a glass. He raised his to the light in offering to the sky.
He then saluted me.
 To your promotion, General Hawke.
I tasted the wine, feeling the tingle start on my lips and tongue. Soon it would travel
through my body. I was already rising in anticipation. In my mood, I didn t want to be aroused; I
wanted to be angry.
 About that promotion. Would the king have had any involvement in my unexpected rise
in status?
He sipped the wine, gazing at me over the edge of the glass. His lined eyes were half
closed.
 Of course not. General Willis knows his mind. I have little influence over his staffing
decisions.
He took another sip and set the glass down. His lips were slightly flushed, and his nipples
were pebbled and erect. I reached out and stroked one rose-colored bud.
His breath caught at my touch.  I might have mentioned to him how much you enjoy
braiding my hair.
I pinched and twisted, and his eyes glazed over a bit with pain and arousal.
 And of course, I am so proud of the way you tend to my clothing at the end of the day.
You are always careful to make certain our rooms are clean, and there are always flowers in the
bedroom. His voice was breathless and harsh.
 You did not tell him that! I growled.
He laughed wickedly. He was joking, but I chose not to be amused.
I wrapped a hand in his hair and pulled, dragging Helios close to my body. Instead of the
kiss he anticipated, I pushed him to the cushions that padded the roof. I pinned him, my fingers
buried in his silken hair. I pushed his knee toward his chest, opening him, and held him in place,
30 Belinda McBride
leaving him helpless. He lay passively; his chest rose and fell with his breath, and his eyes were
closed in anticipation. I lowered my body to his, forcing his leg farther back. When I tasted his
lips, sweet Somian wine perfumed his breath. He looked up at me.
 You manipulative bastard. I glared into those beautiful gray eyes. Once ignited, anger
flared through my gut.
 Kiss me, Griffin. He ran his hands up the sides of my waist, under the leather of my vest.
 Tell me about the spies in the temple. Were you a spy? I nipped his chin, his jaw, then
ran my tongue up to the smooth skin of his ear. Two could play at the game of seduction.
 No. No, I was not a spy.
 Liar, I whispered. I wanted him. Not only was the wine burning through my body, but
simply touching Helios was enough to set me on fire. I loved him even as he lied to me. If he lied [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]