My brain is a mess of confusion and pain. I’m not exactly sure what to think, but for now, I need time to decompress and figure out what comes next. I’m not mad at Haax in any way for any of the events that happened today, but I kind of want to just be alone for a little while.
“Do you want to come back to the compound with me, sweet Esme?” His voice is soft and kind.
My lips pinch into a thin line as I think, hating to hurt him with words so soon. “No, I think I just want to go home…”
“I shall go with you.” He nods as if his mind is already made up.
“No, I need to be alone right now, so I can think. What just happened is a lot to deal with, and I need time to decompress and not be around any of this right now.”
A frown tips the corners of his lips down, but he nods. “I understand, however, I do not wish to be parted from you. We have seen tragedy today, and my mate bond will require me to be within your presence for the next few days. I would like, if you’ll let me, to have you accompany me to the compound just for a few days. It is more secure than any apartment building will be.”
“I don’t… think that’s necessary.”
He huffs in disagreement. “You are my mate. I will not let you go. Not now that I have seen you, smelled your beautiful fragrance, looked upon your sweet face, and gazed at your plump, pink lips, wondering how they taste. I imagine they are as sweet as the honey you’ll produce for me. How will it taste once I have found my place between those sweet thighs? Something I greatly look forward to.”
I smile shyly with embarrassment at his dirty words while my core leaks with arousal. His nostrils flare, and I can tell that he knows, but he doesn’t say a word about it, which I am completely thankful for right now.
“Will you at least allow me to go home and grab some of my things before we go? I need clothes if you plan to keep me hostage for days on end.”
He smirks. “If I intended to keep you hostage, I guarantee you wouldn’t complain about a lack of clothes or how much I intend to worship you.”
When I look away, I try to calm my nerves, Haax hails a glider at the spaceport, and we head to my apartment. I’m nervous of what he will think of my place, but there is no going back now. I understand his need to take care of me. Quite frankly, I don’t fully understand it, but the thought of him being away from me makes me queasy.
I grab my keys from my purse, and my hands shake as I try to unlock the door. I’m unsuccessful, and Haax finally steps in to save me from even more awkwardness. “Thank you,” I whisper, and he gives me that delicious dimpled smile of his.
“Esme, I can wait here until you get everything you need. I do not wish to impose upon you.”
My smile is small, but I appreciate that he isn’t absolutely forcing himself upon me. Yet, I guess, in a way he is by asking me to go to the compound with him. But he asked, not demanded, right?
“Well, I’m going to…” I point to the door to let him know I’ll be back.
He nods, leans down once more to kiss my cheek, and whispers, causing the hair on my shoulders to tickle my neck. “I cannot wait until you allow me to kiss you like a proper mate, and I’m not just talking about your upper lips…”
Fuck, how does he make me feel so much desire with just a few words? Right, fated mate thing. We have spoken about it several times since we were paired together, and it’s hard to believe that there’s actually a thing, but I feel it… or something. I definitely have strong feelings and desires towards this male.
I walk through the door and lean against it after I close it. Phew, this may be more interesting than I thought. He seems just like an alien book boyfriend in the protective you-are-mine-and-no-one-else-can-have-you type of way. I can’t say it doesn’t get me going. On the other hand, it’s hard to properly examine and deal with such feelings after what I’ve seen today. My heart is pumping furiously to spread oxygenated red blood cells to where they need to go, and I’m trying to calm my breathing.
It’s not working just yet, but I know it will once I chill out for a while.
Chapter 2
Haax
I cannot say that I am not disappointed by the turn of events today has taken. We should have been prepared for the Necorium. We have been monitoring Earth for the past week and a half; senseless death… so much death. I did not want to cause Esme despair, but my heart tore seeing so many of my brethren snuffed from existence before my very eyes.
Myself and the rest of our crew will grieve in our own ways. I shall put all my energy into focusing on my mate and her needs. I close my eyes, and the scent of her potent arousal still lingers between us from each time my lips parted to speak of my deep desire for her.
Her pupils grew dilated, and I could see the stiff peaks of her nipples begging for me to ravish them. Esme is not as thin as some of the other Earth women I’ve seen in vids. I like that she is different. Her extra curves are more for me to hold onto when I eventually get inside her. My eyes roll at the sheer thought of it while my cock twitches in anticipation.
We need to get to the compound and get sorted out. My personal effects should already be there since we were told they would be transported from the ship once it arrived. I hope that the actions of the Necorium did not ruin that from happening. My shoulders lift in a shrug. I am sure there are plenty of extra clothes lying around the compound in need of new owners.
Anxiety wears on me as I wonder who will be there when I arrive.
I need to find a way to the compound, so while I wait for Esme, I decide to contact the command center. A gruff voice and holograph greet me on the other end when I call. He looks different than a normal Grekarian, and I wonder if he is a hybrid. It does not matter, I suppose, at this point. “Commander, I am glad to see you survived the brutal attack today.”
I nod because it’s really all I can do at this point, clearing my throat as emotions roll through me. Gratitude, despair, hope, grief. Redirecting the conversation, I tell him of my needs. “I will require transportation to the compound. Are you able to arrange such things?”
“Certainly, Commander, I can have a glider sent directly to you. I shall program it now. Can you provide me with your current location?” I hit another button on my comm so that he may route the glider to the correct place. “It should be there in no more than fifteen minutes, sir.”