Page 18 of Treasured By the Alien Rogue

“None of you have me. Remember that.” I wasn’t going to be a plaything handed from one alien to another.

“Only me, mate. Only me.”

“I can take care of myself, but I don’t know anything about Zuldrux or how to live in the woods. I’m a city girl. I was never a Girl Scout, and I’ve never been camping. Last night was the first time I slept outside. I understand plants, at least the ones I select in the supermarket for dinner, but those are Earth vegetables, not anything from around here.” I swallowed. “I’m determined to watch out for myself, but I don’t know how to survive here.”

“That’s why I ask you to trust in me. I’ll watch out for you.”

“Until I figure out how to do it myself.”

He grinned. “We’ll see.”

Yes, we would.

“Gerain and Floosar know everything about plant life,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll share their knowledge with you.”

I nodded.

“We’re not completely isolated,” he said. “We trade with the Veerenads. We travel occasionally to visit other clans. Some of our males have found mates from among them and moved in with their clan.”

“Are the Veerenads a clan like yours?” Perhaps they lived nearby and had a place I could stay until I figured out what I was going to do. The pod I’d arrived in had sunk into the lake, and I doubted it would function again even if I could drag it to shore. Like a phone dunked in the bathtub by accident, it wouldn’t work until it sat in rice for ages. I suspected Zuldrux was fresh out of rice.

“The Veerenads are lizard people. They live quite a distance from here.”

“If I remain with your clan, what would my duties be?” I wasn’t seriously considering staying here, but where else could I go?

“You could massage my back. Pamper me as a good mate should.”

My lips thinned and irritation swirled through me. “I told you I’m not your mate.” Then I noted his lips curling up, and my irritation whooshed out of me. “You’re teasing me.”

“Somewhat. I would never turn down your offer of a massage.” His smile rose farther. “I’ll worship you instead. You can sit and soak in my adoration.”

“I’m not a god.”

“Close enough.”

I tilted my head, staring up at him. “Your gods are female?”

“I don’t believe they have gender. I never asked.”

“What would your worship entail?” I wasn’t sure why I was going along with this.

“I’d prepare all our meals. Feed them to you if you’d like. Hunt for you. Protect you.” He pressed his fist against his chest again. “I will be your undying defender.”

With a limp flower?

However, I wouldn’t turn down a massage, and he was welcome to cook. “I’ll feed myself.”

“Very well. Aren’t females worshiped where you come from?”

“Not enough, Xax. Not enough.”

“Then allow me to do so.”

The thought of him fetching me chocolates and rubbing my feet upon my command fluttered through me. Heat churned along with it, diving down to that sweet spot between my legs.

I was not developing a crush on this big blue alien, was I?

Nah. Not possible. I barely knew him.

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