Page 14 of The Alien's Runaway Bride

How would she react to him once she discovered his deception? Based on what he knew of her so far, she would never forgive him, married or not. He’d be back to a loveless marriage with the possibility of his bride hating him.

The sizzle of bacon he’d found in the freezer provided a welcome distraction. He focused on the task at hand, letting the familiar routine of cooking ground him. It was a skill he’d picked up during his training, part of learning to blend in on alien worlds. Who would have thought it would come in handy in a situation like this?

A soft rustle from the bedroom alerted him to Raelee’s stirring. Moments later, she appeared in the doorway, wrapped in one of the cabin’s faded quilts. Her hair was tousled, her eyes still heavy with sleep, but to Vexor, she’d never looked more beautiful.

“Morning, handsome,” Raelee murmured, her voice husky. “Please tell me that’s coffee I smell.”

Vexor couldn’t help the smile on his lips. “Good morning. And yes, it is. I thought you might need it.”

He poured her a mug, handing it over carefully. Their fingers brushed in the exchange, sending a jolt of electricity up Vexor’s arm. From the way Raelee’s eyes widened, he knew she’d felt it too.

“My hero,” she said, taking a long sip. “Mmm, perfect. A lot like you.”

Vexor turned back to the stove, hiding the flash of guilt that crossed his face. “I aim to please,” he said, keeping his tone light. “Hungry?”

“Starving,” Raelee replied. She hopped up onto the counter, her legs swinging freely. The quilt had slipped, revealing a tantalizing expanse of shoulder. Vexor found his eyes drawn to the curve of her neck, remembering how it had felt under his lips the night before.

He cleared his throat, focusing on plating their breakfast. “I hope bacon and pancakes from powder in a box are okay. I’m afraid the options were somewhat limited.”

Raelee laughed, the sound like music in the quiet cabin. “Bacon and pancakes sound perfect. You know, for a guy who looks like he stepped out of a GQ photoshoot, you make a pretty good greasy spoon breakfast.”

Vexor chuckled, relaxing into the playful banter. “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, his voice low. “Though I’m not sure how I feel about being compared to a greasy spoon.”

“Trust me,” Raelee said, her eyes twinkling, “in my world, that’s high praise. You should see what passes for breakfast at some of the state functions I’ve had to attend. All tiny portions and unpronounceable French names.”

They ate in companionable silence, stealing glances at each other over their plates. Vexor marveled at how comfortable it felt, this domestic scene with a woman he barely knew. In his world, meals were formal affairs, laden with protocol and expectation. But here, with Raelee, he felt... free.

As they finished eating, he couldn’t put off the conversation any longer. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.

“Raelee,” he began, his tone serious. “I know you’re enjoying this freedom, but we need to talk about what happens next.”

Raelee’s smile faded, her posture stiffening. “What do you mean?”

Vexor chose his words carefully. “I understand why you ran. Believe me, I do. But you can’t keep running forever. Eventually, you’ll have to face the situation you left behind.”

“Why?” Raelee challenged, her eyes flashing. “Why can’t I just... keep going? See where the road takes me?”

“Because,” Vexor said gently, “no matter how far you run, your responsibilities will still be there. And the longer you avoid them, the harder it will be to face them.”

Raelee stood and paced the small kitchen. “You don’t understand. You don’t know what it’s like to have your whole life planned out for you, to be nothing more than a... a pawn in someone else’s game.”

If only you knew, Vexor thought. Aloud, he said, “I might understand more than you think. But running away isn’t the answer. Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is face our challenges head-on.”

Raelee whirled to face him, her eyes blazing. “And what would you know about it? You’re just... you’re just some guy I met in a diner. You don’t know anything about my life or the pressures I’m under.”

Vexor stood, closing the distance between them. He towered over her, but there was no intimidation in his stance. Only concern, and something deeper that he wasn’t ready to name.

“You’re right,” he said softly. “I don’t know everything about your life. But I know that you’re strong, brave, and capable of incredible things. I’ve seen it in the way you handle yourself, in the way you talk about your dreams. Don’t you think those qualities would be better used facing your challenges than running from them?”

For a moment, Raelee’s anger seemed to waver. Vexor saw a flash of vulnerability in her eyes, a hint of the fear and uncertainty she’d been hiding. But then her walls slammed back into place.

“You know what?” she said, her tone deceptively light. “I think I need some air. And you know what else I need? A road trip.”

Vexor blinked, thrown by the sudden change of subject. “A road trip?”

Raelee nodded, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes. “Yep. I’ve always wanted to just... hit the road. See where it takes me. No plan, no itinerary. Just freedom and adventure. What do you say, Vex? Want to join me on a grand East Coast adventure?”

Vexor’s mind raced. This wasn’t what he’d planned. He was supposed to be convincing her to return home, not enabling her escape. But as he looked at Raelee, saw the hope and excitement in her eyes, he couldn’t say no. More than that, he didn’t want to.

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