Page 41 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

"Because I choose you. Today. Tomorrow. For as long as you'll have me." I breathe in her scent. "I'm not going anywhere, Mel. Not unless you tell me to leave."

She leans into me, her heartbeat steadying against my chest. "Promise?"

"On my honor as a warrior. On everything I am." My arms tighten around her. "I promise."

CHAPTER 15

MEL

"What were you thinking?" My hand stings from the slap. "Those are my parents!"

"They were cruel to you." His blue fur ripples as he towers over me. "No one should speak to you that way."

The raw conviction in his voice makes my chest tighten. "That's... that's not the point. You can't just-"

"Can't what? Protect what's mine?"

"I'm not yours." But my voice wavers as he steps closer.

"No?" His claws trace my jawline, gentle despite their wicked points. "Then why does your heart race when I'm near?"

"Because you're terrifying."

"Liar." His breath fans across my face, surprisingly sweet. "Your pupils dilate. Your skin flushes. That's not fear."

My back hits the wall. When did I start backing up? "Krampus..."

"Say it again." His voice drops to a rumble that vibrates through my bones.

"What?"

"My name." He leans down, those obsidian horns framing my face. "I like how it sounds on your tongue."

I shouldn't. This is insane. He's an alien criminal. A monster. But when his lips brush mine, soft despite their alien texture, thought evaporates like morning mist.

The kiss deepens, and my fingers tangle in his fur. He tastes like winter nights and woodsmoke, dangerous and intoxicating. A growl rumbles through his chest as he lifts me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist.

"Tell me to stop," he murmurs against my throat.

"Don't you dare."

His answering laugh sends shivers down my spine as he carries me toward the bedroom. Each step makes the embers between us burn hotter, until I'm certain we'll both burst into flames.

Krampus lays me down on the bed, his eyes never leaving mine. His hands, surprisingly gentle for their size, slide up my thighs, pushing my skirt up as they go. I shiver, not from cold, but from the anticipation that's coursing through my veins like electricity.

"What are you doing?" I whisper, though I know exactly what he's doing.

He grins, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light.

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

Before I can come up with a witty retort, he lowers his head between my thighs. The first touch of his tongue sends a jolt through me, and I gasp, my hands fisting the sheets. His tongue is... different. Longer, more agile, and oh god, it feels incredible.

He looks up at me, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You taste amazing," he growls, before diving back in.

I can't help but laugh, even as my body arches into his touch. "You're ridiculous," I manage to gasp out, but my protest is weak, at best.

He just chuckles, the vibrations sending shivers up my spine. His tongue does things that I didn't even know were possible,exploring every inch of me with a skill that's out of this world. Literally.

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