Page 5 of Alien King Crashes the Wedding

“No. Not this time.” Sasha steeled herself for the inevitable discussion.

“Okay. That’s actually good news. And don’t give me that hurt look.” Rachel placed a hand on Sasha’s shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze before adding, “All I’m saying is that whenever Ben’s around, you let him do all the talking and retreat further into your shell. I want you to be with someone who makes you feel safe. Someone you can trust to be understanding and supportive.”

Ashlyn added kindly, “I don’t think that’s Ben, either. I remember how he used to make snide comments about your art, and instead of telling him to go to hell, you just stopped talking about it. You love your work. You’re an amazing artist! Did he even go to your first gallery show?”

“I know you don’t like him. Can we forget about him for now and focus on what’s really important? As in, Rachel’s getting married to an amazing guy who totally adores her?” Sasha replied defensively.

“Are you in love with him?” asked Rachel.

“That’s not important right now.” Sasha blushed. “Can we talk about something else, please?”

Rachel huffed. “Not a chance! It is important, and you can’t hang up on me this time! I knew I was in love with Cam really fast. If you don’t know by now, I’d say he’s not the right one. Is he good in bed? ‘Cause if he isn’t, girl, I bet that big hunk over there would love to give it a shot.”

Sasha could feel herself blushing from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes. “Rachel!” she groaned. “Why do you always ask me questions like that? Have I asked you about Cam? Do you see me getting all up in your business?”

Ashlyn’s eyes got big and her jaw went slack. Finally, she pulled herself together. “You haven’t slept with the loser yet, have you? How can you be serious about someone when you don’t know if he’s any good in bed?”

“Because I’m not you, Ashlyn.” Sasha scowled. “And for your information, Miss Nosy Pants, Ben was always a gentleman in that department. He said he didn’t want to pressure me, and he could wait until I was ready.”

“Six months and you haven’t been tempted? Oh, honey.” Rachel smacked her forehead. “He issonot your man. And worse, he’s probably getting some on the side or he has a limp dick and doesn’t want you to know about it yet,” she continued.

“Wait!” Ashlyn grinned at Sasha like the proverbial cat that ate the canary. “You said hewasa gentleman! Tell us you finally dumped that jerk!”

“Enough already!” Sasha whisper shouted. “This week is about Rachel, not my love life!” She couldn’t help glancing toward Dagan again before adding, “And for your information, Ben said from the very beginning my lack of experience was sweet, and if I wasn’t ready, it was no big deal.” She continued with a huff, “So back off about my virginity. It’s not like I’m saving myself for marriage! I just haven’t felt ready yet!”

“I’m sorry.” Rachel took a deep breath before continuing, “And you’re right. You should totally wait until you’re ready! All I’m saying is that I want you to be as happy with someone as I am with Cam, and I don’t think Ben makes you happy. He doesn’t get your engine revving, does he?” Rachel smiled knowingly. “Not the way I think Dagan did, right?”

“Rachel,” she moaned. “Where is this going?” Sasha was pretty sure whatever Rachel had in mind wouldn’t be good. The last time she had that look, they’d ended up drinking tequila and streaking naked around her house at 3:00 a.m., singing old, classic rock songs.

“Well,” Rachel began earnestly. “I want you to promise that while you’re here this week, you’ll think about what kind of man would truly make you happy. Is Ben really what you want?”

“Ugh,” groaned Sasha. “Stop. I can’t do this anymore.” She scowled. “We broke up this morning when I stopped by his place to say goodbye.” In a rush to get the story out before her friends got over their shock, she continued, “He wasn’t expecting me, obviously, because he had another girl in his bed.”

“Oh, the rat!” exclaimed Rachel. “I knew it! So, what about Dagan, then? Cam said they’ve been best friends since they were kids! It would be so cool if my best friend got together with his best friend!”

“No! Besides, Ben and I just broke up. I’m not ready for a new relationship,” she added lamely. Her body, however, told her the truth even as the lie passed her lips. Her nipples were hard again just thinking about the warrior’s big hands roaming all over her sensitive body.

“Hah! You are such a fibber, Sasha Montgomery! I was right there next to you when Dagan kissed you into a hot puddle of goo.” Rachel smirked. “Or did you not notice me standing there?”

Sasha’s look of uncertainty gave her away.

“Oh, honey,” Ashlyn chimed in, “you’ve got it bad. Rachel was right there. Front row, center, for the show. If it makes you feel any better, I’d say he’s totally into you. I don’t think he’s taken his eyes off of you since that kiss. Now that you’re single, you should give him a chance. A real one, Sasha. You never opened up with Ben, which was fine, because he wasn’t right for you. You can’t keep pushing people away. Stop avoiding real attachments.”

“I’m not. I haven’t,” protested Sasha guiltily.

“Good,” Rachel said, nodding. “Then you can give Dagan a chance. I know you. You like him! And he likes you, too, obviously. That kiss was so hot it was off the charts, and everyone but you seems to know it. He was letting you, and every male here, know that he wants you. And believe me, a girl can’t kiss a Caldorian man that way and think he’ll let her get away with avoiding him. They’re not wired that way. For all their advanced technology, they’re still almost primal in the way they handle the opposite sex. They’re very territorial. They might flirt outrageously, but they don’t go in for casual touching. As far as that big warrior is concerned, that kiss gave him the green light. Avoiding him and refusing to talk to him after that probably has the poor guy totally confused, and he doesn’t look like the type to give up easily,” warned Rachel.

Sasha frowned.Primal? As in throw me over his shoulder and carry me off to his cave, primal?Her cheeks burned in shame and embarrassment from Rachel’s teasing. She was keenly aware of Dagan. Every turn of his head, every smile, every steamy look he sent her way. She drew in a shuddering breath as her body responded at an elemental level to the image in her mind. Blood pounded through her veins and set up an aching throb in her core. She was overheated and looked around for an exit, wanting a moment outside to regain control.They’re from another planet, for goodness sake. A technologically advanced race of people. Rachel must be joking.He could steal my heart with kisses like that, but I can’t lose anyone else. No more loss. I just can’t. I can’t.

Sasha’s heart raced and she began to shake as flashes of a different scene unfolded in her mind, overshadowing her thoughts of Dagan.No more loss.She clenched her fists and shook her head, trying to stave off the panic rising inside her.No. Not now. Not now.But the memories refused to stay at bay, and she squeezed her eyes shut, forced to relive every horrific moment of the past. She shook her head again, desperate, tormented, unaware of her friends watching, and their sudden concern. Their sympathy. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t explain. Her parents. Her brothers. Lost. All lost. Had it not been for her begging and pleading for them to come home, they would have stayed at their universities. Studied. Taken more classes. Lived.

Sasha clenched her jaw and covered her ears, but it was no use. Vivid memories replayed in her mind, with all the sounds, textures, and smells of that tragic night. Her brothers had flown in for the special occasion. The day of her high school graduation had finally arrived. She remembered their laughter in the small car, joking about the cramped space as they traveled to her favorite restaurant in celebration. Then fear as her father swerved to avoid an oncoming car that had blown a tire and was out of control. The impact. Spinning. Rolling end over end. Glass shattering and slicing through her tender flesh. Blood. So much blood. The sound of metal crunching and twisting. Sounds of agony. Blood spewing across her face, in her mouth. Everywhere. The metallic taste choking her. Screams. Pain. The smell of burning rubber and gasoline. The smell of death.

Sasha put a trembling hand over her mouth as bile rose to the back of her throat and tears threatened to spill over. She’d relived the crash over and over for five years, and it still shattered her every time. She knew she could never live through that kind of loss again. She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again and tilted her head to the side so she could peek under her lashes to where she sensed Dagan was still standing with Rachel’s intended husband, Cam. He must have been waiting for her to look at him because he immediately stopped talking to Cam and stared right back at her. His smile quickly faded, only to be replaced by a look of concern as he turned fully toward her, his eyebrows raised in surprise and inquiry, his hand reaching out like he wanted to come to her. Comfort her.Shit.Sasha looked away, her cheeks burning.Don’t look at me. Don’t watch me fall apart.

“He’s been following you with his eyes for the past two hours, hoping to catch your eye,” Ashlyn added carefully, not wanting to upset her friend any more than she already was, but needing to say something. “It’s okay to let yourself live and be happy, Sasha.”

Sasha nodded but her throat was too constricted with emotion to answer. She took a deep breath and lowered her hands back to the table. She picked up her fork and picked at her food, determined not to give in to the panic attack this time. Her pounding heart slowly returned to a steady beat and she took a bite of fruit from her plate and chewed slowly.

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