Page 20 of Alien Knight Steals the Bride

Waking slowly, Juliette moved carefully, not wanting to disturb Torrin. She was sore. Well used. Satisfied in a way she’d never been before. She’d had lovers before. Plenty of orgasms. What she’d experienced last night with Torrin was on a whole new level. She was almost afraid to examine the experience. Somewhere along the line her heart had become involved.Damn, damn, and double damn. Now what was she supposed to do?

Lifting her head slightly, she watched him sleep. He’d insisted she stay near him, holding her as they’d dozed off, exhausted. They’d reached Cappra’s orbit while he was still deep inside her. Neither had paid any attention to the A.I. system notification. Now, though, Juliette looked to the flashing light on the side of the platform bed. All too soon he’d be leaving for his mission. He’d refused to give her any details about what he was searching for, much to her chagrin.

He wanted her to trust him. Stay with him. Belong to him, yet he refused to share more than the barest essentials about himself. She wanted to know everything about him. Every detail.

She’d promised him only one day, but her heart told her that was a lie. She’d fallen for him when she wasn’t looking during the three days on board the ship together. They’d laughed, talked, plus now she could mentally add having the most amazing sex of her life to the list. Who could blame her for falling for him just a little?

Juliette shook her head in disgust and dismay. She didn’tdocommitment. Didn’t want to go through what her mother had endured. Realization hit her hard. Her mother was stronger than she could ever be. Losing Torrin wouldn’t just rip her heart out. No. Losing him would be much, much worse. The loss would break her.

Juliette put her head on his chest. The slow, steady thump-thump of his heart reassuring her as nothing else could.So what do I do? He said his mission is dangerous. He might not make it back. He doesn’t even have any backup. His unit is apparently too far away and that Falden jerk doesn’t want him to wait because whatever it is they’re looking for is constantly being moved.

She couldn’t help herself. Stroking her hand over his chest and down his arm, every feminine instinct she had drove her to stroke him, feel the contours of his strong body, so different from hers. He was solid where she was soft. Big. Strong. Male.

Juliette squirmed. He shifted, planting his hand on her hip. Her heart melted. Even in sleep he was possessive. Protective.But who will protect him? He has no backup.

No backup.She stilled. Her heart leaped. She could be his backup. She had skills. He’d even said as much. She’d successfully navigated Mora Five, hadn’t she? Reputed to be one of the most dangerous planets around, and she’d been fine. She could do it. She knew she could. All she needed to do was convince one very hot, sleepy alien to let her come with him.

“So pensive,” Torrin grumbled sleepily, running his large hands up and down her waist and hips. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing,” she said cheerfully. “Just working out a problem in my head.” Wiggling her bottom, she laughed as his semi-erect shaft hardened. Desire quickened her pulse. Spreading her knees to either side of his hips, she sat atop him. The man was seriously huge.

“Mmm,” he rumbled sleepily, shifting suggestively beneath her. “Anything I can help you with?”

Before she had a chance to respond, his fingers found her entrance, easily slipping inside. “You’re wet. Are you sore?”

“A little. I don’t mind.”

“No. Hang on a second,” he said, reaching to the side where the cylinder with maju paste lay tilted on its side. “I think there might be just enough left to heal your tender bits.”

She groaned as he swiped the interior of the cylinder, then rubbed the contents over her clit and deep inside her.

“Better?”

Her nipples hardened as the paste began to tingle. She needed him inside her. Needed a hard ride. Without answering, she leaned forward, positioning herself over his hard staff, plunging down, impaling her tight sheath, stretching almost to the point of pain. The maju paste both soothing the ache and stimulating her at the same time.

Heat flashed from her core, pulsing through her body. Torrin lifted her easily, slamming her down again, his show of strength only adding to her desire as he lifted her again. He knew exactly what she wanted. What she needed. And he gave her both.

He set a punishing pace. They were on borrowed time. Fast. Hard. And oh, so right. Juliette’s toes curled as she reached her peak, crying out in release as she milked him.

Torrin heldher close for a long while, content to stay in her welcoming arms. He knew he needed to get up. Finish his mission. He also suspected his woman was going to protest. Demand to come along. He couldn’t let her do that.

Juliette’s sweet voice pulled him from his thoughts. “What?”

“I said, we make a pretty good team,” she repeated.

He stiffened. Here it comes. He couldn’t disagree with her. They were absolutely explosive together. She’d saved him on Mora Five, just as he’d saved her on the Vilitos ship. Closing his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see the disappointment in her eyes when he told her she couldn’t come along, he mumbled, “I agree. I hope you always remember you said it first.”

“Well, that’s a strange thing to say. Of course I’ll remember.” She fidgeted. “You know, I could help you,” she said eagerly, “on your mission.”

Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly. This was going to be hard. The moment she’d touched him with maju paste she’d become his everything. Before that, even. Her courage had won his heart on the Vilitos ship. Losing her would break him as nothing else ever could. And yet, telling her she couldn’t accompany him on this mission could break their relationship before it really had a chance to solidify. He opened one eye a fraction, peering through his long lashes to her upturned face. “No.”

Misty gray eyes turned stormy. “No? That’s it? No discussion? Just ‘no’?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Rude,” she glared angrily. “I don’t accept that, and you have no authority over me. I’m my own person. I make my own decisions. I was merely having a polite discussion with you, not asking for your permission.”

Reluctantly Torrin got up, dressing quickly in the clothes he’d ‘borrowed’ on Mora Five during his first attempt to locate the maju water vendors. He needed to blend in, and since the outdated synthesizer could only duplicate the most basic items such as food and blankets, he would have to do without any weapons or, more importantly, cloaking technology. He was a Lumerian Knight. He could take down any living creature with his bare hands, but he couldn’t make himself invisible. However, he was equally skilled at blending in. No one would notice his presence. The Lumerian Orb he’d been instructed to retrieve was purportedly inside the Council Ambassador’s residence. Get in and get out. Those were Falden’s instructions. He closed his eyes, mentally beginning to prepare for the mission. Focus. Prepare. Be ready for anything.

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