Page 56 of Claimed by an Alien Warrior

Ren withdrew his arms, but not without a hint of reluctance — his fingertips lingered on her bicep and hip for just a bit longer than seemed necessary.

As soon as she was free, Zoey leapt out of bed and ran to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Sweet relief swept in to fill the growing space as her bladder emptied.

While she was washing her hands, she realized that the small toiletry bag on the counter was hers. With a silent thanks to Ren, she took out her toothbrush and scrubbed her teeth and tongue like they’d never been cleaned before.

Despite her thoroughness, she still ached with desire when she was done, and decided to hop into the shower to avoid returning to the bedroom — to temptation.

It was amazing how much better the hot water made her feel, and the tub had ample space to move around in, meaning she didn’t even have to deal with the shower curtain blowing in and slapping her leg with a jolt of cold. The showerhead was big enough that she felt more like she was standing in a rainstorm than in a bathroom.

When she finished, she returned to the bedroom with her breath smelling of mint, her hair wet, and nothing covering her body but a towel. Ren was sitting on the edge of the bed with his pants on. Her suitcase was set beside him, open to display her clothes.

His eyes swept over her hungrily. She could almostfeelhim looking through the towel, and that ignited her blood all over again. She bit her lip approached the bed.

“Thanks,” she said, picking out a pair of leggings and a tunic. She blushed anew as she withdrew a pair of red panties.

Awesome. My face is going to match my underwear.

Ren reached into her suitcase, plucked up her red bra, and — dangling it from a single finger — held it out to her. “Your harness.”

“You’re horrible,” she laughed. Snatching the bra from him, she hightailed it back into the bathroom — back to safety.

I mustreallybe desperate for physical contact.

Okay, so not just physical contact, butsex. She’d only had two partners in her life — the first a one-night stand that popped her cherry when she was nineteen, and then Joshua seven years later. Sex had never been a huge part of her life. She’d gotten herself off far more times by her own efforts than with men, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want it. Didn’tcraveit.

Andboydid she want it with Rendash. With analien.

So why not just do it? Why not get her freak on with this sexy, four-armed hunk of muscle?

Because it’s…because…

It’s wrong?

She knew that wasn’t the truth. A few days ago, yeah, it certainly would’ve been, but she’d spent time with him, had come to know him. He was stillother, but she’d seen human qualities in him.

And yet, Zoey couldn’t be anything more than a curiosity to him. She didn’t want to be someone’s…curiosity fuck. She didn’t want to be used again. She deserved better, deserved more.

Shewantedmore.

It didn’t matter how much she longed formorewith Rendash; he’d leave soon, and she’d never see him again. She couldn’t stand the thought of that loss as it was, so why get more involved with him and increase the hurt when that moment came?

But if we both want it, why not take it, even if it’s only one time? Why not be selfish for a change?

Because I want more than a one-night stand, damnit.

She wanted stability. She wanted love. She wanted it all.

And she needed to be stronger to obtain it.

Mind made up, Zoey hurriedly pulled on her clothes. She would have to keep some distance between them. Set some boundaries.

Once she was dressed, she stepped back into the bedroom. “Are you ready for those omelets I promised?”

He straightened and offered her a smile, flashing his fangs. Zoey’s entire body reacted to it.

Damnit. Boundaries, woman, boundaries!

“I would ask what that is,” he said as he stood up, “but I doubt I would understand your explanation.”

---