Page 25 of Taken By The Alien Warrior Pirate

Carmela sighed and frowned. “That’s the scariest part of it all.”

ChapterEleven

CARMELA

“Is everything alright?” Cyburn’s deep voice asked.

“Huh?” I lifted my head and glanced over at Cyburn, blinking at him, suddenly feeling dazed and a little daunted by the information I just received from him.

“You’ve been quiet for several moments,” Cyburn mentioned, his features somewhat stilted. “What are you thinking about?”

I took a deep breath and smiled ironically. “I’m not sure you really want to know the answer to that.”

“Of course, I do.”

His expression was so innocent that it made me feel partially annoyed that he could really be that dense, and partially skeptical about telling him what wasreallyon my mind because I didn’t want to upset him. He already had enough on his plate to deal with as it was without me adding more drama to the pot.

“I’m just… a little surprised, that’s all,” I mentioned, trying to keep my voice as gentle as possible.

Cyburn glanced over his shoulder as if he were suddenly paranoid that someone might be listening in on our conversation.

“Surprised about what?” he asked cautiously.

I tilted my head to the side and gave him a curious stare. The similarities of men on Earth to the Alesis alien men were somewhat frightening.

The male species in general, no matterwhothey were, typically just didn’t understand how to deal with the complexities of a woman’s emotions.

I reminded myself to be patient with Cyburn. He literally pulled me out of the trenches of impending death at the hands of the Belic. If it weren’t for him, the razor sharp end of a scalpel held in a metal Belic fist would have been the last thing I ever saw.

I owed my life to Cyburn, plain and simple. I almost feltguiltyfor feeling so frustrated with him in the moment, but unlike him, I was human, after all.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I had no idea you had been with Amada for so long. No wonder she hates me.”

“Amada hates everyone.” Cyburn grinned, but I didn’t return the smile because I wasn’t feeling particularly amused in the moment.

I furrowed my eyebrows and sighed deeply, staring off with concentration into space.

“I mean… that’s a wholedecadethat you were with her. Do you know howlongthat is in human terms?”

Cyburn acted like he wanted to be understanding with my rant and try to subside some of my misgivings about it. “I wish I did so I could make you feel better.”

At least he tried.

I paused. “I mean… I appreciate you being honest with me, but—”

Cyburn planted his huge hand possessively on my inner thigh and squeezed it a little too hard. His behavior startled me, as did the intensity of the stare on his face.

“I hope this doesn’t change things between us. What we have… I can’t explain it. It wasneverlike this with Amada. I feel so drawn to you. I’m desperately attracted to you. The chemistry… I can only speak for myself, but it feels justrighton so many levels.”

“Yes… Idoagree,” I said, still frowning thoughtfully.

“Then what’s the problem?” Cyburn asked.

I glanced his way, wishing I had an uncomplicated answer to give him.

“When did your relationship with her actually end?”

Cyburn pondered a moment. “About a year ago I’d say.”

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