The Alien Reindeer's Wild Ride

by Starr Huntress

  “A healing kid. She’s great. I’m sure you’ll like her. But we’re dropping her off first.” It never occurred to him to send the human on her way. She was clearly in need of holiday cheer, and help, and he could provide it. And he’d do his best to rid her of whatever negativity was driving her. It was the least he could do.

  “I’m not a babysitter. Can we make that clear?” She must have been desperate if she hated kids as much as she seemed.

  “It’s clear. Meet us at Dock 47 tomorrow at noon. I’ll have you on Earth by the end of the week.” And if her mood could be improved, he’d have her in even more places than that.

  Chapter Two

  RO HAD TO RUN AWAY from Dash. Fuck the man was hot. He’d towered over her like a giant, but somehow hadn’t seemed in the least bit threatening. It was impossible when contrasted with his rippling muscles and thick, braided brown hair, but his face had been all bright smiles and invitation. She’d wanted to run her fingers over all that warm brown skin and see if he was just as hard as he looked.

  Damn, she needed to get laid.

  Of course, her romantic life was just about as functional as her family life. Her last boyfriend had taken off when she’d had to reschedule a vacation because of work. It hadn’t even been last minute! But the boyfriend had claimed that she’d cared more about her job than him, and when she realized that was true she hadn’t exactly fought to win him back. That had been almost two years ago, she shuddered to realize, and though there’d been a few dates and weekend-long flings since then, no one had made her want to stay any longer.

  Dash would be a great fling. Her libido whispered it and the rest of her body agreed. She could just imagine what it would feel like to have him pushing into her, claiming her with those big hands and bigger... well, she hoped he was proportional. She’d always been up for a challenge.

  It irked her that she had to wait for the passenger he’d already booked, but she wasn’t going to deny a sick kid time with her family. She wasn’t a monster. But the new flight plan did mean she had to let her sister know what was going on. She checked the time and saw it was just past dinner on Earth. Ro was tempted to just write out a message and send it; she didn’t need whatever guilt May, or Maple if she wanted to start a fight, would send her way. But that would just be more drama when she got home. So a call it was.

  The connection between Mars and Earth was one of the best planet-to-planet calling systems in the solar system, with barely a delay between screens. She made the call and was ready to celebrate when her sister didn’t pick up after forty-five seconds, but after a minute the call connected and Ro had to paste a happy smile on her face.

  May didn’t look happy. They both took after their mother with their plump figures and blonde hair. May kept hers in long waves, and unlike Ro, her eyes were normal and brown, not the freaky dual tone Ro had going. “You’re not coming,” May said by way of greeting.

  Ro gritted her teeth. This was why it was better to send a message. No need to deal with sisterly disappointment she hadn’t earned. “I’m coming,” Ro countered.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be halfway here by now? I know what your calling station looks like.” May crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, challenging her sister to contradict her.

  Ro knew she should have made the call on a mobile comm, but the fixed station had a better connection. “That’s what I’m calling about.” She did her best to sound even. She didn’t want to fight, especially when she’d be seeing her family in a few days. She wasn’t going to ruin the trip before it began. “I had to reschedule my flight. I’ll be on a private shuttle tomorrow and I don’t know what the comm situation will be like. The pilot is named Dashiel Blitz, if you need to look up anything and I’m out of contact. He’ll have me to Earth by the end of the week.”

  “A private shuttle? You can’t afford a private flight. This is some freighter who’s earning some extra credits hauling passengers, isn’t it? So now I need to worry about you being killed by some scruffy space hauler. How wonderful.” Something had crawled up May’s ass and died. She wasn’t normally so cheerful.

  Ro wanted to tell her sister that she was wrong, but she realized she actually knew nothing about Dash’s ship. He certainly wasn’t scruffy, but she didn’t know if she could keep the lust out of her voice if she tried to describe him. Best not to risk it. “I just wanted you to know I’m still coming. Can I give Oakley the good news myself?”

  “He’s going by Lee now. And you may not. I’m not letting you get his hopes up. You remember how it was with Dad before he stopped trying. Do you really want to hurt him like that?”

  The knife slid in between her ribs and Ro gasped as if she’d actually been stabbed. “I’m not Dad. I’d never be him.”

  “Then you can talk to my son in a few days.” She didn’t look happy at the thought.

  Would she rather Ro didn’t show up? Ro wouldn’t ask. She couldn’t stand to hear the answer. “Is there any gift he’d like? Something I can bring?”

  “You can’t bribe him into remembering you, Rowan. Just bring yourself.” She disconnected and Ro was left alone in her quarters. And for the first time, the large room felt lonely.

  It was early, but she didn’t have anything else to do, so she crawled into bed and let darkness wash over her.

  Her sleep was a fitful mess of nightmares and memories, along with a healthy dash of fear that she wouldn’t make it back in time. She didn’t have time for fear. And when she opened her eyes and looked at the clock, she cursed. She’d meant to give her quarters a thorough cleaning before heading for the ship, but between packing and gathering a few supplies, she’d be lucky to make it before takeoff. But she wasn’t showing up at May’s house empty-handed. Oak—Lee, she corrected, deserved a gift, a million gifts. He was the best kid she’d ever met and she had a lot of lost years to make up for.

  Gifts aren’t a substitute for showing up, a traitorous part of her mind whispered. Dad gave lots of gifts.

  Screw May for putting those thoughts in her head. She wasn’t her father. She hadn’t abandoned the family and started a better one on another planet. She hadn’t forgotten where she came from.

  “Drop it.” She had to say it out loud to push the insidious thoughts out of her mind. Thinking about her dad was sure to put her in a mood. She’d already made a bad impression on Dash, and she didn’t want to scare whatever little kid he was shepherding around. So she needed to get control of her emotions and think of the positive. She was going to see her family, she was going to get an amazing gift for Lee, and she was keeping her promises. This time.

  Ro spent a few minutes tidying up, just putting away dishes and making sure her clothes would be washed by the cleaning bot. She left the rest of it to fate after throwing two weeks’ worth of supplies in a bag and sending them off to the dock Dash had told her about.

  She had just enough time to find the perfect gift for Lee, and she’d do it fast enough to make sure Dash didn’t leave her behind.

  DASH HAD A ROUTINE when he had little shipmates coming onboard. Make sure all the dangerous stuff was locked away. Put the alcohol where they couldn’t find it. Make sure they couldn’t get into any of the hidden crevasses of his ship or the control rooms. Transporting sick kids could be rewarding work, but it was more stress-inducing than moving adults across the solar system. That didn’t mean he was about to stop doing it.

  Once he was satisfied the ship was safe enough for Kiki, he headed for the hospital. It could take awhile to get his passengers released into his care, and he wanted to make sure they took off on time. He was certain that Rowan would lodge a complaint if they were even a minute late.

  Thinking of her made him smile. She’d played a starring role in his dreams, and he hoped she’d be just as captivating in the flesh. This kind of obsession was new to him, but he wanted to chase the desire down and drown himself in it.

  But he had other things to deal with first.

  The hospital was as bus
y as always, but Kiki’s nurse had her bag packed and the girl in question was bouncing on the bed, ready to launch herself out the door the second she had the go ahead. Her eyes lit up when she saw Dash. “I’m ready!” she declared.

  Good cheer lit the air up and Dash breathed deep. “That’s great. We’ve got a call scheduled with your parents. They have to give the hospital permission for me to take you. You ready?”

  Kiki nodded. The call with her parents took a few minutes, and Dash could see the love shining from their eyes at their little daughter. They released her into his custody and he promised that she’d be delivered safe and sound. A few minutes and several bits of paperwork later, Dash and Kiki were walking out of the hospital and towards a shuttle that could take them anywhere on the compound.

  “Did you get chocolate?” she asked the second they were through the door and she could be fairly certain the doctors wouldn’t hear her asking for contraband.

  “I got some,” Dash promised. “But I was thinking we could swing through the shops one last time before we board, make sure there’s not anything that I missed?” Years ago, he’d taken kids straight from the hospital to the ship, but over time it had become obvious that they needed a little while to adjust. And a shopping trip made them feel special, like they were making some of the decisions about the journey to come.

  Really, Dash couldn’t help spoiling his charges. They deserved it.

  They stopped at the grocer’s first and took care of buying prepared meals, and when they passed a toy shop Kiki’s eyes lit up. He led her inside. “We have a few minutes,” he promised. “Why don’t you find something that you can play with until we get you home?”

  Kiki looked down at the floor and frowned. “I don’t have any money.” She hadn’t worried about that when it came to food, but toys were different.

  “I’ve got plenty of credits,” he promised. “So go wild. But just one toy.” He tried to sound stern, but he knew he was failing miserably. If she came back with five, he’d probably purchase them all. What was a few credits in the face of a child’s joy? But Kiki took his warning to heart and solemnly took off towards one of the aisles, looking back every few seconds to make sure he was following.

  Sweet kid.

  “Stupid little fu—dge bucket.” The woman’s curse cut off as Kiki entered the lane.

  Dash grinned as he saw Rowan struggling with the articulating arm on one of the toys, trying to fit it back into the box. He stepped up to her. “Need a little help?”

  She glared, but something in her gaze softened and heated when she saw it was him. “The box says it’s meant for kids under twelve. I’m well over twelve. It won’t defeat me.”

  He laughed. How could he stop himself when she was right there? She glared for half a moment, then rolled her eyes and shoved the box at him. “Deal with it.”

  Dash took the box and studied it for a moment. The toy looked like it was supposed to be woven into vines and held in place by magic. “Hmm....”

  “Not so smart now, are we?” she said, multi-colored eyes flashing with triumph.

  “Well, everyone knows I’m a kid at heart, what’s your excuse?” He gave all his focus to popping the toy back into the box, biting his lip and hoping he didn’t break anything. “You do know you’re not supposed to remove them from their packaging until you’ve purchased them, right?”

  “Oh? Is that how they do it on Mars?” She leaned in closer, her body heating up the air around him. She smelled of something floral, intoxicating and sweet.

  “Dash! I found something.” Kiki came bounding up to them, a large tablet in her arms. She looked between the two of them for a long moment, young brown eyes calculating. “Is she your girlfriend?”

  Ro choked and Dash had no better way to respond. He took a minute so all his hopes and desires didn’t bleed into what he was saying. “Rowan is another passenger. She’s flying with us and then I’m taking her to Earth once I drop you off.”

  Kiki was going to have one hell of a stare one day, but she was still a kid and the intensity bordered on funny. She held up the tablet. “Can I get this?”

  “Sure.”

  “Shouldn’t you actually look at it before you agree?” Rowan asked, quiet enough so that Kiki couldn’t hear.

  “It’s a toy store, it’s not like she could grab anything inappropriate.” And Kiki didn’t seem the type to try and pull one over on him. “I’d say you’re a little old for this guy.” He held up the doll that he’d successfully wedged back into its box. Did she have a kid of her own? A partner? He probably shouldn’t lust after a married woman, and he held his breath waiting for the answer.

  “My nephew’s ten. My sister refused to tell me what he wanted, something about not trusting me to actually show up.” She clenched her teeth and then consciously loosened her muscles. Dash watched it happen, starting at her jaw and working down her neck and back. “So I need to show up with the best gift there is, simple as that. On time. Keep my promises.”

  “I’ll get you there on time.”

  She looked at him and gave a reluctant smile. “I was a little afraid you’d leave without me.”

  He handed the toy back to her. “I won’t. And a ten year old will love this thing. But I think he’ll like that you’re there even more. I’ve got to go find Kiki before she talks herself out of that tablet. I’ll see you soon?”

  She nodded.

  Dash leaned in and hugged her without a second thought. Rowan paused for a moment before her free arm went around him, her soft body pressing into him. Oh, yeah, that was good. She was clearly out of practice when it came to hugging, but Dash could teach her a lesson or two.

  This was going to be the best trip ever.

  Chapter Three

  AS EXPECTED, DASH’S ship was tiny. He could have squeezed two more passengers on board if he was looking to make more money, but the quarters were already tight and Ro was glad she didn’t need to double up. By the time she climbed aboard, Dash and Kiki were already there, and Kiki had the room next to hers. Dash helpfully informed her of where the captain’s quarters were, and she almost asked him if his bed was big enough for two.

  What the hell had gotten into her?

  The excitement of the morning seemed to have tired the kid out, and she crawled into her bed and closed herself off with a promise she’d be up for dinner. Dash played around with a control panel outside Kiki’s door for a minute before turning back to her. “Ship AI is programmed to monitor her health, make sure nothing goes wrong. Doc said she’s all good for travel and as long as she takes her meds they don’t expect anything to come up. I’ll handle it if it does.”

  “I’m not a total monster.” Ro tried not to feel offended. “I’m not going to leave a sick kid to suffer.”

  “I never thought you would.” Dash looked over her shoulder and into her room. Her suitcases were stuffed in beside her bed, waiting for her to unpack. “Are your quarters satisfactory?”

  “I’m on a ship headed to Earth... eventually. You could stick me in the cargo bay and I’d deal.” Stowing away on another ship had briefly crossed her mind, it was only worries about oxygen supply and possible arrest that had kept her from following through.

  “It’s too cold in the cargo bay with no one to keep you warm.” She and Dash were standing close enough to touch.

  What was it about this guy? She had defenses, walls to keep her emotions safe, and he’d somehow found a way inside without even trying. It took her time to want someone the way she wanted him. What made Dash Blitz so special? “What’s your secret?”

  Dash’s brows drew down, puzzled. “I’m an open book.”

  “You’re hiding something. Everyone does.” And she shouldn’t be prying. But he was there, and if she didn’t keep her mouth occupied with talking, she was sure to use it to trace the outline of his collarbone that was sticking so tantalizingly out of his shirt.

  His eyes widened and he laughed nervously. “No secrets, I swear.”


  That made her curious. “I totally believe you. Wife? Husband? Harem hiding in that cargo hold? What is it?”

  This time his laugh was much more natural. “No one hiding in the cargo hold or waiting for me at some other port.” He leaned in close, until most of the space between them disappeared. “I’m free to find whoever I like and do whatever we want.”

  If he touched her, she was going to kiss him. Hell, she’d probably grab hold of his collar and yank him back into her room. Sure the bed was tiny, but that just meant they’d have to stay close. She liked close. Especially when it came to him. She darted her tongue out to lick suddenly dry lips and watched as his eyes dipped to take in the motion. He sucked in an unsteady breath and his gaze darkened with desire. Oh, yes, this would be good. Exactly what she needed.

  A buzzing alarm cut through the moment, and Dash scowled. “We’ve been cleared for takeoff. If I don’t initiate the procedure we’ll be chucked to the back of the line.”

  Not even her desire for his kiss could make her want to stay on Mars for one second longer. “Then I guess you’d better get moving.”

  He stood frozen above her for another few seconds, but the buzzer kept sounding, and finally he pulled back. “Keep me company in the cockpit?”

  Ro nodded before she could think of a reason not to. There wasn’t one. “I’ll join you shortly.”

  They didn’t kiss. If they kissed there’d be no hope of getting off the planet, though a good chance at getting off in general. But he did run his finger down her arm as he turned away, and Ro shivered. How could she be so consumed with want this soon? It was almost like he was one of those aliens she’d heard about in media reports, the ones who saw a person and from that second knew they had to claim them as a mate. But as far as she knew, Dash was human. Inhumanly cheerful, but she couldn’t hold his good mood against him. Not too much.

  Instead of following him directly to the cockpit, she went into her quarters and strapped in for take off. She wanted to get a few of her things unpacked before she went to find the alluring captain. She doubted she’d want to leave once she was there. Why would she?