Joan and the Juggernaut: A SciFi Alien Romance (Alien Abduction Book 10)

by Honey Phillips

  “What do you mean?”

  “You seem to assume that all humans wish to be together. Have you asked your mate if this is where she wishes to go?”

  “I explained it to her when we first met.”

  Issar made a noncommittal grunt, and Varga frowned at him. Joan hadn’t voiced any objection, had she?

  “Of course, you and your female will be welcome as well,” he added after a silent interval.

  “Thank you, but we will not stay. I am taking Taliane back to Asing.”

  “Is that where she wants to go?” he asked sardonically.

  “Yes,” Issar said calmly. “We also discussed going to Gliese Prime, but you know what the merchant houses are like. They do not have true mates, only arranged matings for the purposes of profit.”

  “But I hear the females can take as many lovers as they wish.” Varga knew he was being provocative, but Issar’s serenity remained undisturbed.

  “Taliane will not be taking any other lovers. But there is another more important reason why we are not returning to her home planet.” Issar’s spines flared as his voice turned cold. “They sold her to settle a debt. It is unacceptable, and I would have chosen to show them the error of their ways, but Taliane would rather forget.”

  Varga’s own anger flared. He had heard that some of the great merchant houses placed little importance on the lives of individuals, both male and female, but to condemn someone to such a fate…

  “If you ever change your mind, I would be happy to accompany you.”

  “Thank you, my brother.” Issar’s face lightened when he saw Varga’s shock at the term. “We have undergone an epic adventure to rescue our females and defeat evil. Amongst my people, that makes us brothers.”

  Varga nodded slowly and clasped Issar’s shoulder, before rising to his feet.

  “It’s time to leave you, brother. My mate has been alone long enough.”

  “If you want my suggestion,” Issar called after him. “Ask her what she wants.”

  Varga sighed and waved a hand in the other male’s direction as he left. Why would Joan object to where they were going? She seemed to appreciate the company of other human females, even spending time with Polly. And it wasn’t as if she had anywhere else to go. Most importantly, what if he gave her a choice and she decided she would rather not go with him?

  No, he decided. Best not to bring up the subject.

  Joan stretched lazily, appreciating the comfort of the big bed. It would have been even better if Varga had been there, but a night’s sleep seemed to have restored him completely and he had left earlier to exercise. She shuddered at the thought and started to burrow back under the covers when an intrusive memory made her frown.

  Kevin used to do that. He would leave every morning to exercise. Of course, unlike Kevin, Varga had kissed her thoroughly before he left and hadn’t suggested that she would be better off exercising as well. But Kevin didn’t start off as dismissive either.

  Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself, but the pleasure of sleeping in had disappeared and she sat up. She looked around the room, taking in all the details she hadn’t paid attention to before. The enormous bed, the ornate fabrics, the elaborate and undoubtedly expensive furniture—it reminded her uncomfortably of the home she had shared with Kevin. One he had insisted be designed to showcase his wealth rather than to create a comfortable home.

  “Now you’re just being crazy,” she muttered to herself and headed for the shower in the equally elaborate bathroom. Varga had never voiced a word of complaint about the minimal guest quarters he had been allotted on Drahana, or the stifling heat of the tunnels, or the lengthy trek across the surface while she had been unconscious. He had nothing in common with her ex-husband.

  Except the tendency to assume that he knew best, a small voice argued. He hadn’t consulted her before he added Ahona to their group. Because he’d already added everybody else they encountered—at her request, she reminded herself. And maybe he was a little bossy in the bedroom, she thought as she remembered his hand landing on her ass. At the time, she had thought they were playing and found it immensely exciting, but what if he wasn’t playing? What if he thought he had the right to punish her?

  She told herself again that she was being ridiculous but the tiny niggling doubt did not completely disappear. It flared up again when Varga returned and joined her in the shower. He was a magnificent sight naked, and her body immediately responded to his presence. Taking the soap from her hand, he washed her with slow, exquisite thoroughness until she was writhing against him.

  “Such a demanding female.” He laughed when she reached impatiently for his cock. “Do I need to remind you who’s in charge?”

  He squeezed her bottom as he spoke, and she froze. She knew he was teasing, but all her doubts came rushing back. He seemed to notice her sudden tension, because he gave her a concerned frown. “Is something wrong, little bird?”

  Her eyes filled with tears. He sounded so concerned, so loving, but what if she was wrong?

  “It’s nothing,” she said, but the mood had changed. He finished washing her, then dried her carefully. His cock was still as hard as ever but he made no attempt to initiate anything further. An uneasy silence hung between them as they returned to the main cabin and started to get dressed. As she pulled on one of his tunics, it reminded her that she had absolutely nothing of her own, not even clothes. She was completely dependent on him, and that terrifying thought caused an unexpected wave of anger.

  “Where are you taking me?” she demanded, her hands on her hips.

  “We’re going to Hothrest, remember? My friend Baralt’s human mate is there.”

  “So you’re taking me there at her instruction?”

  He frowned. “No. I’m not sure that Baralt has even told her that we are coming.”

  “What if I don’t want to go there? What am I going to do after we arrive?”

  His face relaxed. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll take care of you.”

  “What if I don’t want you to take care of me?” Her voice sounded odd in her own ears, stiff and unnatural.

  His face hardened. “You are mine to take care of, Joan, do you understand? You’re my mate, and I’m never going to let you go.”

  The blood drained from her face so fast that she felt herself sway. Varga swore and caught her, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bed despite her futile attempts to struggle free.

  “You don’t own me,” she said fiercely. “And I can take care of myself.”

  He looked utterly shocked and her heart ached. How could she ever make him understand? But then it was his turn to shock her, releasing her to kneel in front of her.

  “Issar warned me, and I was foolish enough not to listen to him. I’m doing this all wrong.” He very carefully took her hand in his and he looked so worried that she let him. “Of course I don’t own you any more than you own me. But I am yours, little bird. I belong to you completely and I hoped that you felt the same way about me.”

  Her mouth opened but no words came out and he kept speaking.

  “We are heading for Hothrest because I thought you would enjoy meeting another human female. I would still like to go there but we do not have to stay. I will take you anywhere you want to go.”

  Her heart ached. She believed him, and she wanted to just fling herself into his arms, but…

  “I know you mean well, but I don’t want to be completely dependent on anyone ever again,” she whispered, her voice a mere thread.

  “What would it take to make you feel confident about that?” he asked gently. “I have no doubt you would succeed at anything you tried to do.”

  His faith in her helped to ease her doubts, and she managed a rueful smile.

  “I’m afraid I don’t know. Everything out here is so strange.”

  “Not everything,” he said thoughtfully. “You are the best cook I have ever encountered. In fact, that gives me an idea.”

  “W
hat kind of an idea?”

  “Baralt and his mate are working on a project to create an exclusive resort on Hothrest. It occurs to me that you would be the perfect person to manage the restaurant. Only if you want to, of course,” he added hastily. “It’s just an idea.”

  As his suggestion penetrated, excitement bubbled up, and she jumped to her feet. He made no attempt to stop her, watching from his position on the floor.

  “You know, that’s something I was thinking about back on Earth. I hadn’t really decided what to do after the divorce was final but I had been doing some baking for one of the tea shops in town. But a whole restaurant? With all new ingredients? That would be quite a challenge. Of course, I did manage to feed Ukhaan, and I doubt any guest would be as demanding as he was.”

  She turned back to him, her face glowing. But it was more than the possibility of such an exciting job that filled her with joy. He had understood—and not only had he understood, he had wanted to help her. She suspected he would have been happier “taking care of her” rather than helping her find a job but he had put her needs first. She looked at his beloved face, still watching her intently, and her heart overflowed with warmth.

  “I love you, Varga.”

  His shoulders relaxed and happiness filled his face. “I love you too, little bird. And you are my mate, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Suddenly full of exuberance, she launched herself in his direction, knowing without a doubt that he would catch her. His strong arms closed around her, and he bent his head to kiss her, but she placed a finger on his cheek. He stopped immediately.

  “I have a confession,” she whispered. “I do like it when you’re all bossy and demanding. In the bedroom,” she added quickly.

  His dark golden eyes were bright with tender amusement. “Is that so?”

  She nodded. “I especially like the spanking.”

  The words were barely out of her mouth before he flipped her over, lifted her tunic, and his hand descended. The sharp sting sent a wave of heat straight to her sensitive pussy, and he growled appreciatively as he ran a finger through her dampening folds.

  “You will tell me if you change your mind,” he ordered.

  “I will,” she promised, then wiggled her bottom teasingly. “That is, if you ever get started.”

  His hand descended again, and she sighed contentedly as her body responded, happier than she had ever been.

  Chapter Twenty

  After a long, delicious time with Varga, Joan decided they needed to rejoin the others. He grumbled but agreed and together they went to check on George. The system readout said that the treatment was complete, and when Joan released her, the small lizard hopped eagerly into her arms, chirping happily. There was no sign of damage to her rear leg.

  “This is wonderful.” Joan hugged George and smiled up at Varga. “I’m so glad you have this on board.”

  “It came with the ship,” he said with a shrug. “I never expected that I would have need of it.”

  “It’s a very… fancy ship.” She remembered her earlier concerns. “It doesn’t really seem like you.”

  “You don’t think I am a fancy male? I’m shocked.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  He laughed. “I do. Although it is beautiful, it is perhaps more elaborate than I would have chosen, but it is fast, comfortable, and well-equipped. By purchasing the Aerie, I knew I would always have a space that was mine—that is now ours. If you don’t like the decor, feel free to change it anyway you wish.”

  His words only reinforced her earlier realization that he was nothing like Kevin, and she smiled up at him. “It’s fine. I like the idea that we will always have a home here.”

  “Good.” He bent down and kissed her, and it wasn’t until George squeaked that she realized that she was leaning into him.

  “You are far too tempting, sweetheart,” he said ruefully as he gave George an apologetic pat.

  “Then I will remove my tempting presence and go start on lunch. Plus I’m sure George is hungry.”

  The lizard’s head bobbed eagerly, and they both laughed.

  “I wish to help,” Saka announced a short time later. Joan looked up and saw the other female standing at the entrance to the kitchen, her expression masked.

  “You don’t have to,” Joan said quickly, suspecting that Saka still felt guilty about the previous night. “I can handle it.”

  Saka shifted uncomfortably, her eyes not meeting Joan’s. “I wish to help,” she repeated stiffly. “I wish to… learn.”

  “You want to learn to cook?”

  “It is a skill that I do not possess.”

  Saka still wasn’t looking at her, but Joan suddenly thought she understood why the other female wanted to learn. Her own anxiety about being dependent on another was still fresh in her mind.

  “Of course,” she said quickly. “I would enjoy the company.”

  Saka flashed her a quick, shaky smile, and Joan had to bite back the urge to cry.

  “Since the sweet pastries were so successful yesterday, I thought I would try some savory ones today. You can help me make the dough.”

  Saka proved not only surprisingly quick to pick up the basics, but to be an entertaining companion. She had a dry, cynical wit that Joan appreciated.

  “He looks so harmless,” Saka said thoughtfully, looking at George. The lizard had eaten until her stomach was a small, round ball, then curled up and gone to sleep in a storage container.

  “She,” Joan corrected. “According to the medical bed, George is a she.”

  “Somehow, that just makes it even better that she was the one to take down Baahy.”

  “I know.” Joan flashed her a smile. “We females have our resources.”

  A shadow crossed Saka’s face, and Joan squeezed her hand. “You were resourceful enough to stay alive. That’s what matters. And soon you will be able to dazzle everyone with your cooking as well as your beauty.”

  Saka doubtfully regarded the misshapen pastry she had just created. “I hope my looks are not as crooked as this dough.”

  Joan laughed. “It’s what’s on the inside that counts. Do you want to try another?”

  After lunch, Joan returned to the cabin to collect a pillow for George. A soft knock sounded, and she looked up to see Issar standing there.

  “Varga went down to change a filter in the engine room,” she said.

  “I wasn’t looking for him. I was looking for you.”

  “For me? Do you want to come in?” she asked cautiously. Despite his strange features, he had never been anything but polite and respectful, and he was obviously devoted to Taliane.

  He nodded, and she waved him to the small seating area, trying not to blush as she remembered the way Varga had used it the previous night.

  “Is there something I can do to help you?”

  “It is about Taliane. I’m not sure if I should be worried.”

  “About what?”

  Rather than looking at her, Issar looked out the viewport at the stars as he spoke. “The females in the mines were mistreated so terribly. I never intended to add to their abuse, but one day when I was returning to our barracks, I looked over and our eyes met. I knew that she was my female. So the next day I made sure that I collected the most ore so that I could claim her. And I did every day from then on so I was the only one to be with her.”

  “I’m glad the two of you found each other,” she said softly.

  “As am I.” He hesitated, then finally looked at her. Despite the eeriness of his pale eyes with their vertical pupils, she could read his concern. “But she did not always have me.”

  She thought she understood. “You mean she was… mistreated before you came along.”

  A short nod of that wedge-shaped head. “Yes. But she has never spoken of it, never mentioned it. When I see Polly, or even Saka, I know how it affected them. I am concerned that Taliane has buried it rather than face it. And a buried wound may still fester.�
��

  Joan thought back to the other female’s calm face and serene voice. “She certainly seems to be more at peace than the others, but I thought it was because of you.”

  “It may be, but what if it isn’t? Should I encourage her to speak of that time?”

  “I don’t think so. She may have buried it so deeply that it will never resurface. And if it does start to trouble her, you will be there for her, won’t you?”

  He nodded. “Of course.”

  “Then let sleeping dogs lie.” He looked so puzzled that she laughed. “It means don’t go waking up trouble.”

  “Ah, I see.” He extended his hand. “Thank you, mate of Varga.”

  She returned his clasp, his skin dry and surprisingly soft despite the scales.

  “You will remove your hand from my female before I remove it from your body,” Varga growled, and she looked up to find him standing at the doorway, his skin hardening.

  Moving with deliberate slowness, Issar obeyed but he looked amused rather than worried. “Do you think you could?”

  “I have no doubt,” he growled, stalking towards the other male.

  Joan sighed. “Stop it, Varga. I was just giving Issar some advice about Taliane.”

  “If he needs advice to handle his female, perhaps he doesn’t deserve her.”

  The amusement vanished and Issar’s spines flared.

  “Stop provoking him! I just—oww!” She stood up and deliberately tripped over a stool. As she started to fall, Varga immediately forgot his anger and strode forward to catch her.

  “What’s wrong? Are you injured?”

  She smiled up at him. “I’m fine.”

  “If you do not require my assistance, I will leave now,” Issar announced.

  Varga turned to glare at him, but Joan wiggled against him and distracted him.

  “Bye, Issar. Remember what I said.”

  She heard the door close, but she was far more interested in the big, warm male regarding her anxiously.

  “You are sure you’re all right?” he asked.

  “I’m fine. I thought you needed a distraction before you went all medieval on poor Issar.”