Marauder_A Science Fiction Alien Mail-Order Bride Romance

by Lisa Lace

We both shake our heads.

  “No, thank you.”

  “It’ll be nice to get out of this hell hole.” I sigh.

  “We need to start heading west,” Mor announces. He takes the last gulp of the egg, slurps the rest, and throws his makeshift bowl onto the hard cave floor. It bounces, and the sound echoes around, sending droplets of the egg through the air.

  When a giant droplet lands on my forehead, I fold my arms and glare at him. “What do you mean? I thought we agreed to continue the path that we’re on.”

  “It’s clearly not getting us anywhere.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense. We’ll run into something eventually. We can’t just veer off.”

  “What if we’re walking in the opposite direction of the civilization?”

  “What if we there’s no one here?” My voice is strained, and I stand up. My chest rises and falls. Mor and I glare at one another for a moment, and then I sit back down.

  “We’ve been walking for a whole day, and there has been no sign of a civilization,” Mor rumbles.

  “We keep heading north, as agreed. End of discussion.”

  Nothing else is said. Emily holds her head in her hand.

  I keep my eyes off her. I can’t risk staring at her body.

  I clench my jaw. I need to get some sleep tonight before we begin our journey again. Thoughts of taking her are dominating my body and making sleep even more impossible. If I’m not awake and watching the area around us, then I’m dreaming of being inside her. I’m obsessed with her—her laughter, her soft skin, her curves, protecting her.

  “King Ursen isn’t going to wait much longer.” Mor stands, shaking his head. “I’m going for a walk.”

  I bite my tongue and watch him disappear out of the mouth of the cave.

  He’s so quick to anger. I don’t know why he can’t just trust me on this. I’m far better at tracking. Part of me knows there’s a chance I could be wrong, and I am wasting time by leading us through the wilderness, but I can’t start second-guessing myself.

  “What will this King Ursen do?” Emily asks.

  I was so lost in thought that her voice startles me. I bite my tongue and stumble back down into my seat by the fire. Fuck, it hurts. “He could kill us, find a new wife, and not pay me.” I keep my eyes on the ground. Talking about Emily’s new husband is not something I enjoy.

  “Have you met him?”

  “Once.”

  “What’s he like?”

  “Mor.” I could tell her the truth about him—about how ruthless he is, but what good would that do?

  “So—you’re still set on taking me there?”

  I nod slowly, waiting for her reaction.

  She doesn’t look sad or disappointed. No, she looks determined. She stands, creeping toward me. With a flip of her long hair, her scent hits me again.

  My body shudders.

  The tears in her clothes reveal spots of her skin. I push myself back as her scent continues to drive me wild.

  “I need money.” I speak with my teeth clenched, trying to sound nasty. I hope she’ll withdraw.

  She chews on her bottom lip, pressing on it ever so slightly. “Are you sure there isn't any way I can change your mind?”

  My stomach rolls, and my cock stiffens. I can think of a million different ways she could try to change my mind. My fists dig into the ground on either side of me. Every fiber of my being is telling me to fuck her. It's all been building—my need for her.

  “Yes.” The word is difficult for me to say. I thought she hated me.

  “Well, then.” She breathes out of her nose slowly. I can feel the air leaving her and drifting over my skin. It’s gentle and warm. My dick begins to tighten and swell.

  “How about I repay you for saving my life? I just need you to take my handcuffs off.”

  Now, my blood is rushing to my center, and my mouth waters. My dick is fully engorged, and precum oozes out from the tip like honey. I’m shaking. Fuck! Why am I so turned on right now?

  “You don’t need to take the handcuffs off to thank me,” I growl.

  Now, I fully succumb to the beast inside of me. I reach for her body. I don’t know how much time we have, or what I plan to do, but I all I know is that I need her—now. The logical part of my brain is completely gone, and the blind need to feel her controls me.

  “Ori,” she gasps, but I don’t let her finish speaking.

  My mouth is on hers. Our lips meet, and my tongue finds its way into her mouth.

  Fuck. She tastes amazing, like a sweet dessert. More. I need more!

  Her lush form curves against mine. I can’t stop now.

  With one heave, I pull her on top of me. Her hips rock against my cock. Each motion sends pulses down my spine. I yank her down onto my chest. Another slight moan escapes her throat. Feeling her against me is everything.

  There is no moment for gentle touches. I am far too famished.

  I feed her neck with kisses. Each slight taste of her gives me a high stronger than any substance. She murmurs and sighs. I long to hear more of her noises.

  I grab her tight ass in my hands, pushing her groin against my throbbing member. I sense the change in her body—the overwhelming arousal. Her pheromones wash over me. My senses are igniting, one by one. Her mouth travels from my mouth down my neck, slowly. It’s too much of a tease.

  Damn. I try and pull her mouth back to mine, but she resists. My hands reach between her legs to pet her, but she jerks her hips away quickly before my fingers are satisfied with the touch of skin.

  “What?” I manage to gasp. I don’t like being denied.

  “Hold still.” Her eyes find mine. The sheer look of determination fills them. Holy fuck, she’s so sexy, and then her lips find their way to my jaw and trace down slowly. It takes every ounce of my control not to tear into her.

  I dig my fingers into the hard ground. She hovers over my chest. My breathing has increased dramatically. My dick can hardly stand being clothed much longer, and her hands fumble with the buckle. I rip the pants open and jerk them down, exposing my hard, throbbing cock.

  Emily’s eyes open wide. She completely freezes.

  “Everything okay?” I ask through deep breaths.

  “I—mean...you’re just so—” Her voice trails off.

  “Do human cocks look different?”

  “No—I just...I’ve never seen one this large.”

  “Is it a problem?”

  “You tell me.” She gives me a devilishly wide grin, and her head bobs down to meet my piece. Her bound hands grip the base.

  Just the sensation of her groping me there is enough to make my body shudder. She begins the movement gradually, running her soft hands to the top, then back, the handcuffs brushing against my sac and the underside of my cock.

  I clench my teeth in delicious agony. Her tongue trails along my length, flooding my body with ecstasy. She finds a rhythm, then, sucking around my throbbing piece. Her warm, wet mouth makes me swell, pushing me to the edge. Her neck bobs up and down, and she slowly slides all of me deep into her. She gags slightly but continues pushing me deeper into her.

  I grunt. I need to fuck her. It’s almost too much. I burrow my hands deeper into the earth below me. My eyes squeeze tight, and my body stiffens as the climax grows nearer. Every flick of her tongue pushes me further and further as it rocks against the underside of my cock. More pre-cum releases.

  Several gasps escape my throat. Her pacing picks up, and my cock slides deeper into her damp cavity. I am going to come and fill her mouth.

  I grab her hair, but she jerks back. Her mouth releases its heavenly grip, and she sits up.

  My dick throbs violently. The feeling of being ripped from her mouth overwhelms me with discomfort.

  “What the fuck?” I pant.

  She wipes her mouth. “Take me back to Earth.”

  “What?!”

  “Take me back, and then I’ll finish.”

  “Fucking three suns. What’s wrong with y
ou, woman?” My dick aches and pulses. It needs release now, but Emily stands up.

  “Take me home!”

  “No!”

  “If you can’t help me, then I can’t help you.”

  I tilt my head back and groan. I pull my pants back on and heave forward. The pressure in my cock transforms into a dull pain. “Dammit.” I grind my teeth together and sit down. “This is torture!”

  “Now you know exactly how I feel.”

  “Oh, is your dick going to explode?”

  “No, the torture part!”

  I close my eyes and begin to pace around the cave, bending forward and letting out short breaths. I guess I deserve it for giving in. I chew on the inside of my cheek as anger begins to replace the pain.

  Fuck—I feel so frustrated. Why did I let it go that far? I can’t help it. I can’t control myself around her. She’s the only thing I want.

  “This is cruel,” I snap.

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “I care about you, and you’re jerking me around.”

  She rolls her eyes. “I doubt it.”

  I walk over and throw her arms over her head, pushing her hard up against the wall. Her body hits the cave wall with a thud, and she grimaces. I lift her up by the handcuffs so we are at eye level.

  A flicker of fear passes through her eyes. Her breathing is fast. I stare at her for a long time.

  “I would never hurt you. But I have a job to do, and billions of people depend on the stability of Omicron. I’m sorry, but that’s more important than your—annoyance.” I release my grip around her wrists.

  Mor walks into the cave just then, holding some more firewood. He eyes us both suspiciously but doesn’t say a word. I can’t even begin to imagine what he’s thinking.

  Emily

  We’ve been walking for hours, with little rest. My legs are starting to cramp. I refuse to let Orien carry me, and he didn’t object or force the issue. I imagine he has no desire to be close to me.

  The sun beats through the leaves and onto my skin. There isn’t one cloud to grant us a break from its strength, and the air is so humid that it’s nearly choking me. The jungle only seems to be growing hotter every day.

  I look over at Orien. He hasn’t stopped scowling since last night. His long white hair is tied up on top of his head, and his shirt has been pulled off. Beads of sweat glisten over his chiseled chest and eight-pack abs.

  I can’t help but stare. He looks like a walking golden statue.

  He glowers at me. In the bright sunlight, his eyes appear to be a light caramel color, which makes him look nicer, even if he’s angry with me.

  I don’t feel an ounce of remorse. I enjoyed every second of it, I tell myself. “How are you after last night?” I ask with a smirk.

  “Fine,” he murmurs. I take a slight enjoyment in watching him suffer. I look away before his eyes catch me and place me under their unrelenting power once more. He clearly doesn’t want to talk to me.

  Then my weight is thrown forward, I hit one of the thick roots half buried in the ground. I drop forward, heading straight for the ground.

  “Woah there,” Orien murmurs under his breath. His hard arm catches just around my waist, keeping me from hitting the solid ground. His free hand rests against my cheek, and he pulls my gaze to his.

  Words jumble in the back of my throat. All I can focus on are the curve of his lips. I want him to kiss me and pull me harder against his chest. I want my naked body on top of his. The desire mounts inside of me instantly, and I am completely flustered.

  “You okay?” he purrs, but his breathing is heavy and ragged.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to carry you?” His eyes lustily hover over me. “Looks like you could use some help.”

  “No, thank you.”

  He takes a deep breath. “Alright, then. But I would hate for something to happen to you.”

  The last bit of his sentence throws me. What does he mean by that?

  He stands but continues walking next to me, his presence a looming shadow of desire.

  I shake my head. I need to keep it together.

  I can’t help but stare up at his sharp profile and carved face.

  His pace has slowed slightly, and now Mor is too far to hear us if we speak in a whisper.

  “Last night was very hurtful.” His tone is aggressive and stern.

  “I don’t agree.”

  He stops. He carefully grabs hold of my arm, and he turns so we’re facing one another.

  Out of nowhere, a blast of cold air washes through the jungle. I want to look up to the sky, but his eyes grab mine and lock them down. They shine under his white-rimmed brow. The caramel color has melted into a fierce copper.

  “I won’t be taking you to Earth.” He leans forward. “Do you understand? So get it out of your thick skull. You are going to Omicron if it’s the last fucking thing I do.” His voice is low and deep.

  I freeze, and my heart sinks. I chew on my bottom lip. What was I hoping for? That he would just fall in love with me and decide it was time to take me home?

  Out of nowhere, the sky opens, and the heavy rainfall descends. A torrential downpour covers everything. The water seeps into my clothes and air. It falls on the trees. In a matter of seconds, both Orien and I are completely drenched. The water burns and stings as it pelts us.

  “Orien! Emily! Let’s go!” Mor shouts ahead of us. I can barely make out his figure waving frantically.

  Orien looks up and then back at me. He clenches his jaw.

  “Why are you doing this to me?” I shout. I’m not sure exactly what I’m asking. I don’t understand why he’s delivering me like some package, and I really don’t understand the attraction between us. I can’t look at him without feeling aroused.

  “It's my job!”

  “Why can’t you just help me? Please! I know you’re a good person.”

  “No—that’s where you’re wrong. I am not good, and when we find a ship, we’re going straight to Omicron.”

  Before I can say anything else, he picks me up aggressively, and he throws me over his shoulder.

  I close my eyes to keep water from running into them. His strong arms support me over his shoulder. I feel the soft skin of his bare back. He runs at full speed, and the world flies by.

  I am relieved I don’t have to walk anymore, but I feel lost. I thought for at least one moment, he would care about me. It was a foolish idea. How could I ever let myself rely on some stranger? I’m alone.

  Orien catches up with Mor.

  “Everything alright?” he asks.

  “Just dandy.”

  The rain stops all at once, leaving behind a soaked world.

  I don’t speak for the next few hours. I feel utterly defeated. We continue on in our damp clothes, completely covered in mud and dirt. The whole jungle has been turned into a mushy swamp. The sound of Mor’s blade slashing through the jungle pounds in my ears.

  I just need to rest.

  Then my eyes catch a shimmering pond in the distance. The water is so clear, I can almost see through to the bottom. The evening paints the sky with streaks of purple and blue. I desperately want to soak in the water and relax. We’ll be making camp soon anyway.

  “Can I go there?” I ask, pointing a finger.

  Mor looks at my direction, but Orien keeps his eyes glued forward. “No,” he snaps.

  I frown and drop my arm. “Please. I really need to clean myself.”

  “We don’t have time.”

  “We are making camp soon, no?”

  He lets out a slow breath to contain his emotions. I can feel how tight his shoulders are underneath me. “What do you think, Mor?” he asks.

  “Up to you.” Mor shrugs in response.

  Orien stops and sets me back onto the ground.

  My feet hit the soft earth. I look up at him.

  He can at least give me this if he can’t spare his pity. There’s no way I’m important enough to stop a
war—and if I am, it’s as a commodity. They can find some other woman to marry the king. He just wants to get paid, I think, trying not to let hot tears burn out.

  “Fine. You can swim.”

  A smile spreads across my lips—finally, a real win. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Can you take these handcuffs off as well?” I ask. I hold out my wrists in front of me. He grabs them in his large hands and presses his thumb against the center of the cuffs. They release with a click and turn back into a small white band. He slides it into his pocket.

  “I’m going ahead a ways. I see a good place for the camp,” Mor shouts.

  I don’t acknowledge him. I’m already rushing toward the pool. I don’t care if my legs are aching and my muscles burning. The idea of washing away the days of grime and filth excites me beyond reason.

  I push through the jungle, running across different plants and roots until my feet hit the white sand around the water. It's no larger than a backyard swimming pool, but the water is so clean.

  All sorts of colorful plants with long petaled flowers surround it and reflect on its surface. Smooth silver rocks rest on half the edge, and small glowing insects fly from flower to flower with a slight hum. It is truly lovely.

  I peer into the water and see my reflection. I hardly recognize myself. My eyes are wide and gaunt from a lack of food and sleep. My hair is a rat’s nest. I begin to run my fingers through it, smoothing some of the snarls out.

  Then the hair on my neck stands, and my body tenses. I am not alone. Orien’s ochre eyes flash in the reflection of the water behind me. I fall backward on my ass.

  “What?” he asks with a childish grin.

  “You scared me!” My hand presses against my chest.

  His golden tattoos sparkle in the setting sun. The darkness of night is quickly approaching. He stretches his arms over his head lazily. “Sorry,” he apologizes apathetically.

  “What do you want?”

  “Got to make sure you’re okay, and you don’t have your handcuffs on anymore...so.” He shoves his hands into his pockets and shrugs.

  “I’m okay.”

  “You can’t defend yourself.”

  I shake my head, and we stand facing one another.

  “Are you going to swim?” He raises his eyebrows and glances at my curves. So, that’s why he’s here. A free show.