Raff (The Vorge Crew Book 4)

by Laurann Dohner

“You’re mine, Lilly. I will get you pregnant. We’ll have as many young as you wish.”

  He wanted kids. It was important to her. Raff was right for her. He might be an alien, this might not be the life she’d envisioned growing up, but it didn’t matter. Only he did.

  She sat up and reached for the waist of his pants, opening them. A low, sexy growl came from him. Raff was a super hot alien Viking cat man and all hers. He helped her shove the material down and she stared at his cock. He was not quite human there but the shape was the same. Only he was thicker and way better. She knew that from experience.

  He took her flat to the bed, his mouth going for her breast. She felt him kick something and the dishes from their meal hit the floor as he scooted down a bit. She laughed.

  Raff lifted his head, chuckling. “I’ll clean that mess later.”

  “I don’t care,” she confessed, sliding her fingers into his hair and tugging him toward her breast again. “Just keep touching and kissing me.”

  “Demanding. I like it.” His mouth closed over her nipple and she moaned his name.

  Raff was right. Being with him was easy. It was thinking that screwed her up. There was no sense in worrying about the ‘what ifs’. It was more about focusing on the ‘here and now’. That was a philosophy she could adapt and live with.

  * * * * *

  Raff loved the taste of his human. Lilly’s skin was as sweet as her personality. The nipple he teased grew taut as he released it with his mouth and softly blew his breath across the tip. The scent of her arousal teased his nose as he ran his hand down her soft belly to between her legs. She spread her legs for him and he traced the seam of her sex, finding her wet. The sounds she made excited him more. His Lilly enjoyed his touch.

  He slid lower, pushed her thighs farther apart, and began to feed from her. He might not need female hormones the way his Tryleskian brethren did but she gave him a high. It was almost like drinking Cathian’s expensive booze he broke out during important meetings. Only Lilly tasted better.

  Her fingers dug into his hair and he almost grinned. She had small hands, dull little finger claws, and he loved the way she scratched at his scalp. It felt good. Everything about her did. The little bud at the top of her slit swelled and he sucked on it, her moans growing louder.

  It amused him the way she always tried to press her thighs together right before she came. He held them open and growled, knowing she loved the vibrations. That did it. His Lilly cried out his name and pulled his hair. He eased his mouth off her little bud and lowered his mouth, licking her slit. He couldn’t get enough of her taste.

  He lifted off her and climbed higher up her body. Lilly’s head was thrown back and she released his hair to run her hands down the sides of his arms. Her eyes were closed, her mouth parted a little as she tried to catch her breath. He grinned, gripped his shaft, and lined their bodies up. He pushed into her, released himself, and used his arms to brace most of his upper weight off hers. It was a concern to crush his small female. She had to weigh half of what he did.

  Her eyes opened and she moaned as he sheathed his shaft inside her tight, hot body. He loved the way she felt. Her hands slid up and she gripped his shoulders. Her legs lifted, hugged his waist, and wrapped around him.

  He began to thrust his hips, grinding them against her, as he watched her face. She was beautiful to him in passion. He adjusted his hips, learning what she enjoyed best. The sounds she made helped him figure that out. Soon her pussy clamped tight around his shaft and she threw her head back, his name on her lips. He followed in an explosion of ecstasy, giving her his seed.

  He rolled off her, taking him with her, to avoid crushing her smaller body. She felt right in his arms. He couldn’t help but grin.

  Pods, prepare that ceremony for in the morning. Something a human would like. Ask Nara, Mari, and Sara for advice.

  He’d double check later that they’d picked up his thoughts. Lilly would become his forever.

  Chapter Nine

  Lilly was nervous as Raff positioned her on the empty bridge in what she was certain was the captain’s chair. He walked over to one of the consoles to the side, bent, and went to work. Her gaze locked with the huge viewing screen. After she talked to her family, Raff was taking her to breakfast to meet the crew.

  “I’ll step out when we connect to give you privacy.”

  It was thoughtful of him. She was worried about how her family would react over seeing an alien. “Will you stick close? I’d like them to meet you once I tell them everything.”

  “I’ll keep the door open. Turn and wave to me when you’re ready. I’ll be back far enough to not overhear your conversation. I respect that you want privacy for this.”

  “Thank you for this, Raff. Tell your cousin I appreciate it too.” Raff had gotten permission from Cathian for her to make the super long distance call. He’d even cleared the bridge.

  The screen went from showing outer space to a bright room and a gray-haired woman wearing glasses squinted into the camera. “Hello?” She glanced away. “Honey, this darn thing is acting up again. It was ringing and I answered but it’s all static.”

  “I’m boosting the signal,” Raff whispered.

  Her grandmother’s eyes widened. “Lilly?”

  “Hi, Grandma.” She grinned and lifted her hand, giving her a wave.

  Her grandfather was suddenly behind his wife, peering at her. Tears filled his eyes. “Lillian.” His voice broke but then he cleared it. “We were told you died.”

  “I’m alive.” She fought back her own tears. “How are you guys? How are my parents?”

  Her grandfather turned his head. “Ray! Dana! Get in here. It’s Lilly! She’s alive!”

  Her grandparents stared at her and then her parents crowded in behind them. Her mom burst into sobs and her father clung to her. “Baby, it’s you. They said the ship blew up and all souls aboard were lost.”

  “It’s a long story but I’m fine. I’m going to send you some condensed files. They are letters I wrote you this morning to tell you everything.” She felt tears slipping down her face and reached up to wipe them away. “I’m in deep space and the signal won’t last long. I just wanted you to know I’m okay and I met someone. His name is Raff and he’s amazing. I think you’d love him. He saved my life.”

  “Are you on your way home?” Her mother got control of her sobs, sniffing.

  Lilly felt her chest tighten. “No. Read what I wrote and you’ll understand. I’ll keep sending you letters and I’m getting married. Expect a vid. I wish you could be here but I’m happy.” She stared at her grandmother. “I took a leap of faith, Grams.” Her gaze fixed on her grandfather. “Raff’s kisses make everything better, Gramps.” Finally, she looked at her parents. It hurt her to see them so upset. “I love you guys so much. It’s going to be fine. I promise.” She turned in her seat and saw Raff standing in the hallway, watching her from just outside the door.

  She held out her hand toward him. He came to her fast, walked right to her side, and crouched down, staring at the screen. Lillie looked at her family, seeing their expressions when they got a look at her Viking cat alien man.

  “This is Raff. He actually saved my life a few times. He’s everything I’ve ever been looking for and I love him.”

  “I swear I’ll die before I allow anything to happen to Lilly. She’s my heart.”

  Raff’s words made her grin wide.

  “You’re an alien,” her father whispered. He didn’t look unhappy, just stunned.

  “I’m a Tryleskian, sir. An honorable one. I also sent you a letter to introduce myself to your family and references. I have a good job and can provide well for your daughter. She’ll be safe with me.”

  Lilly gasped, looking at him. “You did?”

  He smiled at her. “Your family is important to you. That makes them important to me.”

  “He’s handsome,” Grams whispered. “Looks tall too.”

  “He looks like he can protect her,” Gram
ps murmured. “Look at those muscles on him. He’s a big fella.”

  “She always did like cats,” her mom whispered.

  Her father cleared his throat. “When are you returning to Earth? We want to see you both.”

  Raff stood, staring at the screen. “I’d love to bring Lilly there but it’s too dangerous. Your Earth isn’t telling you everything. They are selling your women to be slaves to aliens.”

  That had all four of her family wide eyed and paling.

  Raff continued. “They’ve also attacked some colonies on other planets. She’s safer with me. Read the letters.”

  The screen got fuzzy, static lines running through it. Lilly stood. “I love you!”

  She saw her family’s mouths move but the sound didn’t come through. She put her hand to her lips and blew them a kiss. Her grandfather lifted his hand, opened it, and pretended to catch it. The comms cut and space showed on the screen once more.

  Raff put his arm around her. “I knew it wouldn’t last long. I’m sorry.”

  “It was long enough. Thank you so much.” She turned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and buried her face against his chest. “They thought I was dead. Now they won’t have to grieve my loss.”

  He rubbed her back and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “I sent the letters with the transmission. They reached your family with the live feed. We’ll comm them again soon.”

  “I’m okay. It was just so hard to see them but I’m grateful.”

  “They looked like nice humans.”

  She laughed. Raff had a way of doing that when she was feeling down.

  “We could meet the crew later if you wish.”

  She shook her head. “I want to meet them now.” She eased away enough to peer up at her alien. “I’d like the distraction.”

  He leaned down to brush his mouth of hers. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Why?”

  “I know that was difficult but you did it.”

  “I’m not going to overthink anything. Let’s go meet your cousin and everyone else.”

  He kept an arm around her as they left the bridge and walked to the lift, entering it. They got off on another floor and he led her to the dinning room. The doors opened and she took in the faces of Raff’s crew family.

  Some of them were very odd but he’d prepared her for the Pods. It wasn’t every day she got to see aliens who resembled egg people. One big guy with a lot of muscles was blue. The other alien male looked a bit scary, even in skin, and Raff had warned her that sometimes he was a lot furrier since he was a shapeshifter. Part of her was excited to see both sides of him. Her attention turned to the women.

  It was nice to see three humans after so many aliens on the planet. It made her feel less out of place. One of them jumped up and came at them quickly. She knew it had to be Nara since she’d been sitting on the lap of a man who resembled Raff.

  “Another human! Welcome to The Vorge. Give me a hug.”

  Raff let her go and she was almost tackled in a bear hug. She squeezed Nara back. Two more humans approached her. Raff had described the women’s looks, as well as things he knew about them. Mari gave her a smile and a wave. Sara hugged her too.

  The remaining two females hung back. The cook was a tiny alien and extremely anti-social. The taller woman with fuzzy fur skin regarded her with a stern expression but it wasn’t unfriendly. These were Raff’s crew and the people she’d live with.

  Lilly was really looking forward to getting to know them. She was just a little worried since making friends wasn’t really easy for her to do. It was important to Raff that she fit in though.

  One of the rounded Pods stepped closer and smiled at her. “You’ll fit in here fine, Lilly. Relax and just be yourself.”

  The tension eased from her body and she smiled back at him. “Okay. Thank you.”

  “Now, the questions,” Nara chuckled. “Prepare to play twenty questions. We want to know everything there is to know about you.”

  * * * * *

  Raff watched everyone interact with Lilly as they stood in the dining hall. He could tell she was slightly uncomfortable but she didn’t freeze up. The crew asked her to tell them where on Earth she’d come from and a little about how she’d ended up in space. She’d handed the questions easily and didn’t seem offended.

  He kept close, ready to come to her aid if that changed. His crew could be nosey. Pride tightened his chest though at how she bravely conversed, despite her fears of not making friends.

  “I can’t believe you have a mate.” Marrow stared at him, before focusing her attention on Lilly. “Everyone wants to know if Raff talks to you or just grunts and growls.”

  Lilly turned to their pilot and smiled. “He talks my ear off and never shuts up.”

  The entire room turned quiet, all gazes fixing on him. Raff shrugged. “I like to talk to Lilly.”

  Cathian shot him an amused gaze. “And other things.”

  “Many other things,” he agreed.

  York opened his arms as he came forward but then rethought hugging him when Raff met his gaze.

  York stepped back, dropping his arms. “This is great. I’m happy for you, Raff. Who knew you had a heart to give to a female? It’s a nice surprise.”

  Raff narrowed his gaze at the male and touched the blade strapped to his thigh. York took another step back. Raff suddenly chuckled. “Lilly is my heart.”

  York smiled. “You need to work on that sense of humor still. I thought you were going to stab me.”

  “He wouldn’t do that.” Lilly pressed up against his side.

  York lifted his sleeve to show off a faint scar. “He would. This was a warning for when I tried to get him to sing with me. I was glad he didn’t go for any vital organs.”

  Lilly turned her head, peering up at him.

  Raff shrugged. “It was just a warning that he had become annoying. He tried to put his arm around my shoulders. I don’t like anyone touching me.”

  “You like it when I do.” Lilly winked at him. “I can live with you getting stabby if other people put their hands on you though. Especially if it’s a woman. I’m the jealous type.”

  “I am too.”

  “Shit,” Nara whispered. “Imagine what is going to happen if we take her to a bar with us while we’re visiting somewhere. Raff is going to slaughter every male in the place that stares at her too hard.”

  Dovis growled. “He’ll have help if they look at my Mari too.”

  “Yes, he will,” York agreed. “We have to protect our beautiful mates.”

  Cathian just laughed. “I guess we’ll hold all of our celebrations on The Vorge from now on. It will be much safer for other races that way.”

  “Speaking of, we should eat and then start getting ready for the ceremony.” Mari smiled at Lilly. “We had a wedding dress made for you. I hope you don’t mind but I got your measurements from when you sought medical treatment from the android. We wanted to make sure it would fit.”

  Lilly looked surprised and her mouth opened but no words came out.

  Raff spoke for her. “Thank you.” He glanced around at his crew. “We appreciate you putting a marriage ceremony together for us on short notice.”

  “Thanks,” Lilly whispered.

  “It’s our pleasure.” Nara took a seat on Cathian’s lap again. “We’re so happy that you two are together.”

  “She might make him less bloodthirsty,” Midgel muttered.

  Raff glanced at the cook and she darted into the kitchen. Lilly tugged on his hand and he met her gaze. Her eyebrow arched in question.

  “She was joking.”

  “No, she wasn’t,” Marrow stated. “We’re all hoping now that Raff has a female he’ll mellow out. We’re glad you’re here, Lilly. It’s hell cleaning up bodies all the time or fixing the messes his body counts cause.”

  Raff glanced at her.

  Marrow shrugged. “It’s the truth. You do like to kill people. I bet you didn’t leave that planet witho
ut taking someone out. You never do.”

  He wished he could deny it to look better in front of Lilly but he wasn’t a liar. “Fair enough.”

  Lilly stood up. “He did kill people but they were the assholes who stole me off my ship and then tried to make me become a prostitute. I think you’re all being unfair. He didn’t kill anyone who didn’t deserve it. I’m here because of him saving me. I might not have known Raff as long as you all have but he’s an amazingly sweet and thoughtful man. Caring and wonderful. You’re making him sound like some psychopath who kills people for the fun of it. That’s not true!”

  He grinned, happy that she’d stood up for him, and grabbed her around her waist, pulling her onto his lap as he took a seat. “That’s my female. Fiercely defending me.”

  “You must be really good in bed,” Marrow muttered under her breath.

  He shot her a warning look. He didn’t think she spoke loud enough for the humans to hear. The last thing he needed was for Lilly to question her choice to bond to him. Marrow gave him a slight nod, sealing her lips.

  Midgel returned from the kitchen, carrying plates. “Breakfast is ready.”

  He kept Lilly in place when she tried to scoot off him to eat. “I like you here.”

  She smiled at him. “It seems to be a family trait.” She glanced at his cousin and Nara.

  “Must be a Tryleskian trait to have our females on our laps.” He lowered his voice, putting his lips close to her ear. “So is feeding. I wish you were spread out on this table for me to feast from.”

  Lilly blushed and he chuckled. His little human did embarrass easily.

  “I’m so happy,” York stated loudly. “Look at us. Our family is growing.” He glanced at Sara. “Tell them.”

  Sara glanced around at everyone and a grin spread across her face. “We’re pregnant!”

  Most of the crew broke out in cheers, getting up to hug the couple. Raff remained in his chair holding Lilly but he felt a little envy. He wanted to have a child with his female. They would. He was determined. He caught York’s eye and smiled at him to show he was pleased for the mated pair.

  Marrow hugged them but then he noticed that she slipped out of the dining hall. He understood. It was tough to see so many couples when one was alone. He’d been there. Lilly had saved him from that though. He held her a little tighter. She was his heart.