“I don’t get it. We both have blue hair and are wearing matching rings. You’d think that alone would signal to the entire world that we’re a couple,” Topper declared.
Stark reached up and ran a hand across his short blue locks. He tended to forget about his strange hair color until he looked at Topper and saw hers. But then… Topper was always changing hers… and now often changing his.
Topper changed hair colors the way some women changed shoes. It had taken him months to stop being shocked when he accidentally saw his reflection and whatever change his witch mate had made to his appearance that day, a permission he’d granted her almost from the beginning of their mated relationship.
“Yes, my love. One would think our matching appearances would be enough,” he said.
Topper pushed back in her deeply cushioned seat and frowned. “She was just being so… obvious. It was like I wasn’t even sitting here. Gaia only knows what she might have tried to do if you’d been completely alone.”
“I love it when you get jealous, but you truly have no reason to be in this case. The only female my eyes are capable of seeing today is you,” he said quietly.
Topper squirmed when Stark’s hand reached over into her seat and landed on her leg just above her knee. Her gaze sought his out, but all she saw was his confusion over her feelings. She closed her eyes and felt her face grow warm. His methods of proving his interest made her entire body blush.
“I’m sorry, Stark. It’s just I’ve never cared before if…” Topper let the sentence fall off and stopped talking, not able yet to fully admit her feelings of insecurity about having Stark in her life.
Her relationships with men before him hadn’t included wanting sole ownership the way she did with him. Her sigh of resignation about her dilemma was much louder than she’d hoped as she shook her head.
Seconds later, she let out a nervous squeak noise when Stark’s hand slid backwards up her yoga pants clad leg until his fingers rested lightly against the inside of her thigh nearly rubbing against her crotch. His intimate touch brought back memories of the night before… and the three months of nights before that. Stark had thoroughly reintroduced her to lust and given her a few very interesting lessons on what she’d been missing out on before he came along.
“Keep that rubbing up and my problems will be solved. We’ll get thrown off the plane for bad behavior.”
Stark grinned as he shrugged again. “I’ll tell them it’s our honeymoon. I’m sure they’ll understand. Apparently all sorts of madness is forgiven when you’re feeding off each other’s pheromones. I read much about it when I realized how similar it was to our Glacieran mating frenzy. I expect we’ll both be feeling our respective reactions to each other for quite some time.”
Topper put her hand over his and with a ragged breath pushed his fingers back down towards her knee again. Stark gripped her leg tightly when she stopped the glide, and then he smiled in that sexy way she loved. Her stomach did its normal belly-flop when he growled softly at her restraint. A purely feminine shiver of pleasure swept through every cell, a physical reaction only this man—this alien—had managed to draw from her former dormant body.
“I can have us to Anchorage in ten seconds or less. Say the word and it’s done,” Topper whispered.
Stark withdrew his hand slowly and shook his head. He leaned over her and clicked the seat belt around her middle. Such a flimsy restraint served little purpose, but securing his mate in her seat did make him feel better. Taking care of Topper always did.
“We brought adequate reading material and electronics. We’ve prepared for this ride for days. I can wait until we reach our final destination. Plus, I would rather not be ill from magical transport when we arrive.”
Topper sighed and nodded, pulling her attention away from her sexy husband. Maybe she could give the flight attendant a big old wart on her nose. That would teach the floozy not to flirt.
“No,” Stark said firmly.
“Stay out of my head, Alien. We agreed to no brain spying,” Topper said firmly.
“Stop glaring at her then. I didn’t have time to see your plans for her, but your mind is clouded and dark around her image. Someone of your power should never harm an innocent bystander,” Stark advised.
Topper rolled her eyes. “If that woman is innocent, I’ll eat my ceremonial witch hat.”
When they arrived in Anchorage, Topper dragged Stark through the airport to the exit area by way of the baggage claim. They didn’t have to stop though. She’d insisted on them not bringing anything outside a small pack. Too many times in her solo travels, human baggage handlers had ended up sending her real luggage to Goddess only knew where. She didn’t have time on this trip for scrying and retrieval. The cold weakened her magic some, but she still had plenty enough to fetch their packed bags from home.
Since their destination of Seward was still some distance away, Topper had taken the time to employ a driver who would see the two of them got there. He should be looking for them now if the concierge’s connections were as good as he’d claimed. The trip to the luxury lodge she’d booked would give her time to chat the driver up and check out the other locals she’d hired.
Maybe the driver could also tell her the best place to buy some serious winter wear. The remaining chill she’d felt even in the heated airport had made her keen on finding a warmer coat—preferably lined with fur—fake fur of course. She didn’t need wearing murdered animals marring Stark’s current high opinion of her. She just wanted to be as warm as possible in the cold Alaskan air.
Stark speaking suddenly interrupted her hot thoughts of fur lined parkas and long underwear. And new boots. She realized now she also needed some much warmer boots than any she’d worn skiing. It would at least be fun to shop for them.
“I find it fascinating that so many humans would climb aboard such a craft on a routine basis. They’d have virtually no recourse if the plane were attacked. I much prefer the interplanetary ranger shuttles. The distance they can traverse is rather limited, but they are excellent transports in most other respects. Now those crafts have some real firepower in case of a crisis. You could laser the gonads off a ten-fingered woolie before anyone could track your shot.”
Topper grinned at the people gawking as they listened to Stark’s comments. “He’s Australian,” she lied, grinning at their raised eyebrows.
She tugged on her husband’s hand to hurry him along. “Planes are not openly attacked all that often here, Stark. Flight routes are scheduled through friendly areas of the atmosphere. It’s quite amazing how they manage to exclude most travel from the areas of ongoing wars.”
“I see. So is it a matter of trusting each other’s governments not to destroy the planes on sight?” Stark asked.
Topper shrugged. She never knew how to answer such questions. His military background was centuries long and much of his thinking stemmed from it. “I think it’s more a matter of trade agreements and mutual economic benefits of letting travelers come and go in peace.”
“Ah…,” Stark said. “Peace for the sake of multiple political agreements.”
“Yes. Precisely.”
“Glacier functions the same.”
Topper nodded. “I came to that conclusion when I visited. Frost’s father was very informative about how your society works. I eventually tuned him out, but I caught the gist.”
Stark snorted. “Polar’s a natural politician… one of the few I can tolerate for long. Most of them make me want to run back to the ice fields when they start talking. I often did just that when forced to be social with them.”
Stark was quiet for a few moments as they stood behind an impatient crowd of debarking passengers waiting to ride down what he’d come to learn was a moving set of stairs. Apparently, they were preferred over platform lifts. They did seem to be quite efficient, but he nearly always had to duck his head when they passed under the floor above.
When he stepped onto the downward moving stairs two steps behin
d Topper, he peered farther down at his serious mate than usual. “I trust my Goddess more than any politician on my planet,” he said.
Topper smiled up at him. “I trust mine more as well. Gaia always keeps her word to me. Politicians seek only what serves their agenda at any given moment. Never read their minds, Stark. You’ll deeply regret what you learn.”
“I have no doubt of that,” he agreed. Stark looked out over the sea of heads at the bottom of the moving stairs. “Topper, there’s a man holding up a paper sign with your name written in Earth language on it.”
“Excellent,” Topper declared. “That’s our shuttle driver. He’s our next form of transportation. I booked him privately so I wouldn’t have to spell any fellow shuttle passengers to forget us.”
Stark tilted his head and studied his mate’s secretive smile. What was she keeping from him? Too bad he’d promised not to peek into her thoughts. “You’re not acquiring a local vehicle for us to drive during our stay? We did that last time we travelled. Of course we magically transported into the airport instead of taking the plane but… no matter. I was just being curious.”
Topper shook her blue hair. “We are eventually renting a real transport for personal use, but that’s not until tomorrow. The man you see is going to drive us to where we’re going until then. Now let’s hurry. I need out of this crowd. They pull on my energy and not in a good way.”
Stark followed Topper’s rapid steps until she stopped in front of the man with the sign.
“Hello,” she said, smiling.
“Mrs. Topper?” the man asked.
“Yes. That’s me,” Topper said merrily, loving being addressed as Mrs. She smiled and shook the man’s outstretched hand. “We don’t have any luggage. It’s coming later.”
The driver snorted and nodded. “Sorry for your troubles, ma’am. Airline screw-up?” he asked politely. “Name’s Carl, by the way.”
“Hi, Carl. No. We had it shipped it separately. It saved us quite of bit of trouble to do that,” Topper answered honestly. She turned and looked up at Stark. “This is my husband, Stark.”
“I could tell from the hair. Hello, Mr. Topper,” the driver said cheerfully, reaching out a hand.
Stark lifted a brow at being addressed as Mr. Topper, but managed to complete the social convention without remarking. He glanced at his grinning mate. For months now, he’d been trying to get Topper to tell him her full name. In retaliation for her refusal, he hadn’t given her his either. Unfortunately, that tactic also hadn’t helped achieve his goals. They travelled like infamous celebrities who wanted to hide their true identities behind a single moniker. Every time he figured they’d have to offer up the information, Topper just spelled those who got that inquisitive.
“My vehicle’s parked in the airport garage. Seward is about three hours away, but the roads are clear. We should have a fairly nice trip out there. You might want to put your coats on until the car warms up. Winter has dropped some furious flurries on us this week. Got sixteen inches up in Seward in the last two days and more’s coming. Everyone’s a little worried about avalanches out on the practice run. Folks have been changing their minds and staying in Anchorage. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you that.”
“Bad news about the avalanches, but wonderful about all the snow,” Topper said happily, buttoning up her fleece lined coat. She could tell from the look on Stark’s face that he had no clue what was going on. “We won’t be changing our minds, Carl. My husband absolutely loves the snow. We’ll be careful in it.”
“I do?” Stark asked in surprise, slipping his arms into the light jacket Topper had insisted he bring along. He’d assumed it was merely to hide the fact he never, ever got cold on Earth. In fact, he could only tolerate wearing the jacket for short periods of time. His mate laughed as she looked up into his eyes. Topper didn’t need to read his mind. She just seemed to understand him. Stark felt himself falling in love with her all over again.
“Okay, you caught me,” Topper said quietly. “The snow is part of your surprise.”
“I believe I know what snow is. I did educate myself on your weather,” Stark declared, narrowing his gaze.
“Knowing what it is and feeling it falling on you are two very different things.”
Tugging Stark’s hand, Topper motioned for the driver to lead them out. They followed a step or two behind Carl and watched as he headed across the walkway of the airport.
Stark stopped completely the moment the doors swished open and his face felt the temperature change. He stepped from under the shelter and let the flakes fall on him. Sighing, Stark closed his eyes in bliss and Topper saw a pure pleasure change his expression. Guilt tugged at her for all he’d given up to live on Earth with her. The man she loved needed cold the way she needed the sun. How was she ever going to give it to him when she hated shivering?
“Surprise! Happy Honeymoon,” Topper whispered through already chattering teeth. Getting a warmer coat moved instantly up her priority list as something to be done that afternoon.
Stark bent and kissed his mate sweetly. What he really wanted was to snatch her up and spin her around in happiness. “This trip is turning out to be more wonderful than anything I could ever have dreamed,” he whispered. “Thank you for the snow, Topper.”
“Thank Gaia… and the state of Alaska for being receptive to this sort of weather.”
Laughing and happy because Stark was so happy, Topper hooked her arm through his. Okay, maybe she was syphoning his body heat to keep from freezing her tush off. Wasn’t it Stark’s job as her mate to keep her warm?
“Come on, Alien. We haven’t even gotten to the best part of our honeymoon trip yet. I’m getting impatient and we have to wait another whole three hours.”
“Only because they didn’t have a bed on the plane,” Stark declared.
Stark picked up walking speed because they’d lost sight of Carl. Still giggling over his sexual innuendo, Topper had to run so they could catch up with their driver.
Chapter 3
At the Black Moose Lodge in Seward, Alaska…
After she’d dashed in to claim their reservation, Carl dropped them at a nearby sporting goods store and gone to refuel his vehicle. Wanting to get to their room and be alone with her husband, Topper headed straight for the coats with any fur showing at all. She felt Stark watching her. She motioned him to follow, then slipped a down-filled parka from its hanger. The hood, sleeves, and collar were lined in something fuzzy that was also soft and warm.
“Are you truly that cold here?” Stark asked.
Topper nodded from inside the hood as she buttoned and zipped it around her face. “Yes, but I’m going to fix that with a real Arctic weather coat.”
Stark smiled and reached inside the fur to cup her cheek in his hand. His heart thumped when Topper leaned her face into his palm. They had come a long way in a few short months.
“You look like a Cylon Ice Ren in that coat. Your face is nearly hidden.”
Topper snickered. “That’s the point. What’s a Cylon Ice Ren?”
“Hmm…” Stark muttered, thinking of a similar earth animal. “A little like an Alaskan black bear.”
“I look like a bear? Wow. Is this coat really that ugly?” Topper asked in dismay.
Stark chuckled. “It would fine if it were. Warm is better than being attractive. I have perfect recall of what lies beneath all that fur.”
Topper slipped the coat off. “I refuse to remind you a bear. Let’s keep looking. There’s got to be something that is both toasty and sexy.”
“You wish to look like a piece of bread?” Stark asked.
Topper laughed. “No. Toasty… like warm… or hot. Never mind. It’s just a silly saying.”
“Oh… metaphor,” Stark said, realization dawning. He looked at a rack a short distance away. He walked to it, inspected the garments, and withdrew one. He brought it back to her. “These dimensions will fit your proportions more precisely. The closer the fit, the mor
e heat your body will retain.”
“But I wanted fake fur,” Topper said, taking the smaller coat from his outstretched hand.
“The fur does enhance your womanliness. Perhaps this more helpful garment could be magically enhanced with it later.”
Topper snorted. “I suppose it could,” she said, slipping on the plain looking coat. She got a little dry-mouthed when her husband’s very proficient hands set about fastening her up in it. In less than 30 seconds, she was practically having a hot flash. “Okay. This definitely holds in the heat.”
Stark nodded. “The fabric is made for hiking through low temperatures. It will not let body heat escape. What it lacks in attractiveness is made up for in keeping you warm.”
Topper reached in every direction. The coat was a near perfect fit. She looked at her mate in surprise. “How did you know this one would fit so well?”
“Same way I knew I would fit you well. I excel at spatial estimations and factoring curvatures.”
“I would say you excel at a great many things,” Topper remarked, then blushed when she realized what she’d admitted. “I mean… well, I guess I meant what it seemed like I did.”
“Thank you. It pleases me greatly to know I please you. Glacerian males are just as egotistical about pleasing their mates as any Earth male.”
Stark’s bow to her after her praise of him had her flushing from head to toe. How could she be more excited about being with him now than she’d been at the beginning? She undid the thermal coat before she started sweating in it. Stark’s idea about adding fake fur enhancements later was a good one.
“This is obviously the right coat,” Topper declared. “Now let’s look for some better boots. Do you need better ones?”
Stark looked down at his foot coverings. “No. The boots I’m wearing are adaptable to all sorts of weather. I should be fine.”
“We may not have time to go shopping again tomorrow. We’re going to do some exploring on our trip. Is there anything at all you need?”
Magic, New Mexico: Touching Topper (Kindle Worlds Novella) (My Crazy Alien Romance Book 2) Page 2
