Warrior: A Scifi Alien Romance (Galactic Gladiators Book 2)

by Anna Hackett

  ***

  “I’ve been looking for a guinea pig to try my new batch of liniment on.”

  Thorin finished wiping the drying cloth across his chest and looked over at Regan. She was sitting on the edge of his bed, wearing one of his shirts. It was far too large and falling off one shoulder, baring smooth skin. It was late. He’d taken the time to sneak out to find some food for them to refuel. He’d gorged on her for hours, but now, seeing her bare legs and shoulders, and messy sunshine hair, he felt something stir inside him. A hunger not yet satisfied.

  “Guinea pig?” he asked.

  “Oh, a cute, little, fluffy animal on Earth.”

  He blinked. “You think I am like a cute, little, fluffy animal?”

  She smiled. “No. Guinea pigs used to be used as test subjects before we found other ways to test products. I want you to be my test subject.” She held up a small pot. “Lie facedown on the bed. Let me rub this on you.”

  He frowned. “It better not smell like flowers.”

  A happy smile floated on her lips. “No flowers.” She opened the pot and a strong, citrus scent filled the room.

  He’d been so focused on his own anger and fear about using Regan as bait. Now that he saw her, flushed and relaxed, he realized she’d been worrying, too.

  And he’d been making her burden greater. He realized he’d do anything to keep that smile on her face.

  He lay down on the bed, resting his head on his forearms. She moved up close to him, and he felt the cool liniment touch his skin. She started rubbing his back with firm strokes. She had surprisingly strong hands. It felt good.

  And she showed no hesitation about touching him. He’d bared his past, and while he knew she truly couldn’t understand it, she didn’t seem bothered at all.

  “I tried a few different mixtures, but I think this one’s the best.” She kneaded his muscles, and rattled on about the benefits of her liniment. The things she’d tried that hadn’t worked, and how she’d come to her current formulation.

  He smiled. She clearly loved her work. His woman was smart.

  His woman?

  “Hey, you tensed up.” She moved her hands in a soothing stroke up his spine. “Just relax.”

  Did he want Regan to be his? Yes. He still wasn’t sure he was good enough for her. If she ever truly saw what lived inside him, she’d run screaming.

  Her hands paused. “Thorin, your scales are showing.”

  “It’s a sign of…strong emotion.” He felt her stillness.

  “What are you feeling right now?”

  “Happy.”

  He waited for her to say something, but instead, he felt her move and press a kiss to the base of his neck.

  “Me, too. When I got taken, happiness seemed so far away. Just a distant, impossible dream. Hell, even before I got taken, I wasn’t happy.”

  Thorin turned his head. “Why?”

  “My parents…they wanted me to marry, not work, and definitely not go into space.”

  They wanted to stifle her? “Why would they do that?”

  “They had different beliefs. They couldn’t understand my deep passion for my work. I was never good enough for them.”

  He gripped her thigh. “That is their failing, not yours.”

  She cleared her throat. “Okay, big guy. Roll over. I’m going to rub your chest next.”

  Thorin turned over, stretching his shoulders. His muscles felt loose and relaxed. “The liniment is good.”

  “Thanks.”

  As he resettled, he ensured the cloth covering his hips fell away. He watched as Regan’s gaze drifted down his chest, loving that eager, hungry look in her eyes. Then her gaze came to rest on his rock-hard cock.

  Now her eyes widened. “Thorin.” She licked her lips. “How can you be ready again?”

  “By looking at you.” He raised one hand, tugging at the shirt, pulling it open. “This shirt is mine.”

  “Don’t tear it.” She let out a laugh. “We won’t have any clothes left at the rate you’re going.” She set the pot of liniment on the bedside table. Then she pulled the shirt over her head.

  Now it was Thorin’s turn to look at her with hunger. All those gorgeous curves of hers.

  “Come here,” he growled. He was suddenly very hungry.

  He pulled her up, listening to her husky cries as he positioned her across his body. When he settled her knees on either side of his head, he saw her cheeks go pink.

  “Thorin, I’m not sure abou—”

  He gripped her knees, looking up at the pink folds above him. Without warning her, he licked her.

  She jerked. “Oh, God. That’s so good.”

  Thorin set to work eating her. He licked, sucked, and stabbed his tongue inside her. He loved the taste of her and he knew he’d never get enough of it. She started making little cries, her sweet center grinding against his face. He loved how uninhibited she was in his arms, and he loved the sounds she made as he pleasured her.

  He kept going, feeling her thighs tensing. He found that small clit that was the epicenter of her pleasure and lavished it with attention. He could feel her release getting closer. More than anything, he wanted to hear her cry his name as she came.

  He sucked deeply, lapping at her again, and her back locked, her body shuddering above his. The sound of his name torn from her throat echoed in his room.

  She collapsed down on top of him, and he shifted her so she was curled up on his chest. She was still shivering a little against him. He stroked her back, breathed her in.

  “I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve orgasmed,” she said. “I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to come this many times in one day.”

  He smiled against her hair. “I don’t think there’s a rule.”

  She shifted, her legs sliding against his, bumping into his cock. She raised her head, and he saw a light ignite in her eyes.

  She didn’t say anything, just slid off him and onto her knees by his hips. Then she reached out and wrapped her hands around him, smoothing those slim fingers along his heavy cock.

  Drak. Thorin’s stomach muscles tightened. “Regan.”

  “I want to make you feel good.” She pumped his cock in her hand. “I want to make you feel how you made me feel.”

  He wasn’t sure he had the control for this. Then she leaned down and sucked the swollen head of his cock between her lips.

  He forced himself not to surge up. There was no way she could take all of him in her mouth, but what she was doing still felt good. She was sliding her tongue along him, and the image of her lips on him was enough to drive him insane.

  “Regan.” He tangled one hand in her hair.

  “I’ve imagined this.” She moved both her hands around the engorged base of his cock. “The other night, I only got in a few licks. It wasn’t enough.”

  He groaned. “I’ve imagined it, too.”

  She looked up at him. “What do you want?”

  “Suck my cock, Regan.”

  She made a hungry sound, one of her hands sliding to press on his thigh for leverage. He felt her fingers digging into his skin. She leaned down and sucked him as deep as she could.

  “Sweetness—” Hell, he was coming apart.

  She never took her gaze off him. Staring down at his sweet, sexy Regan with her lips around his cock was just too much.

  “I’m going to come.” He was so close.

  She sucked harder.

  With a shout, Thorin came. He felt his release pumping out of him, pleasure an explosion through his body.

  Regan swallowed everything down, and as he collapsed back on the bed, she slowly looked at him.

  Thorin yanked her up. “You’re too good for me.”

  “Stop saying that. I’ve wanted to do that for so long.” Her hands moved over his chest. “Ever since I first saw you, I’ve been having all these naughty thoughts. Of my big, tough, protective gladiator.”

  He pulled her close. Regan saw more in him than he did. She saw things
that he liked, that he wanted to be, but he still wasn’t certain they were really there.

  ***

  “Oh, Thorin. More.”

  Regan was on her belly, pressed into the pillows on the bed. Thorin was sliding into her from behind. His thick cock stretched her, moving in and out ruthlessly.

  Daylight shone through the window, and over the tangled sheets on the bed. She was a little sore from everything they’d done during the night and the morning, and in this position, he felt even bigger.

  His fingers were digging into her hips, his thrusting cock moving in and out of her. The pleasure was indescribable. She felt wild and wanton.

  She shoved back against him. She needed more. She needed something. She heard him groan, and the next time he thrust deep, she came. She turned her head, biting the pillow to muffle her scream.

  He powered into her again and then he grabbed her roughly, slamming home, roaring as he came deep inside her.

  He dropped down beside her on the bed. He touched her cheek, then pushed her hair off her face.

  “I was rough. Are you okay?”

  She gave him a lazy smile. “I think I can only move my lips. Everything else is limp.”

  He smiled. It almost softened his hard face. “You’ll need to move soon. Galen’s having dresses for the party delivered, and they should be here at any time.” His smile dissolved, his face hardening.

  She reached out and cupped his cheek. “Thorin, I know—”

  “Shh.” He gripped her shoulders. “I know you need to do this. I may have no blood family, but I have my friends. Brothers not by the blood in our veins, but by the blood of our fights together. I would fight to free them, do whatever I had to do.” He took a deep breath. “I wish you didn’t have to risk yourself, but I will be there the entire time. I will have your back.”

  Regan’s heart melted a little. “Thank you.”

  There was a knock at the door.

  With a squeak, Regan jumped up. She was lying here naked with more than a few stubble burns and bruises all over her, and Thorin’s seed drying on her thighs. “I need to shower.”

  He grinned at her. “Not so limp now.” He reached out, stroking his hand down her side.

  She smacked his hand away. “Shoo.” She took one step to the bathroom, then paused, her gaze sliding over him. “Clothes on, gladiator. No one sees you naked anymore but me.”

  He shot her a wide, satisfied grin. “Sure thing, sweetness.”

  Regan closed the door to the bathroom and stepped in under the big shower. The water fell down like a waterfall and she poured some liquid soap in her hands. She let her hands drift over her body, cupping breasts that Thorin had thoroughly licked and sucked. She slid her fingers down her belly, washing away the come he’d spilled there. Next, she moved her hands between her legs, where he’d taken her over and over again.

  She smiled to herself. Thorin was hers. She could see that he cared about her.

  Once Rory was free, everything would be right in Regan’s life. She might have lost Earth and the only family she’d ever known, but she knew she could make a life for herself here. A good one.

  When she came out of the shower wrapped in a drying cloth, she saw three dresses hanging up against the wall. They were all beautiful, but seeing them made her throat go tight.

  The party was this evening. She’d be up for sale, even if it was a ruse, and these dresses were just a pretty version of chains.

  The dresses were all pale colors—white, blush pink, and baby blue. One had a halter-style top. One was goddess-style, leaving one shoulder bare. The final one was strapless. All were long and flowing, but cut to fall close to her body. She reached out and fingered the fabric.

  Thorin came up behind her. A big, protective presence.

  “I’m nervous,” she said.

  “Good. It’ll keep you sharp.” His arms came around her, pulling her close to him. “You’ll do great a job. And I won’t be far away.”

  She leaned into him. “I don’t know which one to wear.”

  “Wear the blue. It looks good against your skin and that golden hair of yours.”

  The blue had the halter top that would tie at the back of her neck. It was pretty.

  Thorin’s hands drifted over her hips. “And while you’re wearing it, think of me pushing the folds of that long skirt up and sliding inside you.”

  That made her smile. Knowing that he’d be close by made her feel better about this. She knew Thorin would come for her, no matter what.

  “They also left some…paints.” He waved at her face.

  “Makeup?”

  He nodded. “And things for your hair. If you need help, a house worker can aid you.”

  “I can manage.”

  Then he turned her. He held something in the palm of his hand.

  “What’s that?” It was a small, black square.

  “It is a disruptor device. It will disrupt the Vorn’s security and allow us access to the house.”

  She took it. “What do I do with it?”

  “Once you are inside, just press the button on it and hide it somewhere.”

  Sounded easy enough. She tucked it into the folds of her dress.

  Thorin held out something else. It was a small blue dot the size of her thumb nail.

  “The tracker. It has to be implanted under your skin.”

  Her stomach balked. One part of her wanted it, for security. The other hated the idea that people could monitor her every move.

  “No tracker, no plan.” His tone was unbending.

  She nodded.

  “Good girl. If you’re ready, I’ll get one of the Hermia healers to come and put it in. It won’t hurt. I promise.”

  She nodded. She trusted him completely.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As Regan entered the living area, everyone looked up at her. She fought the urge to grip the fabric of her dress as a distraction.

  Harper hurried over. “You look beautiful.”

  “All the better to sell me to the highest bidder.”

  Harper’s hands tightened on Regan’s arms. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, I do. For Rory.”

  Harper was quiet for a moment. “For Rory. And for Madeline when we finally get a lead on her location.” Harper cleared her throat. “Want to tell me about spending the entire night locked in Thorin’s room?”

  Regan fought to control her blush. “No.”

  Harper leaned closer. “In case you weren’t aware, you’re a screamer.”

  Oh, God. Now Regan’s cheeks flamed. “I…I…”

  Her friend grinned. “So, it was good?

  Regan managed a nod.

  “On a scale from one to ten?”

  “About a hundred.”

  Harper’s smile widened. “Good.”

  Raiden strode in. Regan got the pleasure of watching Harper flush, her gaze tracking her lover. He was far more dressed up than Regan had ever seen him. He wore a slick shirt in dark gray, tucked into black leather trousers. His muscles were covered, but there was no mistaking him for anything but the badass gladiator he was.

  “Regan?”

  She turned and saw Lore standing nearby.

  “I’m not involved in tonight’s mission, but I wanted to give you something.” He held out his hand.

  She studied his long-fingered palm. Nothing. “What? Is this one of your illusions?”

  He used his other hand and peeled a small, flesh-colored square off his hand. “No. This is a high-tech explosive. You can place it on any solid metal surface. It has a time-delayed micro-explosion that will slowly eat away at the metal.”

  She took it gingerly, leaned down, and pressed it onto her ankle. “It’s not going to blow up in my face?”

  He smiled. “No.” He handed her a second explosive square and then flicked a finger at her chin. “Good luck. See you when you get back.”

  Thorin appeared. “Ready?” His hungry eyes were taking her in and Regan did th
e same. He wore a similar outfit to Raiden’s, but his gray shirt had no sleeves, showcasing the bulge of his biceps.

  “Ready.”

  Later, when she stepped through the grand entrance of the Dark Nebula Casino, her hands twisted anxiously in the fabric of her dress.

  The casino was a blur to her. There were slick, black walls decorated with interesting artwork, and elegant vases filled with amazing, exotic flowers. She looked up and for a second, her attention snagged on the ceiling. Wow. It was lit up like a multi-hued nebula—stars twinkling, colors shifting.

  But then the massive throb of sound, the blinking lights of gambling machines, and the throng of people inside overwhelmed her. There were crowds of aliens—both humanoid and not—all hunched over various tables, playing games she didn’t recognize.

  Her dress whispered around her body, and her wrist ached a little where the tracker had been implanted, even though there was no sign of it from the outside. Galen stood by her side, and behind her Raiden and Thorin loomed. The men were all alert, their gazes scanning around.

  “This way.” Galen urged her on with a gentle touch to her arm.

  They moved through the throng. Here in the District, the city of Kor Magna seemed so different. Everything was glossy, chic, and modern. Without the aliens, she could almost imagine she was standing in a casino in Las Vegas.

  She stared at a group of beings sprawled in a cluster of chairs, blissed out expressions on their faces. A haze of smoke hung over them, and they were passing some sort of pipe between them. Laughter came from another group crowded around a table with a holographic game projected on it. And by the wall, two female aliens were kissing each other like no one else was in the room.

  Lots of people stared at Regan. She knew she was different, an oddity, and she hated being the center of attention. She sucked in a breath. She was going to have to get used to that.

  Galen led them to a bank of glass tubes that looked like elevators. Smooth curved doors slid open silently when they approached. They stepped inside, and when the doors closed, the capsule moved upward smoothly and silently.

  “Are you okay?” Thorin pressed a hand to the small of her back.

  She nodded, drawing in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  “We’re heading to one of the top floors,” Galen said. “Rillian has organized a private room for tonight’s party.”