by Sadie Carter
“Keep it together, Zoey,” she muttered to herself. The lead alien dipped its head to one side. At least she assumed it was a head. It had eyes and a long nose.
Just no mouth.
But they communicated with each other. In rather loud grunts and bellows. And they had two legs and two arms and a human-looking body. Small loin cloths covered their privates. She could cope with the no-mouth thing.
After all, it would make it more difficult for them to eat her if this all turned to custard.
“Crap, which direction?”
As though he could understand her, Giz headed off to the right.
“Not too much further,” she called out, even though there was little possibility they understood her. “Just follow the yellow brick road.”
Zoey shook her head at her own foolishness. No wonder Dex wanted her to change. She was hardly royal material. Maybe she should make more of an effort to be what he wanted, instead of acting so childish all the time.
Then she spotted the wrecked shuttle and all other thoughts slammed out of her head.
“Dex!” She yelled out, racing forward. Thor still knelt over him, applying pressure to his stomach.
Dex opened his eyes; they were a strange bluish-gray.
“Thor?” she asked frantically.
Thor shook his head. “I’m sorry, Zoey. He’s dying.”
“But I found help.” She gestured over at the aliens who were crowded in a group, silently watching.
Thor turned, his handsome face grim. “Unless they have—stars!” He let out a giant bellow, which one of the aliens returned.
Thor continued to grunt and bellow at him as Zoey looked on in amazement.
“I take it you can communicate with them,” she said dryly as she held Dex’s hand. He’d closed his eyes again. She could feel how tired and in pain he was through the bond.
“I can feel his pain,” she told Thor.
The other man looked down at Dex worriedly. “He’s in a bad way then. He wouldn’t allow you to feel any pain if he had much strength left. We need to get him to a regeneration chamber. Fast.”
She bit her lip. “Do you think these guys have one?” They were on foot and they seemed kind of primitive with their loin cloths and spears.
Thor let out a bark of laughter. “These are Lyonans. They invented the regeneration chamber. Their appearance is deceptive. They are very intelligent beings. If anyone can help Dex, it is them. Here, hold this while I discuss this with them.”
Zoey placed her hands over his, adding pressure as he slipped them out from under her and strode over to the funny looking aliens.
“Zoey? I thought you had gone.”
Zoey glanced down at Dex with a trembling smile. Harden up, girl. Be brave. Don’t let him see how scared you are.
“Just to get some help. Told you I could do it.”
“It is too late, my own,” he told her sadly. “I do not have much longer to live.”
“I never thought you were a coward, Dex. Arrogant and bossy, yes. But a coward, no.”
He scowled. “Dying is not cowardly.”
“No, but giving up is. I found help. Now you just need to hold on long enough to let them help you.”
“Zoey—” Regret filled his face as he reached toward her with one hand. She could tell how much it pained him to even move that much. Christ, moving him to a regeneration chamber was going to be agony.
She glanced over at Thor and the Lyonans. What they hell were they doing? What was the hold up?
“Listen up, Dexanon Xa’a. You kidnapped me. You owe me. I demand that you live, understand me? You need to live.”
“I thought you left me.”
She frowned. “I was always going to come back.”
“Promise me you won’t leave me.”
“I promise. So long as you promise the same.”
He smiled sadly. “I will try, my own.”
“Do more than try. Do it! Everyone leave me. I thought I could at least rely on you to stick around.”
“Zoey, listen to me—”
“No, you listen to me, you asshole. I love you! If you leave me, I will never bloody forgive you! Do not die.”
Dex looked up at her in amazement. Then he smiled. “I love you too, Zoey.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Then don’t die.”
There was the sound of a throat clearing and she glanced up to find the Lyonans and Thor gathered around them.
“What?” she asked grumpily.
“We’re ready for him.”
“How will we move him? Can we knock him out?”
Thor frowned. “You want me to hit him?”
She shook her head, impatient. “It’s going to hurt to move him.”
Thor grinned. “We don’t have to move him far.” He gestured up and she saw a small shuttle landing. “The Lyonans brought the regeneration chamber to us.”
“Oh God.” She looked over at the closest Lyonan. “If I could find your mouth, I would kiss you.”
Chapter Nine
Zoey ran her tongue across the slight scar on Dex’s stomach. “That regeneration machine is awesome.”
Dex chuckled.
“I can’t believe there is barely a scar.” She glanced up at him. “You’re sure you’re all right? You don’t need to rest or anything?”
“I am fully recovered, my own.”
She gazed down at his thick cock. “Yes, I can see that. I can’t believe that twenty-four hours ago you were almost dead.”
After the regeneration chamber had worked its miracle on Dex, the Lyonans had transported them all back to this settlement, where they’d kindly opened their homes to them all while they waited for another Zerconian ship to be sent to for them.
Dex pulled her so she was lying on top of him. He’d insisted that she strip down before joining him in bed. Something about skin contact helping him heal. She called bullshit, but she didn’t complain.
She was just thankful he was alive.
“Are you sure I should be lying on top of you like this?”
He cupped her face in his hands. “My own, I’m fine. Fully healed. Can you not feel it through the bond?”
She concentrated with a frown. “It’s gone faint again. I can’t feel much of anything.”
“Unfortunately, it is the same for me. We need to work harder on strengthening the bond.”
“But it was stronger before, while you were hurt.”
“Yes, it was. I do not know what the problem is.”
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten that you closed yourself off from me.” She scowled at him. “Were you ever going to tell me that piece of information? Or were you going to let me believe that I would never have any privacy again?”
At least he had the grace to look a little shamefaced. “I would have told you. Eventually.”
“Dex,” she growled.
“You are constantly in trouble, my own. I hoped the bond would help me keep you safe.”
She shook her head, sighing. “It’s hard to stay mad at you when I nearly lost you. You scared me.”
“Just as you scared me when you left.” He ran his hand through her hair. “You disobeyed me, my own.”
“To save your life! And I don’t like the word obey.”
“I know you don’t. But it is up to me to protect you, Zoey. I am your mate.” His face grew stern.
“Does that mean I can’t protect you?”
He shook his head. “That is not the way it is done on Zerconia.”
“Maybe it should be. Plus, I’m not Zerconian, the rules shouldn’t apply to me.”
“You are now.” He sighed. “I know you think I’m being stubborn about this, but I just want you to fit in. I don’t want you to be ridiculed because you’re different.”
“Do you truly think that your people will make fun of me because I’m not Zerconian?” All of his warriors had been welcoming.
“I don’t want you to suffer any upsets because you’re different. I
want to protect you.” His sincerity was clear to see and she melted a little.
“I’ll be fine, Dex. People usually like me. Your warriors have all been friendly. For the most part. Koran’s still a bit of a jerk.”
His lips curved up in a grin. “Yes, he can be a jerk.”
“Hey! Listen to you using Earther words.”
He grimaced. “I’m afraid you are having an influence on me. But Zoey, please try to fit in. For my sake, if not your own.”
Zoey thought about it for a long moment. She could refuse, but then she’d be the jerk. After all, she’d probably expect him to try and fit in if they were to live on Earth.
“All right, I’ll try. But I make no promises about becoming a perfect Zerconian female.”
He smiled, rolling until she lay beneath him. “Oh, I do not expect miracles.”
She whacked him on the shoulder with a grin. “Jerk.”
Dex leaned in and kissed her. When he pulled back, his gaze was amber. He turned, then sat on the side of the bed. This time they were on a real bed. The Lyonans had kindly opened their houses to them.
“Dex? Something wrong?” She sat and reached for him, worried he might still be having issues with his stomach, despite his reassurances that he was completely healed.
“We have something to attend to, Zoey.” His gaze grew serious, amber fading to dark brown.
“What? Are you in pain?”
“No, but I regret that I must cause you some.” He patted his knee. “Over you go.”
Zoey felt her jaw drop. “You are joking!”
“No, my own. I am completely serious. I owe you a spanking. Several, I believe.”
Zoey shook her head. “But I rescued us and I didn’t get hurt.”
“I know. But I never want you to place yourself in danger, even to save me. My life would end without you. This is something that cannot go unpunished. Don’t worry; I will take you through the proper protocol.”
Oh, he would? How generous.
Zoey glared at him. He could stuff his protocol where the sun didn’t shine. She studied the distance to the door. With the element of surprise on her side, she calculated that she might just make it to the door before he caught her. Only problem was, she was stark naked.
Would I rather be naked or punished?
It was a tough call.
“First, you apologize for the behavior that incurred punishment. Then you place yourself over my knee. You may do that now.”
“Like hell!” She leaped off the bed and raced across the room. She’d just clasped hold of the door handle when Dex grabbed her, throwing her over his shoulder.
“Let me go!” she screeched, drumming her fists against his back. “I am not going to let you beat me!”
“I am not going to beat you; I’m going to spank you.”
“Same thing.”
He carried her back to the bed and arranged her over his lap. Zoey fought to get free, but he easily kept her pinned down. Grabbing each of her wrists, he pulled them back into the small of her back.
“Help! Help!” she cried out.
“Do you really want witnesses?” he asked. “Because I can arrange that.”
Shit. “Let me go!” This time she kept her voice quieter.
“No,” he told her grimly. “You knew this was coming. You knew you would be punished for putting yourself in danger.”
“You were dying!”
“That doesn’t matter. You come first. Always.”
He smacked his hand down on her ass and she froze then screamed.
“That stings, asshole!”
“Insulting me is not a good idea, my own.” He smacked his hand down again and again. His hand was so big that it covered all of her ass.
Zoey wriggled, trying to break free, but he had her held down tight. She glared down at the floor as he continued to spank her.
“After your punishment is over, you will thank me nicely for spanking you.”
Like fuck.
Zoey bit down on his calf.
He yelped and reaching down, pulled her off his leg. Sitting back further on the bed, he pulled her up so her torso lay on the mattress.
“You’re going to regret that, my own.”
She already did. Dex laid into her ass again, then he moved his hand down over her thighs.
Zoey buried her face into the mattress and burst into tears. Deep sobs rocked her body, shocking her. Yeah, her butt hurt. But not enough to make her cry like this.
But it was as though the pain of the spanking had released something deep inside her, giving her an excuse to let go and just cry.
Zoey barely noticed when Dex stopped. He flipped her over. She winced as her ass came into contact with his lap, but he quickly resettled her so her bottom was off to one side.
“Shh, shh, shh,” he crooned, rocking her as she cried against his chest.
When she had herself somewhat under control, Zoey pulled back and wiped the back of her hand over her cheeks. “Sorry.”
“For biting me? That wasn’t proper behavior, my own.”
“No, I’m sorry for crying all over you.”
Dex sighed then his chest shook. She glanced up to see him trying to hold in his laughter.
“What are you laughing about?” she demanded.
“It is either laugh or go mad. Life with you is never going to be boring, is it?”
“Is that such a bad thing? Do you regret having me as your mate?” She figured he must.
“What? No. I know I said that life would be easier if you were Zerconian and it would. But it wouldn’t be half as interesting, either.” He kissed her gently. “I know you think I am being a jerk, but you really are everything to me, Zoey.”
“I feel the same about you.”
“For that I am truly grateful. But you come first. Always. But I have come to realize that I need to make some some allowances for the fact that you are from a different culture, with different beliefs.”
“Really?” She was shocked. “Does that mean no more punishments?”
He chuckled. “Don’t push your luck. I admit, I didn’t think I would get such a reaction from you from being punished.”
“Yeah, well, I didn’t expect to break down like that either.” Uncomfortable, she stared down at her hands.
“You’re embarrassed about crying? Why?”
She shrugged.
Dex tipped her chin up. “Because you cried in front of me?”
“I don’t want to seem all emotional or needy or anything.”
He frowned. “Do you think I would get angry at you?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then what is it? Crying is a very normal reaction for a mate to have after a punishment.”
“It wasn’t the punishment. It hurt, but it wasn’t that bad. I guess it was just a reaction to everything that’s happened lately.”
“A lot has happened. It’s only natural that you would need to release all that tension. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“Yes, but I’ve been trying to convince you that I’m not weak and then I just break down in front of you.”
Dex sighed. “I was wrong. You may be small and you may look delicate, but on the inside you have the heart of a warrior.”
Zoey slowly grinned. “You mean that?” It was the nicest thing he’d ever said to her and a huge compliment.
“Yes. But that doesn’t mean you get to fight like a warrior or disobey me. I do not want you putting yourself at risk. You are strong, Zoey. But you are not indestructible. Sometimes I think you forget that.”
Zoey threw her arms around him, kissing him passionately. “I promise I’ll try to think before I act.”
Dex sighed. “That would be appreciated, my own.”
“Poor baby, am I causing your hair to turn gray?”
He looked at her in puzzlement. “Why would my hair turn gray?”
She shook her head, smiling. “Never mind.” She pushed on his shoulders until he got
the idea and lay back. Then she straddled his hips and leaned over him. Zoey kissed her way down his neck and over his smooth, firm chest.
She circled his nipple with her tongue. Moving so she lay on her side next to him, Zoey grasped hold of his cock, running her hand up and down the shaft.
“Stars, that feels incredible.”
“I know something that will feel even better.” She placed light kisses on his stomach then took the tip of his cock into his mouth, delighting in his groan.
She took more of him into her mouth, keeping hold of the base of his shaft with her hand. She slowly drew her mouth back up his cock then took his balls into her mouth. Gently, she rolled them around her mouth as she pumped his shaft with her hand.
“Zoey, I can’t take much more.”
Zoey could feel her arousal growing. She loved pleasuring him. He had so much pressure on him, so much responsibility. But when he was in bed with her, he was just Dex. Her mate.
She moved her hand faster as she reached down with her free hand and lightly squeezed the bit of skin between his balls and ass.
“Stars!” Dex rolled onto his side and pulled her up so he could kiss her. He placed her leg over his hip then pushed his cock against her entrance.
“Are you ready for me, my own?”
“Yes.” More than ready. They both groaned as he surged inside her.
Back and forth, he pumped his thighs, moving faster. Harder. Dex squeezed one of her nipples between his thumb and finger.
“Oh,” she cried out.
“Come with me, my own. Come with me.”
Her whole body was awash with need. “Dex!” she cried out, feeling overwhelmed.
“I have you. I have you, my own. Come for me. Now!” He screamed the last word as he came, surging inside her.
Zoey threw her head back, her own cry of release mingling with his.
Dex rolled onto his back and drew her up against his chest. Exhausted, sated, she just lay there with a goofy grin on her face. Dex ran his hand over her back. He reached down with his other hand to squeeze her tender ass.
“Ow.”
“Have you forgiven me for this then, my own?” Dex asked with some amusement.
Zoey snorted. “Don’t push your luck, buddy.”
“No. I think I used up all my luck when I found you.”
