Haven and the Alien Mechanic

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  The food had grown cold, but he didn’t care. He ate quickly, then put his plate into the cleansing unit. The four empty bedrooms were dark with their doors open. His parents’ room had the door shut and no light shone underneath. Haven had been given her choice of the empty rooms and she’d chosen the room at the end of the hall, the farthest from his parents, and the door was partially open. He peered through the darkness and saw her lying on her side, hands tucked under her cheek.

  Dryden closed the door and went into the bathroom, pushing the door shut before turning on the light. The male staring back at him in the mirror looked tired and filthy. A good night’s sleep would cure the tiredness, and a shower would fix the rest. He stripped out of his clothes and turned on the water. It didn’t take him long to get clean, and he shut out the bathroom light before going into the bedroom.

  Fatigue pulled at him and he didn’t bother with pajama pants, even though he’d packed some. Now that he knew Haven was his, keeping covered around her wasn’t as important. She would eventually see all of him. He lifted the blankets and slid into bed, pulling her against his tired body and breathing in her sweet scent. Haven turned and curled against him, her hand sliding around the back of his neck as her other landed on his chest.

  “You’re home late,” she said softly.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t figure out what’s wrong with the shuttle. I’ll have to go back tomorrow.”

  “Did you eat?”

  “I found the plate my mother left out.”

  He felt Haven’s lips curl against his skin. “Tilia didn’t leave it. I did.”

  Dryden brushed a kiss against the top of her head. “Already taking care of me.”

  “Tilia offered to teach me how a Zelthranite kitchen works. She also offered to let us stay here as long as we want. Even permanently.”

  Dryden pulled back a little and looked down at her in the darkness. “You want to live here? On my world and in my childhood home?”

  “You said if you made your home here again you would need to live with your parents in order to have space for a large family.”

  Dryden’s hands stroked her back. “How large?”

  “I think at least three or four children,” Haven said. “It sucked being an only child. I want this baby to have lots of siblings. I have a feeling she’s going to need a protective brother or two when she gets bigger.”

  “I can’t think of anything I’d like more. Are you certain you don’t wish to return to Earth?”

  “I’m positive. There’s nothing for me there. All I need is you, and your job brings you here just as much as your work on Earth. I guess I’ll need to go back and pack my things, but I brought most of my clothes with me.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Dryden said. “I’ll need to return to Earth for about a week to get everything set up, then I can cut back to monthly trips to check on the shop. I don’t think I want to sell it just yet, in case you decide after a year or two that you’d like to return to Earth.”

  “Dryden?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re in the dark. Alone. In a bed.”

  He smiled. “It hadn’t escaped my attention.”

  “Now that I’ve agreed to be yours, there’s no reason for us to wait, is there? You said you wouldn’t make love to me until I’d made my decision, and now I have.”

  The thought of having her under him, of her wet heat welcoming him, was enough to nearly jolt him wide awake. He shifted and reached for the pajamas she’d put on before getting into bed. In under a minute, he’d stripped her bare and tossed the covers aside. Moonlight filtered through the window, giving him just enough light to see her beautiful curves. Even without the light, he still remembered what she looked like.

  “What do you want, Haven?” he asked, willing to give her anything she desired.

  “Kiss me. Make me yours.”

  His mouth pressed against hers, his tongue flicking out until she opened. He kissed her hungrily, his hands caressing the lush curves of her body. He cupped her breasts, the soft mounds swelling against his palms, as he leaned down and took a rosy peak into his mouth. He tongued the bud until Haven squirmed beneath him, her nails raking his shoulders and back. Dryden lavished the other nipple with attention, gentle nips and long, hard sucks, making Haven cry out in the darkness.

  He licked and sucked his way down her body, stopping to delve his tongue into her navel and leaving a love bite on her hip. The scent of her drove him crazy and he couldn’t wait to have her sweet taste on his tongue again. He spread her legs wide with his shoulders, feeling her body tremble beneath him. Haven gripped the bedding tight as her body lifted, begging him to touch her.

  The moment his tongue touched her pussy, lapping at her cream, she melted. His grip on her hips tightened as she relaxed in his hold. His tongue dipped inside her tight channel before swirling around her clit. Her sweet nectar flowed over his tongue like honey and he did it again. Dryden teased her clit. Circling. Flicking. Then he sucked the bud into his mouth, drawing on it long and hard until she cried out and bucked beneath him. Her cream coated his tongue and dripped down her thighs, and Dryden licked up every drop.

  Rising above her, he stared into her passion-glazed eyes. She was so beautiful, so his. His cock brushed against her and with a flex of his hips, he was buried inside of her. Her pussy squeezed him tight, damn near making him come. She was all silken heat and perfection, wrapped around his steely shaft. Dryden pulled back, then eased back in, taking her with slow, gentle strokes. Every thrust felt like he was entering heaven, only to retreat and plunge back into her welcoming body.

  Sweat slicked his skin as his control neared the breaking point. He wanted the night to be special for her, to be perfect, but he was barely holding on. Haven’s hands gripped his biceps as her legs came around his waist, opening her farther to him, and he slid in a little deeper.

  “More,” she begged. “Harder.”

  His control snapped and Dryden growled softly as he took her hard and fast, every stroke a little wilder than the one before, until he lost his rhythm and could do little more than feel. Her pussy fluttered around him, the little pulses urging him on. As Haven cried out her release, Dryden gave himself up to the pleasure. Haven lay panting beneath him as he spilled himself inside of her tight sheath. His orgasm left him damn near breathless and his arms shook from the effort to hold himself up.

  Pulling from her body, he rolled to his side and wrapped his arms around her. Haven snuggled against him, letting out a contented sigh. Dryden stared at the moons through the window as his heart began to slow. The woman in his arms meant everything to him, but he’d never said the words to her. And as much as he wanted to confess his love, part of him wanted to hold back a little longer. If he said something now, she might wonder if it had more to do with the intimate moment than true feelings. She would meet with the father of her child in a day or two, and once things were sorted with Tryval, then he would tell her how he felt.

  “As much as I would love to lie here with you all night, I’m sticky,” Haven said. “Do you think we could rinse off in the shower?”

  “This house has larger bathrooms than most. The unit will comfortably hold two.”

  Dryden released her and they both went into the bathroom, leaving the door open as he flicked on the light. He started the cleaning unit, making sure the water was a comfortable temperature. When he was certain it wouldn’t scald Haven’s skin, he helped her into the unit and followed behind her, letting the door shut. Steam fogged the glass wall and door.

  “It’s like a shower,” she said, smiling as the water soaked her hair.

  “Almost. It can be programmed so that the water has a cleaning agent in it, but most homes with human brides just use plain water. We’ve noticed that human females like soaps that are scented in a way that suits each of them.”

  She nodded. “I was always partial to strawberry-scented stuff, but anything girly will do.�
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  “I noticed your soaps and shampoo were in here when I showered earlier, so I left the cleaning agent out of the water.”

  “What does the cleaning agent smell like?”

  “It’s unscented, but leaves your skin and hair clean. Until humans began living here, we didn’t have things like scented lotions or hair conditioners. Most of us have found pleasure in some of the human things our shops now carry.”

  “I’ve noticed males here wear black leather pants and either nothing on the top half of their body, or some wear a black leather vest. Is that the only clothing on your world that isn’t human?”

  He slowly soaped her skin. “The leather pants and vest are what most wear. Our Chief Councilor tends to wear white flowing clothing. It sets him apart as our leader, but similar clothes are available for those who prefer something less constricting.”

  “Do you dress in the leather attire when you’re here?” she asked.

  “Most of the time, yes. I didn’t have time to change this morning after we landed so I kept on my Earth clothes. I packed a mixture of Zelthranite and human clothing. Our world is very warm, so the leather can be hot if I’m out in the suns a long time.”

  Haven smiled. “Maybe you should make shorts and tank tops a trend on your world.”

  Dryden laughed. “I don’t even wear shorts on your world. A female’s legs are nice to look at, but a male’s legs just aren’t attractive.”

  She leaned back and looked down at his legs. “I think it’s a matter of opinion. I happen to like yours.”

  “We’ll have to agree to disagree.”

  Haven took the shower gel from him and began soaping his body. “If I could find a reason to touch you every second of every day, I would die a happy woman. Your arms are so strong. I love the way they feel when they’re around me.”

  He flexed. “It comes from lifting heavy machinery. Warriors are much larger, though. I’m considered small on my world.”

  “No, you’re perfect. There is such a thing as too much muscle. I think your body is just right. You’re tall, far taller than me, so I don’t see how they could call you small.”

  Dryden smiled. “My ego doesn’t need stroking, but thank you.”

  Haven yawned and blinked up at him sleepily. Dryden shut off the water and helped her dry before tucking her back into bed. Neither of them bothered with pajamas as they cuddled together under the covers. Haven curled against his side, her even breaths soft against him as she drifted back to sleep. Dryden had gone from exhausted to fully charged when Haven had asked him to make love to her, but now his energy was fading once more. He yawned and closed his eyes, willing his body to relax enough for sleep to claim him. As much as he’d love to be with Haven tomorrow on the off chance Tryval arrived, he needed to fix the stubborn shuttle.

  With thoughts of fuel pumps, ignition switches, and fuel pump relays filling his head, he started to drift off to sleep. Fuel pump relay? He bolted upright in bed, suddenly far more awake than he’d been all day. He felt like a complete and utter idiot. Easing out of bed so as not to wake Haven, he pulled on a fresh pair of jeans and a tee before tiptoeing from the room. By the front door, he put on his boots and stepped back out into the night.

  Walking to the shuttle station was no more dangerous late at night than it was during the day. There was little to no crime on Zelthrane-3 and he reached his destination without incident. Dryden flicked on the lights and grabbed his tools before opening the belly of the shuttle. He had to remove a panel, a steel plate, and push some wires out of the way, but once he found the fuel pump relay he reset it.

  The shuttle keys were stored in a cabinet along the wall and he found the right set. Entering the cockpit, he took a breath, said a prayer, and turned the key. The engine roared to life on the first try and he gave a triumphant cry. All the damn work he’d done on the blasted shuttle and all it needed was to be reset. He’d blame being tired for his stupidity. After turning off the shuttle and returning the keys to the cabinet, he left a note for Keylon.

  Maybe he wasn’t losing his touch after all. He’d started to wonder when he couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Apparently, he needed the release he’d found in Haven’s arms to get him thinking clearly again. Whatever the cause for his sudden clarity, he was thankful the job was completed. Now he’d have tomorrow free, unless he was called out on another job.

  By the time he reached his parents’ house, the sky was lightening as the suns began to rise. He wouldn’t have long to sleep before breakfast was ready, but a few hours would be enough to keep him going all day. He quietly entered the home, removing his boots before creeping back into the bedroom. Haven hadn’t moved and he quickly stripped out of his clothes before sliding into bed and pulling her back into his arms. Now that the shuttle repair wasn’t hanging over his head, he was able to clear his mind and finally relax. As his eyes closed, his mind began to drift, as if he were floating on a cloud, and with his future mate in his arms, he fell asleep.

  Chapter Nine

  The next day passed without word from Tryval, but Haven could feel the tension in the air. Dryden had been called out on another job, and he’d looked worried as he left. She knew he was concerned about her meeting with Tryval on her own. Not that he thought the alien would harm her, but he knew she was nervous about meeting with him. By the second day, she was nauseated and she didn’t think it was from the pregnancy. Then the third day arrived and there was still no word from Tryval.

  “You need to eat something,” Tilia said.

  “I’m worried it will come right back up. How long does it take to get here from Traxia? He said the journey took a day, but it’s been more than a day. The waiting is killing me.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” Tilia said. “Maybe his shuttle was delayed again.”

  “Wouldn’t he have called? He called the first time.”

  Tilia rubbed her back. “Try not to worry so much. It can’t be good for the baby. Do you want some fuzba?”

  “Is that the tea stuff you made me that tastes like mint?”

  “I believe I’ve heard humans describe it that way. It will calm you and ease your worries.”

  “In that case, do you serve it by the gallon?”

  Tilia smiled at her and went to the kitchen to make the drink. Haven stared out the window into the back garden and wished that Dryden were with her. He’d wanted to be by her side, but it was time for his return trip to Earth and she’d assured him she would be fine. Now she was wishing she’d kept her mouth shut and let him remain with her. She didn’t know how long he would be gone, but she missed him already, and he’d only left a few hours ago.

  When her soon-to-be mother-in-law returned with the fuzba, she accepted the cup and sipped at it. Haven had to admit that Tilia had been right to suggest it. Only a few swallows and she could already feel herself relaxing. If the Zelthranites sold this stuff on Earth, they’d make a fortune off mothers alone, not to mention overworked business persons. She took another swallow and closed her eyes, letting the calm flow through her.

  “Better?” Tilia asked.

  “Much. Thank you.” Haven smiled at her. “I miss Dryden, but I’m really glad Harvol and you are here with me. I never knew what it was like to have parents because mine were so unattached. You’ve given me a taste of what a family is supposed to feel like.”

  Tilia wrapped her arms around Haven. “You’re the daughter I never had, and you are a most welcome addition to the family. I’m sorry your mother couldn’t see you for the treasure you are. It was her loss.”

  “Thank you, Tilia.”

  Tilia bit her lip and looked like she wanted to say something. The woman hadn’t hesitated to voice her opinion thus far. Haven waited, knowing eventually she would say what was on her mind. She didn’t have to wait long.

  “You’re going to be mated to my son as soon as the issue with Tryval is settled. Would you consider calling me Mom or Mother?”

  “I would be honored to
call you Mom.” Haven hugged her tight.

  “I know Harvol isn’t here to say so, but he’d love it if you called him Dad or Father. We already think of you as part of the family.”

  Haven’s eyes misted with tears. She’d never felt like she belonged anywhere, but Dryden’s family made her feel wanted. Her car dying in his parking lot was the best thing that had ever happened to her. She’d felt hopeless and lost before she’d met him that night. And if she had the rest of her life with him, it would never be enough time to show him what he meant to her.

  “Mom, I want to do something for Dryden, but I don’t know what.”

  “I could teach you how to make his favorite dessert,” she offered.

  Haven was thinking something on a larger scale, but she’d always heard the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Maybe the same held true for aliens. She smiled and nodded, then followed Tilia into the kitchen. Tilia opened the equivalent of a refrigerator and pulled out several types of fruit, each one looking stranger than the first.

  “It’s called Starkist pie,” Tilia said. “We have to clean and slice the fruit, then set it aside with some sweetener drizzled over it while we make the crust.”

  Make the crust? Haven had always thought you just bought a pie crust. For that matter, she didn’t even know where the Zelthranites got their food. Did they have a grocery store? She hadn’t seen one, but that didn’t mean it didn’t exist. There was much of Terran Prime she had yet to see.

  Tilia pulled out something that looked like purple flour, along with some dark blue eggs that were far too large to belong to any birds she’d ever seen, and some type of cooking oil. Tilia showed her how to mix everything together, then helped her roll out the crust, which she placed in a pie-shaped baking dish, cutting off the excess.