Caitlyn and the Alien Protector (Intergalactic Brides 7)

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  He asked you to go with him. There really wasn’t anything holding her to this town except her brother, and something told her Jake would urge her to go and give life another chance. Not to mention Jake might be moving as well. She could work from anywhere in the world. Cosmir had assured her their arrangement didn’t have to change, just their location. Moving a few hours away wasn’t really a huge deal, was it?

  She shut off the water and dried off. With the towel wrapped around her, she dashed from the bathroom to her bedroom. Not that Cosmir hadn’t already seen all of her. She didn’t have anything fancy to wear tonight, but she had a pretty black and turquoise sundress with some black sandals. Hopefully, Francesca’s wouldn’t throw them out. She knew it was a fancy kind of place, and had even been once… when her fiancé had proposed. Caitlyn hadn’t been back to the restaurant since, and it still held bittersweet memories for her. But maybe it was time to build new memories in a place that had once been special to her.

  Caitlyn slipped on her shoes, then checked to see if the bathroom was free. The door was partially open and the shower was running. She chewed her lip in indecision, but decided to peek into the bathroom.

  “Do you mind if I dry my hair while you shower?” she asked.

  “Go right ahead,” he said from the shower. “I’ll be done in a few minutes.”

  “I can wait until you’re done, if you’d prefer.”

  Cosmir laughed. “Caitlyn, you’ve seen me naked. I don’t think it’s going to shock you when I get out of the shower.”

  Her cheeks warmed, but she had to agree. And she definitely wouldn’t mind seeing him naked again. Their one night together had only made her want more of him. Even if she wasn’t ready for happily-ever-after, it didn’t mean she couldn’t settle for happy-right-now. Since Katy wasn’t home, she hoped that maybe tonight would end with them in bed together. Even if she had to instigate it, which wouldn’t bother her in the slightest.

  Caitlyn pulled out the hair dryer and began the tedious task of drying her long hair. When Cosmir shut off the water and stepped out of the shower, she couldn’t help but bite her lip as she watched him. She’d give anything to lick the water from his skin, but if she did that, they would be late for their reservation. While she wanted him desperately, she also knew they would need their strength and should eat something.

  Cosmir wrapped the towel around his waist and left the bathroom, his scent teasing her nose. Caitlyn finished drying and styling her hair, then put on a little make-up. She didn’t own much after the fire, but she had enough to enhance her eyes and a little lip-gloss to make her lips look kissable. At least, that was the look she was going for. If she’d known ahead of time about their outing tonight, she’d have purchased a nicer dress and some more make-up, maybe even had her hair and make-up done professionally.

  “Good thing I painted my nails this morning,” she muttered as she turned off the bathroom light and went to the living room to wait on Cosmir.

  It didn’t take long for him to finish getting ready, and she had to admit that he cleaned up nicely. The dark purple shirt offset his pansy eyes rather well, and the black slacks hugged his hips and thighs. He’d forgone a tie, but he still looked quite edible. His hair was spiked to perfection and her fingers itched to run through it.

  “You look beautiful,” he said as he held out his hand toward her.

  Caitlyn placed her palm against his and their fingers twined together. “Thank you. You look nice too.”

  “Hungry?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  Cosmir escorted her out to the SUV, stopping to lock the house and set the alarm. He waited until she was buckled before he started the engine and backed out of the driveway. Neither of them said a word on the way to the restaurant, and Caitlyn worried that she would have a flashback of her time there with her fiancé. They reached the restaurant quicker than Caitlyn would have liked and Cosmir had the SUV valet-parked. He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow as they went inside. Nothing had changed since the last time she was there, and her heart thumped a little harder in her chest.

  “Everything all right?” Cosmir asked.

  Caitlyn nodded, but wasn’t sure she could have spoken her answer aloud if she’d tried. Her mouth had gone dry and her tongue felt heavy and swollen. The host escorted them to a table and Cosmir pulled out Caitlyn’s chair. She sat and put her hands in her lap, where they twisted and fidgeted as she looked around the room. It wasn’t the same table she’d shared with Ryan, but it was close enough. Their table was two over and she watched as a young couple sat there, eyes only for one another.

  “Are you sure everything is all right?” Cosmir asked.

  “Ryan brought me here, the last time I was here. He proposed that night.”

  “And Ryan was your fiancé? This is the first time you’ve said his name.”

  “It hurts to talk about him.”

  “Then we won’t talk about him.” Cosmir held out his hand, palm up, and Caitlyn placed hers in it. “If you don’t want to talk about Ryan, we’ll find something else to talk about. But I want you to know that it doesn’t bother me if you want to bring him up from time to time. He was an important part of your life and those memories should be cherished.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So, what did you do today while I was out house hunting?” he asked.

  “I got a lot of work done, went for a walk, then watched TV for a while. I probably should have worked a little longer, but I needed a break.”

  “Katy liked the house we saw today. It’s in a gated community and there’s a playground inside the subdivision. There’s a pool at the house, so she’ll have to learn how to swim.”

  Caitlyn wasn’t sure she wanted to hear how perfect the house was. Unless, of course, the offer for her to join them still stood. Maybe she should have gone with them after all. If the house was really great, it might have swayed her decision a little faster.

  The waitress came and took their order. She was a little surprised when Cosmir asked for a bottle of wine, and actually seemed to know what he was talking about when he discussed it with the woman. Caitlyn looked around the room, taking in the atmosphere, and it hit home just how romantic the restaurant was. She hadn’t thought of that when she’d agreed to come with him. If she’d wondered about romance being on his mind before, she was now certain of it. “I wish you had gone with us today,” Cosmir said. “I’d have liked your opinion on the house.”

  “What does it matter what I think of it?” she asked.

  “Because I still have hope that you’ll want to live there with us. I know you’re scared to put a label on our relationship, but Katy adores you and I’ve gotten rather of fond of having you around. Even if we never slept together again, I’d still want you there.”

  A smile ghosted her lips. “Never sleep together again? Now that would be a travesty. As I recall, it was rather fabulous. Stands to reason, it would be just as fabulous a second time.”

  “Shall we test that theory?” he asked, eyebrow arched.

  “Want to get our meal to go?”

  Cosmir chuckled. “You got all dressed up. Don’t want to stay and enjoy the evening?”

  “What I’d really like is one of those suites at the Welby Hotel that has a balcony overlooking the town and a private hot tub where we could play.”

  Cosmir’s eyebrows rose into his hairline.

  “Clothing optional for the rest of the night.” She smirked, knowing that he was more than intrigued.

  Cosmir waved the waitress over. “We’ll have our meals to go, please. And is there any way to get a bottle of this wine to go as well?”

  The waitress seemed surprised by the request, but said it wasn’t a problem. A short while later, Cosmir carried their food and wine to the SUV while Caitlyn looped her hand through his arm, hurrying to keep up with him. It seemed someone was more than ready for the next part of their evening to begin.

  “We should probably stop by the house for
clothes,” she said. “It’s either that or we have to go home in the same clothes come morning, and then the hotel staff will know for sure what we’ve been up to.”

  “They have shops in the lobby of the hotel, don’t they?”

  “Do you know how expensive that would be?” she asked.

  “Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll cover it.”

  “It would be better just to go home and get our things. Besides, what if they don’t have bras and panties? I don’t want to wear the same panties I have on tonight.”

  Cosmir sighed and turned the SUV around. When they pulled up to his house, Caitlyn kissed his cheek before bounding out of the car and up to the door. She had her keys with her and let herself in, turning off the alarm as she came through the door. Going straight to her room, she grabbed a bag and shoved a change of clothes inside. She wished like hell she had some sexy lingerie to wear for him, but maybe she could plan for something like that next time. Assuming there was a next time.

  Cosmir lounged in the doorway, a bag of his own in his hand. Caitlyn brushed past him and went into the bathroom where she grabbed a few essentials and handed his toothbrush to him. He tucked it into his bag and held out his hand to her. She slid her fingers along his until they twined together and she let him lead her back out to the SUV. Cosmir went back to lock up and set the alarm, and then they were on their way to the hotel.

  Caitlyn had never been to the Welby, but she’d seen pictures in the local paper when it first opened and she’d always wanted to go there. It was rather swanky for such a small town, but the governor had stayed there once, and it was rumored that some ex-Presidents had vacationed there since it opened five years ago. Although Caitlyn wasn’t too sure about that last part. Wouldn’t they have chosen a larger town to stay in, where there were more things to do? And wouldn’t it have made front-page news if they’d been in town?

  Cosmir pulled up to the entrance of the hotel and handed his keys to the valet before gathering his bag and their dinner out of the backseat. Caitlyn picked up her own bag and followed him inside. The lobby was rather grand with marbled floors and a crystal chandelier overhead. The man at the front desk greeted them with a smile.

  “How may I help you this evening? Do you have a reservation?”

  “No, we don’t. Is that going to be a problem?” Cosmir asked. “We only need the room for one evening.”

  “I think we can accommodate you.”

  Caitlyn looked around the lobby, taking everything in, as Cosmir made the arrangements and gave them his credit card. When he had their room key in hand, he escorted her to the elevators and up to their room. Somehow, he’d managed to get one on the top floor. The hotel wasn’t overly large, but it did boast five floors. She followed Cosmir to their room and when he pushed open the door and flicked on the light, her eyes widened in surprise.

  There was a small living room that also boasted a small table with four chairs for eating. There was a large TV mounted on the wall. The sofa along the wall looked comfortable and there was an overstuffed chair beside it. A short hall led to a bathroom so grand she was almost scared to use it. Then she entered the bedroom. The king bed was pressed against one wall with a platform on the other side that held a hot tub in front of floor to ceiling windows. A sliding glass door let out onto the balcony that overlooked a wooded park.

  Cosmir set his bag on the floor near the dresser and motioned for her to do the same. Caitlyn followed him back into the living room, where he set out their dinner and the wine.

  “I didn’t think about glasses,” he said with a frown.

  “I bet the front desk could send some up.”

  He nodded and picked up the phone beside the sofa. She wandered the room as he requested the glasses and went back to the bedroom so she could look out at the impressive view. Caitlyn slid open the glass doors and stepped out onto the balcony, a soft breeze tossing her hair. The heat pressed in on her as she folded her arms across the top of the railing.

  Cosmir found her a short while later and handed her a glass of wine. She loved the fruity flavor as she sipped at it, staring out at the incredible view. Cosmir placed a hand at her waist and pulled her back against him. Caitlyn tipped her head up to look at him and the passion burning in his eyes made her panties damp.

  “Dinner?” he asked.

  Caitlyn licked her lips. “I think dinner can wait a little longer. Shouldn’t we admire the view a bit more?”

  His gaze burned bright. “I am admiring the view.”

  Her skin prickled and her breasts swelled with need. Caitlyn set her wine glass down on a nearby table and slid her hand around Cosmir’s neck, pulling him down for a kiss. His lips were soft against hers, coaxing her along. Caitlyn opened to him, inviting him in for a taste. The velvety feel of his tongue against hers had her curling her toes in her sandals.

  Cosmir’s glass crashed to the ground as he swooped her up into his arms and he carried her inside, leaving the glass door open. The summer breeze blew into the bedroom, bringing with it the scent of pine. Cosmir let her slide down his body then he gathered the material of her dress in his hands and lifted it over her head, letting it fall to the floor at their feet.

  Caitlyn’s chest rose and fell with labored breaths as she waited to see what he would do next. He backed up a step and slowly unbuttoned his shirt, letting it join her dress on the floor. She kicked off her sandals as he removed his shoes and socks, but they still weren’t on even ground. Not wanting to wait for him, Caitlyn reached for his pants, removing his belt then unbuttoning them. She shoved them down his legs and her heart pounded in her chest as she saw the proof of his arousal straining against the fabric of his boxer briefs.

  Cosmir slowly stripped her bare before removing his boxer briefs. Lifting her into his arms, he carried her across the room to the hot tub and eased her into the frothy water. Caitlyn was thankful she’d pulled her hair up for the night as the water swished and swirled around her. Cosmir stepped into the water and sank onto the seat opposite her, with the night sky as a backdrop.

  “You’re awfully far away,” she said.

  “If you want me, maybe you should come get me.” He grinned as he leaned back and braced his arms along the edge of the hot tub.

  “Oh really?” She arched a brow. “If you’re going to play that game, maybe I should just take care of myself.”

  His eyes darkened as he watched her hand slip below the surface of the water. Cosmir lunged across the hot tub and hauled her back to his side, settling her on his lap so that she straddled him. Caitlyn could feel his cock brushing against her, more than ready to play. She leaned forward and licked his hard nipple before tugging on the purple peak with her teeth.

  Cosmir growled and thrust against her. “Keep playing, and you won’t be in control anymore.”

  Caitlyn gave him a saucy grin before gripping his cock in her hand. She teased it against her slit, and gasped in surprise when he surged upward, impaling her on his cock. His hands settled at her waist as she rode him with slow, easy strokes. The water sloshed around him and her breasts bounced with each slide of her body. Caitlyn grabbed his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin, as she rode him harder and faster.

  “You feel incredible.” Cosmir groaned.

  “You… feel… amazing,” she panted.

  Cosmir reached up and pinched a nipple, making her cry out as her orgasm crested and broke. She ground against him as he came inside of her, his cock pulsing and jerking with his release. Caitlyn stared at him, a feeling of peace filling her. She’d never felt so right, so… complete. Not even with Ryan had she ever felt this way, and it scared her a little. She’d been willing to tie her life to Ryan’s, and if they didn’t have a tenth of the passion she felt with Cosmir, did that mean their relationship had been doomed to fail even if he hadn’t died?

  What if she’d been destined to be with Cosmir all along?

  “You look troubled,” he said, smoothing a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.<
br />
  “Do you believe in destiny?” she asked.

  “I’m familiar with Earth’s concept of destiny or fate. Why do you ask?”

  “What if it was God’s plan all along for us to meet and be together? What if I was meant to fall in love with you from the very beginning?”

  “Do you love me, Caitlyn?” he asked softly.

  “I’m scared, Cosmir. I loved once before and it ended badly. I don’t think I could handle that kind of loss again.”

  Cosmir gently kissed her. “Do you know what I think?”

  She shook her head.

  “I think anytime we fall in love, it’s a risk. Do you think I don’t worry about losing you? What if we had a child together? You could die in childbirth. Even though that isn’t common on my world, it does happen. Or what if one of your Earth diseases struck you? A friend of mine lost his mate to cancer. Loving someone is a risk, a gamble, but I believe that it’s worth taking that plunge. Think of all the happy memories we can build together.”

  “Do you love me?” she asked softly. “Even a little?”

  “I think I’ve loved you since the moment you kissed me at the firehouse. I knew in that moment that my life was never going to be the same, and I wanted to get to know you better, to claim you as mine. But then I found out about your past and you said you didn’t want a relationship, so I tried to give you what you needed.”

  “And what is it that you need?” she asked.

  “Just you, Caitlyn. And I’ll take you in any capacity I can have you. If you don’t want to label our relationship, then I’ll be content just having you in my life.”

  “But you want more.”

  “I won’t lie. I want you to be Katy’s mother, to be the mother of my future children, to be the woman I call my mate and introduce as my wife. But I’m not going to pressure you into doing something you aren’t ready for.”

  “I think, without me even realizing it, that a relationship built between us, whether I labeled it or not. I love you, Cosmir, and it would be selfish of me to hold back and not give you what you need. A relationship is about two people compromising and giving each other what they need.”