by Hope Hart
Gasps sound, but Terex simply stares at me. Finally, his lips curl in a slow smile. “Oh, I know, tiny female. And we will talk about that later.”
My face gets even hotter, and I shake under the eyes of so many people. I’m exhausted, embarrassed, and this giant alien’s making it worse!
“You know what?” I say, and it’s as if the words come out all on their own. “Fix your own fucking bath.”
The crowd collectively inhales, but Terex holds my gaze. Then he throws his head back, roaring with laughter. I stare at him for a moment, stunned by his beauty. His eyes sparkle, his teeth gleam, and I’m sure every other female in the vicinity is thinking the exact same as me.
I don’t stick around. I turn and stalk away, too upset and angry to care about what everyone thinks of me. The crowd clears a path as I walk toward Terex’s kradi. Suddenly the ground moves, and I shriek as huge hands grab me, throwing me over a hard shoulder.
The movement is easy, as if I weigh nothing, and I’m once again struck by how small I am compared to him.
“Terex? What the hell are you doing?! You’re not allowed to lift me!”
One hand comes down on my butt, and I lift my fist to pound it against his back, but I’m too scared that I’ll end up opening his stitches.
His laugh is a low rumble, and it sends shivers through me even as I growl in fury.
Within moments, we’re at his kradi, and as soon as we’re inside, Terex places me on my feet, holding me steady while the blood moves from my head.
“Your stitches,” I say, moving my hand to his chest, but he shakes his head.
“I told you, it is fine. Now, how about you explain what you were thinking?”
“You…you…” I’m too mad to talk, and I turn away as Terex sighs.
“Ellie,” he starts, and I ignore him, stalking into the bathing area and staring down at the water in the bath.
“Why did you have to embarrass me?” I ask quietly, still refusing to look at him.
Terex growls and steps in front of me. “You have saved my life and cared for me for days even as the shadows beneath your eyes get deeper and darker. You could be forgiven for assuming that it is your duty to look after me. But this is incorrect. It is my duty to look after you. I simply reminded my people that you are my female and should be treated appropriately.”
“But I’m not your female, Terex!” My voice cracks, and I back away from him. “I just met your fiancée.”
“What is this word?”
“The woman who’s going to marry you!”
Terex frowns at me. “I do not understand.”
“Learza.” I stumble over the words, realizing she called it something different. “Mating. You’re going to be mated.”
Terex’s eyes show understanding, and then I gape as the scales on his chest begin changing to a deep, dark purple.
“Learza said this?”
I nod, and he curses as the kradi bells sound.
“We will talk about this,” he tells me, stalking back into the sleeping area as I finally let my tears fall.
Terex
I can almost feel Ellie’s pain, and it makes me want to roar. My people have disappointed me with their actions today. I pause in my pacing. My own actions have also contributed to the sniffling I can hear coming from my tiny female.
I have noted her discomfort with the servants, and yet I told her to ask them to fill the bath. My Ellie is unused to such actions, and I should have known that she would take it upon herself to do the task. She is a stubborn female.
Now she can barely look at me, believing that I have been playing with her while planning to be mated to another woman.
It hurts me that Ellie believes me to be so dishonorable, but I push this thought away for now. Ellie has had a difficult life. She does not yet understand the ways of our people, does not yet believe that I am the one for her.
The kradi bell rings again, pulling me from my thoughts, and I step out to find Arana and Seini waiting. Each hold a large bucket of water, and Seini smiles at me when I gesture for them to enter.
“Thank you,” I say roughly. They move toward the bathing area and murmur to Ellie. Her sweet voice sounds, but I am unable to hear what she says.
“We’ll be right back,” Seini says, and I frown as I focus on her wrist.
“Wait.” I stalk back into the bathing area, where Ellie is still staring into the bath as if it holds the secrets to the universe. Her face is wet, and my chest hurts at her pain. I never want to see tears dripping down her beautiful face.
I steel myself against her pain, since she is unlikely to allow me to comfort her while believing I belong to another female.
“Ellie,” I say. “Please come with me.”
My voice leaves no room for argument, and her eyes spark at me before she sighs, following me back to the fire.
“Seini, please show Ellie your wrist.”
Seini holds out her wrist, displaying the gold thread that has been woven in an intricate pattern. This is our most precious material. Once tied around a wrist, it will never fray, never break, never become discolored.
“These are mating bands, tiny female. Once a warrior chooses his female, he asks her to mate with him. If the female finds him worthy, she will claim him in public, wrapping these bands around his wrist.”
Ellie’s eyes flick to my naked wrists, and I nod at her.
“When the warrior accepts her claim publicly, they have a mating ceremony, and he presents her with her own bands.”
I turn to Seini. “Does Learza have any mating bands?”
Seini shakes her head, her eyes kind as she glances at Ellie. “No. And Terex has never asked her to be his mate. I’m sorry if she implied otherwise, Ellie.”
Ellie’s eyes are filled with tears again, but they soften slightly as they meet mine. She gives Seini a smile, and Seini nods at her before returning for more water.
Ellie retreats back into the bathing room, and I wait, more than willing to be patient until we are completely alone.
Once the bath is ready, I move into the bathing room, where Ellie is pacing back and forth, lost in thought.
“What are you thinking, Ellie?”
She frowns at me but doesn’t reply, and I simply raise my eyebrows. Then my hands move to my belt, and I drop my pants to the ground.
Chapter Twelve
Ellie
I immediately flick my gaze away, and Terex chuckles. I definitely caught a glimpse of his long, hard, mouthwatering…
No, Ellie.
It’s not that I don’t believe him about Learza. It’s just that I’m still coming to terms with exactly how hurt I was at the idea of Terex with another woman. A tall, busty, beautiful woman.
I shouldn’t care as much as I do. I shouldn’t feel like someone has ripped out my heart and stomped on it after just a couple of weeks on this planet.
We’re leaving. As soon as we can get off this planet, we’re going back to Earth. And even if the thought of leaving Terex kills me inside, what exactly would I do on Agron?
Like your life was really that great on Earth, Ellie?
The sound of splashing draws me from my thoughts, and I turn, meeting Terex’s amused eyes. He’s lounging back in the tub, and I wish desperately for a camera. I want to capture the gleam of candlelight on his skin as the kradi begins to darken, the arch of his eyebrow, the play of his muscles as he leans back, posing invitingly.
He knows exactly what he does to me, and I turn away.
“Ellie?”
“What?”
“This water is warm and clean, and you are tired after caring for me so well. Won’t you join me?”
“I’ll use the water after you do.”
He pauses at that, and then chooses a different approach. “What will it take for you to join me?”
I turn back to him. His expression is crafty as he stares me down. I almost shiver. This is the Terex that negotiates with his king until he gets what he wants.
>
I shift, barely keeping my eyes on his face. “What do you mean?”
“A bargain, tiny female.” His voice is coaxing, dangerous, making me want to rub up against him, and I blow out a breath. He does like his bargains.
“What kind of bargain?” The words are out before I realize I’ve spoken, and I curse myself for showing my hand.
“I have been invited to a mating ceremony tomorrow. I would prefer to spend my time alone with you, but you might enjoy the experience.”
Oh.
Terex knows me well. He knows how curious I am about these people and their culture. He knows I’m too shy and awkward to go by myself. Nevada is unlikely to go—she’s too focused on coming up with a plan to get us out of here. And I’m sure as hell not going to go with Vivian.
“Why don’t you take me anyway?”
More splashing. I grit my teeth, forcing myself not to look.
“I don’t want to. People bother me at these events, hoping to convince me to bring their suggestions and needs to the king. But I could be convinced to give up my alone time with you in exchange for a bath now.”
I suppress a smile. The tilt of his head and the slight pout of his lips are ridiculously charming. Suddenly, he reminds me of a little boy trying to negotiate for a later bedtime.
I chew on my lower lip. He’s playing me like a violin. The problem is, I do want a bath. And I want nothing more than to climb into the warm water with him. At this point, I crave him.
“I won’t touch you, tiny female. Unless you ask me to.”
I sigh. I only have so much willpower. “Fine. But don’t look.”
I meet Terex’s eyes, and he slowly nods, turning his head away. My hands are shaking as I peel off my dress and drop it on top of his pants, giving the room an intimate feel.
Terex is a gentleman and keeps his eyes averted while I climb in. A muscle pulses in his jaw with the effort not to look, and my heart melts.
“I’m…sorry if I hurt you by accusing you of being with someone else,” I say.
His jaw clenches and then relaxes, and he slowly nods, still turned away as I slide into the warm water.
“A warrior’s honor is sometimes all he has,” he says, and guilt hits me in the gut.
“I apologize. It’s just that…Learza is so beautiful.”
Terex snorts at that, turning back to me. “She is not the one I want. You are more beautiful than any female I have ever seen before. And you are strong, and brave, and stubborn. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you, my Ellie.”
My face heats at that, and I swallow around the lump in my throat. I grasp for something to say, but I’ve got nothing, so I stay silent, watching the candlelight flicker over Terex’s skin.
I wish the bath had bubbles for me to hide beneath, but at least night is falling, and the kradi is now dark enough that Terex won’t really be able to see anything unless he chooses to stare into the water.
As usual, though, he’s a perfect gentleman. That’s one of the things I love about Terex. He’s a hardened warrior, used to taking what he wants and demanding obedience. But for me…he’s gentle and patient.
“What are you thinking?” His voice is low, and I shiver.
“You said it was your duty to look after me.”
I frown as he nods.
“This is true.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love how you want to protect me and look after me, Terex. But I want to do the same for you too. Relationships should be an equal partnership.”
I feel almost presumptuous referring to whatever we have as a relationship, but Terex tilts his head as he considers what I’ve said.
“I am a warrior, Ellie. I don’t know how much I can change to be like the males you are used to.”
I move closer. “I don’t want you to change. Never that. I just don’t want it to be so one-sided. I want to be able to help you and look after you, just like you want to do the same for me.”
He nods slowly. “I will think over what you have said.”
I lean back again, but it’s like my mouth has a mind of its own. “Why did Learza tell me you were to be mated?”
Terex sighs. “Do you really want to talk about another female while naked and in my bath?”
I stare at him, and he sighs again, but his mouth curls in amusement.
“Perhaps if you moved closer, I would be more inclined to speak of things I do not wish to speak of.”
I narrow my eyes at him, and he simply raises his eyebrow. I’m currently sitting at the opposite side of the bath. Terex has his legs on either side of mine, and I’ve pulled my legs up so I don’t accidentally kick him in the nuts.
“I don’t want to know that bad.”
He smiles at me, and I roll my eyes. Okay, I do want to know. Sue me.
He gestures between his legs, and I give him a filthy look. Terex laughs, and I sigh, my heart fluttering as he grins at me.
“Come sit closer, and I’ll tell you anything you wish to know.”
His voice is pure seduction, and I’m moving before I’m even aware of it. This time, Terex drops his gaze as my breasts rise from the water, and my nipples immediately harden as his attention lands on them.
I blush, but his low groan encourages me when I’d otherwise head for the hills.
I move even closer, and then I freeze as I feel him hard against me.
“Jeez,” I blurt. “Are all warriors this big everywhere?”
His brow lowers as he reaches out with one hand, pulling me even closer. “You only need to think about this warrior, tiny female.”
I roll my eyes at that, and then my eyes slide shut as he pulls me closer until I’m straddling him, his lips dancing down my neck.
“Your stitches…”
“I’m fine, Ellie. I promise.”
I shiver, lost in pleasure as his mouth finally finds mine, and I sigh against him as he takes our kiss deeper, stroking my tongue with his.
Suddenly, I’m needy and desperate, wanting nothing more than the feel of him inside me.
Sensing my urgency, Terex slides his hand to my breast, flicking my nipple. I gasp against his mouth, and he does it again before rolling my nipple between his fingers. My head falls back, and he lets out a low growl, pulling me closer and taking one of my nipples in his mouth. My thighs clench as he flicks with his tongue, driving me crazy as his hand continues to play, tweaking my nipple until it’s hard and achy.
I let out a low moan, and this seems to spur Terex on because he pulls his mouth away, kissing me again before murmuring against my mouth.
“Say I can have you, Ellie. Be mine. Please.”
I never want to hear this strong warrior beg for anything, but the fact that he’s begging for me…it feels like a dream. I tried to fight these feelings, and I know deep down that they can only lead to heartache. But I want nothing more than to experience the pleasure I know we’ll find in each other’s arms.
Life is short. I could’ve died four or five times since I was taken from Earth. If there’s one thing getting abducted by aliens has taught me, it’s that you never know when life can change in an instant.
I pull away, staring into Terex’s eyes. If I say no, he’ll nod, remove himself from the bath, and that will be that.
But I don’t want to say no.
I nod, and Terex’s eyes widen as if this was the last thing he expected. Then those incredible eyes heat, and my breath blows out in a whoosh as he trails his eyes down my body, his hands moving to cup my butt, pulling me even closer.
“You won’t regret giving yourself to me, Ellie.”
At this, I blink back tears. Sometimes, it’s as if Terex can see into my soul. Like he can see all my insecurities and worries. And he wants me anyway.
I lean forward, nibbling on his lower lip, and he growls against me. One of his hands slides around to my pussy, and I moan as he finds me slick and ready.
“You are perfect,” he murmurs against my mouth, and then he pulls back, ga
zing at me with hunger in his eyes.
My stomach clenches. Never has a man looked at me like this before. I’ve never been so aware of my body, so needy, so…
His.
I rock against him, gasping as I feel the thick length of him settled so close to where I want him. He hums, flicking my clit, his mouth curling at my gasp. I run my fingers along his scales, and his whole body tenses.
I grin, pleased to find a way to turn him on as much as he does me. “Sensitive, warrior?”
His eyes darken, and if I didn’t know—without a doubt—that he’d never hurt me, I’d be worried. Instead, I grin at him, and he leans forward, nipping my lip in retaliation.
My grin widens. For me, sex has mostly been awkward and uncomfortable. It’s eye-opening to learn that it can also be fun.
Terex’s fingers slide against me, rubbing softly at my clit, and I shudder, writhing against him. He leans down, taking my nipple in his mouth, and rolls it with his tongue as I gasp, his fingers hitting just the right spot.
I shatter in his arms, my mind emptying as my body erupts in pleasure, and I choke out a moan. Terex growls, removing his hand and positioning me against him, his hard cock prodding at my opening.
I tense slightly, more than a little worried about his size.
“Gently, Ellie,” he murmurs, and we both groan as I slowly slide down the length of him.
He’s huge, filling me up in a way I could never have imagined. He stares at me, then leans forward, claiming my mouth while I sink down on him.
“Mine,” he growls against my mouth. “Now you’re mine.”
I tremble with need, and he positions his huge hands on my butt again, lifting me and then pulling me down as he thrusts into me, making me call out his name.
My mind clears, nothing else existing except Terex and this moment, the pleasure currently overtaking my whole body as Terex moves beneath me.
“Oh God,” I groan, and Terex reaches down, flicking my clit just as he thrusts into me again. I fly apart, gasping as he shakes against me, both of us finding release. Another orgasm hits me, rolling over the first, and I slump against Terex, shaken to my core.
