Alien Revealed

by Lilly Cain

  “If Dr. MacPherson can to go, I’ll take her to her room.”

  Alinna’s eyes flicked toward him.

  “Of course she can.” The man held Alinna’s hand a moment longer than necessary. “But would you be available later to talk again? We’ll need to clear up a few more details.”

  David ground his teeth together. He watched Alinna smile at the man as she responded to what ought to be a formal inquiry and was instead almost an invitation to dinner.

  “Of course, Chief. You know where to find me.”

  “Let’s go,” David growled. Before I knock someone flat. She’s got a lot of explaining to do.

  Surprise flickered over Alinna’s face. David frowned, wondering if his voice had sounded as abrupt and angry to her as it did to him. She walked to the door and looked with uncertainty back over her shoulder at him. David stalked forward and brushed past her out of the interrogation room and security office. He kept silent as he led her back to the section of the building housing her office and private rooms. If he said anything now, he’d lose his temper, not a great idea with the chief watching them.

  “Major Brown,” Alinna began, but he marched on, quickening his pace through the corridors until they reached her room. He paused, staring at the warped and dented door. It was the only damaged thing in the area. The thing had been beaten open from the inside. He glanced at Alinna. She, too, stared at the damaged doorway. Her skin paled further. Only her bright green eyes showed some life.

  She took a step forward and swayed on her feet.

  “What’s wrong?” He grabbed her arm as she swayed further, catching her as her knees buckled.

  “Nothing. I just need to sit down, please.”

  She didn’t look at him as he held her with one arm and forced the warped door open with his other. He guided her into the room and kicked the door shut behind him. No matter what she’s trying to pull now, I am getting the truth out of her before I leave this room. He let go of her arm, and she dropped into a nearby chair with a quiet sigh.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t feel well. I feel a bit dizzy,” she muttered, her lips pressed thin as though she didn’t want to admit the weakness to him.

  “When did you eat last?”

  “Well, I was so busy running the tests this afternoon I missed lunch. And dinner…didn’t look appealing.”

  David shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t think you’ve had much to eat other than those nutrition bars since you got here, have you?”

  “No, I guess not. I had a headache at first, after the crash, and then I was busy…” Her voice trailed off.

  David grimaced. He closed his eyes for a moment and prayed for patience.

  “Wait here.” He strode out of the room and across the hall to her office. Touching the compad outside of her door, he tried for a connection to the mess hall. The line crackled from the electrical damage from the attack, but he was able to call for a quick delivery. Then he returned to Alinna’s room. She hadn’t moved. “I’ve ordered a supper for you. While we wait for it, you can tell me what the hell is going on.” He didn’t miss the mild frown of distaste flicker across her lips. “Don’t make faces at me. And don’t tell me you were lost. You were in a secure ops room for a reason. This time, you’re going to tell me everything.”

  She waved a hand tiredly. “It’s not that. You know I can’t.”

  He dragged a chair over to face her. “I don’t know anything. Why don’t you enlighten me. Who are you?”

  * * *

  Alinna bit her lip. David did deserve to know what was happening. His people would hopefully be partners with the Inarrii. She felt more strongly about that each time she interacted with this species so similar to her own. David was a good man, one who thought of her wellbeing even when he clearly suspected she had ulterior motives. But she’d sworn to serve her people, and her orders were specific—do not reveal herself to the humans.

  “I can’t tell you that.”

  “Did you have something to do with the attack? Are you with one of the anti-space factions? Did they attack us to stop the new colonization mission?”

  “No!” Alinna stood and paced the length of the room, then turned and faced him from the opposite side. She drew a shaky breath. “I had nothing to do with that. That’s not why I am here.”

  “Then why are you here? Who are you?”

  Alinna looked at him. He sat there watching her, concern in his eyes and emotion flowing from his soul. He really was concerned, even though suspicion laced his emotions as thickly as desire. It was too much. He wanted her, cared about what was wrong with her. He cared about his team, his people. If his skin were different, he could be Inarrii. Blindly she reached for anything to support her. The stress was too much, and she was too weak.

  Before her knees could buckle again, he was there. He supported her, pulled her close. She laid a hand on his chest, resting for a moment against his strong body. If only I could stay like this…

  A chime at the door interrupted her thoughts, intruded on her moment of near surrender. David stepped away to answer the door. Without his support, the pressure of the stress she was under crushed against her. The demands of her duty, stranded here away from any Inarrii relief, overwhelmed her.

  “Sit down. Eat something, for fuck’s sake,” David growled at her. She blinked. He’d already answered the door, collected the food and set it on her small table. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her how long it had been since she had eaten a decent meal. Wryly she wondered if this food would be any different from the horrible gruel she’d been offered in the medlab. She certainly hoped so.

  Alinna sat at the table across from David. He watched her as she surveyed the strange food before her. She licked her lips. At least it smelled better than the medlab offerings. The question was, what was it and how did she eat it? She glanced at David, who continued to watch her. “Aren’t you having any?”

  “Nah, I already ate. You dig in. It’s my favorite, since I didn’t know yours.”

  She raised her eyebrows at him.

  “Roast beef on whole wheat, with mayo and mustard, lettuce, tomato.” He picked up a small speckled wedge from her plate. “Spicy pita chips.” He popped the chip into his mouth.

  She picked up a chip as well and sampled it. The strange taste tickled her tongue, but she found it palatable. With a sigh of relief, she dug into the meal. This was one stress she could at least relieve. Her body needed fuel, and she couldn’t think properly without it. Food would make the remainder of her mission at least possible, if not pleasurable.

  “Be honest about one thing. Are you a Starforce Intelligence agent?”

  Alinna almost choked on the bite of food. She struggled to swallow, and he pressed a drink in her hand. She drew in a gulp of liquid and choked again as the fiery taste slid down her throat. Finally she gasped for air.

  “I am not here to hurt anyone, David. My mission will help everyone. That’s really all I can say.” She took another gulp of the drink, deciding she liked its bite after all.

  “That doesn’t answer my question.” He watched her steadily sip at her drink for a minute. “I need to know what’s going on. Surely you understand that.”

  Alinna finished the bottle of liquid and picked up another chip. They really are delicious.

  “I know they are. I love the way they taste with the chipotle spices,” David casually replied aloud to her thought. He narrowed his eyes at her. “Did you just say they’re delicious?”

  “I did. Can I have another drink?” Alinna hedged. He passed her another bottle, and she immediately took another sip as he watched her carefully. My shields must be slipping. What is wrong with me?

  “What shields?”

  Alinna took another huge gulp of her drink. Oh, shit!

  Chapter Seven

  David watched as Alinna guzzled her second beer like an old pro. The drinks were a Canadian brew he’d discovered last year that packed a lot of alcohol with a sharp bite. Alinna wasn’t abo
ut to tell him everything he needed to know, at least not voluntarily, but from the glazed look in her eyes, the alcohol might give him an advantage. He wasn’t leaving the room until he had some answers.

  “This is really good.” Alinna spoke slowly, clearly enunciating her words. Whether it was because of the drink or because she was stalling for time, David wasn’t certain.

  “I think so. What shields, Alinna?”

  She stood abruptly, her drink still grasped in her hand. She avoided his eyes. “Shields? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She took another gulp of the brew. “Of course I don’t know anything about mind shields.” Alinna set the second empty bottle on the table next to her half-finished sandwich.

  “Of course not.” David eyed her slightly unsteady gait as she moved nervously across the room. “Would you like another drink?” One more ought to do it. The lady isn’t used to drinking. And finding out about mind shields sounds like a good place to start.

  “Sure. You bet. Another drink sounds like a great idea.” Alinna stood beside him as he cracked the seal on the last bottle on the tray. Since he was off duty, four drinks were allowed, so he’d ordered his full allotment. She reached for it eagerly.

  Alinna continued to be a puzzle. She wasn’t familiar with the most common things—the security passes, the food, beer—and her looks were beautiful and unusual. But her apparent amateur clandestine behavior, that was the most intriguing mystery. He watched her long neck as she took a deep swallow. A curl of her tattoo peeked through her light brown hair. He took back his musings. The most fascinating puzzle might be if her tattoos really extended all the way to one very hot pussy. His mouth grew dry as he watched her bend over to reach the bottle cap that had rolled to the floor.

  When Alinna straightened she caught him studying her. A slow smile broke out over her face. “You’re watching me.”

  “Yes.” David drew in a husky breath. This wasn’t quite what he’d thought about when he encouraged her to drink that third brew, but he couldn’t help responding when her smile grew sly.

  She slowly licked her lips.

  Damn. He stood, wanting to look her in the eyes.

  She stepped closer to him. “I’ve been watching you, too.” A small giggle escaped her lips, and she brought her hand to her mouth, surprised at her reaction.

  David caught her fingers in his. She stilled. For a moment neither moved. Fuck it. I’m doing this. David leaned in and caught her lips with his. He kissed her, gently tasted her. The spicy flavor of pita chips and the yeast of the beer didn’t completely hide the purely female taste of her lips. When he was about to withdraw, she moaned into his mouth. Desire quickened within him. His cock throbbed into a thick pulsing erection. He drew her to him until they clasped in an embrace. He deepened the kiss, devouring her as he’d wanted to since the moment he’d seen those emerald eyes of hers.

  Alinna pulled away from his lips, but only enough to whisper his name. He could feel the heat radiating from her skin, could swear he could smell her desire even in their fully clothed state. But the scent of alcohol laced her breath.

  “I want you, Alinna,” he groaned and let go of her. I can’t do this. She’s half-drunk, not just tipsy. “But I don’t think you’re in the right state of mind to make any conscious—”

  “I want you, Ya’lenali. Don’t tell me what I can decide. Don’t push me away. I need this.” Alinna pulled her uniform shirt up over her head, exposing her toned body.

  Holy fuck. The tats curve right over her breasts, just like in my dream. David swallowed hard. He wanted to touch her, to trace those fascinating lines over every sweet curve of her body. He jammed his fingers into his hair in frustration. “Sweetness, I can’t do this. Tomorrow, you’d be sorry and I’d feel—”

  “You’d feel damn good. Just like I want to feel right now.” She stroked her fingers over her tattoos, seductively following the very pathway he wanted to trace, until she reached behind her back and unsnapped the simple bra from her body. When her taut nipples sprang into view, David groaned aloud. “See,” she murmured, “they do go everywhere.”

  “Oh God.”

  “The gods don’t mind. It can be just like the other times only so much better. Want to see where else they go?” She fingered the lines on her stomach, slipped a finger into her waistband.

  David growled in his throat. She was toying with him, and damn if he didn’t like it. He stepped toward her, and she took a step backward, leading him toward her private bedroom. He couldn’t stop himself, couldn’t take his eyes off her roaming fingers or hard nipples. He took another step, and another, toward her.

  “David, love me like you did last night, Ya’lenali.”

  David stopped. The thought hit him like a dash of cold water. Last night? Last night was a dream. Not even a dream—a fantasy.

  Alinna stopped too and reached for him, drawing him into an embrace and a kiss even as his mind raced. She ran her fingers down his back to cup his ass and squeezed. “A fantasy that we could make real, right now,” she breathed into his ear.

  David caught her hands and looked into her eyes. Something’s really, really wrong here.

  “No it isn’t, Ya’lenali. For the first time since I got here, something is right.”

  David shook his head, clenching his teeth in frustration. Alinna’s eyes weren’t quite focused. She was too drunk to know what the hell she was doing or saying. It was his own fault—that had been the plan after all. But what the hell was she saying? “You can hear what I’m thinking? What I want?”

  “Oh, yes, David. I can hear you wanting me, feel it, feel the desire. I want you too.”

  “Who are you?” He let go of her.

  “Just Alinna, a woman who needs you. Please, David.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she licked her swollen lips. “Please fuck me.”

  It was the ragged tone of her breath, and the way her chest hitched on a sobbing breath. David’s will was undone. She wanted him, and he wanted her, no matter who she was, what she was. He slid his fingers into the waistband of her pants and slipped them down past her hips, dragging her thin underwear with them. He groaned aloud, dropped to his knees in front of her. Those damn tattoos do go everywhere.

  He pressed his lips to her naked mons and rubbed his skin against hers. Her citrus and musk scent, so familiar, tightened his erection. He ignored the conundrum of her familiarity when he had never really touched her, pretended he hadn’t noticed her using an endearment that he’d heard only in his dreams. Instead he concentrated on the incredible sounds she made as she held tight to him. Her body quivered, strained to open her legs, but they were constrained by the pants that had only dropped as far as her knees. Her shudders focused David’s attention on her reaction to the binding. Quickly he flipped her onto her bed and pulled the pants the rest of the way down her legs. Alinna gasped, and he checked her expression. A rejection now would drive him insane. But the glint in her eyes revealed her excitement as clearly as her hard nipples and wet pussy.

  He pictured her bound to the bed, a vision that left his mouth dry. Better yet, he imagined her long legs splayed open and held up by bindings suspended from the ceiling. It was a fantasy he’d had before but never indulged. With access like that, he could lick her until she begged for mercy.

  “Please, David,” she begged, echoing his dream. She writhed on the bed before him, her need almost desperate. He knelt on the floor beside the edge of the bed. She lifted her hips to him in a show of unabashed lust. The action brought a grin to his face. He’d satisfy her, but he’d get some answers out of her, as well. He traced his fingers over the curling tattoo on her left thigh. The color of henna, but definitely permanent, the edge of the artwork was clean and sharp as if she’d just had the ink placed on her recently. His attentions brought a moan to her lips. “Please, you can…tie me…if you want.”

  He stilled. “You can see what I’m imagining. How’s that possible?”

  “Don’t stop. I can feel your emotions, y
our desire, and when we touch, I can hear what you are projecting.”

  He stroked the curve of her tattoo again, this time a little closer to her inner thigh. She had his complete attention, both sexually and intellectually. He ran his fingers over both of her legs and inhaled her aroused scent. She wriggled, tried to lift her hips in response, but he held her down. Control. Keep it in control.

  “Why do you have to be in control?” she gasped as he traced the lines pointing directly to her clit.

  “Because you need so badly to give it up. You need to trust me. Tell me the truth.”

  “I am telling you the truth.”

  “How did you learn to read minds?”

  “I don’t.” She reached down to touch herself, and he caught her by the wrist. Pushing her arms upward, he rose from his knees to climb up onto the bed to press against her until her arms were above her head and he was centered against her hips. Her skin radiated a heat and a citrus scent that had him panting with the desire to lick her again. With a free hand, he stroked the marks on one breast until he reached her nipple. He rolled it between the pad of his thumb and his finger, tweaking it until she cried out.

  “You don’t read my mind?”

  “No,” she panted, “I read your emotions. Sometimes your thoughts just shout out at me, but you do that, not me. I feel what you feel until you make the connection. Then I can hear your thoughts.” Her words slurred slightly and she fought to pronounce each one with exaggerated care.

  “And how’d you learn to do that?”

  “I was born with it.”

  David rocked his hips against hers. He could feel the heat of her right through his military-issue pants. This was as much torture for him as it appeared to be for her. He wanted her so badly, he could taste it. He tried a different tack.