by Alana Khan
I’ve dracked a lot of women in my life. I’ve never made love. I want this to be special for both of us.
Capturing her chin in my hand I catch her attention and make certain we’re gazing into each other’s eyes. This, this is what I want —the connection.
“Dahlia.” That’s right, I’m making love to Dahlia. My Dahlia. My love. I put my weight on my hands, my back arched so I can continue to watch every expression on her precious face.
I spear into her and groan in pleasure, breaking our connection for a moment as my eyes close in ecstasy. Then we’re connected again and her perfect body squeezes around me like a welcoming fist.
She’s writhing under me, calling my name, lifting to meet me thrust for thrust. She’s close, but struggling to get there. Nipping her ear and her collarbone get her closer, but she can’t find her release.
“Come for me, love,” I coax. And she does. Her body tightens, muscles spasming, her channel clutching my cock, and I release into her. All the while our eyes stay locked. It’s bliss. We’re a mated pair. I’m the luckiest male in the galaxy.
Epilogue
Dahlia
“Am I doing this right?” I ask as I use a wooden mallet to pound a metal stamp into leather. I’m making him a belt, one of my first attempts at leatherworking. I’m not even certain I like this hobby, but I like this part, the part where he saunters over and hunches his big, beautiful body down, pressing his front to my back. Then he reaches around me and tightens his strong hand around mine and taps a few times with the mallet.
Oh yeah. Having him so close to me, breathing on my neck, clasping my hand —that’s definitely fun. The kisses he sneaks to the side of my cheek? Bonus!
We’ve spent almost every minute together in the few months since the wedding. It’s been a blast getting to know him again for the first time.
Little memories are slipping back. He says he’s seen flashes of Asher’s dungeon. He remembers a white dress dripping with red. Out of all the moments of his life that he lost, why he has to remember my deepest moment of shame I have no idea.
But it really doesn’t matter whether or not he remembers —we’re building new memories together.
I wanted to learn how to carve wood, but my first several attempts were such abysmal failures we switched to leather.
At first I hated the smell of the hold, it’s earthy, which, I know, is a ridiculous oxymoron because we’re in space. But now I love the welcoming smell because it’s a rich mixture of leather and wood and expensive, stolen antiquities we inherited from our captors. But mostly I like it down here because it’s our place. We’re more connected down here than anywhere —even the solarium.
We laugh and joke and talk with no need to be serious. And I like that most times when I look up from stamping leather I see my big handsome guy looking at me like he wants to lay me down on the soft pile of furs in the corner. Which, of course, we sometimes do. Well, change the ‘sometimes’ to ‘often’ and it’s more accurate.
Stryker, Steele, and Aries all approached me privately and asked me to teach them to read. I’ve now got a twice-weekly schoolhouse set up and the males are learning so fast it astonishes me. I’m so proud of them, and I have to admit it makes me feel great to be contributing.
“So, Dahl, I was thinking.”
Sometimes we’ll stop a conversation and come back to it an hour or a day later. I think this is one of those moments.
“What, babe?”
“Don’t distract me. You know I love it when you call me sweet names,” his voice is raspy and gruff which means this conversation will probably hit another delay.
“I was thinking about fighting. Actually I was thinking about never fighting again.”
My mouth pops open. I was not expecting that.
“Really?”
“Fighting used to be who I was. It defined me, consumed my identity. It was how I got accolades and extra money.”
And women, I think. He told me all about that, but he’s too much of a gentleman to mention it.
“But I’m not that male anymore. I’m so much more than a gladiator. I’m a mate, perhaps someday I’ll be a father —but I know we agreed to postpone that.
“And I discovered how handsy I am.” He smiles at me because now it’s our private joke. He misspeaks ‘handsy’ and then I correct him. Then he asks what handsy means and I tell him. Then he sidles up to me and shows me just how handsy he can be.
But he doesn’t do that now. He just smiles.
“How would you feel if I quit the fighting life?” He spears me with a serious look. It’s obvious he’s given this a lot of thought before running it by me.
Standing, I turn into his big, warm body, wrapping my arms around him. “I love you, Dax. I’ve never enjoyed watching you in the arena. It’s always scared the crap out of me. I’d be thrilled if no one laid a hand on you again. But it’s not my choice; this is fully your decision. And this will affect the others on the Fool’s Errand. You’ve kept us in fuel and arms almost single-handedly.”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you, Cally put a picture of my dining room sculpture out over the Database. She wasn’t going to sell it, just see what I might get for it. An Emirusian offered fifty-thousand credits.” He smiles proudly. “I can earn my keep selling sculptures.”
“See? Being handsy pays off,” I say, then kiss him. There goes that conversation, because we have way more important things to do like making use of that soft pile of furs for the next hour or so.
He grabs my hand and tugs me toward the pelts, both of us smiling and happy. I was right, being kidnapped by aliens was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. Well, no, that’s not exactly correct, being thrown into a cell with my strong, brave, smart Dax was the best thing.
The End
Dear Reader,
I had a blast writing Dax and Dahlia’s story, and hope you enjoyed it. My two favorite lines? “You’re at the finish line of a race I haven’t started yet, Dahlia.” And this: “I waited for you to catch up to my feelings once. Now I’m asking you to wait for me.” Awww, how could you not love this guy?
I’ve been busy writing in other worlds. Below is the first chapter of Thantose’s book—his will be book Two in the Galaxy Pirate’s Series. If you haven’t read Sextus, Book One in that series, you can check it out here: Sextus
Want to get all the latest scoop on cover reveals, book previews, and cool giveaways? Sign up for my newsletter here. You’ll also get Shadow’s backstory, Terminus. This is a free novelette.
“Pretty Please” Request for Reviews:
Remember, leaving reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub can make a huge difference for authors. I’m sure you read reviews before you decide what books to purchase. Your review can help people new to the Galaxy Gladiators universe decide to take the plunge and check out this amazing galaxy.
I love hearing from my readers on Facebook, or drop me a line at [email protected]
Hugs,
Alana
Galaxy Pirates Alien Abduction Romance Series
Book Two
By Alana Khan
Thantose Sneak Peak
Present Day
On board the space vessel The Ataraxia
Up to Now...
Several months ago, Thantose’s pirate ship rescued his cousin Devolose and four Earth females who had been abducted by slavers and slated for sale.
Two of the females are now in serious relationships with two of the males aboard ship: Tawny is with Devolose, and Lexa and Sextus are a mated couple. Carrie is still on the ship, hoping to find a planet that suits her needs.
Brin had been in alien captivity for a decade and was badly abused since she was twelve. She agreed to stay on planet Primus with Thantose’s mother (ahma), knowing she needed time to heal even though she’d made it known she wanted to be on the Tranquility with Thantose.
Prologue
Dear TT,
Can I call you TT? I’ve begun to t
hink of you that way because I spend so much time with your ahma, who calls you that.
She talks about you all the time and I feel like I’m getting to know you even though you’re a million miles away. Don’t worry, everything she says just makes me like you even more.
First, let me apologize for my behavior the last time we met. I took you by surprise when I asked to move in with you on your ship. It was so sweet the way you handled it. A lesser male would have rejected me outright or made fun of me or even punished me. You were so kind to talk to me privately and suggest I needed more time to heal.
I’m working in one of your ahma’s boutiques and learning more about Primian society. Your ahma is just as nice as you are. I’m so lucky to be here.
I hope you’re not too mad at me,
Brin
~.~
Brin,
I’m not mad at you. Please get that thought out of your head. You’re a fine young woman and deserve the best. I’m glad my ahma is treating you well and you’re adjusting to Primus.
Best,
Thantose
~.~
Dear TT,
Thanks so much for responding to my last comm. I know you’re super busy captaining your ship. I pray you stay safe.
Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you this, but I think about you every day, well, especially every night. You know I was abducted at age twelve and haven’t exactly lived a normal life since then. Maybe I should ask your ahma what’s appropriate, but that would be embarrassing. She’ll wonder why I don’t know these things already.
I remember the girls at school used to pass notes to the boys they liked, so I guess this is my way of doing that.
Should I tell you how handsome I think you are? The first moment I saw you and the doctor and Devolose walking toward me on planet Paradise I feared you. But you saved my life. From that moment on, I thought you were the most attractive male I’d ever seen.
I probably shouldn’t mention that I think of you at night. And maybe I shouldn’t tell you the things I imagine you doing, and the ways I picture you touching me.
If you write back to me, I’ll tell you all the things I’d like you to do to me.
Fondly,
Brin
~.~
Brin,
I’m very sorry you got the wrong impression. I do not envision myself in a relationship at any point in the foreseeable future--not with you, nor anyone else.
Please don’t take this as a personal rejection.
Thantose
Chapter One
Thantose
“Captain, incoming comm from your ahma. Want to take it in your cabin?” Marcus, the pilot asks as he hovers his hand over the transfer button.
I rub the back of my neck with my palm, heave a sigh and tell him, “No, I’ll take it here on the bridge. You’ve seen her give me drack for no reason before. Why not let you watch the fun?”
My ahma’s face springs to life on half the floor-to-ceiling windows ringing the ship’s bridge.
“Hello, T.T. You look awful. When was the last time you cut your hair?”
“Good to see you, too, ahma.” She usually doesn’t comm to chat. I’ll dying to see what she wants.
“I love you, T.T., I shouldn’t be overbearing.”
Uh oh, if she’s apologizing so early in the call this can’t be good. “What do you want, ahma?”
“You know my fondest wish? Well, my fondest wish after having your cousin, Devolose returned to us so many years after being stolen. You rescued him. I’m so grateful to you for that.”
I grind my molars. By the balls of Freyd, one thing is certain—if she’s flattering me I’m going to hate what comes out of her mouth next.
“My fondest wish, T.T. Guess.”
I haven’t been successful at hiding my annoyance since I moved out fifty years ago. It’s all I can do to keep my voice calm and steady. “Ahma, I have no idea.”
“Well, yes you do, but I’ll remind you,” She looks exasperated. “A hand-written copy of the Meris. You know I’ve wanted one. I’d hoped you’d snag me one as you plunder the galaxy in that little pirate ship of yours, but I’m still Meris-less. So, I’ll let you make it up to me by picking up a copy for me. I located one.” She beams at me, looking proud of herself.
I shouldn’t ask. I should wait for her big reveal, but I can’t help myself. “Where?” Hunching my shoulders, it’s as if I’m waiting for a blow.
“Why, on planet Virago! There are less than one hundred copies left in existence that are hand-lettered by Ivid herself. One is up for auction in a week’s time. I’ve been saving for this. I want you to buy it for me.”
My stomach feels as if I just swallowed a ten-dextan ball of lead. I knew this would be bad, but didn’t expect it to be this bad.
“How do you expect me to accomplish that? You know free males aren’t allowed on that planet, only slaves. I’ll pick you up and my crew and I will wait in orbit while you attend the auction.”
She covers her mouth and sustains a loud, honking cough for over a minima. Well done, Ahma, that was almost believable.
“I haven’t been feeling well, T.T. I don’t think I’d survive the journey.”
Ahma can be manipulative, but I’ve never seen her go to these lengths to get something she wants.
When I ask no more follow-up questions, she continues, “I know you weren’t planning on returning to Primus for another month, but why don’t you come now? Your wonderful crew…” she smiles and waves at my pilot, “Hi, Marcus. Can have a little time off and you can attend the auction in a two-person vessel I’ll rent for you.”
I’m a slow learner. I should have seen this coming from a million milles away, but I have to ask, “And who’s to accompany me in this two-person vessel?”
Marcus slides his glowing green eyes to me. He’s guessed ahma’s game and wants to watch my response.
“I thought you could pick up Brin here on Primus, you two could fly to Virago, she could pose as your owner and buy the Meris. It should be a quick in-and-out. It shouldn’t keep you from your important pirate business for more than five or six days.” She puts her palms up in a ‘this is easy’ pose.
“No.” I will not honor her scheme with an explanation for my rejection. It’s ridiculous.
“T.T. you know how long I’ve wanted this.” Her lips press tight, and her shoulders droop in disappointment.
“Ahma, we’re several days from Primus, we have a scheduled pickup that we can’t postpone, and I am not posing as anyone’s slave.”
~.~
“Sir,” Marcus comms me in my quarters three days later, “you asked me to let you know when we were an houra from Primus.
“Thanks.”
I glance around my cabin. Even though it’s a mess, I love this room. My crew and I have been plundering the galaxy for over twenty years. My favorite paintings, furniture, and figurines never made it to the cargo hold. I enjoy being surrounded by them when I catch a moment to relax.
There will be no relaxing today, nor for the next week. I love my ahma, she’s generous and kind and gracious. She can also be overbearing and intrusive. And she’s not subtle. It’s obvious she wants to throw Brin and me together.
Brin. I doubt she wants to make this trip to Virago any more than I do. She’s fragile. After what she’s been through, she’d never relish impersonating a slave owner. And I doubt she wants to be in my company.
When we rescued her several lunar cycles ago she was so meek she couldn’t look any of us males in the eye. She told the females about the hideous abuse she suffered at the hands of her previous owner. What appalled us all was she yearned to reunite with him.
Lexa went to school to study people’s behavior; she labeled Brin with a diagnosis. But you don’t need a degree to know that Brin isn’t ready to be in a relationship with anyone. She needs time to heal. Which is why she stayed on Primus with ahma rather than joining us on the Tranquility.
My crew and I were slated to ret
urn a month from now. I was hoping by then Brin could tolerate my decision that she not join me on board the ship as she’d requested. I was hoping she would have changed her mind and no longer want to be with me.
I expected my not accepting her thinly veiled sexual emails would be a clear message.
