Knocked Up by the Alien Hottie

by Laney Kaye

  I doubted the males of any race had ever taken that comment as an insult. And, truth was, I held back. “I think it’s more that you’re tiny.”

  Her arms threaded beneath my armpits, her hands splayed across the back of my shoulders. Her eyelids fluttered, though a quick grimace flashed across her face. “You feel so good.”

  “But I hurt you?” Concerned, I started to withdraw, but she dug her nails into the muscles of my back.

  “No. I mean, a little. It’s more that I’m…out of practice.”

  “This is something you must practice?”

  She shook her head, a slight, sweet perfume lifting from her hair. “Just an expression, Tennn. It’s more that I’ve not done this many times before.”

  “What number is many, for a human?” I withdrew my yakeet almost all the way from her cunnusk, leaving it throbbing just inside her tight entrance. I longed for her to be mine alone. But I had no right to ask that, so instead, I sought to whip myself with the knowledge of her previous mates.

  Her cheeks colored. “Two. Well, four if you count…other stuff.”

  “Only two? They were life mates, then? Were they killed in battle?” If they hadn’t died at an enemies’ hands, I’d gladly kill them, even though my jealousy was ill-placed. My temporary mates had been plenty, but I’d never had a life mate. Never wanted one, before now.

  She frowned. “Battle? No, two…as in, I’ve done this twice. Total. Well, kind of thrice, now, I guess.” She shot a grin at me, her pink-cheeked shyness at complete odds with the fact that she tightened the muscles of her sweet little cunnusk around me as she spoke.

  Tension vibrated through my biceps as I straightened my arms, holding my torso away from her, so I could see her face. “You mean this—” I thrust my hips forward, savoring the delicious warmth as I sank within her. “This, you have done with only two men? Once with each?”

  It probably wasn’t the best moment for talking, but I couldn’t fathom what she was telling me. How had a man sampled her delights and left, while he still drew breath?

  Yet wasn’t that exactly what I must do?

  “Yeah, look, I’m not even going to ask your number. It will clearly end up being one of those discussions. And it’s sure to kill the moment. And, seeing as I don’t get to have many of these moments…”

  “I have no number, Stella. Crasasi take partners as they please until they find a life mate. Then there is no one else.”

  “So, some lucky girl gets you all to herself, eventually? And there’s your happily ever after.” Although her hips ground rhythmically against my slow movements, her eyes widening at every plunge even though I held myself in check, Stella sounded sad.

  “Yes. But no.”

  She lifted one eyebrow, then whimpered as my tail snuck between us, teasing at her bud.

  “Yes, I will be paired with a life mate,” I said. “No, it will not be this happy-ever-after of which you speak. Not anymore.”

  Her eyes closed, Stella pushed her head back into the pillows as she abandoned herself to the heat and sensation building between us.

  I kissed her up-tilted chin, keeping my movements within her slow, though I could feel her moisture flow, the lubrication easing each of my thrusts.

  Although I was taking my time, already her breasts heaved, dewed with sweat over the glittering trails with which I’d marked her. Her pouted lips were reddened and swollen with desire. “Not…any…more?” she breathed between pumps. “Why?”

  “Because I’ve found that which I seek, but cannot have. After this lunar cycle, I shall know no more happiness.” I lowered my weight, her hard nipples jutting into my chest as I sought her lips, stifling any more questions she might ask. Questions I could never answer because the truth cut too deep.

  She moaned into my mouth as I seized her hips, finally driving my full length deep into her warm welcome. Her ankles wrapped around my back, urging me on. Her hands locked around my neck, holding me close as her tongue tangled with mine.

  I moved faster, the exquisite suck of her tight cunnusk determined to draw the star-splash from me on each retreat, my yakeet eager to place it within her on each lunge.

  Her hips thrust up against mine and she keened with a hunger that matched my own. “Tennn. Yes. Yes.”

  This was different. I felt it in both of my hearts. I wanted her and she clearly wanted me, but we weren’t coming together for mere pleasure.

  It was more.

  Her back arched and she cried out my name as she reached for the stars, yet the wetness of sorrow stood proud on her lashes.

  And, though the force of the star-splash surged within me, desperate to mark and claim her, grief also consumed me, my hearts aching with emptiness. “Stella, my Stella,” I groaned into her neck as she shook and trembled beneath me. “Come with me, my love. I would show you the stars.”

  And I didn’t mean only those that surrounded us in the safety of our embrace.

  Chapter Seven

  Stella

  Tennn and I made love while the moon spun through its cycle.

  I knew I shouldn’t think of it that way, shouldn’t consider what we were engaged in as lovemaking. That could only lead to disappointment.

  But it was true. We orgasmed in each other’s arms countless times — scratch that, I was totally counting, but the number was so huge I had to wonder whether lack of oxygen had affected my numerical abilities. Sometimes we were wildly raunchy, trying things I’d never imagined — again, thanks to the Australian government for that porn ban — yet always there was an element of sadness, of melancholy that turned each moment into a tender sharing.

  My heart hurt so bad at the thought of leaving, I wondered whether Tennn’s felt twice the pain.

  But then, I couldn’t make sense of his sadness. If he was choosing to leave me at Daorheris simply to get his payment, why did he kiss me as though he’d never let go? Why did he map my face with his fingertips, murmuring that he must remember? Why did he trace every dip and hollow of my body with his lips and with his fingers?

  Finally, we lay entwined.

  I’d never look at spaghetti again without remembering how Tennn curled his legs and arms around me, as though he couldn’t get close enough.

  I jerked upright, Tennn’s heavy arm falling from where he slept with it across my breast, his hand possessively cupping my nipple.

  I’d never see spaghetti again.

  Well, not unless these alien worlds had their own version. But, realistically, chances were spaghetti joined a long list of things I’d miss.

  Including my sister.

  “What is it, my Stella?” Tennn asked softly from beside me. I hadn’t noticed he’d woken, and glanced down now to catch him flicking his inner set of lids closed. My stomach did funny little fluttery jumps, like it harbored butterflies. Or, I guess, some alien version thereof.

  “Nothing. Just thinking.”

  “As am I. Of what are you thinking?”

  “I don’t know. How different everything will be, I guess.”

  His fingers traced tiny circles on my arm and I shifted onto my side so I could follow the paths of his skin maps. The stars twinkled gold and silver beneath his pale skin, the trails tracked in rainbow shades across his ridged abs and down to his flat stomach. “You are right. Nothing can be the same,” he said.

  “I know my legs will never be the same,” I groaned. The ache felt good, though, like an after-gym workout. Not that I’d know from experience, but I was widely read and had a great imagination. “Crap!”

  Tennn shoved up onto his elbows, now towering above me. “There is more?”

  I shook my head and swung my legs over the edge of the high bed. Somehow, I’d have to find the strength to totter to the bathroom. “I just thought of something else I’m going to miss from Earth. Books.”

  “We have readers. Xander will show you how to use them.”

  “Will they have them on Daorheris? I mean, will I have access to them?”

 
Tennn heaved a sigh, his massive chest rising and falling dramatically. Two hearts; I guess massive made sense. All over. “In truth, I do not know, my Stella. I do know you will be much sought after, that the bidding will run high for a woman of your beauty. Especially a woman who is willing to breed with the right man.”

  “Hang on there, I’m not up for that!”

  “But you said you wanted children?”

  “Yeah. But that was kind of a between-you-and-me thing. Not with just…anyone…” My words faltered. Because I’d always wanted children, and I didn’t think I’d care who fathered them. But the thought of having them with Tennn had stirred something deep inside me. Was it because Xander said it was impossible?

  No.

  I’d imagined Tennn fathering my children before then. His strength and humor were all any woman could long for in a mate and father for her children.

  Even if he did have a weird job with probably zero prospects.

  I’d listened to plenty of country music, I knew love could surmount all. Well, except for the fact that he intended to dump me at Daorheris, and we could never have had children, anyway.

  “Stella?” Tennn had moved to sit behind me as I perched on the edge of the bed. He pulled me back against his chest, kissing the crown of my head as his hands drifted across my breasts, idly weighing. His long legs framing my shorter, stubby ones, his tail snuck around to the front, but merely stroked my forearm. “Tell me what I can do to make this better. Anything that is in my power, you shall have. I cannot control who your purchaser will be, but I shall get a reader for you and stipulate you may only be sold to one who condones its use. What else is there that would make you happy?”

  My chin trembled. Lucky I was facing away from him, or he’d think I was having some kind of fit. I couldn’t tell him what I truly wanted most of all, so I blurted the next thing on my mind. Which, for once, wasn’t sex. Apparently, satiation was possible. “My sister.”

  As soon as I’d uttered the words, the idea grew in my mind. It was probably because I was emotionally and physically exhausted but seeing my sister suddenly seemed the most important thing in my life.

  No, the most important thing that I dared ask for. Some things were too far out of reach.

  “I hate to be one of those whiny, sobbing women who confuses you,” I sobbed. Yeah, sobbed. Great start to the disclaimer. “But I miss my sister. I can’t believe I’ll never see her again.” Or Tennn. “Not knowing what happened to me will destroy her.”

  Tennn held me close, his chin resting on my shoulder. Then he kissed my ear. “Get dressed, Stella. Come with me.”

  All levity gone from his tone, he was suddenly assertive and businesslike.

  Numbly I showered quickly and pulled on the dress I’d discarded on the floor the previous day.

  This time, Tennn barely glanced at my up-thrust breasts. I guess he was satiated, too, and my silly whine had annoyed him.

  I dragged a brush I found in one of the deep drawers of the bedroom bureau through my hair, and then nodded at Tennn. His arms folded across his chest, a scowl cutting between his brows, he stood alongside the door.

  “Come,” he said, thumbing the keypad.

  As we walked along the corridor, he maintained his silence, as though he was deep in thought. He did take my hand, though, his thumb absently caressing the back.

  The walk back to the command pod seemed far swifter than our helter-skelter search for a room yesterday. A lunar cycle ago.

  Xander was nowhere in sight, but Yanno looked up from the control unit, his dark eyes flicking from Tennn’s face to mine. “Cap? Alright?”

  I hadn’t noticed before, but the older man’s tone seemed to hold a degree of compassion, the look he gave Tennn one of concern rather than condemnation.

  Tennn nodded shortly. “How far to Farisank?”

  “Three turns.”

  Tennn licked his lips. “How much fuel did we save riding the currents?”

  “Almost the full quota.” Yanno’s hands danced over the controls, I assumed checking the fuel situation.

  “Then we refuel in Farisank in three turns and offload the non-organic trade goods.” Tennn nodded as though he’d made a decision.

  Personally, I thought that had always been the plan.

  Apparently, so had Yanno. “As per schedule. Then stasis while in hyperdrive to Daorheris.” Again, his gaze flicked to me, and he lowered his voice. “Where we offload the live cargo.” Maybe he thought the translator wouldn’t pick up if he spoke low, and I wouldn’t be offended by being termed ‘cargo’.

  Nope and nope.

  But then his voice dropped even lower. “Tennn. I am sorry. But you know it is as it must be.”

  “I know,” Tennn agreed. “But first we return to Earth.”

  “What?” Yanno and I chorused, though I’m sure our internal reactions were vastly different.

  “Stella has changed her mind?” Yanno was on his feet now, stalking toward me as though I warranted closer inspection.

  “No!” I gasped. Though I had to relinquish Tennn, I still wanted to travel the stars.

  Just not alone.

  “I don’t believe she has,” Tennn lifted a sad smile at me. “But first, she would say farewell to her sister.”

  “You-you’d take me back for that?” I gasped. Wow, the previous guy I’d hooked up with wouldn’t even take me home early when I got food poisoning from a bad piece of fish at the local chippie. Not until he’d received his payment in blowjob form, anyway.

  “Of course, my Stella,” Tennn’s gaze embraced me. “I promised you I would do what I can to make you happier.”

  For forks sake, how could confetti be leaking from my eyes again? Seriously, it had to be exhaustion, or altitude sickness, or something.

  Or the realization that a guy — alien — this wonderful only came once in a girl’s lifetime. And I’d had my once.

  Yanno folded his arms across his massive chest. “Tennn, we cannot. We have a schedule. And our rations will not last the extra hop.”

  “We can take rations on at Farisank when we unload, but in any case, we will put the live cargo into stasis at that point. Then it is two lunar cycles back to Earth. With the xasa we saved using the currents this turn, we can afford to jump from Earth direct to Daorheris with the flesh market trade cargo.” Tennn’s arm encircled my waist. “We’ll still be within budget, but it’ll mean less of a bonus for you and Xander. I’ll make that good from my own pocket, though. In total, we’ll only be a lunar cycle behind schedule. For the cargo we are bringing, the flesh-traders will be content to wait.”

  “But what do we gain by this?” Yanno paced, running his hand across the tattoos below his fade. “Is it that you wish to lengthen the time you have with Stella?”

  “Yes.”

  Apparently, Tennn saw no reason to dissemble or pretend manly unconcern.

  Yanno shook his head. “I can’t allow this, Tennn. Two lunar cycles or twenty, I can see by the look on your face that you will not be done with Stella. Better to amputate the emotion immediately. Have this—” his hand drew an invisible bond between Tennn and me. Or maybe not so invisible. “Over with. You know your obligations. To your mother—”

  Ew. Mommy issues? Not sexy.

  “— and to your subjects.”

  “Wait, what now?” I gasped.

  “Tennn has not informed you of his identity?” Yanno lifted a dark eyebrow at Tennn. “Stella Carragher of Earth, may I present Tennn zet Uthvarian, heir to the throne of Crasasi.”

  “It is unimportant,” Tennn’s jaw was set in a chiseled line and he sliced a hand through the air to terminate the conversation.

  “I am sorry, my brother, but that is not so,” Yanno said, one huge hand clasping Tennn’s shoulder in what looked like a gesture of commiseration. He turned to me. “Tennn must take a mate of Crasasi blood to produce an heir to the throne. He has no choice in the matter.”

  “So…” Would it be presumptuous of me to put
my thoughts into words? I could end up with egg on my face.

  Along with Tennn’s star-splash, which marked me as his.

  I licked my lips and tried again. “So, you want to dump me at Daorheris not only because I’m good trade, but…because you have no choice?”

  Tennn’s face cratered with grief, his tone agonized. “I cannot find any solution to this, my Stella. I would renounce the throne to be with you but, with other worlds encroaching on our territories and our warriors forbidden to take up arms against them as we are bound by the treaty, Crasasi is vulnerable. The planet cannot be left without a ruling dynasty. Pursuing my own happiness would come at a cost to millions of other Crasasi, as invaders would seize rule of the planet. This, I cannot do.”

  I nodded. Of course, it would have been cool if he was willing to abdicate for me. There couldn’t be a much more romantic gesture than that.

  Well, except for turning an entire spaceship around so I could go say goodbye to my sister.

  “Refuel in Farisank. Then turn the ship around. Put the remaining cargo into stasis immediately,” Tennn reiterated quietly in the face of my stunned silence. “Stella, do you wish to return to your cabin?”

  I wasn’t sure what he meant. Alone? I squared my shoulders and tilted my chin to look up at him. “Our cabin, Tennn.” Hopefully, he didn’t expect royal treatment now. Aussies didn’t go much for standing on ceremony.

  A slow smile tipped his lips and he nodded. “Our cabin. Comm of the deck to you, Yanno. I’ll take over when we reach Farisank.”

  “I’ll handle Farisank,” Yanno said. He shook his head slowly and added softly. “Two lunar cycles, brother. You know it can be no more.”

  Two extra lunar cycles with Tennn. More than I could have hoped for.

  Possibly more than my aching lady parts could handle.

  *

  “Employing cloaking device,” Xander said cheerfully, adjusting Ol’ Grey on his lap as he reached toward the control panel.

  Just as well, as the sight of a spaceship hovering in my sister’s backyard, even though she lived on a dirt road at the edge of the town, would be enough to bring the local yokels running with pitchforks.