by Shea Malloy
Table of Contents
About
1 Jillian
2 Jonnar
3 Jillian
4 Jonnar
5 Jillian
6 Jonnar
7 Jillian
8 Jonnar
9 Jillian
10 Jillian
11 Jonnar
12 Jonnar
13 Jillian
14 Epilogue
Preview: The Alien Commander's Baby
More by Shea Malloy
THE ALIEN GENERAL'S BABY
SHEA MALLOY
—
Copyright © 2016, Shea Malloy
All rights reserved.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are all productions of the author’s imagination.
Contents
About
1 Jillian
2 Jonnar
3 Jillian
4 Jonnar
5 Jillian
6 Jonnar
7 Jillian
8 Jonnar
9 Jillian
10 Jillian
11 Jonnar
12 Jonnar
13 Jillian
14 Epilogue
Preview: The Alien Commander's Baby
More by Shea Malloy
About
Tempted by an alien warrior...
Jillian Landay has clawed her way up from humble beginnings to a successful career as an interior designer. She's no queen of an alien planet like her younger sister, Megan, but she did have a handsome, wealthy husband -- until it all went down the drain over a year ago.
Love and relationships? Totally out of the question. She's not about to get burned again.
So why the hell is she pregnant for some arrogant alien man? Jonnar Dorayan may be the sexiest alien warrior alive with his intense, blue-violet stare and a scorching touch that sets her body afire, but he's not her type. Yeah, he's the father of her unborn child, and yeah, he did save her life. Twice. But falling for him? Never gonna happen in this galaxy or the next.
Tantalized by a curvy human...
There are two things Jonnar enjoys in life: fighting and… well, it involves a willing woman beneath him. Fatherhood was definitely not on his goal list, and if he had a choice, he certainly wouldn’t have chosen a prickly, stubborn human female as the mother of his child.
Jillian is nothing like what he’s accustomed to, yet her irresistible curves and astounding strength captivate him. He can't fall in love with her. He's no good for her and she's too good for him.
And once he's gotten them out of their dangerous situation, he'll have no choice but to let her go.
Glossary
Klar - king
Klara - queen
Paera - princess
Yena - lady
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1
Jillian
—
Jillian tightened her fingers around her glass and took a swig.
She wasn’t sure what the drink was, and the neon green colour hadn’t inspired much confidence in its edibility at the start, but it was tasty, and she definitely got a buzz with each sip.
She licked away the tangy sweetness of the drink from her lips and cast her gaze around the room. The party guests occupied a large, circular hall. While colour was sparse and polished metal dominated, the mauve-and-gold divisions between each equal section of the walls were a tasteful touch.
The walls were made of opaque glass that admitted light in the daytime, yet preserved privacy at night. Overhead, the transparent glass of the ceiling revealed a stunning view of the inky night sky, dotted with the bright lights of nearby stars. It enhanced the spaciousness of the room while warm white light cast a shine on the marble floors.
Because Jillian was an interior designer, a beautifully decorated room often brightened her mood. Granted, she could think of a few things to add to improve the starkness of the hall, but she conceded that sometimes, simplicity was best. Nevertheless, gorgeous decor or no, she wanted to leave.
She took a deep breath to calm herself. Varying scents of soft, pleasant fragrances lessened the antiseptic odour of the room, while melodious, jazzy music underscored the sound of laughter and conversation.
Her back straight and her eyes wide, Jillian held her glass against her front as if it were a shield. She hated crowds. Her sister knew this, yet here she stood, pressed up against the wall, enduring a going-away party thrown in her honour.
She didn’t know anyone here. Correction: she didn’t even know what was here. Save for herself and her sister, every other being dancing and laughing and behaving like normal wasn’t actually normal.
At least not human normal. They were all members of an alien race called the Dava, residing on this alien planet called Omaron. The planet’s king, Mikaal Ahrisi, was also of Dava heritage. Despite being a human, Jillian’s sister, Megan, recently became the queen when she married Mikaal. How they met in the first place was an incredible story that got better with each retelling.
Sure, the Dava people appeared mostly human. But one look at their strange purple eyes and the blood red markings marching up and down their arms made it clear there was something different about them.
Then there were the other beings that didn’t even look human at all: fearsome, blue-skinned, four-armed creatures stationed at every door. Mikaal called them Ahmenians and spoke highly of their protective nature and skill in combat. Jillian believed him whenever she eyed the lethal-looking spears gripped in the Ahmenians’ foremost pair of hands. However, despite her one Earth month’s stay on the planet, she’d yet to overcome her terror for them.
At least being in the presence of the Lutvian people was a breeze compared to the Ahmenians. She supposed her budding friendship with the palace’s Lutvian medic, Zezvar, helped. She’d long grown to accept his red, spotted skin and tusks due to his quirky, yet humorous and affable personality.
Jillian downed the remainder of her drink and set it down on a nearby table. Not for the first time, she watched with mild amazement as the glass dissolved into the surface, disappearing entirely.
Jillian shook her head. One thing she’d come to learn quickly during her stay on Omaron was that nothing stayed put and everything was likely to pull a disappearing act somehow or other. In her short trip, she’d seen stationary items vanish into the floor, hovering vehicles whizzing by so quickly they made her head spin, holographic communication, underwater cities, floating buildings, and most importantly, space travel.
It all defied the logic she was accustomed to for the past twenty-nine years she’d existed on Earth. While some things still bore a similarity to her planet, the technology on Omaron was far more advanced.
Her hands free, Jillian folded her arms beneath her breasts and wondered if she should head to the drink dispensary and order a new glass of neon green. Megan had been called away from her side some minutes ago, and the drink had been her remaining source of fortification against crushing anxiety.
Now her drink was gone, she wouldn’t survive standing around by herself. The urge to flee and call it a night mounted. But she couldn’t do that. Megan would be disappointed if she didn’t even try to enjoy the party. Jillian’s greatest fear behind the sight of a nest of spiders or bright yellow paint on a living room wall was being a
disappointment.
When she glanced in the direction of the dispensary, she felt a subtle, quivering sensation in her lower belly. She bit her lips together as a gentle frown formed on her forehead.
He’s here!
“Stop it,” she muttered to herself, or maybe the order was to her heart, which had picked up the pace at the sight of the man standing at the dispensary. She fiddled with her glasses, trying to stare at him inconspicuously.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he was dressed in a navy, militaristic jacket and charcoal trousers. The jacket fit him to perfection, highlighting his muscular arms and wide chest. His dark hair was cropped short, though the top was just a bit longer and stood on end as though he constantly ran his hands through it. His strength was visible, undeniable. Even standing at a distance and in profile, there was no disputing his handsomeness.
Like Mikaal, his straight shoulders and flat-footed stance easily gave him away as a man accustomed to being in charge, being in control. Yet unlike Mikaal, he made her skin hot and her insides shiver every time she looked at him.
Jillian knew she was being ridiculous. She had a crush on an alien man who barely registered her existence beyond a polite but formal greeting when in each other’s company. With a cool smile, he’d introduced himself as Jonnar Dorayan the day he came to collect her for her trip. But in Mikaal’s presence, he was a completely different man. Relaxed, jovial, friendly.
Maybe he had a thing against humans. But she didn’t believe that. After all, he seemed to genuinely like Megan. But who didn’t? Megan’s frankness and quick humour won over everyone. So maybe Jonnar was just like her: distrustful of anyone or anything he wasn’t accustomed to. Even so, his arm’s length treatment toward her was probably for the best. It only squashed her stupid crush into nothingness. Pursuing a man was off the table right now. Perhaps even indefinitely.
Jillian swallowed and blinked rapidly to ward off the bad memories surging in her brain like a destructive tsunami. Instead, she focused on Jonnar and the alien woman standing with him at the drink dispensary. Their body language suggested heavy flirting. The woman laughed at something Jonnar said and pressed her hand in an intimate gesture against his chest. A brief spark of jealousy burned within Jillian.
She stomped it out before it set afire.
—
“Dammit, Megan. Where are you?” Jillian mumbled.
She couldn’t stand a moment longer in this room. If she couldn’t leave the party, she could at least find somewhere more secluded.
Pushing away from the wall, Jillian weaved her way around the crowd toward one of the exits. She awarded a tight smile to anyone who greeted her with a respectful bow. Apparently, being the sister of a queen had afforded her this new privilege.
Avoiding eye contact with the Ahmenian guards at the doors, Jillian slipped past the open doorway and out into the night.
Relief surged within her the instant the cool night air ghosted over her skin. The sound of the guests and the music inside the hall grew distant and muffled. The silken sari—the royal female dress on Omaron—Megan gifted her made a rustling sound with each footstep she took. Night insects chirped their existence, and a sweet, floral scent floated on the air.
She found a large pool divided into two by a pillared walkway. Jillian moved to the edge of one side of the walkway. There were no railings to protect someone from falling into the pool. She stared at the water’s silky surface. It invited her forward, welcomed her to strip naked and dive right in.
“Well, if you don’t jump already, I might just have to push you in, Jillybean.”
Jillian jerked away from the edge of the walkway and spun around. She realigned her glasses properly on her face and smiled at the sight of her baby nephew in Megan’s arms.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Jillian said, reaching for Kelan. He waved his plump arms in the air and gave Jillian a toothy grin as Megan handed him over.
“If you think I wouldn’t, then I guess you completely forgot about that incident at the lake.” Megan chuckled. “But there’s no cute crush around to watch you do an epic face-plant, so what’s the point, right?”
Jillian looked up from nuzzling Kelan’s neck to glare at her sister. But she couldn’t maintain it beneath Megan’s infectious grin.
“You were such an evil little monster then.” Jillian smiled and shook her head. “I don’t know how I put up with you.”
“Right? Do you remember the time I wrote DEVIL on your Tina Barbie’s forehead and coloured her eyes red?”
“For the sake of preserving my love for you and not committing violent acts against you in front of your son, I’d rather forget that incident.”
Megan laughed and pressed a kiss to Kelan’s cheek when he mimicked her laughing by letting out a high, gurgling sound. Then he babbled to himself as he touched the curlicue designs on Jillian’s sari.
“Oh, please. If you’re so tough, why did you run away from the party?”
Jillian made a face as she roved her hand gently over Kelan’s soft hair.
“I didn’t run away.” She glanced at Kelan. His violet eyes—so much like his father’s—were shiny with curiosity as he prodded one of the half-circles on her dress. “Isn’t he supposed to be asleep?”
Megan gave a wry smile. “I thought so too, but this baby boy is just like his mother. He hates staying put.” Her smile turned fond as she regarded Kelan, the deep love for her son evident in her blue eyes.
A pang of envy coursed through Jillian at that look. She’d yearned to give a baby of her own a look like that, yearned to experience that special kind of love and connection only a mother could have with her child.
She’d been close… twice… and then not.
And then not. God, years later and those three words and the emotional baggage they carried still punched her in the gut with the force of a high-speed train.
“I left the party because I needed a breather,” Jillian said, struggling to steer her thoughts back to the safeness of the present. “Way too many people in there.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. But Suri loves throwing parties and she can be pretty persistent. I thought Mikaal was stubborn, but his sister is on a whole new level.”
A soft chuckle drew their attention. Self-awareness accosted Jillian as Jonnar and his acquaintance came to a stop before them.
“An accurate assessment, my Klara,” he said, amusement brimming in his blue-violet eyes.
“Oh my god, Jonnar, don’t you dare tell her what I said.” Megan laughed. “I’d quicker fling myself into space before ending up on Suri’s enemy list.”
“Fear not. I’m quite skilled at keeping a secret.” Jonnar smiled, the action like an invisible finger sliding up Jillian’s spine, making her shiver.
Then his attention swivelled, falling on her briefly before it settled on Kelan, who squirmed in her hands, reaching for Jonnar. He drew closer, occupying her personal space and crowding her senses with his alluring scent. Her self-awareness climbed at his proximity.
“Nnna! Nnna!” Kelan babbled, presumably to say Jonnar’s name. Despite Kelan’s attempt to launch himself into Jonnar’s arms, Jillian held onto him. His soft, tiny body was the only protection she had from Jonnar hearing her heart’s heavy thumping.
Jonnar smiled and spoke a few words in his native language to Kelan. Then his gaze rose to meet hers. Fully, directly, holding hers captive. Jillian forgot to breathe.
“Leaving so soon?” Megan said. Jillian exhaled slowly when Jonnar broke their gaze and the spell he had on her.
“Yes,” he said, returning to his acquaintance’s side. “I have an important matter to attend to.” His confident smile and the way he placed his hand on the woman’s back left no doubts as to what “important matter” actually meant. An irrational anger rose in Jillian. What an asshole, she thought, using my going-away party to find women to—
“Rest well, my Yena,” he said, looking at her again. Then he dipped his head in a parting gesture. �
��Until tomorrow.”
“Uh… thanks. You too.” Jillian gave him a quick, nervous smile. “See you tomorrow.”
She watched Jonnar guide the woman away until they turned a corner and disappeared from sight. When she turned around, she found Megan staring at her with a sympathetic look on her face.
“What?” The defensiveness in her voice rang loud and clear.
“Jillybean, you’re the most driven person I know. You worked your ass off to pay your way through college and you helped Mom and Dad pay for mine. You’re even paying for Karen’s. You started your own business and you’ve made it successful. You’re a major go-getter that puts my lazy butt to shame any day of the week.” Megan sighed. “But…”
“But?”
“But when it comes to your love life, you’re pretty lousy at taking any chances.” Megan paused. “Especially after Chris.”
Jillian pursed her lips. “Yeah, well, a love life is overrated, if you ask me. I don’t see anything wrong with spinsterhood.”
“Sure. Except we both know the truth. You’ve wanted Jonnar since the day you first met him.”
Jillian spluttered, her voice high. “What? I don’t—that’s not true,”
“You realize if you were wearing pants right now, they would totally be on fire, right?” Megan’s smirk deepened. Then it transformed into a victorious smile when Kelan let out a big yawn. He rubbed his eyes and flopped his head against Jillian’s chest, his hand roaming idly as his eyelids drooped. “But we’ll put this conversation on pause and return to it after I put my little one to sleep.”
“How about we put it on pause indefinitely?” said Jillian as she handed Kelan over to Megan.
Megan chuckled. “Okay, fine. But you know I’m right. Make way for this corny piece of sisterly advice, Jillybean, but you gotta take a chance on love, you know? Get back on that sexy horse and ride it good.”
