Snowed in with the Alien Beast

by Kate Rudolph

  She had to.

  He made it to the building and found his way in, careful to stay out of sight of any of the employees or other guests. The building was fairly tall for this city, about ten floors. Arest made it up eight and let himself in. Four doors lined either side of the hall and he counted carefully, recalling exactly where the flag had waved. And when he spotted the red piece of cloth wedged under the door, he saw that she’d thought of that as well.

  He knocked once and the door opened. Stella stood there in a robe, her hair damp and eyes sparkling.

  The most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

  Arest dropped to his knees in front of her as the door slammed shut behind him. He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her close, satisfaction rolling through him as she gasped and grabbed onto his shoulders to steady herself, her fingers digging in to his skin.

  He was still bruised, the aches and pains from the fight reminders of who—of what—he really was. But for this one night, he let himself forget. He placed kisses along the seam of the soft fabric, and made a sound in the back of his throat as he breathed in the scent of her mixed with some sort of soap that she’d found.

  The robe opened under him, revealing Stella’s soft, pale skin, and it was so warm that Arest just laid his cheek against her abdomen and breathed her in. Paradise. He’d never known it before, and all the simple pleasures had long ago disappeared. But with her, right here, right now, nothing could be more perfect. He’d trade his life for the rest of this night, and as long as she stood right beside him, he wouldn’t have a single regret.

  Not yet.

  He kissed along her waist, tracing where her pants had left a small indent in her skin. And then he moved up, though his tongue craved to plumb the depths of her hot, wet cunt. But not yet. Not now. This had to last a lifetime and there was so much he wanted to taste.

  His lips made it to her breasts and he kissed along the side of one and over, down in the valley between and on to the next, taking her nipple into his mouth and sucking, brushing his teeth gently against her sensitive skin and feeling triumph surge through his veins as she let out a throaty moan and sank down next to him.

  Arest pushed her back, laying her down on the plush, carpeted floor of their room. He had no idea what the rest of it look like and he didn’t give a damn. Stella was in front of him, laid out like a feast, and she was the only thing on this—or any other—planet that mattered.

  He spread his palm flat against her stomach and marveled at the difference. For a moment, he could almost remember what he’d once been, could almost envision his own tan hands before they’d grown claws and turned purple. But Stella leaned into him and placed her hand on top of his, uncaring that he could do her harm. She traced a finger over the two claws on his hand and a shiver went up his spine. He realized that it wasn’t a lack of care that left her laying there, completely unprotected.

  It was trust.

  WAS SHE CRAZY FOR LAYING here under him, absolutely loving the way he looked at her? Those blue eyes of his were lit with a bright inner fire and she could almost hear it sizzling. But there was something else there, too, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Something he was holding back.

  Stella walked her fingers up his arm, grinning as his muscles leapt under her soft touch. This man deserved some softness after everything he’d endured. And she was going to make it her life’s work to see that he learned to enjoy it. They’d figure out their tomorrows as they got there, but already they were turning into one hell of a team.

  His eyes shifted and she went up in flames as he lowered himself over her, taking one of her breasts into his mouth once more, his gaze never leaving hers, even as his tongue performed its wicked magic. It was Stella who looked away, who arched up and closed her eyes, biting back a moan that threatened to rip out of her. She hoped they didn’t have neighbors in this hotel because if Arest kept using his tongue like that, she couldn’t stay quiet for long.

  He played her like an instrument, his hands careful as he kept his claws in check, his mouth hungry and everywhere, tasting her until she was a pile of want and desperation who couldn’t remember her own name. All she could remember was his. “Arest!” she gasped as his lips found her sex, tongue tracing along her slick folds and teasing the stiff peak of her clit.

  She splayed her legs, thrusting her hips towards him, grinding her ass down, doing anything that would give her more. But her man knew how to tease. He kissed the inside of her thigh and down, then back up, giving her one delirious lick before kissing up her mound and over her abdomen.

  Languid frustration roared through her and she pushed him down and demanded more.

  Arest rolled his eyes up to her and gave her a look that only a devil could muster. “What?” he asked, ever a man of few words.

  “More,” she said, pressing lightly on his shoulder.

  He grinned and kissed her thigh. “More what?”

  She arched up, letting a leg fall to the side until she was completely bare to him. “I want your tongue on me,” she said, demanded, begged.

  Arest’s eyes burned the hot blue of flame and he took his orders, laying his mouth on her and bringing her to the edge and then over as she bucked and convulsed against him, gasping out his name and making promises that she couldn’t remember. He brought her down gently, kissing her thighs again and gently rubbing his fingers over her sex, sending shivers through the overly sensitive flesh.

  As he came up over her, she spotted the massive length tenting against his loose pants. And this time there were no monsters to stop them, nothing to keep her from feeling him inside her, filling her up and making her whole.

  “Pants. Off,” she said, pointing lazily with limp fingers. She could get used to his way of speaking, cutting out the unimportant bits until only her true desires remained.

  Arest didn’t waste any time, pushing down the flimsy material until he was bare before her. With a single kick, he tossed his trousers somewhere on the other side of the room. Stella didn’t care where they landed. She had other clothes for him. What he’d been wearing in the tunnels would probably need to be burned.

  She licked her lips when she finally saw his cock all proud and hard and hers. Here she finally recognized something undeniably human in him. And yet so big. If she had any inhibitions left, she might have been worried whether he would fit inside her. But right now, she was languid and wet and well pleasured. And she needed him. Now.

  She reached out a hand and took hold, stroking the thick length of him and admiring the heat. Arest groaned and fell to one hand right beside her, their heads only a hand span apart. His eyes had taken on a droopy look, half lidded with desire and focused completely on her. Stella lifted her head and swiped her lips against him, unable to resist taking a taste. He was so handsome and powerful and all hers.

  He reached down between them and she could feel the blunt head of his cock teasing her entrance. She covered his hand with hers and helped him guide himself to her entrance. He filled her up, inch by full inch, and she couldn’t keep from twitching her hips, desire making her a wild beast. She could live forever in this moment, take the pleasure and the man and leave the rest of the world to rot.

  Arest moved, plunging in and out of her with wicked thrusts, taking her with him as pleasure ratcheted up between them. She shuddered around him as she came, calling out his name and clinging to him in a desperate embrace. With a final yell, he buried himself deep and spurted inside of her, finding his release with her.

  Stella lay back and let her fingers play along her lover’s neck as he collapsed beside her, spent. She smiled at the ceiling, happy even after the hell they’d been through. She’d found something, someone, worthwhile. Someone who could see her and accept her, and maybe one day even love her.

  The best was right behind them. If she reached an arm up, she could brush her hand against the mattress that lay right on the floor on a circular box. But the carpet was plush and soft and Arest held her
in his arms. He was way better than some hotel mattress.

  The pleasure and the fury of the past few days crashed over her and she finally let herself drift off to sleep, satisfied that something had finally gone right and that they were almost home free.

  A few hours later, she woke alone.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  FOR A MOMENT, STELLA panicked. And then she heard the water running in the bathroom and saw the light coming through the doorway. She took a deep breath and tried to steady herself. Her body throbbed pleasantly from the work she and Arest had put it through, and she wanted him back with her for another round. A glance out the window showed a dark sky. They had hours yet until morning.

  But when the water shut off and Arest stepped out of the bathroom, he was fully clothed. He’d found the dark pants and top she’d managed to purchase for him and they hung a little loose on his frame. She hadn’t been able to find any shoes for him and the purple of his feet almost glowed in the faint moonlight.

  “You’re dressed,” she said, obviously. She sat up from where she’d been laying and pulled up a blanket that Arest must have laid over her.

  He startled as she spoke and the light in the bathroom cut off, leaving them bathed in darkness. Silence settled over them and stretched, crawling into and rolling around with every hint of self-doubt that Stella knew she had.

  “Not safe to stay,” he said quietly, no longer struggling with his words. Stella’s heart cracked at his defeated tone. He must have planned to flee before she woke up.

  “We’re not staying.” She tried to keep her tone calm but anger threatened to take her over. She’d survived hell with this man, let him inside her body and her heart, and now he wanted to leave without a word? She stood and let the blanket drop, somewhat satisfied when he drew in a harsh breath at the sight of her naked body. She scooped up the robe she’d been wearing before they made love and slipped it on, cinching the belt tight.

  “They’ll chase.” He stayed by the bathroom door, but his body leaned closer to where she stood and she got the idea that he was holding himself back by a thread.

  “So you plan to go off by yourself and lead them away from me, is that it?” He didn’t need to say anything, the bow of his head was answer enough. “If these people are as bad as you say they are, they probably have more than enough people to send someone out to find me, even if we split up.”

  His breath turned ragged and in the shadows, she saw his fingers curl into a fist.

  “I contacted my people last night,” she revealed. “I would have told you, but...” She glanced down at the blanket on the floor, her meaning clear. “Whoever your people are, they won’t come after mine. It would be political suicide, and it sounds like this organization of yours is heavily involved in galactic affairs. I’m not saying that they can’t get to us ever, but the safest, surest way off this planet is on a civilian fleet ship.”

  “And if they hand me back?” His whisper cut to her soul.

  “I won’t let them.” She wanted to reach out. He was lying to himself about why he ran, telling her it wasn’t safe, claiming that it was all to protect her. But in the end, he didn’t trust her people. And Stella couldn’t blame him. In the same situation, she wouldn’t want to trust either. “Do you believe me?”

  He stayed silent for so long that tears threatened to prick at her eyes and she almost told him to go. But finally, he took a step closer, not quite closing the distance between them. “You’ll try,” he said.

  “I want you safe.” She found herself stepping forward and her fingers cupped his cheek. He leaned into her, the soft stubble on his chin rasping against her fingers. “You said I was yours. Well, you’re mine too. And we’re in this together. Please.” She didn’t know what else to say. The risk was all his, and all of his paths led to danger. She was almost certain she’d get him safely off of Prellys, but they would face challenges once they got into fleet territory. But they’d face them together, and that was what mattered. There was power between the two of them, more than they’d ever have alone.

  Arest wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Stella went to him, her head resting against his chest. Lips brushed against her hair and in the darkness, she heard a murmur. “Safe.” And for now, she was.

  DAWN HADN’T YET BROKEN when the call came. Arest’s instincts kept him on high alert, and every few moments, his eyes darted to Stella and away. Like him, she wore all black, the clothes provided by a vending machine inside the hotel. Unlike him, she wore no hood. Apparently Prellys was a planet known to the civilian fleet and had a small human population among the natives.

  But Arest would catch eyes. And so he remained hooded and stood in the shadows. Around them, the town was beginning to come out of its winter storm induced slumber. Vehicles and robots cleared snow from the streets and sidewalks and a few people braved the cold, dressed in Marad’s answer to business attire.

  He didn’t see anyone that looked like his handlers. None of his trainers had looked Prellysian, instead most of them either human or Oscavian. But Arest knew they were here, he felt it in his veins.

  Two cars, one with flashing lights and an official looking plaque affixed to the front, sped by, horns blaring. Stella glanced back at him. “Police, maybe?” She shrugged and looked to the sky, watching for their transport.

  The hair on the back of Arest’s neck pricked and he swung his head back to follow the sound of the horns, but they’d turned away and the sound faded. He didn’t like this planetside bullshit and would much rather be sitting in the artificial confines of space.

  The horizon blurred in the distance and a small craft flew forward, getting bigger and bigger as it came close. Arest recognized it as a land to orbit vehicle, the kind common on large space ships. And it occurred to him that it was a bit strange that a civilian fleet ship was so close to this little outpost.

  “Where’s it from?” he asked. Words were coming easier and easier, though he doubted he’d ever want to speak in long paragraphs.

  “Honora Station,” Stella answered. “It’s an old space station, a bit of a hub for this area. I didn’t realize we were so close, but Zwill was there and he’s coming to get us.”

  “Zwill?”

  “A friend.” She said she had a lot of them, and Arest had to trust her.

  The vehicle disappeared from the skyline somewhere at the edge of the city, and Arest told himself not to panic. From what he’d seen, Marad allowed low hover on city streets, not outright flight. This Zwill would need to drive in from outside of town.

  The honking teased his ears and Arest looked down the street behind them. He waited a second and then placed a hand on Stella, pulling her down a small alley and crouching behind a half-wall that divided two properties. The cars they’d seen earlier sped by again.

  She looked at him, eyes wide and breath heavy. “Your people have probably been to the tunnels by now. They could be back.”

  Until that moment, neither of them had mentioned it. After his abortive run, they’d moved to the bed, making love again and sleeping like the dead. And when they’d woken, they’d had no time to worry, not with the escort on the way.

  Arest nodded.

  A vehicle stopped on the street and a door slammed. Arest laid a hand on Stella’s shoulder, silently keeping her in place as he strained his ears to identify the number of opponents and the likelihood of making it out of this situation in one piece.

  A bird chirped and he ignored it. But Stella shot up and dragged on his arm before Arest realized what she was doing. “Come on,” she said. “That’s our ride.”

  She stopped short when she saw the thing that stepped out of the vehicle. While it had two legs and two arms, there was no face, and simply a small antenna sticking up where an ear should have been. Under its dark blue jumpsuit, its skin, for lack of a better word, was gray. An android drone.

  “Zwill?” she asked tentatively.

  “The canary flies.” The response made no sense to Arest,
but the tension eased from Stella’s shoulders and she nodded, obviously relieved.

  “Too scared to come down yourself?” She grinned at the machine and spoke to it like it was a person, speaking through it to its operator, who sat somewhere on a spaceship in orbit above them.

  “Captain is... antsy. I think something is about to go down and you need to be gone before it does.” The drone stepped back into the car and took its place in the driver’s seat. Arest and Stella got in the back and the drone whipped around as if just seeing Arest for the first time.

  “Stella? What? Him?” For something without a face, the expression came through loud and clear.

  “Yes, him. Do you have a problem with that?” She leaned forward and laid a hand on the seat behind the drone as if she could threaten its driver.

  The machine gunned the engine and took off even faster than the vehicles they’d seen earlier. “It’s not a problem yet. Just... damn it. Don’t let the captain see him before we leave orbit. This is way more than repaying that favor.”

  She sat back and brushed a hand against Arest’s knee before settling back in her seat. “I know,” she said. “You’re a good friend.”

  SMUGGLING AREST ONTO the ship might have been difficult if it were a military vehicle rather than a civilian vessel. But the fleet was chronically low on cash and couldn’t afford the highest level of security equipment. Stella vouched for Arest, even as he kept his face averted from most of the crew, and then stashed him in her room.

  Honora Station wasn’t far, but she couldn’t keep him hidden for that long. She just needed to get them out of orbit, like Zwill suggested.

  Captain Kel Faragan was waiting for Stella in her office off the bridge. It doubled as a secondary communication hub, but only when the captain wasn’t busy. The older woman smiled when Stella walked in and got up to hug her. She was a human in her forties with graying hair and keen eyes. She and Stella had more than once shared stories over some smuggled moonshine, but Faragan wasn’t a woman to cross.