Naima: A SciFi Alien Mail Order Bride Romance (TerraMates Book 7)

by Lisa Lace

  “Yes, ma’am? How can I help you?”

  “I have an appointment with Alec DePort at two.”

  “You must be Miss Valsek.”

  “I am,” Sonya spoke with control. She didn’t want to give anything away, but couldn’t be sure how much Alec had shared with the rest of the company about the takeover situation.

  “It will be about ten minutes. There is coffee to your left and a restroom to your right, just down the hall on the left.” The woman smiled.

  Sonya nodded and walked toward the restroom, wanting to check her appearance one more time. She knew exactly what Alec enjoyed most about her and damn if she didn’t work hard to accentuate it for him. He was going to play hardball and she was just going to play him and with his balls if he wasn’t careful. She was a strong woman and would use her sex appeal as a weapon to bring down the man who thought he owned her.

  She walked into the bathroom and set her handbag down on the sink before leaning forward and checking her teeth. Her make-up was perfect, making her looking almost exotic and daring. Her cream-colored dress stopped mid-thigh and left a lot of leg to show. She worked out daily and her genes left her in pristine condition. The dress dipped into her breasts and accentuated the cleavage created by her bra. A small brown belt around her waist was pulled tight, the division line giving her a long sleek look while drawing his eyes to how small her midsection was compared to the deep curve of her hips.

  She turned and smiled. Her ass was Alec’s favorite part. Her dress curved beautifully in the back, her running sprints having given her a very feminine look. She hadn’t cared at all what she looked like before and probably wouldn’t after. As long as she was fit and healthy, everything else was useless cargo. Men would ogle as they always did, but it was a hassle and she quickly shut them down to save their dignity and her time.

  Today she would harness that power, that ability to draw in the man of her dreams and strangle the life out of him quickly. She licked her lips and turned, glancing down at her brown heels, the straps running gracefully up her calf and tying in the back of her knee. He would love them. If he didn’t, then he had changed dramatically over the years.

  She walked from the bathroom and glanced at the secretary as she moved from the desk.

  “Mr. DePort will see you now. Just follow me.”

  Ten minutes had turned into four at most. Looked like he was anticipating their reunion. She, on the other hand, was not. Slipping her bag over her shoulder, she nodded and walked toward the large door at the end of the hall.

  The view from all angles was breathtaking. Alec had always loved the outdoors much more than being cramped up. The glass window-walls gave a sense of being outside although she was trapped in the middle of a building. She paused at the door and took a soft, shallow breath. It had been a long time since she had experienced such a sense of anticipation and fear. Her heart beat so quickly that it felt as if it might burst from her chest any minute.

  The blond in front of her opened the door and stuck her head in. Sonya was left to stare at the back of the girl.

  “Miss Valsek is here, Sir. Are you ready for me to show her in?”

  “Yes. Thank you, Sandy.”

  The sound of his voice brought bumps racing along her arms and legs. Her stomach tightened and she slipped her facade in place. He would never know that he was the core of her fantasies and the center of the most delicious dreams she had held over the last ten years. He would never know that if love were to happen in her wildest dreams, he would be at the center of it.

  Everything changed two days earlier when he thought it would be wise to step into her life after ten years of nothing and think that he had the right or the power to take everything from her.

  He would have to die, plain and simple.

  Sandy held the door open and moved back. “He’s ready for you.”

  Sonya lifted her chin and walked into the room, her eyes locking on Alec as he moved from behind his desk to greet her. His suit was black and fit him beautifully. He had aged incredibly well. The boy that stole her heart and caused her body to drown in ecstasy was a man now, a very distinguished looking man. His dark brown eyes rolled over her as she stopped in front of him.

  “Mr. DePort.” She extended her hand, her eyes holding none of the emotion she felt. She wanted him to believe that she had forgotten him. That he meant nothing to her.

  “Please, call me Alec.”

  “As you wish.” She shook his hand and moved back, glancing at the small table beside his desk. The slight tick on the side of his mouth gave him away brilliantly. He was nervous ��� terribly so. She could smell the fear on him and it excited her.

  “Please. Have a seat and we can talk. I hope I didn’t surprise you with my request to meet. I assume you knew this was coming from some angle or another. I would suspect I’m not the only one with the desire to step in and assist Varetec in surviving, correct?” He spoke softly, but the strength of his position with his people bled through his tone.

  She sat down, crossing her legs and pulling out the packet of papers he referred to. She set them on the table in front of her and leaned forward, the top of her dress opening slightly. Sonya glanced up at him as he watched her closely. Lust swam in his gaze and she wanted to laugh. He was beautiful, but taking him down would be a delight.

  “That’s none of your business, but what is your concern is what we’re going to do about your offer.”

  “It’s not so much an offer as a demand. I have the funds to buy you out. I thought it appropriate because of our past to offer you the option to join me in this venture instead.”

  “Our past?” She rose her eyebrow at him and leaned forward. “Have we met before?”

  “Sonya. I know you know who I am.” He growled softly and her body reacted violently. He might be the enemy, but memories of how good it felt to be taken hard and fast by him washed over her. She laid the papers on the table and stood.

  “You must have me mistaken for someone else.” She shrugged and walked to the window near his desk. The edge of the bay sat just beyond her reach, its beauty leaving her wanting more than she came to get. “Tell me how we know each other.”

  He moved in behind her, his hands sliding up the glass on either side of her vision. His strong front pressed tightly against her back and she stopped herself from rubbing against him. He was perfect, hard and full of everything she needed to make her life complete. Too bad they were once again on opposite sides of the fence.

  She turned to face him as he leaned down, stopping just before pressing his lips to hers.

  “Don’t play games with me. It’s me who holds you in checkmate. You want to do this my way, we play fair. If we’re doing it your way, you’ll find yourself on your knees with more than you’re able to swallow.”

  She laughed and shrugged as if his words didn’t fuel a rage inside of her. He would never dominate her ��� ever. “Sounds fun, but I’m not in the mood for childish games. You’re not taking my company and the only one getting on their knees is going to be you.”

  Her nails punctured his chest just below his heart as she jabbed him hard, her teeth growing as a growl left her. He groaned and stumbled backward, hitting his knees and panting softly as he glanced up at her.

  “You bitch.”

  “Not much has changed. Good luck surviving that poison on my nails, lover. Don’t fuck with me again. My company will always be mine and no one, especially not you, will ever take it from me.” She walked to the table and picked up her purse as he began to convulse on the ground behind her.

  He was beautiful and all she had ever wanted.

  Too bad he had to die.

  Chapter 6

  “Hold on, Alec. We’re almost to the ER. You’re going to be fine.” Jared leaned over the top of his body as Alec opened his eyes, his heart pounding in his chest.

  He was in the back of a large metal box, the movement of being driven somewhere causing his stomach to turn. He licked at
his lips and groaned.

  “Where the fuck am I?” His voice was nothing more than a whisper.

  “In an ambulance. Just rest and we’ll have you taken care of in no time.” Jared patted his chest. Someone he didn’t know leaned over and pressed a stethoscope to his bare chest. He jumped from the chill and the man apologized.

  “Your pulse is finally rising. We thought we had lost you there for a minute.” The stranger smiled. “I have a sample of your blood being analyzed. We’re going to know pretty quickly what got into your blood stream.”

  Alec nodded, closing his eyes and letting the pain of Sonya’s attack wash over him. What would he have done if their situations were reversed and she was holding the cards to his future? The same thing most likely, but he would have at least kissed her first.

  He wanted to smile at the thought, but his lips wouldn’t respond to the dark humor lighting up his mind. She acted exactly as she should. He shouldn’t have been so naive. Something about her left him willing to open himself up in ways that he wouldn’t normally consider.

  “You still here, Alec? They want you to stay awake.” Jared squeezed his arm and Alec turned toward his Beta. The guy was far better of a man than Alec would have been.

  “Yeah. Just thinking about the mistakes I’ve made that nearly led to my death.”

  “Tell me what happened. Sandy said that it was Sonya Valsek, but I have a hard time believing a kitten like her could do this to you. Tell me I’m wrong and I’ll kill her myself.”

  Alec felt entitlement rise up and fill him. He growled softly as his eyes changed colors. “Don’t ever touch her. Ever.”

  Jared moved his hand back and lifted both of them as if giving his surrender. “Not gonna happen unless you send me her way. I’m just here to protect you, Alpha. Don’t shift in the ambulance. That would be bad.”

  “It was her. She’s as vicious as the demons of hell. So hot and demanding too.” He groaned and closed his eyes again before rubbing his fingers over her claw indentations on his chest. “I thought she had poison on her nails, but I’m guessing not?”

  “No. I would assume not, simply because you’re still with us. She tried to kill you?”

  “She could have killed me if that’s what she wanted. She threw a harsh warning my way. I’m fucking with her future and she’s never been one to lay down and take anything without the most delicious of fights.” He arched his back and let out a long sigh.

  “Keep talking to me. The hospital is just a mile up the road. We need you awake.”

  “Why are we going to the hospital? I’m fine. I just need to sleep.”

  “You need to stay awake, Alec. We need to transfuse your blood and get the venom she pumped into you out of your body. Even if it’s just a massive tranquilizer, we need to neutralize it. You’re not out of the woods yet.”

  “She was angry and I think a bit hurt though she hid it well.” Alec opened his eyes and tried to see through the haze. His voice sounded slurred, but he ignored it. “She acted as if she didn’t remember me. Funny…I’ve never forgotten her for a second.”

  “Old love affair, I take it?”

  “Yeah. Back in my younger days. She’s had my heart ever since.” Alec felt the world fading as someone shook him roughly.

  “Well, she’s going to have to answer for what she did. You can bring retribution on her or the council will, Alec. That’s a fight waiting to happen between her people and ours.”

  “I’ll fix it. She’s desperate for help and that’s something she’s not ready to accept yet. Varetec will be ours by the end of the week and she will be mine before this is over.”

  He groaned as the truck came to a stop.

  “No way. She’s not the kind of woman you want beside you. I know you’re looking for someone wild, but she’s too much. She tried to kill you for God’s sake!” Jared moved and Alec lifted his head to watch the doors near his feet open as sunlight poured in.

  “It’s not the first time and I’m sure it won’t be the last.” Alec smiled, resting his eyes and letting himself slip into the darkness.

  Sonya was exactly the type of woman he needed next to him. Now to figure out how to get her to stop hating him so much.

  The sound of beeping made his eyes open. The room was empty, for which he was grateful. He took a slow, shallow breath and looked around, realizing quickly that he was in a hospital bed. The various wires coming from his chest and arms were disturbing. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Just after lunch, but what day was it?

  He felt drained and itchy. Reaching up, he ran his fingers over his face before sliding them through his dark hair. Had she really tried to kill him? He growled softly at the thought. He wanted to pay her back, but the only images flashing through his mind were thoughts of him fucking her into submission, making her pay with her body for all she had put him through, both now and in the past.

  His body responded to the desire that pumped through him and he bit his lip, closing his eyes and letting the thought go farther. Sex was first for sure, but then mating and a family.

  A long dark chuckle left him. How sick was he to want her as his bride? The mother of his cubs? How many times would she have to kick him in the balls before he woke up and moved on?

  At least one more.

  “Are you awake, Sir?” The feminine voice pulled him from his fantasies.

  “Yes. What day is it?” Alec opened his eyes and barked out his response.

  “It’s Saturday, Sir.”

  “I’ve been in here for three days?”

  “You have. It’s good to see you’re gaining awareness now. That’s the first sign of recovery. I’ll have Dr. Phillips stop by and see you in a few minutes.”

  “Can I get up and walk? I need to go to the restroom and my ass hurts from sitting here so long.” He tugged at the wires as the pretty blond nurse moved toward him.

  “Of course. Let me just put the machine on pause and I’ll get you a mobile drip. Hold on one second and you can use the restroom here in the room and then walk down the hall if your legs will hold you up.”

  “Fine. Hurry.” He closed his eyes, slipping his hand under the covers to press his erection down. He didn’t mind anyone knowing that he had one, but it hurt so damn bad he considered letting his trip to the bathroom be one for multiple releases.

  “One moment, please.” She worked quickly by the sound of things. Her voice was soft and caring as she pulled the sidebar to the bed down. “You’re ready to move. Let me help you.”

  “No. Move back. I don’t need help.” Alec sat up and swung his legs around, standing up as if nothing had occurred. He was Alpha for a reason, his strength being the biggest proponent to his position.

  “My apologies.” She moved back and he walked to the bathroom, dragging the damn pole with various bags of fluids hanging from it. Sonya was going to find her punishment more to do with causing him to miss a few days of life than her deceit. He abhorred hospitals and wasting his time sitting on his ass, feeling like it was lit on fire.

  He walked out of the bathroom a few minutes later to stop in front of an older male bear. Brown Bear, from what he could tell.

  “I’m Dr. Mark Phillips. Glad we got you when we did. Take a seat and I’ll explain what was in your system. I am curious as to how it got there.”

  “I’m going to stand and it’s none of your business how it got there. Tell me what it was and then release me. I’m going home today. I have too much to do to lay around here another minute.”

  “Stand if you like, but you’re not leaving until tomorrow. The drugs in your system have to be flushed out. It was enough high-class tranquilizer to put down a herd of elephants. Whoever did this to you meant to inflict serious pain.”

  “Did she mean to kill me with it? Is it something used to kill with?”

  “I don’t know who she is or that might make this easier to answer.”

  “Answer my question. Did the person who used this on me mean to hurt or kill me?” />
  “Hurt. It wouldn’t kill you unless it was untreated for days and more was administered. She meant to hurt you ��� badly.”

  “Good answer. I’ll stay until this evening, but I’m leaving at ten. I have a meeting tomorrow morning that I can’t miss. Lock my records. No one but you, me, the nurse and Jared will know of this visit. Understood?”

  “As you wish. I’ll check on you in a bit. Try and relax if possible. If you change your mind about sharing who did this to you, I have people that can help bring her in.”

  “I’m going for a walk. I need to move around.”

  “Fine.” Mark nodded and walked from the room as Alec watched him. No one was bringing Sonya in but him. She would come back to him. He would force the matter by applying the appropriate amount of pressure to her precious company structure. It wouldn’t take much and she would be willing to beg. Oh, what a joy that would be.

  He smiled and walked out of the room, taking a right and moving down toward the small drink machine he could see at the end of the hallway. His ass was showing at the back of the gown, but he didn’t care.

  Modesty had never been a trait of his.

  He passed by a few doors before something caught his eye. A nameplate on the door beside the vending machine.

  Victor Valsek.

  No way was his luck this good. He walked faster, his legs protesting as he pushed himself through the sluggishness of the drugs in his system.

  Pausing at the door, he knocked softly until he heard a weak voice whisper, “Come in.”

  Alec opened the door and walked in before closing it behind him and moving toward the couch. “I hope I’m not bothering you. I realized whose name was on the door and knew I had to stop by.”

  “Not at all, son. My days are short and any company is good company.” The old man smiled and Alec could see where Sonya got her strong features from. “Why is a young man like yourself in the hospital?”

  “Funny that you should ask.” Alec laughed and took a seat on the couch before leaning back and studying the advertising tycoon. Something about Victor was so familiar, but it had to be simply because of his resemblance to Sonya. “Someone poisoned me yesterday.”