As the glowing orange ball in the sky melted into the yellow, orange, and pink horizon, the light of day faded, and a slightly cooler evening set in. Glittering stars watched over Earth, and Bas imagined one of those stars could be his Becky.
I miss you so much it hurts, and I’ll never forget you, but it’s time for me to move on. I think I’ve found a place… a home, and I hope you’ll forgive me, but I think this girl here with me could change my life. I don’t know how or when, but something about her feels right. I think my life will have a direction, a meaning. Something I thought I lost forever when you died. No matter what happens here, or with her, you will always be in my heart.
As he sent his silent, emotional words to the stars, the sounds of the night filled his ears. Engrossed in his efforts to open his heart to the universe, Bas jumped and his heart pounded when he felt a warm hand slide over his knuckles, closing around his fingers. He looked up into those crystalline eyes and followed them inside, up the stairs, into a cozy room with a soft bed, and into the strong arms of a beautiful, blonde siren.
Chapter 11
June 2031
Long strands of pale yellow silk fanned out over the white, embroidered pillowcase of a fluffy, feather pillow. A golden tanned arm stretched across the bed clutching the linen sheet in a tight grasp as gasping breaths and light moans caressed Bas’ ear. Cecily grabbed his buttock, pulling him tight into her body.
Biceps strained as Bas held himself over her taut body. A thin beam of morning sunlight streaked over Cecily’s chest, drawing his attention to her supple breasts. A forceful grunt drew his indigo eyes to her clear-blue gaze.
Swaying to a familiar rhythm, their two bodies joined, their breathing in sync. He thrust deep inside, hitting spots he’d found years ago. Like an old habit, a dance they’d performed countless times, Cecily hugged his shoulders as Bas sat them up, lifting her so she could wrap her legs around him.
Ceding control, he kneeled on the bed, leaning back on his hands as this Amazon woman rode him at her own pace. Over the years, he learned how to hold back until her body squeezed around him, ready for one final concerted thrust. And with that tell-tale signal, Bas braced himself, thrusting forward as Cecily pushed down on him, pulling simultaneous gasping yells from them both.
“Fuck me, Bas—”
“I think I just did.”
“—that never gets old.”
Together, they collapsed on the bed, causing it to screech in protest. Catching his breath, Bas considered staying… again. He’d been back and forth about the move for months.
Cecily and he hadn’t ever gotten serious about their relationship. He had his room, and she had hers. Each room had seen its share of casual partners, as well as of each other, and Bas wondered if he was really ready to give that up.
“Stop it.” Cecily slapped his glistening chest.
Bas caught her hand, kissing her palm. “Stop what?”
“You’re doing it again. You can’t keep second guessing this. Bran needs you.”
“Yeah… but I need you.” He rolled onto his side, looking down at her laughing eyes.
“You don’t need me, Bas. You know if you stay here, it’s just you sticking to the rut you’ve grown comfortable with.” She grasped his shoulder, giving him a serious face. “You’re a leader. The Freedom Coalition needs leaders like us to get shit done. We got Cali set. The group is big and our reach is long, but Bran needs you at his side to pull Washington together.”
“Yes, yes, yes. I know all that, but it doesn’t make this any easier. This has been my home for nine years. You and all the others are my family. When I go to Washington, it won’t feel like home. What if I get my strength from you and our group here? What if I can’t be what Bran needs?”
“You know damn well you are strong and capable. You don’t need us. When you showed up here that day, I knew you were the catalyst that would make this work. We were just a rabble of rebels flapping our jaws. You gave us what we needed—a swift kick in the ass. Now, get your sweet tail out of this bed, and get the rest of your shit packed. Lenore’s waiting for you to say goodbye.”
“She’s just a car, Cecily. A broken-down rust-bucket waiting in your parking lot for the earth to reclaim her.” A lump started to form in his throat. “I’ll miss the old girl. I don’t think Frank counted on her lasting as long as she did, but she was everything he promised she would be.”
***
“Well, old girl, it’s time for me to go. I’ll come back to visit from time to time.” Bas popped open the glovebox, and lovingly placed the keyring, with its ragged leather swatch and the single worn-down key, inside one last time. “We’ve had a lot of good times and been a lot of crazy places. You’ve been a loyal companion, and I’m going to miss you.”
“You talking to that car again, Bas?” Raul Jimenez, Cecily’s second-in-command, strolled over from where he’d parked his hog.
Bas got out and gently closed the car door that hung by one strained hinge. Sticking his hand out, he grasped Raul’s, giving it a hearty shake.
“Just saying my goodbyes. You’ll look out for my girls, won’t you?”
“You bet. I’ll blow the sand off Lenore for you once in a while, but you know Cecily don’t need anyone looking out for her. She scares the piss out of everyone she meets.”
Bas chuckled. “That she does.”
“That Brandon Hanson doesn’t know how lucky he is to get such a good man on his team.”
“Aw shucks, Raul,” Bas said, grinning, “you sure know how to make a girl blush.”
“Shut the fuck up and get your ass on the road.” Raul winked as he pushed past Bas, heading to his rocking chair on the bar porch.
The stout man had gray strands throughout his ass-length braid and his chest-length goatee, but he’d aged well. Cecily had enforced an exercise regimen within the group, for all those who were young enough to fight in battle, should the need arise. It hadn’t yet, but the time was coming.
As he shuffled over to where Cecily waited, leaning against Bas’ newer, black SUV, he filled his lungs with the familiar scents of fall in Northern California. Letting the air out in a long, deep sigh, he stepped into her space and pulled her into a tight hug.
“I’m going to miss you, you know. You’ve been my guiding light for a while now. I hope I don’t lose my way.” Bas buried his face in her silky hair, breathing in the patchouli scent of her shampoo.
“You’re going to do fine, Bas,” she whispered, her lips grazing his ear, before pushing him away.
“I guess it’s time then.”
With one last searing kiss from Cecily, and a quick man-hug from Raul, Bas got in his SUV and slowly backed out onto the road. He rolled down the window and waved at the small crowd of people he’d come to know and love as a family. Memorizing the faces smiling back at him, he reluctantly let up on the brake and rolled away from the best home he’d ever known.
The End
(For now…)
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Want to find out what happens next with Bas and the rest of humanity now that the Szu’Kara are here to rebuild Earth?
Broken
The Discordant Earth Series Book One
The gunmetal walls of the hallway tilted as they crept closer and closer. Struggling to grasp the news that should’ve made her happy, but in fact, scared the crap out of her, Alyssa Rose glanced back at the door to the prenatal clinic, her face ashen, wondering again if they could’ve been wrong.
“A baby? Really?” She slapped a hand against the wall to steady herself. “This can’t be happening. How is it even possible? He’s a damn alien.” Pulling in a ragged breath, she let out a little scoffing laugh. “Obviously, it’s possible… the test proved it.”
Alyssa took two unsteady steps, bouncing off the metal wall of the med pod, a converted shuttle pod. With a hand to her forehead
, she squeezed her eyes shut at a sudden realization. “Oh hell... what’s Kayn going to say?”
Glancing around to see if anyone overheard her, Alyssa leaned against the wall, sighing, her cheeks flushing as she thought how embarrassing it would be to have witnesses to her brief melt-down. With a shake of her head, she scurried down the bright hallway, pulling her knit sweater tight, the material bunched in her fists.
Do half-alien, half-human babies exist?
With trembling arms wrapped around her gurgling belly, Alyssa floated through the corridor on auto-pilot, passing the various medical offices of the med pod, the stifling air of the hallway threatening to choke her as she swallowed back bile.
The thin slash of a pupil stared at her—scrutinized her—as Alyssa held up her wrist to study the cat’s-eye symbol scarred into her flesh. Given only to favored humans, the loyalty brand represented the Szu’Kara’s home planet, Valentis, but for her it symbolized dreams come true, a fulfilling career and a relationship she’d waited years for.
Her fingers grazed the raised lines of the brand as Alyssa turned to go outside, the early morning sunlight warming her chilled skin. Long, wavy black hair hung down the sides of her face, blinding her to everything but that condemning eye as she stepped down onto the ramp, narrowly avoiding colliding with someone.
Two pale hands grabbed her shoulders. “Aly, are you okay?”
“Huh?” Alyssa looked up to find her best friend, Jess, staring at her. “Oh, um—yeah, I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.” Jess peered at her with concerned, hazel eyes. “You’re white as a ghost.”
Pushing Jess’ hands away, Alyssa forced a smile. “Really, Jess, I’m good.”
“Okay, then.” Jess shrugged, always so trusting. “I need to get going. My shift starts soon. You want to get together later?”
“Yes.” Alyssa blew out a breath of relief. “I really could use some girl time. I’ve been working way too many hours with Kayn and General Ass.”
Jess grinned, snickering at their nickname for General Ras’Mar, second-in-command of the Szu’Kara.
“You want to help me finish some decorations for the Arrival Day celebration?”
“Sure,” Jess said, as she brushed her frosty blonde hair away from her face. “You want me to bring some wine?”
“No! I mean... I can’t drink. Kayn has me on-call until Arrival Day.”
“Aly, you’re all pale again. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, sorry. Just tired from all the overtime,” Alyssa said, forcing a convincing smile. “I’ll call you later.”
***
Alyssa attempted to collect herself as she entered the reception area outside the commander’s office. She cleared her throat, hoping her voice wouldn’t come out shaky. “Isa, is the commander in?”
“He is with the general,” Isa said, in her smooth, cultured tone.
She leaned her hip against Isa’s desk, bracing herself. The beautiful alien regarded her with curiosity, her hairless head almost level with Alyssa’s, despite being seated. As she reached for a pen, Isa’s iridescent, ivory skin glimmered with a barely perceptible lavender highlight.
Like Alyssa’s loyalty brand, the large eyes of the Szu’Kara race were like a cat’s, but without the iris. They came in a range of stunning metal or gemstone colors, with the darker hues often concealing the thin pupil. Shimmery gold marbled the surface of Isa’s brilliant white eyes, which looked like precious jewels set in her elegant face.
“Do you need assistance, Alyssa?”
“Sorry, no.” Alyssa tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I need to speak with the commander alone. How long has the general been in there?”
“Nearly two hours.”
As personal assistant to the commander of the Szu’Kara race, Alyssa had worked with Isa on many projects. Although the Szu’Kara had been on Earth since she was two, working so closely with the commander required a deeper knowledge of the alien society she just didn’t have. Isa had been an invaluable coach, causing Alyssa to wonder, on more than one occasion, if her own position was more… superficial. Having acted as the official greeter when human delegates visited the Command Compound, she’d felt like set dressing more than once.
With a deep sigh, Alyssa stood, smoothing her black pencil-skirt. Just as she reached for the palm-scanner, the door swooshed open to reveal General Ras glaring down at her. She put on her most polite smile and stepped back out of his way.
“Hello, General.”
“Miss Rose.” His grating voice seemed to crawl up his throat with great effort.
“Anything I can help you with today?” She folded her hands in front of her, knowing full well how he’d react.
Ras continued to scowl at Alyssa with narrowed, silvery-gray eyes, which as usual, flashed with disapproval, and briefly, she pondered the length of that stick up his ass.
“No,” he said, jutting his chin out, the light reflecting dully off his grayish-blue skin, emphasizing the gaunt features of his long, triangular face. “I need nothing from you.”
Alyssa pursed her lips, holding back a grin, and rolled her eyes at an amused Isa as the general stalked away. Stepping into the office, she chuckled at the churlish general.
“What is so amusing?” Kayn’s baritone voice bounced off the cavernous office walls.
“Oh, uh, nothing, Commander.” In the office, respect was always required, regardless of any outside relationship.
The Szu’Kara were sticklers for propriety, although they tended to tolerate more from the humans they favored. Their own word, kara, loosely translated to mean elite, noble, or leader, depending on the context, and every alien born of the commander line received a name that included ’Kara.
Alyssa glanced across the office to where Kayn stood behind his desk with sunlight filtering in through the tinted picture window behind him, casting a halo around his silhouette. A large lamp shined from the corner of his desk, making his dark face glow, halting Alyssa in place, her heart skipping a beat.
“Ras amuses you.” The corner of his mouth turned up, a gleam in his eye.
With a quick shake of her head, Alyssa rushed to her desk in the corner of the dark office, feigning interest in a stack of files. She smoothed down the hem of her lavender silk blouse, tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, and steadied herself.
“Kayn, I have something to tell you. Is this a good time for a private conversation?”
Alyssa sensed Kayn’s presence at her back before his hand touched her shoulder, long fingers sliding up to caress the curve of her neck. Taking a deep breath, she turned to gaze up into his liquid gold eyes, mesmerized by their beauty as she considered how a baby would affect their burgeoning relationship. She couldn’t imagine not being able to touch his silky, steel-blue skin or feel his long, slender fingers sliding through her hair. The thought sent tingles down her spine.
Pull it together, girl… don’t get distracted. This might change things, but he still cares about you. He knows you’re a dedicated employee, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Alyssa dragged her almond-shaped eyes away from his all-consuming gaze, her pulse racing as nervous butterflies fluttered in her belly. Stepping back, Kayn seemed to study her like a treasured specimen, his sharp, regal features giving him a commanding presence that demanded respect.
“There is much work to be done, but I will allow a short break if it is important.”
“It is.”
“Shall we sit?”
“Yes, please.” Alyssa drifted to the sitting area across from her desk, hesitant with nerves. “I’m sorry to interrupt your day, but I have some… news I need to discuss with you.”
Perched on the leather sofa together, Alyssa turned to face Kayn, placing her trembling hand in his as he cradled it in his large palm, nearly distracting her again. “What do you need to tell me, my dear?”
Alyssa blew out a shaky breath. “I had a doctor’s appointment this morning.”
“It was at the prenatal clinic. I, uh, had a pregnancy test done. It was... uh.” Oh, hell.
“Yes?” Kayn’s face remained emotionless. Not curious, not concerned—not anything.
A lump clogged her throat, threatening to choke her, and with a gulp, she blurted it out. “I’m pregnant!”
***
Get Broken now and find out what happens next!
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I’m just a laid-back chick with eccentric tastes who loves writing, reading, music, horror flicks, crafting, and unusual things.
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I just want to say thank you to not only my husband and sister, who’ve encouraged me to chase this crazy dream, but to my friend Benjamin Phillips for helping me in the writing process. When I ask him to critique a scene and make it bleed with red ink, he never fails to deliver! His help and advice has improved my writing as much as my editor, Dave Arden. I also want to give a huge thanks to my family for their encouragement and enthusiasm, reminding me every day why I decided to follow this writing dream.
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