by Rosette Lex
“Good morning. You should not attempt to get up on your own Sabrina,” the way Doran said my name sent thrills across my skin. His voice was just so delectable, with the slightest accent too that was vaguely Middle Eastern or European.
Doran was wearing a tight and thin blue hoodie and jeans. His feet were bare and his hair was loose around his shoulders as it fell in artful waves around his face. I was struck a bit dumb in that moment.
“Let me help you get up,” Doran said as he pulled back the blankets fully and offered his arm for me to hold.
He was so close that I could feel the heat coming off of him like a furnace. I touched his forearm and it was hot. Like holding on to metal handlebars on a bike that’s been left out in the sun all morning. Doran put his other hand on my waist to guide me up and I watched him with veiled amusement.
“I can stand you know, it’s just my ribs that hurt today,” I said and Doran walked me over to a set of double doors near the fireplace.
“Yes, but I don’t want you to get dizzy and fall over,” Doran said as he pushed open the doors and led me into a walk in closet that had a door leading into the bathroom.
“How did you get upstairs so quickly? It’s like you just appeared there,” I asked Doran calmly. In fact; I was taking everything about my predicament extremely calmly that day. Maybe it was because I knew my memories would be wiped and I wouldn’t have to accept any of it in the long run.
“I have the unique ability to move at the speed of light and virtually teleport. I heard you moving and came up to help you,” Doran walked me over to the sink and vanity counter and I winced at my reflection. I looked horrible, pale and like I had fallen off the side of a mountain.
“I need a shower and…a miracle,” I said as I cringed at the purplish bruises on my temple that disappeared under my hairline and the faint yellowing bruise on my throat.
“You are beautiful,” Doran said resolutely, as if it were a fact. Warmth spread through my chest then, and not because I was so close to the walking furnace.
“Um…thank you…I uh—do you have any clothes here? That I can wear?” I asked, my words coming out all tripped up and jumbled. I definitely wasn’t the smoothest person on the planet.
“I do have something you could wear. It will be big on you though,” Doran said with a small smile. When his face wasn’t so serious and composed. it was more handsome than before.
“Anything but this will do honestly,” I said and Doran left me to go into the closet. I took the time to use the toilet in the separate room. When I stepped out, Doran was standing by the sink with clothes in his hand.
“The sweater is oversized, but the pants are tight, well on me at least.” Doran smiled sheepishly and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“That’s alright, thank you for these though.” I walked over to him and took the clothes. He also gave me a pair of briefs. Doran left the bathroom slowly, his steps were halting and he left the bathroom door cracked as he went out to the bedroom.
I put the clothes down on the vanity counter and glanced around the room at the shower stall, it was tucked into the corner with nothing but a black shower curtain pulled aside. There was no tub and across from the shower was the sink and vanity.
Next to the shower was the room for the toilet. There was a small window in between the door and shower and I could see that it had begun snowing outside, small flurries.
I tried to sigh, but ended up taking a semi deep breath and releasing it on a stutter as pain sliced my chest. I started to pull my sweater up, but I couldn’t move my arms high enough without pain stabbing me again. I inhaled sharply and realized that I couldn’t get undressed on my own. There was a light tap on the door. Doran must have had heightened senses as well; he was so attentive.
“Do you need help Sabrina?”
“Yes please,” I murmured and Doran stepped inside the bathroom. He suddenly seemed bigger and possibly warmer than the last time he was in there with me. Doran stepped close to me and his hands went to the hem of my sleeve first.
I pulled my arms out of the sleeves and then he pulled the sweater over my head. Then, before I could track his movements, his fingers were unfastening my jeans. I froze, my breathing hitched, and Doran stopped. He tipped my chin up so I could look into his eyes.
“I won’t hurt you or touch you in any way that you are uncomfortable Sabrina. I promise,” he said solemnly and I nodded.
“Okay…” I whispered and he finished unfastening the jeans. Doran crouched as he pulled my jeans down, though he froze when his head neared the jointure of my thighs. I saw his shoulders and chest move as he inhaled deeply and his eyes fluttered closed. The room grew practically tropical and I tilted my head at him.
“Are you okay Doran?” I asked and his eyes flew open as he nodded hurriedly. I was kind of embarrassed though, I hadn’t showered in however long I’ve been out and there Doran was, so close to me.
“Ah…Are you fond of these?” Doran stood and pointed to my panties. I shrugged, my expression a bit confused and he simply ripped them off of me. Everything south of my belly button clenched and I gave a small gasp.
Doran quickly turned me around and unclasped my bra, but before it could fall away from my shoulders, I felt a chill enter the room. I knew he was gone. I stepped into the shower and was able to wash the important parts, but I couldn’t really bend down to wash my legs or my hair, which needed the miracle more than anything. I didn’t know how I felt about Doran undressing me, but him bathing me? I decided to simply rinse out my hair
Of course when I got out of the shower, I realized I needed help dressing too. The anger came hot and fast out of nowhere. I hated Angel for making me so incapable of doing normal tasks. For putting me into that situation with Doran and for attacking me in the first place. I no longer cared what Doran’s plan was with his Tristan friend.
I’d rather let Doran kill Angel instead of simply wiping his memory. They couldn’t wipe whatever sickness was inside of him that made him capable of doing the things he did to me; of the things he was going to do to me.
“Sabrina, do you need help dressing as well?” Doran was back at the door and I held the towel close around me.
“Unfortunately…” I mumbled and Doran walked in looking how I felt. Pissed off, he was actually angry on my behalf, not pitying or anything like that.
Doran took a deep breath as he held the towel, I dropped my hands and he bent down to dry my legs and then he helped me step into the boxer briefs. He never actually touched me with his hands on my skin and I was grateful for the barrier of fabric he kept between us. It kept me from having a complete meltdown.
Doran reached for the black sweatpants and I stepped into them. They fit like regular sweatpants on me, but I could see how they’d be like tights on Doran. He stood up and reached for the light grey sweater. His eyes never rose to meet mine though, they were on my breasts. When I realized it, of course, my nipples hardened and I saw Doran’s jaw start to twitch.
He licked his lips and I chewed on mine a bit nervously, though I couldn’t deny that I was aroused. Of course I was, Doran was a gorgeous man and he was looking at me as if he really wanted me. But he was too good to force himself onto me or even voice that he wanted me.
Doran snapped himself out of whatever train of thought he was on and he helped me get into the sweater. It fell to my knees and made me look small for the first time in my adult life.
“Thank you…” I said and Doran nodded once.
“I made some breakfast. I hope you like crepes?” Doran took my hand; his was as hot as a ceramic coffee mug.
“Yeah crepes are great,” I said as he led me downstairs to the main level of the cottage. The room was consisted of the kitchen, a small eat in area and a living room. I walked over to the small wooden round table and sat down.
“So did you…you built this place on your own?” I asked and Doran glanced at me from where the stove was.
“Yes I did, I eventually w
ant to make this place bigger, but for now, since it’s just me that visits only now and again, it is what it is.” Doran’s tone seemed a bit unhappy as he said that and I wanted to know more.
Chapter 4
Doran
“So, you come here to get away from things then?” Sabrina’s soft voice called my attention from the stove and I nodded. I could see the curiosity in her features, I was glad though that she no longer showed any signs of fear. I must have gained her trust when I helped her dress and undress.
Though her scent speared right to my very core, I did not act upon the raging mating urges that coursed through me. “What do you get away from?” she asked me and I slid the crepe that was cooking off onto another plate for her. I walked over to the small pantry shelves situated near the refrigerator and took down chocolate syrup and sauce.
While Sabrina was asleep, I made sure to refill the kitchen with food. I grabbed chopped strawberries from the fridge and broke off a couple of bananas from the bunch to bring it all to the table.
“Well, our Lord Commander started a logging company and that is what the other men and I do as a front to blend in with the humans. We do have our own small community in Keene like I’ve mentioned before, but for obvious reasons, it must be patrolled and we all take shifts doing so…” I hesitated and reviewed my words in my head.
Did that answer her question? After I placed all the food on the table I went to get utensils and cups. “Would you like some orange juice?” I asked and Sabrina gave me a small smile while she nodded.
“These smell really good, I wouldn’t have thought an alien dragon shifter could cook…” she said shyly as I poured us both some orange juice. I smirked and then chuckled at her comment.
“Well, I am exceptional at barbecuing,” Sabrina gave a surprised laugh that cut short and ended on a pained whimper. I was at her side in no time, but she held her hand out for me to remain at bay.
“It’s alright…I just…laughing hurts is all,” she said in between small breaths.
“I will try not to be too funny then,” I said solemnly and Sabrina looked up at me with mirth in her eyes, her expression changed to one of a person who is trying not to laugh. “I suppose, I am not doing a good job of it now,” I said and her smile grew as she shook her head.
“The more you try not to be funny, the more I’ll laugh you know,” she said with a short giggle. I smiled; the sound was bubbly and carefree.
“Okay, so I will try to be funny then in a way that comes across as awkward and not funny?” I asked to clarify and she nodded, her smile was still in place. “Good,” I said and then retrieved our orange juice so we could have late breakfast. It was nearly noon already and Sabrina had been asleep for a long while. Though she needed it to heal so that was good.
“Wow, I know eating this will be like my gaining another three pounds…” Sabrina murmured to herself and the way she said it made it seem as though she didn’t mean to speak out loud. Her cheeks instantly grew pink with embarrassment and I tilted my head at her curiously.
“Why are you so worried what you will gain from eating this?” I asked her and she sighed and gestured to herself.
“Well, isn’t it obvious? I should be dieting, not eating all this sugar,” my expression furrowed at her self-defeating tone.
“All that is obvious to me is that I am sitting across from a beautiful young woman, full bodied, yes, but that doesn’t take away from your allure in any way. Not to me,” I said resolutely and Sabrina pressed her lips together as a sort of response. I could not read her face, but I could sense she was affected by my words. “Since we are on the topic…do other men usually make you feel insecure about your body?”
Sabrina shrugged and then she sighed, she had been peeling a banana and stopped. “Yes, they do, I guess it was that sort of conditioning that made the comment slip out, I’m sorry,” she said sheepishly.
“You don’t have to apologize; you did nothing wrong. Sabrina if you don’t like the way you look, then you have the power to change it. Otherwise, to borrow a human colloquialism, fuck them,” Sabrina smiled then, a genuine, breathtaking smile that lit up her entire face.
“You’re right, fuck them,” she said with her smile still in place. “But don’t feed me too much fattening stuff though, I put on weight like it’s nothing,” I chuckled and then nodded.
“Alright that I can do, I simply thought you would appreciate some sweets after the ordeal you’ve been through,” Sabrina glanced up at me from slicing the banana onto her crepe.
“Thank you…you know I bet you’re a lot nicer than a lot of other people who hold hostages,” I looked up at her in surprise, I thought we had come to an understanding about that already?
“I told you why—” Sabrina’s lips turned upwards into a smirk, I sighed in relief and smiled reluctantly.
“So you get to be funny, but I can’t?” I said and she nodded with the same minx like smirk on her face. I had such a sudden urge to kiss her that I had to grip my chair to stop from doing it. Sabrina went back to her food and after a moment, I quickly ate mine before my hands could burn it. I needed to shift and take to the sky, all the pent up energy I felt would not lead to anything good if I was going to continue being around Sabrina, especially in such a confined space.
“Would you like to go for a walk with me when you’re done?” I asked her and she glanced out of the window that was behind her at the table.
“Is it cold outside?” she seemed a bit nervous, but it was bright outside and she had to know that I wouldn’t let anything happen to her?
“It is a bit, but I can get you something that will keep you warm, and I will be by your side the entire time,” I said solemnly. The cottage was situated in the middle of the forest; the entire town was there wasn’t any getting away from it.
“Well okay then…I guess,” she said in a small voice. I realized then that it was me she did not trust completely. Of course, she didn’t. She hadn’t known Angel long before he took her into the woods and attempted to rape her.
“We don’t have to if you are uncomfortable with it, I just thought some fresh air would do some good,” I said and Sabrina shrugged.
“Yeah, you’re right…this is silly, I mean Keene is practically in the woods too so I shouldn’t be afraid to take a walk in the middle of the day,” Sabrina said with a resolute tone.
“No, you shouldn’t. Don’t let what happened change who you are Sabrina. Don’t give Angel the power to promote fear in you,” I said and Sabrina’s gaze met mine steadily for a moment.
“I don’t want him to have that power over me…” I nodded my head and smiled.
“Good, it’s settled then. He won’t.” I said just as resolutely and stood to put the food away and clean up the dishes.
“Oh let me help with cleaning up, after you did cook for me,” Sabrina said and she slowly stood from the table.
“No, you need to rest as much as possible. Our walk will probably exhaust you. You can help me clean up once your bruises start to disappear,” I said and Sabrina smiled at me ruefully.
“Okay then, I can agree to that,” She walked into the living room area and sat down on the couch gingerly. I quickly cleaned the kitchen and then got a coat for her from my closet.
“This may be like a blanket on you, but at least it will keep you warm,” I said with a sheepish smile and handed her the brown trench coat. Sabrina took it and gave a short giggle as she put it on.
“Yeah, more like a tent. You’re a big guy,” Sabrina commented and I smiled. The coat did look like a tent around her shoulders, especially as she was sitting down. I held out my hands for her to take and helped her up.
We walked outside and only after I shut the door did I realize she held on to one of my hands and was holding onto it tightly. It was harder for her than she let on. I let her hold my hand and we started into the woods.
“So…um, where exactly are you from?” Sabrina asked me curiously.
“I am f
rom a planet called Voltaire, though me and the few of my kind that live on Earth had been specially bred for military purposes. There were fourteen of us in total with the ability to shift into any animal on any planet. We formed our own unique abilities after birth and this made us defective in the eyes of those who commissioned us to be made. So, after we were born, they stopped modifying embryo like us.
Then, when the fourteen of us were of age, we were trained and started fighting for the royal army. We were specialized for invasion missions since we could adapt to a planet instantly by shifting. But on one mission, our ship rerouted and crash-landed onto Earth. Half of our men were killed and only seven of us remain now.”
I gave her the full story because I realized that the more I spoke, the calmer she became and the lighter her grip on my hand got, not that it was uncomfortable in any way. I found that touching her cooled some of the burning need inside of me.
