by Anna Hackett
“Nate,” she panted.
He tossed her on the bed, and then he was covering her with his hard body.
“Want you to come again,” he said, voice guttural.
She licked her lips. “Me too. I want you inside me.”
He pushed her thighs apart and the head of his cock brushed against her. She moaned. She gripped his shoulders, feeling the muscles bulging there.
With one hard thrust, he was inside her.
Ari cried out and Nate froze.
“I’m okay. I’m really okay.” She was so full. She clamped her legs against his lean waist.
He pulled back, and she felt all of those inches stretching her.
“You feel so damn good, Ari.”
“Fuck me, Nate.”
He slammed into her. She moaned, he cursed.
Then he released his fierce control and drove into her. His name was a scream from her lips.
“So tight,” he said between gritted teeth. “So sweet.”
Ari grabbed his taut ass, her nails digging in. She felt the bunch of his muscles as he thrust inside her.
Then she felt the rising pleasure in her body, her muscles tightening.
“Fuck.” His blue gaze was burning into hers. “Can’t…hold on.”
“I don’t want you to.” She scratched him. “This is good. So good.”
Her orgasm crashed into her and she screamed his name.
With another hard thrust of his cock, he jolted her and the bed. Then with a deep growl, he threw his head back and shot deep inside her.
Nate lay curled around Ari’s body. They were both relaxed, his arm tight around her middle.
Damn, she felt good pressed against him. He hadn’t had anything this sweet and soft against him for a long, long time.
“See,” she said. “We had sex and the sky didn’t fall in.”
He pinched her butt. “Smartass.”
She squirmed, but he could see she was smiling.
“It was pretty good,” she added.
He pinched her again. “It was better than good. It was amazing.”
She looked back at him and their eyes met. “Yeah, it was.”
His chest went tight, and unable to stop himself, he dropped his head and pressed a kiss to her mouth.
She had the sweetest lips and soon he was going deeper, his tongue lunging against hers. She made that small, husky sound that drove him crazy and his cock throbbed again. The damn thing wouldn’t stay down around her.
She tried to turn toward him, but he held her in place. He stroked his hands up her body and cupped her breasts.
She moaned, her sweet ass rubbing against his cock.
“Nate, I want you to know that I’ve never felt as safe as I do in your arms.”
Damn, this woman knew how to flay him open. He let his hand drift down to the hair covering her sex. He stroked between her thighs. She was still sticky from before.
“You made yourself safe,” he said.
“Yeah, but it’s nice not being alone.”
Nate was filled with the need to pleasure her again. This woman had been through so much, and she deserved the best.
He stroked her. “So wet, sweetheart.”
“Yes.” Her legs shifted on the sheets, parting so that he had better access. He found her clit and rolled it between his fingers.
She moaned. “God, I’m going to—”
She came on a gasp, her butt grinding on his cock. Nate pushed her onto her belly and rose to his knees. He shifted, covering her, sliding his heavy cock against her round buttocks. Then he slid lower and thrust inside her.
“Yes.” She threw her head back.
He cupped her sweet ass and covered her body with his. He pressed his face to her hair, thrusting into her with hard, steady drives. “God, I will never get enough of this. Of you.”
Her husky cries filled the air, her hands twisting in the sheets. “Don’t stop.”
Then her body clamped down on his cock and she came again. Her climax triggered his own.
As a torrent of sensation ripped through him, he bit down on her shoulder. They were both hot, sweaty, and sated when he collapsed on her body.
Knowing he was too heavy, he shifted to the side. She snuggled into his chest and idly ran her fingers through the hair on his pecs. Slowly, both their breathing returned to normal.
“I’ll never forget that,” she murmured.
Christ, she was beautiful. Her hair was spread out over the pillows, her cheeks pink. She gave a soft laugh. “We’re both sticky and need to wash.”
That made something in his brain click. Shit. His muscles locked. “Ari, I never thought about protection. I—”
“It’s okay, I’m pretty sure after so long, we’d know if we weren’t healthy.” A sad look flitted across her face. “And the aliens messed around inside me, so I’m not certain I can get pregnant. It’s fine.”
Pregnant. That word made Nate’s head spin. The image of Ari swollen with a child—his child—rocketed through his head.
She sat up, dragging the sheet up to cover her chest. “We do need to talk, though.”
The serious sound of her voice made him frown.
She tucked some hair behind her ear and swallowed. “I need to find the survivor base.”
His gut hardened. “No.”
“Yes.” Her voice was firm. “The bomb…I need to tell them. It needs to be destroyed or we will all be dead.”
“You don’t know that. Maybe it was nothing.”
“It wasn’t nothing, Nate. I know it in my gut.”
He scraped a hand through his hair. “It’s too dangerous to go out there.”
“It’s dangerous anyway.” She cupped his cheek. “I have to do this. I can’t let the aliens hurt any more people. On the off chance any of my friends or family are alive, I need to save them. And I want to save you.”
Nate shoved off the bed. “I…”
“Deserve to be saved, Nate. Deserve to live.”
He closed his eyes, pain and hope throbbing through him. But the thought of heading out there, back into the world, of joining the survivors…
He glanced at her. “I can’t leave here. I can’t fight again.”
Her face fell and she nodded. “I understand, but I can’t stay, Nate.”
Anguish flooded him, along with other emotions he didn’t want to examine too deeply. He grabbed his clothes, yanking them on.
He needed to get outside. Without looking at her, he stalked out the door.
Outside, he took a few steps, staring at the trees. He shoved his hands on his hips.
She was leaving. Heading into alien territory.
He felt so damn helpless.
He strode around the corner of the cabin, past the garden, to the small garden shed where he kept some tools. He shoved the rakes and shovels aside, and saw the small box that he’d stashed there.
Flipping the lid open, Nate stared at the small device inside. He ran his thumb over the metal, then he slammed the lid closed.
He couldn’t go back.
Chapter Seven
Ari woke and stretched. She was sore in a few interesting places.
Yesterday, Nate had come back—tense and broody. Ari had stripped naked and jumped him.
They’d spent the night tangled up in each other, using their bodies to communicate instead of words. Her belly warmed. Some of the things they’d done… She bit her lip. She’d ridden him on the couch, pressed close to the windows, the dizzying view right behind them.
But all she’d seen, all she’d felt, had been Nate.
His loving had gotten more urgent and intense as the night had worn on.
She knew. In her heart, she knew he’d been saying goodbye.
Ari bit her lip and felt the sting of tears in her eyes. Slowly, she forced herself to get out of bed and get dressed.
In the bathroom, she braided her hair and looked into the mirror. Ariana, trust you to fall for a battle-scarred guy you can’t
have. She could totally fall in love with Nate Caldwell, but he’d locked himself away from life.
She grabbed the backpack that she’d used when they’d first come to the cave cabin and carefully packed up the few items she had.
The door opened and Nate came in. She froze and his gaze dropped to the bag in her hands. His jaw tightened.
“Hey,” she said.
Blue trotted over to her and Ari leaned down to rub the dog’s side.
Nate dropped an armload of stuff on the table. “Got food for you to take.”
Her throat went tight and she managed a nod.
“Mostly vegetables.” He reached into one of the cupboards. “And I have some of the jerky I made.” He pulled out several small packs.
“Do I want to know what animal that’s made from?” She tried to dredge up a smile and lighten the moment.
“Probably not.”
She took the food from him and placed it in her backpack.
Nate pulled out an old-fashioned, paper map and unfolded it. He spread it out on the table.
“We’re here.” He stabbed a finger at the map. “The old Blue Mountain Base is here.” He moved his finger across the map. “The survivors went south. You should follow the roads, but stay off them. The aliens use them too.”
She nodded, the enormity of the task hitting her. Walking around in a forest filled with aliens. How would she ever make it?
But she had to. She knew in her gut that humanity’s survival depended on it.
“I’ll head south, and search for anyone who knows where the survivor base is.”
“Veer to the east. The Hawks go southeast when they’re heading home.”
“Okay.” She folded the map carefully.
Nate ran a hand through his hair, then he set a small box on the table.
“Take this.” He opened it and she saw a small weapon nestled inside.
“Nate—”
“You need some protection. It’s a laser pistol. Easy-to-use, not too heavy.”
Ari swallowed. He was still protecting her. “Thank you. For everything.”
That muscle ticked in his jaw again. “You know how to shoot?”
“Aim and pull the trigger?”
He made an unhappy sound. “I’d prefer you practice with it, but that’ll have to do.”
Their gazes met. He was so tense, emotion radiating off his stiff body. With a burst of movement, he cursed and strode out of the cabin. Blue whined.
Ari followed him and saw him pacing outside under a tree.
“Nate—”
He spun, his hands on his hips. “The thought of you out there, alone…” He closed the distance between them, grabbed her and yanked her in for a kiss.
She kissed him back, hunger flaring. He took a few steps and pressed her up against the trunk of a tree.
“Yes, hurry,” she panted. “I need you.”
Desire exploded, and they tore at each other’s clothes. Her shorts and panties fell to her ankles and he lifted her off the ground, pressing her against the trunk. He yanked his jeans open, pulled her leg snug around his hip, then thrust inside her.
“Nate,” she moaned.
He pistoned into her, hard and fast. “Don’t get hurt. Stay alive, Ari. You have to stay alive.”
“God… Nate.” She couldn’t talk anymore, all she could do was feel.
With a cry she came, her belly contracting, her hands gripping him hard. And a moment later, with a deep roar, he poured himself inside her.
“I’m ready.”
Nate turned and saw Ari dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, her backpack on her shoulders.
He felt as though claws were tearing into his gut. She was leaving.
“Remember, stay off the main roads. Follow along beside them in the trees. If you see any aliens, you hide.”
She nodded, a resolute look on her face.
He cupped her cheeks. “Damn you for being so brave, Ariana.”
She stroked his wrist. “Goodbye, Nate.” Her voice was thick with emotion.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her soft lips. “Goodbye, Ari.”
From nearby, Blue watched them with sad eyes, sensing the tension. Ari patted the dog. “Take care of him, Blue.”
Then she walked away from the cabin. When she reached the trees, she turned back and blew Nate a kiss.
Then she was gone.
He wasn’t sure how long he stood there, staring at the trees. He felt so hollow inside. A week ago, he hadn’t even known her. She’d exploded into his quiet world, turned him inside out, and just like that, she was gone.
His hands curled into fists against his thighs. Blue shifted, and when he looked down, he saw her looking at him accusingly.
Nate swiveled and picked up his axe. He strode over to the tree he’d felled the day before and started chopping. He hacked into the wood with every bit of force he had.
The sound of the blade hitting wood was usually soothing, but today, he couldn’t find any peace. Soon, he’d worked up a sweat.
In his head, he saw his fellow Marines. Ed and Tex, who’d been killed in an ambush Nate hadn’t seen coming. Arash and Marcy, who’d been blown up by an IED.
So many more good men and women gone. Good Marines he couldn’t save.
He brought the axe down and thought of his family. A part of him hoped they were alive, and that they knew that he loved them. He’d put them through hell, but he’d always loved them.
But with each slice of the axe, he knew that he couldn’t go back and change the past. No matter how much he punished himself, it didn’t change anything. His friends and family were gone.
All he had was the future.
He thought of Ari—her smile, her laugh, how she looked when he touched her.
“Fuck.” Maybe he could change the future.
All of a sudden, a violent explosion to the south made him drop the axe and turn.
His heart froze, his pulse pounding in his ears. He stared at the rising smoke.
The distant sound of gunfire rattled through the trees.
Ari.
Nate exploded into action. He sprinted into the cabin, shoved some gear in his backpack, and grabbed his carbine.
Then he sprinted to the garden shed, and opened the box with the beacon inside. He pressed the button on the device and shoved it in his backpack.
Next, he whistled for Blue.
Then, he ran.
Chapter Eight
The giant alien vehicles crashed through the trees after her.
Ari’s heart was pounding and terror filled her belly. She ran fast, dodging tree trunks.
Boom!
One of the alien vehicles fired a weapon. The trees in front of her went up in flames.
She shrieked and almost fell. Heat washed over her.
Stumbling, she ran to the left. The roar of a vehicle filled her ears. Through the smoke and flames, she saw the intimidating silhouette. The thing looked like a triceratops—a big, rugged body with three wicked spikes at the front of it, and more along its roof.
Ari swallowed a sob. Keep running. She darted to the right and just beyond the vehicles, she saw alien soldiers marching forward.
Shit. She fumbled for the laser pistol that Nate had given her. With a shaking hand, she lifted it and fired.
She thought of Nate. He’d been right. This journey was far too dangerous. She’d barely been gone an hour before the aliens had found her.
But anger spiked through her fear.
If these assholes thought she’d just lie down and give up, they were wrong. So wrong. Her hand steadied and she kept her finger jammed down on the trigger.
An alien soldier stomped closer, and Ari swung to shoot at it. It ducked the laser and rushed her.
Oh, shit. She stumbled backward, tripped, and fell on her butt. Pain shot through her tailbone and the alien loomed over her. It grunted, lifting its scaled weapon.
Sorrow filled her. This was it. She wouldn’t let them take her alive.
>
Nate. His face was the last thing she thought of. The weapon swung around to aim at her chest.
Suddenly, a large animal flew through the smoke. It slammed into the alien, and they crashed to the ground. She heard a growl, followed by sharp grunts.
Carbine fire broke out and her pulse leaped. Laser cut through the smoke, and a tall, muscular figure ran into view, firing his weapon.
An alien soldier fell.
Another one staggered, blood spurting at its neck.
Ari scrambled up, her heart in her throat.
Nate.
He fought with single-minded purpose. He held his weapon up, firing continuously as he swiveled, taking aim at any aliens close by.
She found her weapon on the ground and picked it up. She fired on the alien that Blue had pinned.
The alien slumped.
“Come on, Blue.” The dog ran to her.
Ari fought the urge to bury her face in the dog’s fur. She saw Nate toss something through the air. Was that—?
The object hit the ground, rolling under an alien vehicle. One second later, the vehicle exploded, flames tearing through it.
He appeared in front of her, his face set and covered in soot. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
He grabbed her off her feet and gave her a fierce hug, followed by a quick kiss.
“You came,” she said, voice choked.
“We need to go.” He grabbed her hand and they jogged deeper into the forest. They clambered over some fallen logs. Nate headed toward the thickest trees.
But she heard the aliens coming.
“Why did you come?” she asked.
“I wasn’t going to let those bastards hurt you again.” His voice was fierce, protective.
Her throat went tight. “Thank you.”
He glanced at her, and paused, pulling her behind a massive tree. “You’re important to me, Ari.” He cupped her face. “I can’t lose you.”
“I really, really like you, Nate.”
He dropped another kiss to her mouth, then tugged on her hand. “I really, really like you too.”
Together, they jogged up a hill, Blue darting ahead of them. Ari pushed through some ferns.
