by Anna Hackett
Alexander shifted, sliding his arms under the wolf. He saw pain in the creature’s yellow gaze. “Don’t bite me, girl.” He heaved—damn, she was heavy—but he managed to get to his feet. He looked at Liv. “Let’s move.”
She fell into step beside him. “Thank you.”
They set off. With each passing minute, the snow was getting heavier and heavier.
The snowstorm slowed them down, causing them to struggle with each step. Freyja felt heavier than when he’d first lifted her.
Alexander gritted his teeth. He couldn’t see a thing through the wall of snow. Liv held an arm up and seemed to know where she was going.
Suddenly, his left leg went out from under him and he dropped down on one knee, struggling to hold onto the wolf.
“Alexander!”
“I’m okay.” He pushed himself back up, his muscles trembling.
“We’re almost there.” She leaned into his side, helping him.
Together, they staggered on. Every meter felt like a hundred.
“There,” she said.
He saw the shadow of a low building through the swirling snow. It was a long, sleek cabin made of wood, glass, and stone.
Thank God. He wasn’t sure he could walk another step, and he hadn’t wanted to let Liv down.
Chapter Four
“This was once a high-end cabin rental for luxury guests at the zoo.” Liv pushed open the door.
She hurried inside, switching on one of her lanterns. Then she grabbed a blanket off the couch and threw it over the large pallet on the floor that was Freyja’s bed.
“Set her down here.”
Alexander gently set the wolf down on the blanket. Liv raced into the laundry room and found her vet bag. She dropped down beside her pet and gently stroked her best friend’s fur.
“You’ll be fine, beautiful girl.”
Liv quickly slipped into the zone, pulling out a scanner and administering a painkiller. She’d stockpiled all the meds she could when the zoo had been abandoned.
“Can I do anything?” Alexander asked.
Throat tight, she shook her head. He’d already done so much.
The scanner beeped and she blew out a breath of relief. “Her injuries are nowhere near as bad as I feared.”
“Good.” His voice was gruff. He rose and moved into one of the armchairs by the fireplace.
Liv carefully cleaned Freyja’s scratches and put some antibiotic ointment on them. The drugs hit the wolf’s system, and she slowly relaxed. By the time Liv was finished, Freyja was resting peacefully.
God, she was still in her jacket. Rising, she stripped it off and saw Alexander had started a fire. It crackled in the fireplace.
“Here.” He appeared and helped slide her coat off. He hung it on the hooks by the door with his own.
By now, the wind was howling outside, and the snow was coming down in a heavy blanket.
“We won’t be able to go anywhere until the storm stops,” she said.
“This wasn’t in my plan.”
“Are you hungry?” She turned and saw him slumped in an armchair close to the fire. Lines bracketed his mouth and his shirt was covered in Freyja’s blood.
Ice spread through Liv’s veins. The wolf’s blood would have been on his coat, not on his shirt underneath.
She knelt beside him. “Are you hurt?”
“Just a scratch.”
She studied the slash marks in his shirt. Then she unbuttoned his shirt, watching as his big body stilled. She pushed the fabric open and hissed in a breath. He had two ragged slashes across his stomach.
She made a sound. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Didn’t realize at first.”
She probed the wound and he sucked in a sharp breath.
“Needed to get Freyja to safety,” he added.
Liv paused. He’d carried her damn heavy wolf, injured, through worsening snowy conditions.
This man who gave everyone everything and asked so little for himself.
Well now, she was going to take care of him.
“Up,” she ordered.
She wrapped an arm around him and helped him to his feet. They hobbled to the adjoining room she used as her bedroom. It had once been a living area, but she’d struggled for hours and finally brought one of the beds downstairs. The heat of the fire kept the chill from the room.
He dropped heavily onto the bed and she stripped his shirt off completely. Then she urged him back on the pillows.
“Don’t move.” A moment later, she was back with some clean water and a cloth. She started cleaning his wounds and he grunted.
“Let me take care of you,” she murmured.
He blinked slowly and nodded.
She only had drugs designed for animals, but she knew they’d work fine on him. She gave him a painkiller, and then spread an ointment on the scratches.
“This salve is a special blend that will aid your healing. It’s dosed with technology similar to nanomeds, just not as strong or as fast-acting.”
“As long as I don’t grow any fur.”
Liv laughed and he smiled at her.
“I hope I’m a better patient than your usual clientele,” he said.
“Well, you are better looking.”
Something hot flared in his eyes.
God, that had just slipped out. She went to move, but he grabbed her hand.
“I think you’re warming up to me, Liv Bergen.”
She snorted. “Any woman would get warm just looking at you, Alexander Erickson.”
“Really? Is that what you think?”
Her cheeks burned. Her mouth was really getting away from her tonight. “You must know that you’re attractive.”
He lifted his hand, his fingers brushing her jaw in a featherlight caress. “I’m not sure you realize how attractive you are.”
She made a scoffing sound.
“Golden hair, fresh face, independent, smart, self-sufficient.”
She swallowed. “Alexander—”
“Do you find me attractive, Liv? Have you thought of me?”
She wanted to lie. She wanted to pull away and hide from the churning in her belly, but she couldn’t look away from his blue eyes. “Yes.”
“I thought of you, too. Naked in my bed.”
She quivered. “You’re seducing me.”
“Let me, Liv. Let me seduce you.”
“You need to rest. You’re hurt.” She pushed off the bed. “I’ll make you some food.”
He smiled that sexy smile of his. “You didn’t say no.”
She shot him a look. “Rest.”
As she headed toward her kitchen, she couldn’t quite get over the fact that Alexander Erickson was resting half naked in her bed.
She paused in the doorway. “Thank you, Alexander. For carrying Freyja out.”
“You’re welcome, Liv.”
She turned away and hurried out before the last shreds of her self-control disappeared and she climbed in the bed with him.
Alexander woke after a good night’s sleep. He felt much better.
He shoved down the sheet and checked the wounds on his abdomen. They were healing quickly, and no longer looked red and raw.
The night before, Liv had brought him a stew to eat in bed. She’d turned bossy and refused to let him sit at the table or stand.
He rose now, pulling on his cargo pants. His shirt was ruined, so he didn’t bother with that. Thankfully, with the fire, the temperature inside was pleasant.
Glancing at the window, he saw the day was gray, the snow still falling steadily. He headed into the living area and saw Freyja lying on her blanket near the door.
“Where’s your mistress?”
Golden eyes stared at him. He looked at the long bank of windows. It was a definite blizzard outside.
Then the door opened, letting in a rush of cold air and snow. Liv stepped in, stomping snow off her boots.
“What were you doing outside?” he demanded.
&nbs
p; “We needed some more wood for the fire. What are you doing out of bed?”
Head still full of images of her lost in the blizzard or getting hurt out there, alone, he watched her drop the wood by the fire, then shed her outdoor gear.
“My scratches are much better.”
Liv’s gaze skated over his chest and abdomen, then she quickly fed some more wood into the hearth. “I have some bread and smoked fish, if you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving.”
She rose and set some food on the table, then motioned him over. They sat down beside each other and ate in silence. He watched the lantern light flicker over her face. Her cheeks were red from being outside.
Damn, he wanted her.
“The snow might scare the aliens away.” She took a bite of bread.
He hoped not. “If anything, I hope it keeps them in place until we can get out there to see what they’re up to.”
She pushed a loose strand of hair back off her face. “What if these aliens I saw don’t have this bomb?”
Alexander popped some bread in his mouth, chewed and swallowed. “I hope they have it. Then I can plan on how to destroy it.”
All three bombs had to be destroyed to give the human survivors any chance at life. A chance to rebuild their planet.
“I won’t lie,” he continued, “there is a part of me that hopes the damn bomb is nowhere near us.” Nowhere near his family, or Liv.
She fiddled with some of the food on her plate. “Even if we do drive the aliens away, the world will never be the same again.”
He grabbed her hand. “No, it won’t be the same, but we will rebuild something new. Maybe something better.”
“Are you an optimist, Alexander Erickson?”
“Don’t tell anyone.” He played with her fingers. Her nails were clipped short, and her hands weren’t soft. She was a hard worker, and it only made him like her more. “It’ll be tough work. We’ll need strong people to make it happen.”
She studied him. “It’s hard work leading the base?”
“I want everyone’s survival… But yes—” he turned to her, their knees bumping “—sometimes I feel the weight of all those lives, their well-being, resting on my shoulders.”
She touched his face, tracing his cheekbones. He held still and let her explore. Finally, she let her hand drop.
“We don’t match, Alexander. I’m older, I like my own company—”
“Excuses.” He grabbed her hand. “You want me, and I want you, but you won’t let yourself admit it.”
She tried to pull back. “I’m not what you need—”
He held on to her. “You have no idea what I need. That’s for me to decide.”
Alexander was tired of the fact that every minute of his day was dictated by others—the survivors, the soldiers, the aliens. He felt a spurt of anger and let her hand go. He rose from his chair.
“I still have some blood on me. I’m going to wash.”
She gave him a tight nod. “I think there are some clothes that will fit you in one of the guest rooms. I’ll find something for you.”
“Liv?”
She turned.
“If the invasion taught us anything, it’s that life is short and precious. We may not have more than today. Sometimes, I get caught up in running the base, catering to everyone there, and the fight against the aliens. I forget that we need to enjoy the time we have. I have to remind myself of that, and maybe you do too.”
She swallowed, but she didn’t look away.
“What we thought was right or customary, who was a good match, what was acceptable—that doesn’t matter anymore. All that matters is the here and now. All that matters is what makes us happy.” With a nod, he headed to the bathroom.
Chapter Five
Liv stoked the fire and looked out the windows. The snow was still wild and swirling.
They wouldn’t be going anywhere until the snow let up. The good thing was, the Gizzida wouldn’t be either.
She heard a splash of water and her mouth went dry.
Alexander was in the small, adjoining bathroom. He’d left the door open to let the light in. She’d warmed a jug of water by the fire for him. There was another splash and she imagined him running the washcloth over his skin.
She swallowed, her fingers curling into her palms. She wanted him. She wanted to explore every inch of him and run her hands down his body. Run her tongue over him. She felt a throb between her legs. She wanted to know if his cock was long and lean like the rest of him, or thick and fat…
He came out of the bathroom shirtless, with a towel wrapped around his waist and another around his neck.
The firelight danced over him.
Liv felt a lightning bolt of heat hit her belly and she licked her lips. “All finished?”
He nodded.
She walked past him, her hands itching to touch. In the bathroom, she tipped some fresh water into the bowl and cleaned up. She took her shirt off and ran the cloth over her skin, goose bumps rising.
She was so aware of the male just outside the door. She looked up at herself in the mirror, her gaze drawn to the strands of silver in her hair and the small wrinkles at the corner of her eyes. What the hell was she doing?
All that matters is the here and now. All that matters is what makes us happy. His voice echoed in her head.
There was a good chance that they might not survive the aliens much longer. She let out a shaky breath. The thought of someone as handsome and forceful as Alexander being gone… The wrongness made her insides ache.
She met her own gaze again. This time, she tried to see what Alexander saw—blonde hair, healthy skin, fit body.
He wanted her. Alexander Erickson wanted her.
Liv dropped the cloth in the bowl and turned. She pulled her shirt back on, but didn’t button it.
She reached the doorway and saw that he was still shirtless, sitting by the fire. He was staring hard at the flames. Then he turned, an electric look in his eyes.
His gaze traveled over her. “God, you’re beautiful, Liv.”
“You make me feel it.”
“Come here.”
Helpless to resist, she walked to him.
When she stood in front of him, he ran his hands up her sides, sliding inside her open shirt. Then he closed one hand over her breast.
“I want to touch you, Liv. Taste you.”
She nodded.
Satisfaction filled his blue eyes. He shoved her shirt off her shoulders and pulled her forward. Then his mouth was on her.
She cried out. His hot mouth closed over one nipple and she held his head to her. Heat. Need. They both stormed through her.
Then she was clawing at his shoulders. He growled and tipped his head back. She leaned down and kissed him.
Alexander groaned, taking over the kiss. His tongue stroked hers, the kiss deep, possessive, with no holding back. Liv forgot to breathe, and all she could do was kiss him back.
He rose from the chair, arms wrapping around her and lifting her off her feet. He didn’t break the kiss, kissing her with firm lips, his tongue plunging deep.
She moaned, feeling it everywhere—her nipples were hard points, her skin was hot, and heat coiled low in her belly.
He took two steps, then laid her down on the rug in front of the fire.
“I’ve wanted to do this for so long.” His voice was little more than a deep growl.
His words rocketed through her. “I didn’t know.”
He kissed her neck, raking his teeth along her skin. Then he peppered kisses along her jaw. “For a smart woman, you’re clueless.” He moved down again, tongue running along her collarbone, his big hands plumping her breasts together. He sucked a nipple into his mouth.
“God, Alexander.”
“Yes, I’ll be your god for today.” He kissed the valley between her breasts.
A laugh broke out of her.
He raised his head and smiled. “I love that sound. I’m going to make you laugh
more, Liv.”
“I haven’t had many reasons to laugh.” Even before the invasion, she realized her life had been…staid, settled.
“That is going to change.” He moved across to her other breast. The hot, hot suction made her arch into him.
He moved lower, tugging her leggings off. Anticipation made her shake.
“Look at you.” He moved his fingers through the damp curls between her legs.
Then he lowered his blond head. When he nipped her hipbone, she moaned. It had been so long since she’d felt pleasure like this.
Pushing her thighs apart, he licked her.
Liv made a strangled sound, gripping the rug beneath her. His tongue was relentless, lapping at her folds. She moved her hips, tilting them. “Alexander.”
She didn’t remember moving her hands, but now her fingers were threaded through his hair. Sensation roared through her. Oh, God, she was close.
“Alex—”
“Let go.” He pulled her thigh around his head, his tongue plunging deep. Then his tongue hit her clit.
Liv splintered apart, her broken cries echoing off the walls.
She came back to awareness, realizing she was on her back on the soft rug, blinking and sucking in some deep breaths.
Then she looked at the big, hard male hovering over her. Her belly tightened. His face was stark with need, his control gone.
Raw hunger and need roared through Alexander.
He’d always wanted a woman, a partner, one who would be his. A woman who saw deep inside him, like no one else could.
Now he stared into Liv’s blue eyes and felt a savage need to possess her. He knew that this smart, steady woman was his.
She’d be his rock, his foundation. Whatever life threw at them, they’d face it together. And he would spend his days making her laugh, making her feel loved.
He’d never fit with a woman before. He’d had fun and enjoyed them, sure, but he’d never felt like this. Like something deep inside had clicked into place.
The need to possess her, claim her, hit him hard. To prove that she needed him too.
She was rising to sit, but he shoved her back down. Her lips parted and he closed his mouth over hers. The kiss was hard, and soon, she was twisting beneath him.
