by Stone, Piper
“Then why me? Why select a girl with nothing to her name?”
I could hear a level of sadness in her voice, as if she wanted me to express something I couldn’t comprehend. “As I said, I do not know.”
“Fine. I’m not just an object. We must fight whatever this... connection is. I refuse to be used as a pawn for anyone, including you. Perhaps you should just keep your distance to avoid this unholy attraction we share. That’s a good start.”
I grabbed her wrists, yanking her closer until I was able to wrap a single hand around both. “There will be no discussion on this matter. I will have you. Then I will punish you.”
“I want to care about you, Draziak, to enjoy this... connection.”
“You are special to me, little human. While love is unnatural, what my two beating hearts feel right now is something I never expected.” The admittance was difficult, as well as maddening. I couldn’t understand what I was feeling.
I allowed her to press her hand against my chest, her slight smile my reward.
“Two beating hearts,” she whispered.
“My body is frail like yours.”
As I tugged at her shorts, she glared at me, taking several deep breaths. “You are powerful and amazing, even though I have no idea why.” She finally moved her hands over mine, her breathing more even. “I’ll do it.” When she shimmied out of the hindrance, I drank in her beauty as I’d done before.
“Incredible.”
She was unlike any other female: unblemished soft skin, long shapely legs, and a mouth-watering figure. I cupped the back of her neck, barely able to contain the beast inside as I lowered my head, licking and nipping her skin until I reached her breasts.
“Perhaps this is what humans would call fate, little human.”
“You really believe that?” she asked as she arched her back.
I gave her a curious look. “There was something unexplainable that occurred between us years ago. While the interaction was established for all the wrong reasons, the event set the course for the electricity we share. Perhaps for a future.”
“Yet an event created by a madman.”
I chuckled darkly as I licked around her nipple, biting down for a few seconds. “Does it really matter at this moment? I can’t understand human emotions, but what I do feel is a primal need. Your hunger is increasing as well. Desire is still special to our kind, whether you can embrace the concept or not.”
She stared into my eyes, her expression softening.
“Mmmm... Maybe it doesn’t matter.” Annabella gripped my arms, her fingers digging into my skin as she rose onto her tiptoes. “But we need to find out what’s really going on. If that was an explosion, there will be more of them.”
“Agreed. We will find out what we are dealing with tomorrow.”
“Then what happens? I know you won’t answer me because I don’t think you have any idea.”
“Then we hunt, finding a way over the mountain range.”
“If we find this Scorpion and you are able to claim what belongs to you, then what? We live freaking happily ever after?” she threw at me, her jaw clenching.
Sighing, I thought about her questions. “Then I make plans to return to Tretonia.”
The quiet between us was palpable.
“And I go back to my real life just like I said,” she half whispered. “I’m scared, tired, and hungry. I don’t understand why I have visions that taunt me, yet I can’t remember anything but fleeting images and memories and they’re eating at me. I’m supposed to be your mate because of blood that was infused into my system. Nothing makes any sense. From what you’re telling me, the game the Scorpion is playing isn’t finished yet. I can tell you that with every human monster, whether they are of sound mind or not, they have a motive for everything they do. What score is the Scorpion settling with you?”
“I can’t answer what is not within me.”
“It doesn’t seem like you know a hell of a lot. I guess you can’t empathize with my concerns either.” Her words were hushed but said seductively.
I had my suspicions, stories that had haunted me almost the same way as what had occurred on Bellenia during my incarceration. My father had traveled to distant galaxies during his tenure as king. He’d been the one to warn me about the human race, as if he’d known firsthand. Yes, they were conniving in certain regards, but they were no real threat to our world, or at least they hadn’t been. Perhaps the Scorpion had known more than he’d been willing to tell me, an earlier visit here or possibly to Earth itself.
If I was right, Annabella had been watched from the moment she set foot in the camp. I lifted my head, studying her eyes. “I very much understand terror, Annabella. We will find out one way or the other what kind of game is being played.”
“This isn’t a game. This is life.”
I smoothed down her hair, wanting nothing more than to appreciate the kind of powerful and very raw emotions I detected within her. Sadly, I wasn’t human nor was I the kind of man she needed, no matter my intense desires. “Now, no more talking.”
A growl left my lips as I lowered my head, nuzzling into the side of her neck. The scent of her was even richer, more potent than ever. She was ripe, her face shimmering.
Her soft purrs were enticing and as I pressed a kiss against the side of her face, she shuddered.
“So sweet,” I murmured before capturing her lips once again. She tensed but fell into the embrace as I thrust my tongue inside. I was insatiable with need. I wanted to be able to comfort her, but I wasn’t programmed that way. Perhaps I was the primal beast the Scorpion had accused me of being, incapable of anything else. If that were the case, he’d already won the battle.
I smacked her bottom twice, enjoying the way my palm fit on her rounded buttocks. I issued a series of husky growls before engulfing her nipple. The moment I swirled my tongue around in lazy circles, she seemed to relax, no longer fighting the inevitable.
The taste of her was just as sweet, the slight tang of the water forcing my cock at full attention. When I bit down, she yelped, one hand sliding down my chest, rolling the tip of a single finger back and forth across my sensitive slit. I wanted her mouth on me, sucking, taking every inch of my shaft.
I brushed my lips to her other nipple, sucking with fervor until she cried out. I pressed one hand on her shoulder, pushing her onto her knees. “You will suck me, little human. Every. Single. Inch.”
Her lower lip quivered as she rolled a finger back and forth across my shaft, still studying me intently. While I longed for her trust, that was something humans didn’t give easily.
Then again, neither did the Volkodans.
My father would cringe at what I was doing, taking a human as my mate.
An image played in my mind, one that was perfectly clear. Her face. A dark room. And a cage. As soon as I’d envisioned it, the vision was gone, but I was beginning to remember what had been done to me—to us.
The game was sick indeed.
She licked down the underside of my cock, darted the tip around my testicles. I kept tight hold of her hair, forced to take deep breaths almost immediately from her touch alone. She could have no way of knowing how she ignited every cell. I closed my eyes, pushing aside everything but the moment.
When she wrapped her hand around my balls, squeezing then rolling them in her long fingers, I rolled onto the balls of my feet, growling like the monster she’d claimed me to be. “Suck. Me.”
Her taunting continued as she sucked one ball sac then the other, her tongue darting back and forth. A quick jerk of her head and she obeyed, opening her mouth as she took my cockhead just inside. The power of her jaw muscles was intense, sending another wave of heat coursing through my body.
She sucked fervently, the sounds floating between us. I was breathless, my chest rising and falling as my heart raced. As she took another inch then another, I fell into a beautiful lull, tangling my fingers in her disheveled strands, cupping her face with my other hand. I
took full control, fucking her mouth in hard and even thrusts, as she moaned around the thick invasion.
I wanted her to taste me, to have my cum sliding down the back of her throat. I pumped brutally, issuing several guttural sounds. I couldn’t seem to get enough.
When the tip hit the back of her throat, I held her in position, savoring the way her tongue continued to flick back and forth. “You’re going to take every drop.” I opened my eyes to see her staring at me, her pupils dilated.
She dropped her arms, surrendering totally. I was so close to the edge, my control slipping. As I began to face fuck her, driving in long and even strokes, she slid her hands to my legs, caressing gently. I wasted no time, driving into her perfectly shaped mouth in vigorous thrusts, my balls hitting just under her chin from the ferocity. The feel of her wet tongue was too much to take.
There was no holding back, my vision clouded as a primal roar erupted from my throat. I filled her mouth with seed, relishing in the moment as if I’d conquered her.
My mate.
My prisoner.
My...
I couldn’t fathom the words that suddenly raced through my mind. Maybe I’d learned something from being around the humans after all. I was required by all that was instilled in me to protect her, but there was more.
And I was shaken by the realization.
The moment my body stopped shaking, I pulled away, confused as to my reaction. When I reached the back window, glaring at the ugliness the piece of wood gave as a view, I tried to control my breathing.
And what humans called emotions.
Exhaustion settled in, the weakness troubling me. I needed recuperation.
“Try and find clothing of some kind and perhaps food. We will rest tonight. Tomorrow, we will make our move.”
“Our move. You make this sound like I have any idea what you are talking about. Just tell me the Scorpion’s real name, Draziak. Maybe that will allow me to remember what is obviously needed in order to help us.”
Her words made sense and as I nodded more to myself than to the lovely woman who sparked the rawness buried within, I finally said his name out loud for the first time since my incarceration. “His full name is Sampson O’Rourke.” Another wretched series of visions floated into my mind, ones that were easy to remember.
The death of my men.
The room in which I’d been shackled.
And the woman’s beautiful face.
While I hadn’t expected any recognition or reaction from her, the subtle yet powerful moan allowed me to process what I’d already come to accept.
We had known each other before.
We’d been forced together in a carnal manner.
And Sampson had made certain we would find a way back to each other.
Chapter Twelve
Annabella
There was no radical transformation, no vibrant memories shifting into the forefront of my mind, but I recognized the name. Now the Scorpion had a true identity. What I couldn’t grasp was why it was so unsettling, yet a cold chill shifted into every extremity.
The bastard had been a part of my life at another time.
Draziak had walked away without another word, leaving me alone. I didn’t try to stop him, nor did I follow. At least he’d removed a few additional pieces of plywood, allowing light into the other rooms. Now he remained outside, gathering whatever edible fruits he could find. I watched as he headed into the jungle, the last remnants of the rainstorm giving way to a glimmer of late afternoon sun. It would be dark soon, the time of day I hated the most. Even now, being alone continued to give me an eerie feeling, as if we were being watched.
I rubbed my arms, turning away, trying to find whatever courage I might have left hiding inside of me. Facing the ugly reality that I’d been a part of a vicious game for years was difficult enough. Being told I belonged to an alien was... a laugh bubbled from my throat, a warm flush riding my cheeks. Even thinking about the brawny man was exciting, my nipples hardening. This time, the electricity shooting through me began to infuriate what was left of my rational mind. I was allowed to choose who I wanted to be with.
The thought was nothing more than the byproduct of sheer exhaustion.
As I walked into the single bedroom, a gnawing shifted into my gut. I’d also been inside this building. I could swear it. Everything about this location was familiar in far too many ways.
What had drawn me into the water? My mind’s desperate need to recollect a missing portion of my life? There was no other reasonable explanation.
That much I’d been able to determine. Months had vanished, as if they hadn’t occurred. I was now able to pinpoint the moment I began to remember very vivid details. A single phone call, an offer of another long-term internship that paid enough that I was able to get an apartment, but not enough to live on. Everything immediately before that was spotty, except for a single argument with...
Stephen Myers.
A sickening feeling pooled into my stomach, my head aching as at least one memory became clear in my mind.
I’d been standing in his office, doing what I did best, being sarcastic. I was able to remember we’d been arguing. Then the job offer was the next cognizant memory. Damn this place. Damn everything that had occurred. I wasn’t a lab rat. I refused to be a bit player in a horrible game. Whatever Draziak’s plan was, I had to place my trust in him.
I rubbed my aching temple, fighting to remember anything else. Maybe I was trying too hard.
As I studied the sparse room, the same horrific feeling of revulsion settled in. Stephen had brought me here on purpose. I wrung my hands before wiping grime from my face, more exasperated than ever.
Butterflies remained in my stomach as I located some stored away clothing for both of us. There was little else in the way of necessities, except for a few cans of food and a bottle of wine. Those I’d found first. The most precious acquisition of all were several jugs of spring water. I was filthy, chilled to the bone, and completely on edge, my thoughts drifting all over the place. At least I could wipe away some of the dirt.
There was significant anger as well as sadness in Draziak, as if what he was working so hard to achieve wasn’t obtainable. I walked into the small bathroom, studying my reflection in the hazy mirror. I looked exactly like I felt, like shit. I was lucky to find fresh towels as well as soap. While scrubbing away the filth of the day would make my mind feel better, there was no immediate repair for my emotions in sight.
I cared about the alien. Admitting it was profound on several levels. I was his prisoner, yet the gentle beast hidden inside the savage exterior was profoundly human, even loving.
After peeling away the wet clothing, I took a step back, brushing my fingers down the side of my neck to the scratches on my arms. I was battered and bruised, but as I held my hand into the light, I marveled once again at his abilities to heal me. I could only wonder what other attributes he’d kept hidden, secrets that had likely kept him alive.
I poured a basin of water, soaking the cloth and for the first time that I could remember, tears slipped past my lashes. All the years of bottling my emotions, refusing to allow anyone to see that the hard-edged girl was really a marshmallow inside had taken a toll. I’d forged a cage of steel link around my world until I no longer knew the woman staring back at me.
As I rubbed the dirt and grime away, the tears refused to stop, sliding down both cheeks, several beads settling on my parched lips. I was broken inside, but that had occurred long before this horrible experience. Whether I survived this or not, the fighter in me was clawing at the surface, ready to rip away the good girl, the one who followed the rules.
I scrubbed harder, digging the scratchy washcloth against my skin, and finally I began to sob. There was no controlling my sadness, no understanding of how anyone could do this to another human. What I did know is that I had the capacity for revenge.
Something Sampson O’Rourke would soon learn.
The anguished sounds managed
to echo in the dense space, my chest heaving as I allowed the tears to flow freely. No one was here to hold me or even care how frightened I was. No one would ever be able to right this wrong.
With every swipe of the cloth, the grime gave way, but I continued to feel like a dirty girl, filthy in every manner. Oh, God. Oh... God.
I slammed my hand against the sink, relishing in the slice of pain. At least it made me feel alive and breathing. Even through the tears, I laughed bitterly, furious with the world. The more I scrubbed, the worse I felt and even as I watched the filth oozing down the drain, another rise of rage stormed into me. I clawed the porcelain edge of the sink before fisting both hands, trying to take deep breaths. I was overcome by extreme sadness, the dichotomy with the heightened level of anger making me lightheaded.
“I hate you. I hate you!” I reared back, and just as I was ready to throw my fist into the glass, a force of nature wrapped long fingers around my hand, preventing me from injuring myself.
“Let me go, Draziak.” My words were futile, my attempt at fighting him off useless.
Every move gentle yet deliberate, he slid his arm around my waist, pulling me softly against his chest. His eyes were mesmerizing, flicking the iridescent colors like a beacon of hope. Only I knew there was none left.
“Do not harm yourself, little human,” he whispered raggedly as he eased the palm of his hand against my cheek, cradling my jaw. He cocked his head as he stared into the mirror, blinking several times before dragging the tip of his index finger through the salty bead.
I took gulping breaths, my heart hammering in my chest. I was so damn forlorn, heartbroken for so many reasons. All I could do was cry, my body in such a tremendous weakened state. “Don’t. I can’t.”
Very slowly he brushed the backs of his fingers up the side of my face, cupping my forehead and forcing me to lean my head against his chest. I could feel not one but two heartbeats and both were more comforting than I could have imagined. His eyes never left mine as he held me, his chiseled features illuminated in the dimming light.
