Hope for the Alien Warrior (Treasured By the Alien #12)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

F elicity’s cheeks burned as she returned to the dimly lit main cabin. She hadn’t intended to kiss Luxor, but something about his quiet strength and hidden kindness drew her in.

Not to mention the fact that she was entirely too attracted to him. That big powerful body, the deep, rumbling voice, and that tail… She had been shocked at the way the warm, textured flesh had felt wrapped around her waist. The same texture covered his cheeks and she pressed her fingers to her lips, remembering how intriguing it had felt beneath her mouth. Was his skin like that everywhere, even over his cock?

The thought made her cheeks burn even hotter, but it also caused a pleasant ache between her thighs. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had that kind of reaction to a man. Sex with John had been… routine rather than exciting, and even that routine had waned over the past year or so. She hadn’t really missed it. She certainly hadn’t felt this type of longing for him.

No . This was definitely not the time or place to indulge her desires. Especially not with a male she didn’t know, no matter how much her instincts urged her to trust him. He was going to help her find Lauren—that would have to be enough for now.

The two chairs in the cabin converted into surprisingly comfortable padded platforms. Nina lay sleeping on one of them, her small face relaxed in slumber, dark lashes fanned against her cheeks. She settled beside her, gathering the child close. Nina snuggled into her embrace with complete trust and her heart melted.

Carla and Bobby were curled up together on the other platform, their steady breathing the only sound besides the low hum of the engines. A makeshift family of survivors thrown together by circumstance, but there was an unexpected peace to the moment.

Her thoughts drifted back to Lauren. Was she safe? Had she found help? But even through the worry, she felt a surprising sense of confidence. Luxor would help her search—she knew it with certainty despite barely knowing him. There was honor beneath his gruff exterior, and she’d caught the protective way his eyes followed their little group. She was convinced that if anyone could find her friend, he could.

Nina’s small hand clutched at Felicity’s shirt in her sleep as if to make sure she was still there, and her heart melted, followed by a fierce protectiveness. Nina was hers now, and she could do anything she could to make sure she was safe and happy. She’d never imagined finding this—a child to love, a male who stirred her interest—in the midst of such chaos. The thought should have frightened her, but instead it felt right. Like pieces falling into place.

Her eyelids grew heavy as she listened to the quiet sounds of the ship. For the first time since her abduction, she felt truly safe. Protected. Her body slowly relaxed, lulled by the warmth of Nina against her and the constant vibration of the engines. Her thoughts drifted, then faded. Sleep crept up on her slowly, washing over her like a wave.

She woke slowly the next morning, filled with that lingering contentment until she patted the empty space beside her. Nina was gone.

“Nina?” Her voice cracked with panic as she scrambled to her feet, scanning the small cabin.

Carla looked up from where she was feeding Bobby, an impish smile on her face as she jerked her head towards the front of the ship. “Cockpit.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, her pulse slowing as she opened the door to the cockpit.

Nina was perched on Luxor’s lap, her tiny frame dwarfed by his massive green body. She held what looked like some kind of tool in her hands, turning it over with fascination while Luxor explained its purpose in a low, gentle rumble. His tail curled protectively around the little girl’s waist to keep her secure.

He looked exhausted, but his face was soft as he watched the little girl.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ll take her so you can rest.”

“She is fine.” His voice was rough with exhaustion, but he tightened his hold on Nina slightly. “I have been teaching her about the stars.”

Nina beamed up at him, completely at ease in his embrace. The sight made her breath catch. Here was this fierce warrior, deadly when needed, showing such tenderness to a traumatized child.

“You need sleep,” she pressed, noting how his shoulders drooped.

“Soon. We’re almost to the planet.” He stifled a yawn. “She’s good company.”

Nina patted his chest and pointed at a cluster of stars. Luxor launched into another explanation, his deep voice gentle as he named the constellations for her. Felicity stayed with them for a little while longer then insisted it was time for Nina to eat.

“And you as well,” she added firmly.

When she brought him a plate he devoured it hungrily, but waved away her concerns about his exhaustion. She sighed and returned to the cabin, swapping tales with Carla as they watched the children play.

“Are you anxious to return to Earth?” she asked the girl.

“Not as much as I would have thought now that we’re free. In spite of everything, it’s nice being able just to spend time with Bobby. At home it seems like I’m always working, or too tired to really enjoy being with him. I know this is only temporary, but I intend to enjoy every moment.” Carla grinned at her. “And my apartment isn’t much bigger than this ship. What about you?”

“I don’t know. I love being a doctor but I don’t have much time to relax either. And I didn’t have a child.”

Nina looked up as she spoke and smiled, a tiny dimple appearing in one cheek.

“Are you going to keep her?” Carla asked softly.

“Of course I am.” The answer came automatically, but it was immediately followed by a wave of concern. How was she going to explain a new daughter who suddenly appeared out of nowhere? For that matter, how would she explain where she had been for however many months it took to get back to Earth?

“Do you think anyone will believe we were abducted by aliens?” the girl asked, mirroring her thoughts.

“No. I wouldn’t have believed it. We’re probably better off pretending to have amnesia.”

That prospect didn’t sit right with her either but she pushed it aside. There would be time to worry about that after she found Lauren.

Enough time passed that they prepared a second meal and once again she brought a plate to Luxor. He ate rapidly, keeping his eyes on the controls the entire time. His dedication to their safety warmed her heart, but his exhaustion worried her.

“Let me take over for a bit.” She touched his shoulder. “You need a break.”

His tail twitched. “The controls are sensitive?—”

“Aren’t you just keeping the ship lined up on those markers? Since we’re in open space, I think I can handle that,” she said dryly, then gave him a stern look. “Doctor’s orders.”

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Fine. But only for a few minutes.”

He let her take his chair, keeping his hands over hers until he was sure she was in control. The warmth of his body and his subtle spicy scent distracted her but she caught on quickly enough and he finally relaxed enough to leave the cockpit and use the facilities.

When he returned, she kept her hands steady on the controls, enjoying the subtle vibrations of the ship beneath her fingers.

“This is actually fun. Mind if I stay a bit longer?”

He hesitated, then nodded and settled into the co-pilot’s seat.

“I don’t intend to fall asleep, but if I do drift off, wake me if anything changes.”

His tail wrapped around her forearm in a gesture that felt oddly intimate, and a few minutes later his breathing deepened into sleep. She found herself studying his tail where it gripped her arm, fascinated by the texture. She ran her fingers along the small nubs that covered the surface, marveling at how smooth they felt. As she stroked his tail, it seemed to pulse beneath her hand, tightening around her arm.

A low groan sounded from his seat, and she cast him a worried look. Was she hurting him? But his eyes were still closed and she took the opportunity to study him, admiring the powerful width of his chest, the ladder of abdominal muscles leading down to… Oh.

Her breath caught in her throat as she realized that he was very obviously, very massively erect. Color rushed to her cheeks as she fought the urge to squirm in her seat.

This is ridiculous. I’m a doctor. I know what a naked male body looks like.

Not that she’d ever seen anything quite that impressive before. He must be having quite a dream. Or… A thought suddenly occurred to her and she gently squeezed his tail. He groaned again and his cock flexed beneath the tight leather pants. Oh, my God. How many times had she patted or stroked his tail, completely unaware that it was an erogenous zone? And why had he never told her?

Before she could come up with an answer, a shrill alarm pierced the air. He bolted upright, his tail releasing her as he lunged for the controls and she quickly slipped out of his seat.

“Almost there. Tell everyone to strap in,” he ordered.

She told Carla, then brought Nina back to the cockpit to watch. He cast them a quick look but didn’t object, keeping his focus on the controls. The ship shuddered as he guided it down through the atmosphere, and she found herself gripping the edge of her seat, watching the ground rush up to meet them. A vast expanse of purple-tinted grass spread out below, rippling in waves beneath twin suns.

The landing wasn’t smooth—the ship bounced twice before settling with a groan of metal. Through the viewscreen, tall stalks of alien vegetation swayed in a gentle breeze.

“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered. “I can’t believe I’m actually on an alien planet. Can we go outside? Just for a few minutes?”

His tail lashed. “It is too dangerous. We do not know what is out there.”

“Please?” She started to reach for his tail, then touched his arm instead. “Nina needs fresh air—well, assuming it’s breathable?”

He checked the ship’s readings. “Atmosphere is compatible. But?—”

“We’ll stay right by the ship.”

Nina nodded enthusiastically, her dark eyes wide with excitement.

His shoulders tensed, but then he sighed and nodded. “Fine. Ten minutes. No wandering.”

Carla shook her head emphatically when she asked the girl to join them.

“No thank you. I’ve seen way too many horror movies for that.”

“It’s just grass and flowers.”

“Nope. We’ll wait here.”

She laughed and picked up Nina.

“Fine. Come on, Nina. Let’s go bring back some flowers for Auntie Carla.”

The hatch opened with a hiss of compressed air. She waited as patiently as possible while Luxor checked their surroundings, his hand on a knife he’d found concealed in the cockpit. He finally nodded and jumped down, then turned to lift her down as well. His hands lingered on her waist for just a fraction too long, and she couldn’t help wishing they could do another type of exploring.

But then he stepped back, leaving her standing on her first alien planet. Some of the grass reached her waist, releasing a sweet scent like freshly cut hay when she brushed her hand across it. Nina buried her face in her neck for a moment, then peeked out at their surroundings.

Two suns hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose. The temperature was perfect—like a late spring evening back home. Nina squirmed to be put down, and she set her carefully on her feet, keeping hold of her small hand. The little girl suddenly laughed and reached for a flower, the happiness on her face filling Felicity’s own heart with joy.

They started gathering more of the flowers. They ranged from tiny glowing amber orbs to strange blossoms with drooping iridescent petals, and Nina seemed determined to collect every variety. The iridescent ones had a sweet floral scent that reminded her of lilacs and she started following their trail. The soft fragrant breeze and the peaceful meadow soon lulled her into a false sense of security.

A deep growl froze her blood.

She very slowly turned in the direction of the noise. Twenty feet away, a massive creature rose from the grass. Its scaled hide gleamed metallic bronze, razor-sharp teeth filling its elongated snout. Six legs ended in curved claws that dug into the soil.

Her heart sank as she realized that the ship was a distant silhouette against the sunset. How had they gotten so far?

“Nina.” She did her best to keep her voice steady despite her racing heart. “When I say go, run straight back to the ship.”

The little girl clutched Felicity’s leg, trembling.

“Go, sweetheart. Now.”

Nina didn’t move.

“Find Luxor. Run to Luxor.”

At his name, Nina bolted through the grass. The predator’s head snapped toward the movement, muscles bunching to spring after her.

“Hey!” Felicity waved her arms, voice sharp. “Over here!”

The creature’s yellow eyes locked onto her. It changed direction, prowling closer. She backed away, desperately scanning for anything she could use as a weapon. Nothing but grass and flowers.

Her heel caught on something, and she tripped. The predator lunged.

A green blur shot past her. Luxor slammed into the creature’s side, both of them crashing into the purple grass.

She stumbled back as Luxor and the creature rolled across the grass in a blur of green and bronze scales. Her heart pounded as she watched him twist away from the snapping jaws, his knife flashing in the dying sunlight.

The predator’s tail whipped around, but Luxor caught it with his own, using the leverage to flip himself onto the beast’s back. His blade plunged deep behind its skull, finding the sweet spot between armored plates. The creature convulsed once and collapsed.

Luxor rose in one fluid motion, covered in purple grass stains and splattered with dark blood. He stalked towards her, eyes blazing with anger, tail lashing behind him, and she couldn’t stop herself from backing up.

“Why did you wander away?” he growled. “I told you it was dangerous!”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”

He snorted, clearly unimpressed.

“I was distracted by how beautiful everything was,” she added apologetically. “I didn’t mean to get so far away from the ship.”

He grabbed her arms, pulling her closer. “Did the beast touch you? Did it hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine. You saved me.”

“Felicity…” he murmured, his voice a low growl that she felt down to her toes.

His head lowered towards her and she swayed closer, her lips parting instinctively. He groaned, and then his mouth covered hers, hot and demanding. His tongue stroked into her mouth, as textured as the rest of his skin and creating a delicious friction. His tail wrapped around her waist, yanking her tighter against his body. She automatically put her hands on his chest to brace herself, then realized that his skin was wet beneath her palm.

She pulled back to find blood trickling from a gash on his side

“You’re hurt.” Her doctor’s instincts kicked in as she examined the wound. “The ship. Now.”

“It is nothing?—”

“Don’t argue with your doctor.” She grabbed his hand, tugging him toward the ship. “Those claws could have been carrying anything. You need antiseptic and proper bandaging.”

“I need you,” he growled. “I almost lost you.”

Her hand ghosted up to touch his face. His tail tightened around her waist again and her nipples peaked as the nubs pressed into her flesh.

“Bandages first,” she said breathlessly.

He groaned, but allowed her to lead him back to the ship. His tail stayed wrapped around her waist as they walked, and she tried not to think about how right it felt.