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

Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

L uxor eased back into the familiar contours of his pilot’s chair, his muscles finally unwinding as Triguera shrank to a speck behind them. The controls hummed under his fingers—solid and dependable. His ship might not be the newest model, but she was his, and he knew he could rely on her.

The silence from the co-pilot’s seat grew heavier with each passing moment. He glanced over at Felicity, noting her rigid posture and the way she stared straight ahead. His tail twitched. He’d seen that look before, usually right before they accused him of something he hadn’t done.

“Are you all right?” he asked cautiously.

A choked sound escaped her throat. Then another. His stomach dropped as tears spilled down her cheeks, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

“I thought—” Her voice broke. “When you offered to sell me to them, I almost believed?—”

Her admission cut through him like a knife, and he flinched.

“Never.”

She swiped at her wet cheeks.

“I know. I mean, I figured it out. But for that moment…” Fresh tears fell.

He couldn’t bear to see her cry. His tail gently pulled her onto his lap and she came willingly, nestling against his chest.

“Look at me.” He waited until she looked up and met his gaze. “I would never betray you. Or Nina. Any of you.”

She reached up and put a soft hand on his face.

“I know,” she whispered.

“Then why are you crying?”

She pressed her face into his neck, her tears warm against his skin.

“You were right. I should have listened to you and stayed on the ship. My stupid need to help everyone—” Her breath hitched. “I put you in danger. They could have killed you.”

His heart skipped a beat. She was crying over his safety? After he’d let those Ruijin think he’d sell her?

“Listen to me.” He cupped her chin, tilting her face up again. “Your compassion isn’t stupid. That trader needed help, and you gave it. Most people would have walked past.”

“And look what happened.”

“Sometimes bad people do bad things. It’s not your fault. What you did was kind and selfless—don’t ever regret that part of yourself. Even in this galaxy of cruelty and indifference, kindness is a rare gift.”

“Even on Triguera?” She managed a smile.

“Especially on Triguera.”

She stared at him for a long moment, her blue eyes softening as her hand slid up his chest to rest above his heart.

“You’re not angry?”

“At you? Never.” The conviction in his voice surprised even him. “Though next time, perhaps wait until we are somewhere safer.”

Her laugh was watery but real, and something tight in his chest loosened at the sound.

He bent his head and kissed her, tasting the salt of her tears mingling with her usual sweetness. She pressed herself against him, deepening the kiss. Her tongue slipped between his lips, teasing his mouth, and the last of his tension evaporated. The heat of her body against his ignited his desire and he pulled her closer, letting her feel the hard ridge of his cock pressing against her. Her arms tightened around him in response. She wanted him. It was a heady realization—but not one they could explore now.

He reluctantly drew back, smiling down at her flushed face as her eyelids fluttered open. The sight made him ache to pull her close again, but he had made a promise.

“I promised to help you find your friend. I need to set a course.”

“To where?”

“There are several possibilities. The first would be to return to where the Ruijin ship picked you up and search that area. However I think it unlikely that her escape pod would still be present. They are programmed to head for the nearest safe destination.”

She nodded slowly.

“That makes sense. What are the other options?”

He hated giving her the next possibility, but his honor would not permit him to ignore it.

“The Patrol maintains bases throughout this sector.” The words felt like stones in his throat. “They might have information about Lauren. They could also help you get back to Earth,” he added reluctantly.

“The Patrol?” Her fingers still rested against his jaw.

“The Confederated Planets Patrol. They are responsible for enforcing our laws.” His tail tightened reflexively around her waist. “I could not go with you—my trading activities are not exactly… sanctioned. But they are equipped to handle situations like yours.”

He kept his voice steady, professional, though the thought of leaving her at a Patrol base made his chest constrict. It was the logical choice. The safe choice. She deserved better than a life with a disgraced Cire trader.

But logic didn’t stop his heart from pounding as he waited for her response. Her blue eyes held his, thoughtful and considering.

“What’s the other option?”

“There is a planet called Trevelor relatively close to where you were found. It is somewhat of a sanctuary planet. They suffered very little from the Red Death and they have welcomed newcomers.” He shifted in his chair, careful to keep his voice neutral. “Many species have settled there.”

“A refugee planet?”

“To an extent, but it is also a trade hub—a legitimate one. As a result, travelers pass through constantly. If Lauren ended up anywhere in this sector, someone on Trevelor might have heard something.”

She tilted her head, considering. “Would we be safe there?”

The ‘we’ made his heart skip again.

“There is danger everywhere,” he said truthfully. “But it is a peaceful planet and they enforce their laws.”

“Then I think Trevelor sounds perfect.” She smiled, and warmth spread through his chest.

He programmed the coordinates, relief flooding through him. He knew he couldn’t keep her—shouldn’t even want to—but the thought of more time with her, with Nina… His tail curled around her wrist of its own accord.

“How long until we get there?”

Her fingers dropped to his shoulder, and his skin tingled at her touch.

“Three days, maybe four.” He adjusted their heading, trying to focus on the controls rather than the warmth of her body next to his. “We’ll need to make a supply stop first.”

“More supplies?”

“Food. Fuel. I meant to stock up on Triguera. The supplies there are cheaper, despite the risks—or perhaps because of them. But plans changed.”

“Because of my foolishness.”

Her hand dropped from his shoulder, and he tightened his tail around her waist.

“Stop that.”

He kissed her again, his heart racing from the kiss in a way combat had never achieved. When he finally lifted his head, her eyes were soft and unfocused.

“Your compassion is not foolish, t’davi,” he murmured. “It is who you are.”

Her fingers gently traced the ridges on his scalp.

“You’re not nearly as cynical as you pretend to be.”

His chest ached at her words, but he did his best to answer lightly.

“Do not tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”

He pulled up the nav charts on the console, his good mood evaporating as he studied the nearby supply points. When he sighed, she shifted on his lap to see the display and the feel of her soft little ass sliding across his erection was almost enough to reconcile him to their next move. Almost.

“Is there a problem?”

“Draxus Moon.” He traced the route with one finger. “It is our closest resupply point. The base there is run by a female named Venma.”

Despite his attempt to keep his tone neutral, she gave him a quizzical look.

“I’m sensing a history.”

“She can be… difficult. The last time I was there, she tried to claim I had shorted her on a shipment. She kept me grounded for three days while she ‘investigated.’”

He scowled at the memory. The memory of those tense negotiations made his skin prickle. Venma was shrewd, ruthless, and had a particular dislike for him after he’d refused her advances. But they needed supplies, and the next closest port was two days out of their way.

“Can she do that?”

“Unfortunately, yes. She has a monopoly on the base and she uses it ruthlessly.” He shook his head. “But it is still our best option. She drives a hard bargain, but she always keeps her word and she does not allow trade in sentient beings. The Ruijin would not follow us there.”

He set the new course and then took a firm grip on her hips. The feel of her curves under his fingers made his cock throb all over again.

“You should go and get cleaned up before you check on the others. My cabin is directly below here and you are welcome to any of my clothing.”

Her gaze dropped to her blood-stained clothing. A shudder raced over her.

“You’re right. I don’t want Nina to see this.”

He helped her to her feet. Despite his best intentions, his hands lingered on her hips and she didn’t make any attempt to pull away from him.

“How many cabins do you have on this ship?” she asked.

“Three. My cabin, a guest cabin, and a crew cabin.” Not that the other cabins were ever occupied. “You and Nina will take my cabin, of course. Carla and Bobby can have the guest cabin.”

Her hand found his tail, wrapped around her waist once more, and he almost groaned as she stroked the sensitive tip.

“Are you planning on sharing the cabin with us?”

“I… should not.”

Her grip tightened, squeezing his tail in a smooth rhythmic motion that made him shudder.

“That’s not a no,” she whispered.

An honorable warrior would refuse. There was no future for them. But as he looked at her, standing before him with her tempting lips smiling at him, he could not bring himself to do it.

“I will… think about it.”

To his utter shock, she lifted his tail to her mouth and pressed a quick kiss to the tip, her tongue flicking against it. Pleasure shot through him so fast he swayed, his hands tightening on her hips.

“That’s good,” she said softly, then turned and left the cockpit.

He stared after her, his heart still racing and his cock throbbing. The taste of her still lingered on his lips. His tail throbbed where her mouth had touched it.

Fuck.