Erun (Scifi Alien Romance) (The Ujal Book 4) (11 page)

“Of course you would. You are.”

“Then, assuming you accept my status as mate and our lives allow for it, we would look at providing other younglings a safe home. As I said, humans do not have a monopoly on orphans.” Tabitha’s yells continued to increase in volume, her repeats of his name hurting his ears. “And we will perhaps teach them about
inside voices
.”

Vanessa grimaced. “The thing about adopting other younglings…”

“If you do not wish for more, we will not put in a request.” Though he would have loved giving other Ujal the chance he never had.

“No,” she shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t want them. It’s that…” She swallowed hard, tear-filled eyes skirting his own. “I looked through our documents regarding Tabitha’s adoption. Thame has been researching Earth’s data centers to see how we ended up with an Ujal youngling and…”

A single tear streaked down her cheek and he immediately reached for her. He could not stand Tabitha’s tears, but Vanessa’s gutted him. “We do not need to speak of this. Allow Thame to work as he will, but you do not need to be involved.”

She chuckled. “I’m involved. Or my husband was.” She tilted her head back, red-rimmed eyes meeting his. “I don’t know if this is going to change anything and if it does, I want you to know I appreciate your willingness to help us and mate me. Even if you change your mind, I really appreciate the sacrifice you were willing to make.”

Sacrifice? No, he was a very selfish male who would take what the seas offered.

“Nothing can be worth your tears, Nessa.” He would use the nickname whether she liked it or not. “Tell me and then let us go to Tabitha. She will throw many things if we do not appear soon.” She did not move, instead choosing to stare down the darkened hallway toward the crying child. “Vanessa?”

“He bought her, Erun.”

“Who bought what?”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, wetting her face and flowing to soak her shirt. “My husband. He bought Tabitha. He went somewhere and
bought
my child.”

Vanessa hadn’t expected him to remain after dropping her bomb. No, she anticipated returning to the hallway to find it empty, Erun having left in disgust the moment he discovered the truth. He would have possibly called the authorities.

She’d bought her child. It didn’t matter she hadn’t known the angel sleeping in her crib was nothing more than a product. Credits exchanged and then her husband had returned with a surprise. She wondered if the officiant had been real or another hired player in the game.

Vanessa hated the way Tabby came into her life, but she couldn’t give up her daughter now. If anyone tried to take her… Pain speared her, sinking into her chest, and forcing her to bend over with the weight of the agony. Oh, God, if they tried to take her.

She tried to stifle her sob—she’d just managed to get Tabby back to sleep without “Daman” at her side—and she didn’t want the child to wake again. So she moved away from the door and down the hall to the living room. That’s when warm, familiar hands embraced her. They wrapped around her body and pulled her close, hugging her tightly. The scent was familiar, the chest bare beneath her cheek, warm and damp and infused with that scent she knew so well.

“Hush, Nessa, hush,” he murmured and she liked the fact he used her nickname. She hadn’t meant to tell him he
couldn’t
and hadn’t been able to correct him without looking like an idiot. “You are hurting me with your tears when there is no reason for them.”

No reason.

“I bought her. Just like you were sold and purchased.
I bought her
,” she hissed.

Erun growled and she wondered if he finally wrapped his head around what she’d done. He’d push her away, tell her he changed his mind—he no longer wished to help her or be in Tabitha’s life.

She wouldn’t blame him. Not in the least.

“And that will be explored, but the fault does not lie with you.”

“Erun…”

“No. You will listen on this.”

She sighed. “Erun…”

She didn’t say much else because she found herself cradled in his arms. He lifted her as if she was lighter than a feather and carried her through the small house. He neared the living room but changed direction and went to the kitchen instead. He rested her ass on the large breakfast bar, the height placing her at eye level with him.

“You will not argue with me.” She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to tell him she’d argue if she wanted to, but he cut her off. “No. You will hear this and know what you have with Tabby is very different than my life. You will understand why I am standing here instead of calling the guards.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. She would listen because she really wanted to delay Tave as long as possible. “Okay.”

“O-kay.” He huffed, his gaze dropping to her neck and his eyes going unfocused as he began to speak. “I remember my first beating. It was my first night with the fighters. Leox threw me in with the other slaves—uncaring of what the males would do to me.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “I knew who threw the first punch and who delivered the last kick. Yet who I recall most vividly, through the pain, the broken bones, and the blood that soaked the very ground I laid upon…” He closed his eyes, and she waited for him to continue. “My
dam
.”

“Oh, Erun…” She couldn’t imagine the emotional turmoil from being ripped from his
dam’s
arms and thrown into that situation.

He shook his head, eyes meeting hers, and she noted they were full purple. Not only that, scales slowly slithered from his shoulders and gradually slid down his arms and across his chest.

“No, you do not understand.” He took a deep breath. “I remember my
dam
being there. She remained outside the cage, watched as the males destroyed me, and when I was no more than a broken pile, she turned away.” His scales blazed a trail up his neck. “The female who birthed me did not know if I lived or died and she
walked away
.

“
That
is why I was so harsh with you before and why I am
not
harsh with you now. Tabitha may have come into your life illegally, but you love her with all your heart and soul, Nessa. You are willing to give your life for her. You may tie your life to mine, and all for her. We must work to discover what became of her biological
dam
and
sire
, but she is safe and loved. And that is because of you.”

Vanessa didn’t know what to say, what to think, or what to believe any longer, but she recognized the truth in his words. It resonated inside her and relief flooded her. Worries she hadn’t realized she’d held close fell away in a rush and she slumped forward and slid her arms around him. He didn’t hate her. She didn’t know why, but he didn’t. “I can’t lose her, Erun. I can’t.”

“You will not.” His voice was harsh and sure.

“How can you promise that?”

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gently squeezed her. “Because I will kill any who try.”

She shook her head. “You can’t do that.”

Erun just shrugged. “If Rhal objected, I may end up a little broken—I am not as young as I used to be—but the others do not worry me.”

Then he stiffened in her arms and she eased back. “Erun?”

She found him frowning down at her. “Is that the reason for your hesitation?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You lost me. Hesitation about what?”

“Taking me to mate. I admit I am older than many males who take a mate, but that does not make me a lesser protector. I have more experience than the younger males who would come to you with their mothers’ scales still clinging to their backsides. I hate the
krilate
but it makes me a formidable male.”

“How did we get from talking about our mating to you killing all your people so I can keep Tabby?”

“The issue of killing others to keep Tabby is closed. I will, so it is done. You stated
our
mating. So you have agreed? You shall not regret—”

Vanessa patted his sides. “Hey, slow down there. While I’m sure you’re very capable of killing—”

“I am.” And he didn’t sound upset about that
at all
.

Which was weirdly comforting.

“You can’t kill everyone.”

He just shrugged. “It would only take one or two strategic deaths before others realized their attempts would be fruitless. They would soon give up.”

“That… doesn’t sound any better.”

Another shrug as if to say, “It is what it is.”

“Now we shall discuss our mating. Rina assures me even females who have married before would like a wedding. She stated all females—even principessas who have true matings—want a wedding. She was glaring at Tave at the time and he looked embarrassed. I assume she did not get one. I want to ensure you remain happy and do not glare at me in such a way.” He nodded. “It shall be done.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Erun, slow down.”

He frowned. “I have not moved.”

“Look, I didn’t say yes to our mating. There are still things to work out, right? I mean, you could hate me. Besides Tabitha, we don’t even know if we like each other or can live together. I snore. I hog the covers. No one can talk to me before my first cup of coffee and—”

“And many naturally mated couples do not know this either. Yet fate and the seas brought them together. I am told Rina is similar to you where coffee is concerned. It simply means I will avoid you until you have consumed your drink. She also complains of him ‘trailing his wet stank shit’ through their home. I do not know what she refers to but I will not trail my ‘wet stank shit’ through ours.”

He had a point and she kinda liked it, but… “They’re biologically driven to want each other.”

“I am biologically affected by you.”

That was about the time she realized she was sitting on the counter, legs splayed wide, with Erun situated between them. More than that, he brought his hips forward, spreading her further and he pressed his cock against her cloth-covered pussy. His hard cock. Apparently that was what he meant by
biologically affected
.

Well, she was
biologically affected
by him, too. Her body warmed, center heating and aching as arousal slowly unfurled inside her. Her breasts felt heavy and needy, her nipples hardening within her bra. Need gradually stretched to fill her, pussy clenching and clit twitching.

And all he’d done was press his dick to her center.

“Erun,” she whispered.

“You are affected as well, Nessa.”

She loved that name rolling off his tongue and it brought an additional intimacy to their embrace. The way he growled and the way those soft purple scales came into view as he stared at her.

“I am.” She couldn’t deny the truth.

“Then I will torment us both with a kiss before I leave.”

She grinned. “You will, will you?”

“Yes,” he slipped his hands to her hips and tugged her more securely against him. “I have watched several human vids to ensure I do this correctly,” he murmured, his eyes locked on her lips and pure hunger filled his expression.

“Yeah?”

She licked her lips and he leaned toward her. Her heartbeat increased, nerves and anticipation forcing it to race, but there were no thoughts of pulling back or telling him no. Everything in her body raised a great big sign that blinked
yes
.

“Yes. I must start slowly.” He brushed his lips across hers in a gentle caress. “So you have a chance to retreat if you truly do not wish for my kiss. And if you do not attempt to withdraw, I’ll shall give you more. Is that what you wish? They show a male who does not ask, but I want all you have to give but
only
if you wish to give to me. A first date typically ends with going to first base. Shall we go to this first base?”

His expression was filled with need—sexual and emotional. He wanted her, but he wanted her to want him.

And she did. Even if he brought baseball metaphors into their first kiss. “Yes. Kiss me, Erun.”

He no longer hesitated. His lips crashed into hers with a passionate possession. His lips were hard and unyielding while his grip remained gentle and he took control immediately. One hand cupped her cheek, tilting her head as he desired and she let him, let him direct their path. When his tongue traced the seam of her lips, she opened for him. When he caressed hers with his, she did the same. When he nipped her lower lip before soothing it with a soft lap, she whimpered.

Her simmering need slowly rose, growing with intensity the longer their kiss lasted. His hands remained locked on her hips, fingers digging into her flesh so hard she knew she’d have bruises come morning, but she didn’t care. Not when it meant this powerful meeting of mouths would continue.

A tremble of desire wracked her body and she couldn’t help but rock against him, taking a hint more pleasure from their embrace. The small tilt of her hips was answered by a growl from Erun.

But he didn’t stop or pull away. In fact, he rocked his hips as well, sending his hardness rubbing against her center. She moaned with the added sensation—with the pleasure that snaked through her with the rough touch. She wanted more, wanted him, and slowly came to realize it was okay. It was okay to want Erun. It was okay to consider tying their lives together. It was okay to…

Kick the comm’s ass for beeping and ending their kiss.

Erun pulled away from her and she whimpered with the loss, enjoying the first experience of physical intimacy since her husband’s death.

But the comm beeped again.

With a sigh, he stepped back, taking his heat with him. She did enjoy the view, though. His thick muscles and rippled abs glistened with scales. While others saw them and were immediately afraid, Vanessa saw them for what they were—proof she aroused him so much he lost control. Yeah, she liked that.

Then another beep.

Vanessa ran her hand over her face and took a deep breath, trying to clear the cobwebs of passion from her mind.

“Nessa?”

“I’m getting it.” She moved to hop off the counter only to find his hands on her waist as he gently lowered her to the ground. Their bodies were snug through the entire slide, his muscles caressing her and his hard cock branding her with his desire. Her mouth went dry and she shivered with desire once again. Maybe she could ignore…