by S. E. Smith
“What is it?” He asked, seeing her hesitancy.
“Do you have Massage Therapists on your world?” She asked.
“I am not sure what a Massage Therapist is, but if you wish to do it, I will do whatever I can to help you,” he promised.
“Oh, Merrick,” Addie cried out, throwing her arms around his neck. “Maybe this can work.”
Lifting her up and holding her tightly in his arms, Merrick buried his face in her neck. He didn’t care what he had to do, he would never let her go. In just the few days they had known each other, he had discovered the piece of his heart he hadn’t realized was missing until he met her.
*.*.*
“I could take them both out now,” Weston commented, looking through the scope of his rifle at the couple on the beach.
“No,” Markham replied, looking through his as well. “I want him to know who is going to kill him.”
“We won’t have long once the girl is officially reported missing,” Weston said, lowering his rifle and turning to sit back against the log. “The last report we received from your source stated the police are searching for her. One eyewitness, who has been considered not credible, stated she saw Banks and a man with glowing silver eyes, head up to her apartment right before there were loud screams. She was the one who called them.”
“We will be long gone by the time they search for her here,” Markham replied with a shrug, lowering his gun and standing up. He watched as his brother stood with a wince. “How’s your shoulder?”
“Fine,” Weston bit out, shifting the rifle to his good shoulder and looking around. “Let’s get back to the car. I want to go over the blueprints to the house again.”
Nodding, Markham glanced one more time to the faint outline of the two figures. A smile curved his lips. It would be interesting to see just how good the alien was when he wasn’t drugged up.
*.*.*
Merrick watched as Addie prepared a salad to go with the steaks that were on the small, propane grill outside. He swore she kept bending over just so she could tease him. Every time she did, a low, unconscious rumble of approval escaped him.
I want her again, he thought, glancing at the steaks, then back at her again trying to determine if they could just skip the meal and get straight to the lovemaking.
“No, we can’t skip it,” Addie chuckled, picking up the two bowls and setting them on the table. “I’m starving. I’ll make you a deal, you feed me, then you can love me all you want.”
Merrick reached out and wrapped his arms around Addie’s waist and brushed a brief, hard kiss across her lips. Pleasure and warmth spread through him when she softened and returned his kiss. Opening his mind to her, he let her feel his emotions.
I never thought to feel like this, or that I would want to open myself to my mate should I find her, Merrick admitted reluctantly.
Why? Addie asked, really enjoying that she could ‘hear’ his voice.
I always believed it would make me vulnerable, he confessed. My mother was killed when she was down at the river. She slipped, striking her head, and drowned before my father could reach her. I was but a young boy, but I remember watching my father fade away before my eyes. I was determined to keep my own thoughts and feelings separate from my bond mate if I ever found her.
But…? She asked, tears blurred her vision as she saw the images in her head of a beautiful woman standing near a handsome older warrior.
But, I was not prepared for what it would mean to really love someone, he said. The feeling of being whole, of being never alone…
Of never being surrounded by an empty silence, Addie finished for him.
For the first time, he felt the weight of loneliness that Addie had endured for years, the constant silence. He thought of what it would mean to lose his hearing after having it, just the simple things he took for granted. The sound of his niece, Nadine’s laughter and endless questions, his aunt, Nadu’s, gentle rebukes when he tried to steal one of her fresh pastries, even the joking of the warriors as they trained or hunted.
I miss the sound of music and the birds, even the sound of the wind and the ocean, Addie murmured, pulling away from him. I miss that I will never hear the sound of my children’s laughter.
Addie, Merrick began to say, stopping when she shook her head.
I’ve finally come to terms with it, she said. Can you check the steaks? They should be ready.
Yes, Merrick replied with a nod.
*.*.*
“Trudy,” Rose said, scanning the data coming in. “We’ve got a problem.”
“What?” Trudy asked, looking up from the computer screen she was studying.
“I think I’ve found a snitch,” Rose bit out in a hard voice.
“Our leak? It isn’t Runt, I hope. I still haven’t found her,” Trudy complained. “Even RITA hasn’t been able to pick up anything! I swear, it is like the girl totally vanished off the face of the Earth. Hell, I didn’t think she would be able to stay disconnected this long.”
“No, it isn’t Runt. It looks like one of the President’s aides has been having a sudden financial boom,” Rose replied, studying the data in front of her. “Damn.”
“What?” Trudy asked in frustration.
““There was an attack on Addie Banks this morning. She is missing and two men were found dead in her apartment. One with a knife through his chest, and the other with a broken neck.”
“Something tells me that not all the aliens are gone,” Trudy muttered, reading the police report.
“No, Merrick has returned for Addie,” RITA replied. “My sis asked me to wait for his call and let her know so she could lock onto him. Core is on the other side waiting to open the Gateway, but so far, I haven’t received a call from him or Addie yet.”
Rose groaned and scooted over so Trudy could wheel her chair up next to her. They both scanned the report. Rose had tapped into the phone companies' records and was looking at the text messages sent. Sure enough, short, cryptic messages, some just hours before a raid, had been sent to a series of different numbers.
“Damn it,” Rose cursed.
“Look at the last one, Rose,” Trudy said, pointing to the screen.
“Shit,” Rose snapped out in a frustrated voice.
“RITA…” Trudy mumbled.
“I already have the flight plan uploaded. The helicopter will be ready. I anticipated that you would be flying it, Trudy. Do you want me to activate a team?” RITA asked.
“No,” Rose replied grimly. “We don’t want to take a chance of the asswipe getting news that we know about him. We are going to have to split up for this one. I’ll notify Cosmos while you go warn Merrick. Damn, I wish Avery hadn’t gone off the grid just yet. Cosmos has returned to Baade. He and Terra are working on something, but I can still send messages through RITA and RITA2.”
“She said it would only be for a couple of days. She deserves a day or two off every few years.,” Trudy joked, rising out of her seat. “Besides, we can handle this. Just be careful, Rose, or Avery will be hell to live with for a while.”
“You too,” Rose said. “RITA, I need the corporate jet readied for Washington.”
“Already done, Rose,” RITA replied cheerfully. “I was wondering why Merrick hadn’t contacted me yet, now I know. Ah, love.”
Neither woman responded as they geared up. Trudy would take the helicopter to Seaside. RITA would arrange to have a car waiting for her. She would head out to the address the snitch had posted.
At first, they thought they would only be dealing with Addie Banks. Now, they knew there would be a Prime warrior, as well. They weren’t sure who the snitch was sending the information to. That would be up to Rose to try to find out. The main thing was making sure that Merrick did not get captured again.
Chapter 24
Addie sighed as the warm water washed over her. Her thoughts were swirling faster than a hamster in a spinning wheel. It was hard to believe in that in less than two weeks, her life could change so
She turned when the glass door to the shower opened and Merrick stepped inside. For a moment, she swore her heart skipped a beat at the beauty of his body. Her hand impulsively reached out to touch him.
No, I’ll never get enough of this, she thought.
I hope not, Merrick replied in a husky voice. You have no idea of what this feels like to a Prime male. To have a female so responsive on her own is a wondrous thing.
Really? She asked in surprise. Why would the women of your world not want to be touched?
I am beginning to wonder that myself, Merrick muttered in a hoarse voice.
Addie could tell he was enjoying her touching him. Deciding this gave her the perfect opportunity to both explore his body further and bring him pleasure, she picked up the bar of soap and lathered her palms. A shiver went through her when he moaned again.
I can see your thoughts, he choked out. I…
Will just enjoy this, Addie finished, setting the soap back in the soap dish.
Yes, he hissed as she began running her hands over his chest, slightly above his nipples.
Addie concentrated on what she was feeling as she stroked him. Her hands slid over his warm flesh, feeling the hard muscles underneath her palms. The last four years, she had been learning about the anatomy of the human body. While he wasn’t human, his physical appearance was similar enough.
She could feel the thick ropes of muscle and used what she had learned to lightly massage them as she explored. One of the things she had done during her studies was strengthen the muscles in her hands so that she could use them and her own body weight. Taking her time, she gently caressed him.
“Addie,” he groaned.
A gentle chuckle escaped her at his muttered groan. She glanced up, noting that he was watching her. Licking her lips, she sent an image of her following her hands with her mouth.
You know, you say my name a lot with nothing else behind it, she teased.
I… have trouble thinking in complete sentences when you touch me, he admitted. How long must I stay still?
I’ve just started! Give me at least five minutes, she laughed.
I am counting down the time, he warned. In five minutes, I will be buried deep inside you.
Wow, she breathed.
Turning her focus back to his chest, she noted that he didn’t have any hair on it. His muscles were thicker, denser than a humans. She suspected that his bones would be as well. Unable to resist, her gaze followed the line of soap bubbles as they moved downward.
His stomach gave a whole new meaning to the words ‘six pack abs’. For a moment, she was a little embarrassed by her own soft belly. It could never be called firm.
Don’t, he said sharply. I have no desire to touch hardness. When I touch you, you are soft and melt in my arms. I can hold you and love you, and your curves make me want to explore you. I find it very… sexy.
Addie glanced up, tilting her head to the side as the water of the shower flowed down on them. A soft, pleased smile curved her lips. The one good thing about talking this way was she knew he was telling her the truth and not just saying something to make her feel better.
I could never lie to you. You would know the moment I did. Plus, it would not be wise. There should not be lies between mates. It would be too dangerous. Besides, my body cannot lie about how you affect me, he added.
Addie nodded, looking down. That was definitely the truth, she thought. His cock was straining upward, as if begging for her attention. Reaching for the soap again, she picked it up and lathered her hands.
This time, she ran her hands over his stomach before slowly sinking down to her knees on the smooth tile. She ran her hands around his heavy balls, enjoying the explosion of feeling from him. Taking her time, she rolled them tenderly between her fingers.
He had no hair here either, just creamy flesh that begged to be caressed. Addie looked up at him as she wrapped one hand around his long, thick cock. Stroking it back and forth, she watched as the flames in his eyes ignited and the silver turned to a dark, liquid color.
You are so beautiful, she whispered before opening her mouth and sliding the tip slowly past her lips.
Goddess, Addie! Merrick moaned, leaning forward and bracing his arms against the wall behind her.
*.*.*
Merrick thought he was prepared for just about anything when they made love, but nothing prepared him for the erotic sight of Addie’s sweet lips wrapped around his cock. They had made love several times and he did not believe it could get any better.
Her passionate responses to his touch, her willingness to allow him to drink her sweet come, and the different positions! Goddess, he didn’t know that a female could enjoy the things he had only dreamed of trying. When he had come upstairs after checking to make sure the transport and house were secure, he had heard the sound of water. Seeing Addie’s lush figure through the clear glass, the droplets of water coursing down her body, had stirred the need inside him once again. He had quickly shed his clothes and joined her.
“I’m glad you did,” she murmured.
Merrick didn’t reply. His mind was doused in a haze of pleasure. He couldn’t take his eyes off the way she moved her lips back and forth along his cock. Each stroke built the pressure inside him until he thought his balls would explode. His hands curled into tight fists and a low, long moan escaped him when her left hand slid up his thigh to caress his ass.
Addie, I’m going to come if you do not stop, he panted.
Then, come, she responded, tightening her grip around his cock and sucking harder.
Merrick could feel his legs tremble as he fought against the powerful stimulation. A low cry built in his throat when she pulled back along his cock until only the bulbous head was in her mouth before she slid her lips back along his length, taking as much as she could without choking. The third time she did it, he couldn’t hold back. The vision of her lips, taking him deep into her mouth, while sucking on him pulled him over the edge.
“Goddess!” He roared, shaking as he pulsed down her throat. “Addie…,” he hissed, bowing his head and closing his eyes when another shudder ran through his frame.
He trembled as Addie slowly released her grip on his cock and ran a soothing caress over it with the tips of her fingers. His eyes slowly opened when he felt her hands running up his body again. The look in her gaze took his breath away. It was the same one that Borj’s human had given to him.
His throat worked up and down as she cupped his face. Dropping his hands from the wall, he circled Addie’s soft figure, drawing it against him and holding her close. Closing his eyes again, he just held her as he tried to understand what just happened.
It’s called a blow job, Addie teased.
You will be doing that more often, he warned her. It was incredible.
Addie’s sexy laugh stirred the desire inside him again. Her laughter died in a squeak of surprise when she felt his cock swell against her stomach. He captured her gasp in his mouth at the same time as he reached out and turned off the water that had begun to cool. He did not want anything to put out the fire that she had ignited.
“Merrick,” Addie whispered when he pulled back and looked down at her.
“Now it is my turn, Addie,” he warned her.
Addie nodded, not questioning that he was ready to go again. She was learning that he wasn’t like a human male when it came to his physical needs. What he liked was that she didn’t seem to care! Every time he touched her, he could sense her body’s reaction to it and smell the tantalizing fragrance of her own arousal.
Opening the shower door, he stepped out and turned to help her out. He reached for the towel hanging from a long bar and tenderly dried her hair and back, before moving downward over her buttocks and legs. He took his time exploring her just like she had done to him. He worked his way back up when she turned so he could dry the front of her.
A mischievous grin curved his lips when he cupped the full mounds of her breasts. Leaning down, he sucked on each nipple until they were rosy and taut.
“I want you,” she cried out, sliding her fingers into his wet hair and holding him against her breast.
“As you wish, my mate. Go lay on the bed, Addie,” he replied, quickly drying his body. “I want you spread out for me.”
A blush turned her cheeks a rosy color. He ran his fingers down one heated cheek before rubbing his thumb against her bottom lip. His eyes darkened when he saw the faint bruises on her neck and the thin pale line of where she had been shot.
“I am afraid of losing you,” he said, surprising himself with his admission.
“You won’t,” she responded, rising up to brush a kiss across his lips. “I don’t plan on going anywhere without you. Don’t be too long.”
Merrick nodded and watched as she turned and headed into the bedroom across the hall. His eyes swept down the curve of her back to her buttocks. Heat flooded him again. He would take her from behind this time. He wanted to bury himself as far as he could go inside her and cup her breasts as he fucked her.
He quickly finished drying his hair and body. Clutching the towel in one hand, he walked across the hallway to Addie’s bedroom. She was laying on her back, her legs parted and her knees slightly bent. She had stacked the pillows up into a pile and was leaning against them. Her hands cupped her breasts and while her fingers played with her nipples.
“They tingled from your sucking,” she said, starting to drop her hands back to her side.
“Don’t, let me watch you play with them,” he ordered, tossing the towel on the end of the bed. His eyes moved down to the thatch of blonde hair between her legs. “I want to see you pleasure yourself. Show me what feels good to you.”
He watched Addie’s eyes widen in surprise before she shyly nodded. His eyes followed her right hand as she slowly slid it down over her stomach to the silky strands covering her labia. Stepping forward, he kept his eyes glued to her fingers as she slid it between the soft folds. A low moan escaped her and her eyes drooped as she began rubbing tiny circles over the small nub.
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