Cosmic Captor

by Stella Cassy

  “Is this true?” His eyes are bright and his hands eagerly smooth over my body.

  Nodding, I admit the thing I’ve been holding back. “I like you better than any person I’ve ever met. Now that I understand you a little better, I know we’re perfect for each other. You have a lot of outstanding qualities hidden amongst all the grumpiness.”

  “Tell me more about how wonderful I am.” His voice is light and playful but I know he loves hearing positive things about himself. It makes me wonder if being raised without a mother deprived him of enough nurturing as a small child.

  Cupping his face in my hands, I look him in the eye. “You’re strong, determined. Know what you want in life and aren’t afraid to go after it. That’s very appealing, especially when we’re intimate.”

  “You like being touched by me.” It was a statement and not a question, but I agreed nonetheless.

  “I don’t want to be touched by anyone except you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  Staring down at me for a long hard moment, he seemed to be thinking of something monumental. “You regret running from me, do you not?”

  Smiling, I shake my head. “I regret that you were so worried for me and angry but I don’t regret running from you.”

  His eyes narrow and I can’t help but laugh. “I appreciate you taking the time out of your life to track me down. Of course I didn’t at the time. Getting caught in your tractor beam was nothing short of infuriating.” He smiles slightly at getting the better of me. “But now I can see it was for the best. You and I are meant to be.”

  His expression shifts into the blank mask he wears when he doesn’t want anyone to guess his feelings. “You agree that you were meant to be mine?”

  “We were meant to be each other’s.”

  “I forgot about you explaining that earlier.”

  I can tell he didn’t. It feels like he thinks that if he repeats it enough, I’ll just magically become his somehow. I think that because he’s really fixated on thinking of me as his and he has a stubborn streak a mile wide. I’m beginning to see that he’s thinking of me as his mate and I’ve been worried that he’s thinking of me as his property. It’s kind of adorable that he’s so possessive. No one’s cared about me in so long, I’m not about to object to him being a little extra possessive because I now realize it’s coming from a good place in his heart.

  “I can tell when you’re fibbing about forgetting about our earlier conversation.”

  Shrugging, he presses several buttons on the side of the unit. “You can guess. That is much different from truly knowing.”

  He’s wrong though. I do know. It feels weird and I don’t know how it can be, but we’re so in sync that his tone and miniscule changes in his expression are taking on new meaning. My shoulder prickles where he sunk his teeth into me.

  The overhead lights dim and tiny globes the size of my thumb light up around the room, casting a soft romantic glow.

  My head jerks up to look at Tarion. “I honestly didn’t think you had a romantic bone in your entire body.”

  “Then you underestimated me once again.” The smug, self-satisfied expression on his face melts my heart a little. He likes being unpredictable and mysterious.

  “I can see that you’re a complex man. It’ll take me some time to learn all your secrets.”

  “Which secrets do you wish to learn tonight my fierce brooder?”

  Chewing on my bottom lip, I think it over. Running one finger down his chest until it lands on very his erect penis, I glance up into his eyes. “I wish to put my mouth here.”

  His expression darkens with lust. “I do not believe warriors taste as good as brooders.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “I thought you would approve of my idea.”

  “I do approve, but I would be remiss if I failed to point out that brooders do not service their males in such a way.”

  For some reason I know just where he’s going with this train of thought. “It’s because brooders are to be pampered and pleasured, right?”

  Nodding, there is a hint of disappointment in his eyes. The water is almost to the point where pleasuring him might get a little dangerous. “Turn off the water. I wish to pleasure my warrior.”

  Reaching over, he turns off the water. “I am not yours. You are mine.” He mumbles, almost as if to himself. I smother back a smile because I know it’s going to take him some time to stop thinking that way.

  Pressing him back, I pour water over his chest and watch it drizzle down his crimson body. Running my fingers over his smooth skin is intimate and makes me appreciate his unique masculine features. I could stare at his bulging muscles all day long. He has a sexy six pack. Trailing my fingers down it, I realize it’s actually an eight pack. “Your skin is really pretty. Is the design natural or inked onto your body? None of the other warriors have your exotic markings.”

  His head snaps up so fast, I worry that I’ve transgressed. “It is difficult to control because my dragon rides so close to the surface.” His muscles have tensed and his voice is strained. He’s acting so weird that I rush to say something positive.

  “Well, I think the designs are unique and interesting. They mark you out as being more handsome than your peers.

  “Is what you say true?”

  Nodding, I lean over and kiss his skin, dragging my tongue over every bump on his taunt abs.”

  He lets out a relieved breath. “You may approve of my fighting form.”

  Running my finger over his skin, I glance up into his eyes. You replicate your skin tone on your body armor.”

  His lips twitch slightly. “Yes, my sweet brooder. That is exactly what I do.”

  I feel like there’s more to the story than that, but his eyes skitter away. I quickly lean over and give him a kiss that immediately turns heated. When we break apart, we’re both out of breath. I press my cheek to his and slowly turn my head, kissing my way down his neck and chest. He knows exactly where I’m headed and his cock is standing eagerly at attention.

  I find myself eager to give him what he needs. His body is a work of art, including his manhood, or should I say dragonhood? Kissing the head makes his stomach muscles flex. Remembering what it felt like when he pleasured me with his tongue, I set my mind to returning the favor. Surprised at my own enthusiasm, I bob my head on his generous endowment, taking a little more into my mouth each time. A sexy growl escapes from the back of his throat and his hand comes out, sifting through my hair and touching the side of my face. It’s cute but all kinds of distracting.

  I experiment with different techniques, using my tongue to explore all the bumps and ridges along his shaft. I find the tiny crease between the ridges is super sensitive. I can tell because each time I slide my tongue along one of those spots he has a hard time controlling himself. His behavior and the words coming out of his mouth lead me to believe he’s not gotten much of what I’m dishing out today. He grounds out deep ragged verbalizations that aren’t quite words. Dragging emotions out of the stoic warrior thrills the hell out of me. Using my tongue to trace all around the bumps and bulges drives him a little crazy. His caudal snakes between my legs to tease me as I hollow out my cheeks sucking.

  “You wouldn’t be getting excited sucking my thick cock would you, my precious little brooder?”

  Smiling around his gorgeous cock, I glance up at him. His eyes are almost glowing red with lust. The next thing I know he pulls me up to capture my lips. Instead of grinding me down on his cock, he turns me on to all fours. Gigantic hands grasp my hips, lifting to his lips. I brace myself on my forearms, grateful for the low water level.

  When his forked tongue teases tight circles around my clit and then wraps around the tiny throbbing bundle of nerves, reality blurs into a haze of pleasure. Something about the soft glow of the room and the scent of our lovemaking has a drugging effect on my senses. He’s tender and wraps his wings around to support my stomach. In no time at all, he has me right where he wants me. I come
begging for his cock and my sexy dragon doesn’t disappoint.

  Rather than rough and needy, he pulls me back until his cock is at my entrance. Looking over my shoulder, I know he’s giving me an opportunity to decide what I want. If I don’t want him, he’ll stop. I don’t know how I know but I’m sure of it. Instead I move back, taking him just as I like. The big warrior holds still while I pleasure myself on his thick cock. I love the way his rough hands skim over my back. It spikes my excitement and before I know it, I’ve pounded out one breathtaking orgasm and I’m going for number two. The moment it happens, Tarion gathers me into his arms and presses me back to his chest. Three thrusts later and he stills inside me, shouting my name.

  Pulling me back to one side, he leans over to turn on the water and finishes filling the tub. He takes some oil from a pump on the wall and begins smoothing it over my arms and back. He’s taking special care when he touches my scars. I close my eyes as I try not to react to his touch. I hate the scars covering my back and upper arms. Not only are they unsightly, they remind me of my worst owner. I was kept as a whipping girl for a young alien princess after my mother left. When she misbehaved, I got flogged instead of her. It was supposed to teach her empathy, but sadly, she didn’t care.

  “You are upset. Is it the lovemaking?”

  Opening my eyes, I look up at him. “It’s the scars.”

  “Ah, the battle marks. They are lovely.”

  My face scrunches up into a confused expression. “They’re what?”

  Sliding his fingers from one to the other, he honestly seems impressed. “Battle marks are coveted among my people. We are hard to mark and battle wounds prove one’s strength and resilience. I admire you for surviving poor treatment at the hands of your enemies.”

  Choking up, I try to make light of the situation by being flippant. “That’s me strong and resilient.”

  Tarion’s voice turns serious. “Do not take that tone, my sweet. Strength is a quality human brooders rarely possess. That makes you better than all the rest.”

  I can’t help but smile at his smug and approving voice. “I suppose your father’s brooder doesn’t have one mark on her flawless skin.”

  “She does not. I plan to have all your clothing designed to display your fierce battle marks. It will make the males in my line envious and they will covet what is mine.”

  Laughing, I take some oil and rub it in to his chest. “I’m sure they all want scarred up females.”

  “You laugh now, but when they are all trying to lure you from me, you will see that I am correct.”

  “If they dare to touch me, I promise you they’ll pull back a blood stub.”

  His eyes light up. “I will fit you with my most prized dagger. Feel free to mangle any males who approach you.” Motioning with one hand, his voice gets serious. “Of course for that happen, they will need to fight their way through me.”

  “Wow, you sound like you’re going to keep me for real.”

  Cupping my chin in his hand, he tilts my face up. “You, my ferocious brooder, will be mine for all times. I vow to you that under my protective wing you will never know hunger, thirst, or loneliness.”

  “Don’t forget all the thrilling action and adventure we’re going to have.”

  “That goes without saying, my sweet. You have the heart of a warrior. The young we make will be fit to rule the galaxy.”

  Grinning like a mad fool, I respond warmly, “You always know what to say to make my heart beat a little faster.”

  Drawing me close to his chest, I lay my head on his shoulder. “I always feel safe with you, handsome.”

  Before he can reply, claxons sound, alerting them of incoming danger.

  Shooting me a worried look, Tarion mumbles. “I believe your talk about feeling safe with me has tempted fate.”

  “You’re wrong about that. That’s just the sound of action and adventure calling our name.”

  Standing, he brings me up along with him and sits me on my feet outside the tub. “No time for drying, grab a uniform.”

  Glancing over my shoulder at his belated comment, I’m already halfway to my clothing. He tosses me a soft square package and I’m thrilled to find it’s another of the self-forming suits. Pulling it on my wet body isn’t much fun, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Heck, I’m in such a rush that I forget all about looking at Tarion while he dresses. That’s a sight I normally never miss if I can help it. No matter how often I see him naked it’s never enough.

  Twirling my wet hair into a twist I spear the two long hair ornaments he gave me through the knot to keep it in place. Tarion jerks his chin at the door and rushes to the bridge to figure out what’s going on.

  14

  A Shot in the Dark

  ~ Carissa ~

  Somehow being at his side and wearing one of his crew uniforms feels right. Rushing to the bridge to face danger together should trigger all my anxieties. It doesn’t because I’ve finally found my place in the verse. This man and his crew are now my whole world. Come what may, I’ll do what I must to help them fend off whatever menace is lurking out there in the black of space. We shove our way through a melee of warriors, all rushing to get to their stations. No one seems to care as we’re working for a common cause.

  The blaring claxons thump like the ancient drums of war. Something awakens inside me. I don’t know what it is, but it seems like a wild beast chomping at the bit to fight and protect. The bite on my shoulder throbs to the tune of the claxons and I realize it’s because my heart is thumping to the same beat. This is the strangest thing I’ve ever felt.

  Rolling onto the bridge, we see a grouping of ships growing closer in the view screen. Unfortunately, I recognize the design. The ships are all painted stark white, like their owners. The boxy design and red lights are like no other in the known verse. “Those ships are from the Paxian Alliance. They’ve come for me.”

  Most of Tarion’s ships stayed behind on the pleasure planet. Even if he called them right now, the fight would be over by the time they got here. Tarion and Lehar are bent over a console, working out a strategy for fighting off the alliance ships. My heart ceases in my chest at the thought of Tarion or any of his crew dying because of me. While they are distracted by dealing with this life or death emergency I rush from the bridge without looking back. At a full run, I make my way to the hanger, knowing the full way that I’m panicking but I can’t help it. They’re in danger because of me. I hesitate to guess what the penalty for harboring a killer is, but I imagine if they manage to survive, they’ll end up in a slave collar. I can’t let that happen.

  When the hanger doors open, no one notices me slip in. The place is a madhouse. Most of Tarion’s crew is busy fueling the last of their fighters while most of the others are glued to the communi-channel ton the bridge in order to get the latest information on their defense plan. I even manage to board one of the ships sitting in the back of the hanger without garnering notice. Engaging the locking mechanisms, I drop down into the pilot’s seat. My hands fly over the controls quickly starting the pre-launch sequence.

  My eyes lock on the gently glowing console as I work out the logistics of saving Tarion and his crew. I’ve only got two choices, make a run for it or turn myself in. I can’t decide which will stop the attack sooner. Truth be told, both options suck because they separate me from the big guy.

  If I turn myself over, they might still attack Tarion’s ship. Even as the thought concludes in my brain, I feel the huge ship rock beneath me. The Pax have fired on us. Not a full ten seconds later the sound of pulse cannons firing thuds in the background as Tarion returns fire. Turning myself in is no longer an option. Since Tarion returned fire, they’ll not let him survive. The Pax are real assholes that way.

  My only other option is to run. I reach out to fire the engine and stop with a finger over the button. Images of my crimson dragon’s haggard face rise in my mind. The last time I ran, it nearly broke his spirit. Running might not keep the Pax from d
estroying his ship in any event. I’m certain a few of their ships will follow me, but most will stay behind to deal with Tarion because he’s the bigger threat. They won’t risk him bearing down on them while they pursue me. I can’t risk both of us getting brought down individually. Maybe we’re stronger together than separate.

  I’m getting ready to haul myself back out of the fighter, when a strange thought jumps into my brain. I tune the communi-channel to the insectoid frequencies and use my fingers on the scratch pad to draw images of the Paxian vessels, each with three of the red chits they use to represent thousand credit increments. I slap a distress icon on it and hit send. Hell, it’s a one in a million shot. I don’t know if any of the insectoid vessels are close enough to respond, but it’s the only thing that comes to mind. Since no one else will initiate trade or communications with them, they may see responding to a Drakon distress call as a way to establish an alliance. I can only pray that turns out to be the case.

  Me jumping out of the fighter does not go unnoticed. Unsure how to respond to their surprised stares, I wave and smile like crazy before ducking out to head back to the bridge. If nothing else, I can provide moral support for the big sexy dragon and stay at his side if the worst happens. It’s the least I can do for the man intent on putting himself and his crew in harm’s way to protect me.

  Thinking back on the dozen or so dogfights I’ve seen in my time, I know we can’t possibly win in a head on battle of brute force. I’ve got a good fund of general knowledge about how the Pax think and fight. Perhaps my intimate knowledge of the way Paxians conduct battle will give us the edge we need. I’m grasping at straws and I know it.

  Desperation makes a person do strange things, take risks they’d otherwise shy away from and innovate in a way they never thought of before. I suddenly realize this is the edge humans have over most other species. We often find a new path when others rely upon tried and tested techniques. Smiling to myself, I realize that I do have something unique to bring to the fight.