Intergalactic Loyalties

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  It wasn’t a bad idea, and if the scientists began working on it, perhaps they could even devise a way to do an intergalactic jump from their galaxy to Earth’s that would shorten the trip even more. He knew there were ways to do such a thing, but his people had never had a reason to try it before now. It wasn’t fair to take Earth brides though if they weren’t going to let their mates ever see their families again. What if Lucie wanted to visit Earth? He knew Drexyl would bring her.

  “It’s beautiful out here,” Roux said softly as she snuggled closer.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I’ve always wanted to take a vacation at the beach, but there was never any money for something like that. Thank you for making my dreams come true, Lyros.”

  He tightened his arm around her. “What other dreams do you have, Roux? Is there anything else you’ve wanted to do and never got a chance? Anything at all. Whatever it is, I’ll make sure you get to see it or try it.”

  “There are lots of places I wanted to go, Lyros, but we can’t see them all in this trip. I always wanted to travel. To see the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., or visit Mount Rushmore, or see the Grand Canyon. And those are just the places here in the U.S. There are countries I’ve wanted to see, big cities like Paris and London. The kind of travel I’ve always wanted to do would take months to accomplish, if not a lifetime.”

  “And I’m taking you away from that. When we return home, you know you won’t be able to leave my world. Not safely anyway. I can’t take you on a tour of the galaxy without fear of pirates boarding us. The only way I can keep you safe, once we leave Earth’s atmosphere, is if I keep you on Tourmalane.” He left out his desire to bring her to Earth again soon, in case Drexyl denied the request.

  “Lyros, I don’t have to travel. I enjoy spending time with you, and I’m sure once I get to know Lucie better, I’ll love spending time with her too. And I haven’t had a chance to meet your niece yet.”

  “Our niece.”

  “The point is that there will be plenty to keep me occupied on Tourmalane. It’s okay if I don’t get to explore Earth. I have an entire new world that’s waiting for me.”

  She might have said she was content returning to Tourmalane, but he wanted to do more for her. He’d have to find a way to contact Drexyl and see if it would be at all possible to extend his trip, and then have access to the different places Roux wanted to see. He wanted her to see as much of her world as she could before settling into her new life. Just because she said she was okay with not visiting those places, didn’t mean she wouldn’t come to regret that decision later. And he wanted no regrets in their relationship.

  After they watched the sun rise over the ocean, he treated her to breakfast on the patio that overlooked the pools. The scent of chlorine was strong in the air, but Roux didn’t seem to mind. When they had finished their meal, he arranged for them to ride horses on the beach. They were marvelous creatures and he wondered if there was a way to take some home with him. Perhaps if they weren’t so large.

  Lyros took her back to the hotel room long enough for her to change into a bathing suit and then they went back down to the beach until lunch. They splashed in the ocean, lay on the sandy shore, and just had a nice time overall. By the time they returned to their room, Roux’s skin was a rosy pink. Lyros convinced her to dress up and they had lunch in the nice restaurant on the main floor. There were candles and flowers at all the tables and crystal chandeliers overhead. Lyros wasn’t sure what to do with all of the utensils on the table and Roux didn’t seem so sure either, but the food was excellent.

  By the time they were finished, Roux looked ready for a nap. Lyros walked her to their suite and then excused himself to handle some business. He just didn’t tell her that business was about her and included a call to his brother. The hotel allowed him to use a Vid-comm in one of their boardrooms, and Lyros paced the room as he waited for Drexyl to come online.

  “You look anxious,” Drexyl said.

  Lyros spun to face his brother. “Roux is officially my mate. But I’m not ready to return with her just yet.”

  “If she’s your mate, then she’s expecting and could be in danger. That’s a royal baby she’s carrying. Do you know how many enemies would love to get their hands on a pregnant mate?”

  “I need more time on Earth, and I need access to one of their flying things. What’s it called? An airplane? I want to take Roux to all the places she’s never seen on her world before I relegate her to a life without the wonders they have here. This truly is a remarkable place, Drexyl. You have no idea what Lucie gave up when she didn’t ask to be returned here.”

  “If you’re enjoying yourself so much, maybe when our daughter is older I will take my family there. Or perhaps father would watch any children we have at that time and I could take Lucie on a week-long vacation to her world. I’m sure she would enjoy that.”

  Lyros smiled. “Definitely go to the beach.”

  He wasn’t about to share that he’d made Roux his mate in front of so many people, but it was a memory he would always cherish. The fact she’d given herself to him so freely still heated his blood and made his cock twitch in anticipation. No matter how many years they had together, he would always want her just as much as he had the first time. If anything, the chemistry between them seemed to get more explosive each time they were intimate.

  “Give me a month,” Lyros said. “I know that’s a long time to be away, but I want her to see and do as much as she can. There’s so much that was denied her when she lived here, and I want to make sure she has fond memories of her world.”

  Drexyl sighed. “Very well. I’ll contact the Terran station there and find out what you’ll need. Get them a list of places you want to visit and I’ll see what can be done. If you need more money, let me know and I’ll make sure some is transferred into an account there. If you’ll be on Earth that long, you’re going to run out of funds before long.”

  “Thank you, brother. I’ll call when I’m ready to return to Tourmalane, and if you’re truly worried, then you can send a few ships to escort us home.”

  Honestly, he wouldn’t mind an escort. Possibly even a few warriors on board his vessel in case they were boarded on the way home. He mentioned as much to Drexyl and was assured he would have whatever he needed. By the time he returned to the room, Roux had changed into one of his shirts and was sound asleep in the bed. Lyros removed his shoes and curled his body around hers, holding her close and breathing in her scent. He’d give her a night of rest because tomorrow they were going to start a new adventure.

  Chapter Six

  If ever Roux had doubted that Lyros cared for her, he’d more than shown it in the past week and a half. Lyros had surprised her the day after their horseback ride on the beach with a digital camera and laptop, and then he’d told her his plans. First, they’d flown to the Grand Canyon, where they’d spent two days exploring. It had been so majestic and breathtaking. Roux had never seen anything like it and knew it was a memory she was always going to cherish, made all that more special because Lyros was by her side the entire time.

  After the Grand Canyon, he’d taken her to Hollywood and let her shop and had arranged for her to meet some movie stars. It seemed being with an alien meant you were fairly well connected, or maybe it was his brother, Drexyl, who was connected. Either way, Roux had thoroughly enjoyed herself. Then they’d gone to Mount Rushmore and spent the day visiting some of the local museums. As if all of that hadn’t been wonderful enough, their next stop had been The Smithsonian and the Lincoln Monument. They’d spent the most time in Washington D.C. taking in all the sights, and even going on a tour of the White House. Roux had taken so many pictures of their adventures and had even created some social media accounts where she could share everything. Not that she would be able to keep up with it after she returned to Tourmalane, but it was fun while it lasted.

  Now, she had the most stunning view of all. Roux leaned her elbows on the window of the flat they were rent
ing and stared at the Eiffel Tower, shining bright against the midnight sky. She might have said she wanted to see London, and if she were being honest, she’d also have liked to see Dublin. But then she’d seen Paris and had fallen immediately in love. Her Cajun French wasn’t exactly a substitute for Parisian French, but they were able to get by. It wasn’t an issue of her understanding them, as her translator made that easy enough, it was them understanding her.

  Lyros wrapped his arms around her waist and settled his chin on her shoulder. “Enjoying the view?” he asked.

  “It’s wonderful. If we didn’t have to return to Tourmalane, I think I would ask to make Paris our home. I only wish I’d made it here sooner, or that we could stay longer, but I know you need to return.”

  He rubbed her belly. “It isn’t just me who needs to return. You’re expecting, Roux. And while the Terran stations here on Earth could provide adequate care, I’m not sure my father would appreciate his grandchild being born so far from him. It’s not like the entire royal family can just decide to take a vacation to Paris because our child is born here.”

  She sighed. “I know. I’ll just have to live a lifetime in the upcoming weeks. You’re sure we can stay here for three weeks?”

  “I’m sure. I contacted Drexyl with our departure date and everything is set for our return. In the meantime, we can enjoy the sights here, the incredible food, and…” He kissed the side of her neck. “We can make love as often as we want.”

  She giggled. “As long as the curtains stay open so I can see the Eiffel Tower every time I look out the window.”

  “I’m not sure I like the idea of someone being able to see in here while we’re making love, or changing clothes, but if I feel it’s safe, then I will allow the window to stay open the entire time we’re here.”

  “Can we go see it? The Eiffel Tower?” she asked.

  “You’ve seen it twice since we’ve been here,” he said with an amused tone. “But yes, if you want to see it again, we’ll go tomorrow. For now, I’ve ordered dinner and arranged for it to be delivered from that charming restaurant down the street. You said you wanted to try their food, but I think you’ve had enough excitement. A night in is just what we need.”

  She nudged him with her elbow. “You’re just guaranteeing I’m not too tired to play in bed tonight.”

  “Well, there is that.” He smiled.

  The doorbell chimed and Lyros went to get their food, making sure to tip the delivery boy handsomely. He promised more in the future if the boy would deliver again, should Lyros require it. He received a large grin and the teen practically flew down the stairs. Lyros placed the bag on the small dining table and withdrew the containers. Once he had everything set up, including two glasses of sparkling grape juice -- since Roux had told him she shouldn’t drink while she was pregnant -- he then held out a chair for her.

  As they ate, he answered all of her questions about his childhood and what it would like for their child to grow up in the palace. She still had more questions for him, but decided they could wait. Too bad there wasn’t online shopping with shipping from Earth to Tourmalane. There was so much she’d love to purchase for their child, but Lyros had already done so much for her that she hated to ask for one more thing.

  He’d asked her if she wanted to go shopping in Paris, and while it was something she’d heard women sigh over, she already had more than she needed. He’d spoiled her and given her everything she’d asked for, or had even mentioned in passing she might like. If he didn’t stop, he’d bleed the royal coffers dry. She’d teased him about it when he’d spent a small fortune on souvenirs for his family, but he’d assured her that there was plenty of money in the bank, and Drexyl would send more if it were required.

  “Your brother is going to think I’m greedy and trying to spend all of your money,” she said. “Maybe you should slow down on how much we spend.”

  “Roux, we haven’t even made a dent in what Drexyl sent. We could probably live here for a year or two with what he gave me. I know there’s something you want and haven’t asked for. I’ve seen it every time we pass a store with baby things inside.”

  “I’m sure the baby items on your world are just fine.”

  He smiled as he sipped his drink. “We will have use of the cradle and bed that were made for me when I was born. There’s also an entire set of matching furniture that goes with the pieces. It won’t be hard to set up the nursery, but if there’s anything you want from your world, some piece of your home that you wish to share with our child, then I’m happy to purchase it.”

  “I don’t have to buy every cute baby thing I see, Lyros.”

  “But there are things you want,” he pressed.

  “Yes.” She sighed. “You’ve already given me so much, but yes, I would love to buy some baby things here and have them sent home to Tourmalane for our child. Toys, clothes, sweet smelling baby shampoo and soap.”

  “Then we’ll add that to our list tomorrow.”

  “You spoil me.”

  He reached across the table and laced their fingers together. “That’s what I’m supposed to do. I’ve waited a long time to have a mate, Roux, and I’m going to do everything to make sure you never regret tying your life to mine.”

  How could she ever regret being with the man she loved? Not that she’d told him as much. She knew he cared about her, but she wasn’t sure he loved her, and while it hurt a little that it was one-sided, it would hurt even more to say the words and not hear them back.

  Once they were finished with dinner, and everything had been cleaned up, Lyros led her to the bed. With slow movements, he eased her clothes from her body and gently pushed her onto the mattress. His hands turned her onto her stomach with a gentle touch, and then she heard the rustle of his clothes being removed. She was about to ask what he was doing when there was a snick and cool liquid splashed onto her back.

  “A massage?” she asked.

  “I saw it on TV one night after you’d fallen asleep. I thought you might enjoy one. The oil was easy to sneak into our bags during our last shopping trip. It wasn’t that I was trying to hide it from you, not exactly, but I wanted you to be surprised.”

  “I am,” she admitted.

  His legs were braced on either side of her hips, his hard cock caressing her ass, as his hands kneaded her neck, shoulders, and upper back. It felt divine and she was torn between never wanting him to stop and wanting him to get to the good part. Just feeling his hands on her was enough to make her pussy wet and ready for him. She wiggled a little under him as pressure grew between her legs.

  Lyros worked his way down her back to the globes of her ass and her upper thighs. His fingers worked their magic, and if they teased her pussy every now and then, even better. By the time he was finished, she was ready to beg for more. More of his touch, and more of him.

  He leaned over her, his cock brushing the lips of her pussy, as he pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “Do you feel better?”

  “No.” She looked at him over her shoulder. “I feel hot and I ache.”

  Lyros frowned. “Did I hurt you?”

  “It’s not that kind of ache.” She arched a brow. “But if you’d just flex your hips a little, I’m sure you could fix the problem.”

  His expression cleared and he smiled. “Like this?”

  She felt the head of his cock tease her. Roux wiggled her hips a little, begging for more. Lyros braced a hand on her hip, and without any warning, surged inside of her. Roux cried out in pleasure as he filled her. Her hands fisted the bedding as he slowly stroked in and out of her, his lips teasing her shoulders and neck.

  “More. Harder,” she begged.

  Lyros withdrew and leaned back on his knees, then gripped her waist to pull her with him. He pressed Roux’s head down to the pillow as he positioned her ass in the air. He gave her ass cheek a gentle slap, something else he’d probably picked up from television, then plunged inside of her, filling her completely. She felt his balls slap against her
and pressed back against him.

  Lyros fucked her hard and fast, just like she’d asked, and with every thrust her nipples scraped against the bedding, sending sparks straight to her clit. Fists clenched tight on the bedding, she tried to press back against him with every stroke. Sweat coated their bodies as he pushed them closer to the brink.

  “Fuck me, Lyros,” she said, urging him on.

  “Do you like that, Roux?” He growled a little as he thrust harder. “Is this what you wanted?”

  “Yes! Just like that!”

  Lyros let out a roar as he came. She felt the hot jets of cum filling her and Roux let go, coming apart beneath him. Her breath was ragged and her heart raced as the room spun. She’d never come so hard in her life and she wasn’t sure she’d ever recover from it. Lyros withdrew from her body and disappeared into the bathroom. She heard him filling the tub and smiled. He always took such good care of her. Too bad that claw foot tub wasn’t going to hold both of them.

  When he lifted her, she wound her arms around his neck and moaned a little as she sank into the warm water. With her head tipped back against the porcelain, she let Lyros wash her. Her eyes were starting to close when he urged her out of the tub, dried her off, then tucked her into bed.

  Roux snuggled into the covers as she heard the shower start. “Love you,” she murmured, thankful he couldn’t hear her, yet needing to say the words.

  Lips brushed her shoulder. “I love you, too.”

  Her eyes flew open. “You’re still in here.”

  He smiled a little. “And now I’m glad I delayed. I’ve known for a while that I love you, but I didn’t want to scare you by saying the words.”

  “And I didn’t say them because I worried you wouldn’t say them back.”

  “You have my heart, Roux, something I’ve never given to another being. Just remember that only you have the power to break it.” He smoothed her hair back. “I promise to be gentle with yours if you’re gentle with mine.”