Rory and the Alien Groom (Intergalactic Brides 9)

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  By the time she’d finished eating, she only had time to put on a little mascara and some lip gloss before running out the door. She’d graduated from college early, but so far she hadn’t been able to find a job. Her part-time gig at Gamer Plus was a holdover from needing extra cash while going to school. Her parents gave her some money but not enough to feed her gaming addiction, and her job offered her an employee discount.

  She pulled into the parking lot with three minutes to spare and dashed inside to clock in before she was considered late. Rory stored her things in her locker in the breakroom and hurried out front. She hated working with Shayla, and her boss knew it and didn’t seem to care, so when the feisty redhead gave her a sneer, Rory did her best to ignore her. Everything with Shayla was a competition. They didn’t work off commission, but it didn’t stop Shayla from trying to ring up every customer who walked through the door. And if a guy started talking to Rory, then Shayla’s claws came out.

  She’d never understood the other woman’s animosity and just tried to avoid her. Didn’t look like that was going to happen for this particular shift. No one else was scheduled until it was time for Rory to clock out. Rory grabbed a new box of games and started stocking the shelves without so much as a word to Shayla. The new releases were on the shelf and she was working on discounting some of the used games when a shadow fell over her. Rory squinted up and smiled when she saw Zwyk standing next to her.

  “Hey, stranger,” she said as she stood up, wiping her hands on her jeans. “Looking for a new game?”

  “Partly.” He smiled. “Thanks for hanging out with me the other night. I had fun.”

  “Me too.”

  A throat cleared and Shayla batted her eyes at Zwyk. “May I help you with something?”

  He glanced at Rory before looking at Shayla again. “I’m speaking with Rory. I’m sure she can handle whatever needs I may have.”

  Well, if that wasn’t a loaded statement. Too bad he didn’t mean it the way her body took it. Her panties dampened as she thought about just which needs she’d most like to handle for him.

  Shayla glared at her before stomping off in the direction of the registers. Zwyk winked at Rory as he reached for a case over her head. When she saw which game he’d picked up, she smiled. It was hard for her to picture him playing something like Plants vs. Zombies.

  “Next thing you’re going to tell me is that you like Peggle.”

  His eyebrows rose. “I do.”

  He was too damn adorable for words. She left him to browse the games while she finished cleaning up the store floor and straightening games along the way. By the time he had a handful of games, she was back behind the register. Shayla tried to jump in front of her, but Zwyk gave her a nasty glare before handing the games to Rory.

  “Find everything you wanted?” she asked.

  His gaze scanned her. “Pretty much. What time do you get off?”

  Anytime you want me to. Oh, right. He meant what time did her shift end. “In about three hours.”

  “Why don’t you stop by when you’re finished? We can have a gaming night, maybe get some fried chicken? I can swing by the store on my way home and grab a pie or something for dessert.”

  “Sounds good. And cherry is my favorite.”

  He winked. “I’ll remember that.”

  Zwyk paid for his games and gave her a wave as he ducked out the door. She sighed happily at the thought that she would get to spend more time with him. She’d had a blast hanging out with his friends and him, and she looked forward to more quality Zwyk time. She looked down at her uniform shirt and jeans. Maybe she’d swing by her house and change before heading over to Zwyk’s after work. Nothing said un-sexy like a navy polo with Gamer Plus in red stitching across the breast.

  “So, how do you know Mr. Hunk?” Shayla asked. “It seems like there’s something between the two of you.”

  “He almost married the wrong sister.”

  Shayla grinned. “That’s who Brittany was engaged to?”

  “Yeah. The wedding was cancelled. Well, she technically left him at the altar. Now I just need to make him see what’s been under his nose the entire time. Me.”

  Shayla shook her head. “You’re braver than me. I don’t think I’d try to take a guy your perfect sister was going to marry. Is there anything Brittany can’t do?”

  If only Shayla knew. There was plenty that Brittany couldn’t do, not that anyone would ever know. Well, maybe they would find out if they could do the math. Her perfect sister couldn’t keep her legs crossed when hot men were around, well, human ones. She hadn’t just been hiding another guy. If the test Rory had found in the trash could be believed, her sister was very much pregnant, and since Brittany had said that she hadn’t slept with Zwyk, that meant the baby belonged to the rock star.

  The rest of her shift was uneventful and after Rory clocked out, she drove back to her apartment. She let herself in and locked the door before heading to the bedroom. While she didn’t have time to wash her hair again, she did want to at least rinse off. In case she got lucky.

  Rory snorted. Yeah, because it was likely the stubborn alien was suddenly going to fall at her feet. She could dream, though. Stripping out of her clothes, she pinned her hair up in a messy bun before quickly washing with her favorite amber-scented shower gel. She had quite the collection. Cherry Blossom. Lavender. Coconut. Strawberries and Cream. But amber was her most sensual scent. She scrubbed her face clean before getting out and drying off.

  She wanted to look nice without looking like she’d put forth too much effort. She wanted him to want her, not run the other way. Rory nibbled her lip as she stared at her makeup case. He’d already seen her wearing the bare minimum, and he’d seen her all dolled up at the wedding. Maybe it was time for somewhere between the two. It only took her about ten minutes to put on her makeup and pick out an outfit. Not that she thought she was going to win him over with her T-shirt collection. Opting for a non-gaming shirt, she pulled out her Labyrinth shirt with her favorite characters on it and a pair of skinny jeans. After she put on her shoes, she grabbed her purse and headed out.

  When she pulled into Zwyk’s driveway, she noticed his front door stood ajar. Rory clicked her key fob to lock her car and knocked on the slightly open front door.

  “Anyone home?” she called out.

  “In the kitchen.”

  She pushed the door open and closed it behind her. Rory walked through to the kitchen and smiled when she saw Zwyk taking the lid off a bucket of fried chicken. While he fixed their plates, she pulled some sodas from the fridge, then snagged the roll of paper towels off the counter. Zwyk carried their plates into the dining room and she followed. The fried chicken, fries, and biscuits smelled so good her stomach was rumbling with hunger.

  Zwyk pulled a chair out for her and she smiled as she sat. It seemed like such a normal thing, to sit at the table and share a meal with him, but never having had a boyfriend before it was a little new to Rory. Not that Zwyk was her boyfriend, even if she’d like for him to be. She’d shared snacks with some of her gaming friends before, but it hadn’t felt the same as sitting here with Zwyk.

  “How was work?” he asked.

  “Sold a bunch of games. Same as usual.” She smiled. “Did you go to work today?”

  “I’d taken the week off to spend with my new wife, so no. I didn’t go today. I’ll go back next Monday. I’m sure my work is piling up, but a vacation sounded nice.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to say she was sorry things hadn’t worked out with Brittany, but she’d be lying her ass off. She was so not heartbroken that Zwyk was still single. The first moment she’d seen him, she’d wanted him for herself. But he’d never once looked her way, not with Brittany in the room. And she couldn’t blame him. It was typical male behavior to salivate over her sister. She’d have warned him if she could that things wouldn’t turn out as he’d expected, but she doubted he’d have listened to her. No one ever did. Brittany went through men lik
e Rory went through games.

  “You mentioned you don’t have a boyfriend, but I could have sworn that Brittany said you did.” He took a bite of chicken. “Did the two of you break up?”

  Her cheeks burned. “Not to sound like a complete loser, but I’ve never really had a boyfriend. I’ve had guys I hang out with, and I’ve been on some dates, but none of them ever wanted to take things very far. Brittany always had all the guys. Even my friends would pant after her if she was around. It was like I didn’t exist.”

  He frowned and stared at his plate. “And I wasn’t much different, was I?”

  “Would you have looked if she hadn’t told you I was seeing someone?” she asked, wondering if maybe her sister had made certain Zwyk wouldn’t consider Rory date-worthy.

  “Maybe. I’d like to think I’m the kind of male who isn’t so focused on something that he misses out on the world around him, but Brittany was a little dazzling. I’d never met anyone like her before and the attention she gave me went to my head. I remember you hanging out with us a few times, but I was focused on Brittany at the time.”

  “It’s okay. Don’t feel bad. All guys are that way around her. She could have been a model, if my father hadn’t had other aspirations for her. He wanted her to marry well and help build new connections for him.”

  Zwyk looked up from his plate. “That’s why she agreed to marry me, isn’t it? She never really wanted to, but your father pushed it.”

  Well, she’d really stepped in it this time.

  “You don’t have to lie to spare my feelings. I see the truth in your eyes,” Zwyk said. “I’ve had some time to think since the wedding was called off, and I realized that she never really wanted me, not like I wanted her. Our kisses were far from passionate and she never wanted to stay the night, claiming she wanted to wait until our honeymoon. All the signs were there. I was just too blind to see them at the time.”

  “If it’s any consolation, I think my sister is an idiot. You’re a great guy, Zwyk, and I mean the true you. Not the guy Brittany tried to mold you into being. I like you just the way you are.”

  He smiled. “I like you too, Rory.”

  Her cheeks warmed. Liking could turn to something more, couldn’t it? She wanted him to more than like her. She wanted him to fall head over heels in love with her. Heck, at this point, she’d settle for him being in lust with her. Anything for them to end up bed together. She might not have experience, except for watching a god-awful amount of porn and playing with her toy collection, but she wanted the chance to prove they were good together.

  They finished eating and cleared the table before moving to the living room. When Rory saw Minecraft loaded she couldn’t help but laugh. Zwyk was full of surprises. She’d figured he would be the blow-up-the-bad-guy kind of player, but between this and his revelation at the store earlier, it seemed he liked a little bit of everything. She wondered if she’d find any of the Lego games if she went through his stash.

  “We should probably set a timer,” Zwyk said. “Last time I played this game I got sucked in for hours.”

  “It can be rather addicting. What did you have planned after Minecraft?”

  “We can play whatever you want.”

  She licked her lips as she thought of the game she’d really liked to play with him. She knew he wasn’t offering sexual games, but she could hope. Stripping naked and joining him in the shower hadn’t done much for her. Was he really just not attracted to her that way and only as a friend? That was going to bite if that was the case.

  “Blue Dragon?” she asked.

  “I don’t think I have that one. I didn’t think to ask you to bring any of your games over.” He chewed on his lips and held up a finger. “If you like dragon games, I do have Dragon Age.”

  “What about Spyro?” she asked.

  He gave her a blank look.

  “That’s okay. It’s really a one-player game anyway. How about you pick something? It doesn’t have to have a dragon in it.”

  “Are you partial to dragons?”

  “I collect those little green Pocket Dragons. I also have some fantasy art on my apartment walls of dragons and unicorns.”

  She squealed when he pulled out a game and portal. “You have Disney Infinity?”

  Zwyk smirked as he held out the character choices.

  “Star Wars Infinity?” She clapped her hands. “I think I just fell in love with you.”

  Zwyk laughed and let her pick first. She snatched Yoda out of his hand and her geeky heart melted a little more when he picked Obi-Wan. Who didn’t love Obi-Wan? Zwyk powered up the game and she grabbed a controller, anxious to play.

  As the intro came to an end, her Yoda dashed forward to attack the droids heading their way, slicing them in half with his light saber. Rory climbed the rocky cliffs ahead, attacking more battle droids at the top. Zwyk’s Obi-Wan ran alongside her, attacking anything that came his way. They charged forward, taking out more droids in order to gain access to the gate.

  “This is fun,” Rory said with a smile so big her cheeks hurt.

  “If I’d known you were a Star Wars fan, I’d have started with this game.”

  “Who isn’t a Star Wars fan? There’s action, romance, treachery.”

  “I’ve only seen one of the movies.”

  Rory’s mouth dropped open. “You seriously have only watched one?”

  “It was on TV one night.”

  Rory tossed her controller onto the cushion next to her. “Come on. Save the game and get up.”

  He gave her a bemused smile. “Where exactly are we going?”

  “I love that we can hang out at your place, but I think it’s time for you to see my apartment. Where we are going to have a Star Wars marathon, so if there’s any particular snack food you eat while watching movies, better speak up now. We can make a run to the store before we get started. Probably wouldn’t hurt to get some more sodas anyway.”

  “I have a better idea.”

  “Better than a Star Wars marathon?”

  “No, the marathon is a good idea. It’s the location I thought we might change. Not that I think there’s anything wrong with your place. My friend, Syl, has a theater room at his house with a huge screen and really comfortable chairs. There’s a snack bar in there and everything. He and Brielle may even join us, if that’s okay?”

  “I liked your friends. I don’t mind hanging out with them, but I don’t want to invite myself over to their place either.”

  “They won’t mind. Do you have to work tomorrow? I don’t want to keep you out too late if you need your rest.”

  “One of the guys was trying to get some overtime so I let him have my shift. I’m off for the next three days.”

  “You work the weekend?” he asked with a frown. “I’d hoped maybe we could do something.”

  “I work the morning shift Saturday and Sunday, but I could maybe switch with someone for the Monday/Tuesday shift and have those days off.” Her heart flipped at the idea of spending more time with him. “I can call in tomorrow and talk to the guys.”

  “I don’t want you to lose hours, though, and not be able to pay your bills.”

  “My bills are actually paid by my parents. The money I earn is for extra stuff like snacks and games. Until I can get a full-time job, they’re paying for my rent and stuff, and even give me money for food and gas. I can get by on what they give me, but it doesn’t give me money for playtime.”

  “What kind of work are you looking for?” he asked. “I never even asked if you went to college.”

  “I just graduated not too long ago, but I haven’t had much luck getting a job. I studied accounting, even though I don’t care much for it. I think my father hoped I would take over the finances for his campaigning, but he’s retired now. And truthfully, I wouldn’t have wanted to do that.”

  “Are you good at conversions if given the proper rates?” he asked.

  “Why do you ask? Do you know of something?”

  “Maybe
.” He tapped his lips. “Let me make a call and maybe I’ll have some news for you in a day or two. Do you have a resume?”

  Rory held up her keychain. “It’s on the flash drive I keep with me.”

  “As soon as I hear back from my contact, I’ll let you know if you need to send it somewhere.”

  She threw her arms around him in a tight hug. “Thank you.”

  His arms closed around her and Rory thought her heart might burst from the contact. He smelled so damn good she couldn’t help but bury her face in his chest. With some luck, she wasn’t drooling. She felt him rest his chin on top of her head and Rory melted against him. It had been so long since anyone had held her, and that it was Zwyk just made it all the more perfect.

  “Rory, I’m trying really hard to not to screw up the friendship that seems to be growing between us. But when you do things like this, it makes it really difficult.”

  “Does it make you want to take me to the bedroom and strip me naked?” she asked.

  “It makes me want to do lots of things, all of which require there to be no clothes between us.”

  She tipped her head back and looked up at him. “You really want me that way?”

  “It’s not a good thing, Rory. I was engaged to your sister a few days ago. The two of us trying to take things beyond friendship would just complicate everything. I can only imagine how your parents would react.”

  She snorted. “The same way they handle everything else I do. I’m the black sheep of the family. Aside from my degree, I’ve never done anything they expected me to. And I don’t intend to start now. My sister is married, so it’s not like she’s going to show up tomorrow and want to walk down the aisle with you.”

  “Having an unmated female for a friend is new to me. I don’t want to ruin what we have, Rory. Please understand. It would be easy to throw sex into the equation, but not necessarily smart. I like hanging out with you. I can relax and be myself.”