Luke saw that my attention had been stolen, and as if in slow motion, he turned to see what I was staring at. As I watched his head turn, I wanted to stop him.
Luke’s gaze met Christian’s, and I saw his mouth turn from a smile to a straight line. His jaw tightened.
CHAPTER 3
Luke
Seeing this guy at the other end of the room, staring at Candice, I was beginning to wonder if I would need to put my sword to use after all. Did she have a stalker? Considering my own feelings towards Candice, I could understand why a man may become compelled to follow her. But I was pretty sure this guy didn’t know who he was up against. I relished this little challenge.
“I don’t know why he’s here. I swear I barely know him.” Candice gave a nervous little laugh. “This is so strange.”
“Allow me,” I said, walking through the crowd. The fact that the man was following her, after something that she claimed wasn’t even a date, was strange to say the least. And if it was making her uncomfortable, then I would fix it.
“Can I help you with something?” I asked as I approach him.
“I’m sorry?” He said.
“I said, is there something that I can assist you with?” I towered over the man, and I saw that my presence was making him nervous.
He’s smart to be nervous.
“Hello, Christian,” Candice said with a nervous smile behind me. “What a coincidence!” I could tell that she was not eager to have me pull out my light sword again, joke or no joke.
“Candice, what a surprise.” The doctor said, also nervous. He looked at her and then looked towards me. “Can I speak to you outside?” The guy had a buttoned-up collar and altogether looks like he was born with a stick up his ass. Of course, it was obvious that he was trying to make me look bad in front of Candice. When I was on earth, I was content wearing my black jeans and tank top. It was a pleasant break from my armor. I didn’t need to wear a buttoned-up shirt to impress anyone. I looked back at Candice who was standing behind me with her eyes popping out of her head.
“Christian, Luke wanted to apologize for that whole business with the sword,” Candice said, jumping in.
“Actually, I did not,” I said. She ignored this and kept talking.
“I think Luke was just trying to be funny!” Candice said with a nervous smile.
I smiled too, staring at Christian intently. This was going to be fun.
“It’s alright, Candice.” He replied. “But I’d still like to speak to you outside for a moment. Like a gentleman.” He said, implying that I was not a gentleman. I supposed that was fair. Slaying barbaric aliens for years on end did something to a man’s character.
I looked to Candice again who was pleading with her eyes. She wanted me to behave myself. She could trust me. She would not ever have any reason not to trust me.
“Okay. Briefly.” I said, arching my brow.
Outside, the guy loosened his collar, and I could tell that he was even more nervous. It amused me. In the warm night air, I could even see that he was sweating.
“Ahem.” He cleared his throat a little. “I felt the need to speak with you about what happened the other night, sir.” He said. It was smart of him to call me ‘sir.' If only he knew who I really was, he would be giving me a salute. “Iris told me who you are…..”
“Just a carnie, passing through town, I guess,” I said casually.
“Well, whoever you are, I felt disrespected the other night. I needed to say that in person.” Then there was a long, awkward pause. “Man to man.” He added for flourish.
“I apologize for that,” I said, taking the high road and secretly wanting to chuckle. I wondered if he was able to get that piss stain out of his fine trousers? “I do find it strange that you’re here tonight, following a girl around that you barely know,” I added. “You met once, from what I understand,” I added, hoping to confirm this fact.
“Yes, but I’m interested in getting to know her more. It didn’t take me long to realize that Candice is too good for a riffraff like you.” He said.
Really? Riffraff? Who says that? I’m not even from the earth, and I know that that is a poor comeback.
“She deserves to be around people who have manners.” He went on. Well, now he was trying my patience. I guessed he would have to be the first human that I killed. Could be amusing. I knew that my light sword was in its collapsed state in my pocket, and I went to reach for it.
Just then, I saw Candice coming out of the club, and she was looking at me intently.
I supposed I could go ahead and do it with her watching. She had seen me kill before. But something deep inside me did not want her to see me kill a human. The good doctor was going to get off by the grace of her timing.
“Thanks for this little talk. Christian, is it?” I said, taking my hand out of my pocket and shaking his. I saw his face twist as the strength of my hand crushed his.
“Yes. Christian.” He said, looking like he wanted to scream. “Good luck in the next town.” He added, implying that I’m moving on with the carnival.
I’m not going anywhere, Doctor Christian.
“Sure thing, Doc,” I said, and turned towards Candice. Once I reached her, I took her hand in mine and led her home.
Where she’ll be in my arms tonight.
“Was everything okay?” She asked, being pulled along.
“I’m gone for only a couple of days, and you manage to pick up a stalker,” I said. “I guess I’ll have to be around to protect you more often.”
“I don’t think he’s a stalker. He’s just eager, new to town. Not a whole lot of dating prospects in Sun Valley.” She said with a laugh. “He’s harmless.”
Harmless or no harmless, I realized that I was challenged with being pulled between galaxies and also by desiring this woman. Not only was she the most attractive female in her town, but in my view, the most incandescent in her galaxy.
Candice
He was staring at me intently. God, the way he looked at me with those eyes. Did he ever not look like the most handsome creature I had ever seen?
Luke took my hand in his and massaged it a bit. He might think he was gentle, but sometimes he didn’t know his own strength. I was about to tell him my bones might snap!
“May I have you now?” He asked. I knew that was his way of asking if we could make love, but it made me smile because it sounded like he was from another era.
“You promised me a few more days,” I said, not willing to lose him just yet.
“I know that it means that I will have to leave, but to feel you in my arms..…it is worth it.” He said. We were standing under the stars, just a few steps from my home. I stroked his hair with my hand.
“Come.” He said, walking me towards the house. He sensed my consent, and although not commanding me, he was leading me with confidence and strength.
I followed him, thinking perhaps it would be best to protest. Perhaps we could have one more day together.
“Luke—“
“My name is Arias!” He barked back. It was frightening.
“What?” I said, surprised.
“I am joking with you again. I’m getting good at human jokes.” He said with a big smile.
“Well, whoever you are, I don’t want you to go!” I barked back. “I’m afraid that you want to be with me just so you can return to battle,” I admitted. Although it sounded ridiculous, I needed to say it. I had been on my mind. Luke was one of the galaxy’s most skilled warriors. The battlefield was his home. What if I was just the one holding the key that allowed him to return - to his identity?
“Do you think that’s what this is about?” He held my shoulders in his big hands. “You think I desire you so strongly because I want to return to Hecate?”
I shrugged my shoulders unsure. I would have spoken more, but I suddenly felt on the verge of tears. Why did he make me such a sloppy mess? Hybrid-human men might be more disarming than human men.
Luke’s mood softened
and he gave me an ironic smile.
“You’re crazy.” He said, staring down at me. “Candice, it is extremely challenging to live in this home with you, and to not have you fully.” I could feel the heat in his hands warming my shoulders.
“It is hard for me, too,” I said. And it was the truth. I was new to the matters of the bedroom, but I trusted Luke and desired that time with him.
“Tonight.” He said with a warm glow in his eyes.
I still wanted to protest. I wished I could keep him here forever, but it was not a reality. It was not our reality. I gave in, as much for him as for myself.
Luke leaned in and kisses me softly. God, how did he learn to be such an amazing kisser? His mouth tasted like raspberries, which was something that I would never be able to explain.
He playfully picked me up and put me on his back, carrying me all the way to my house. Once we were inside the door, Luke began to undress me in the entryway, laying me down on the soft rug. This anticipation had been building for so long, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
I was fully naked in front of him, and he took a long time just looking at my body in appreciation. I placed my hand on his chest, and he gave me a tortured look.
Luke placed his mouth on my neck and his hand over my delicate naked flesh between my legs. He started slowly, making small circles with his fingers. The sensation was too exquisite for words.
Luke gently pushed his fingers inside me, and I started to moan and move my hips to the rhythm of his hand.
“I want you. All of you.” He said, observing me with pleasure.
I began moving my hips faster, and all at once it was like the earth was spinning out of control and felt every muscle in my body explode in spasms with a riveting pleasure. I screamed and thanked God that I didn’t have neighbors within earshot.
Luke wasted no time and pulled off his black jeans. His body seemed perfect when he was wearing his earth clothes, but without any clothing at all, his colossal frame was something that Michelangelo would have made into a work of art.
He was large, so he started off gently, touching deep places within me that made me want to cry in rapture. Each time I let out a moan, Luke stifled an animal-like sound.
In one swift motion, Luke picked me up off the ground and placed me on a plush sofa.
“Are you comfortable?” He asked, with that gorgeous, tortured look on his face.
“Yes,” I replied.
He was now reaching spots within me that were new and profound. With each thrust, he pulled my hips into his, and they seemed to fit together perfectly.
“I love you, Candice.” He said, clenching his teeth.
Finally, the two of us explode at the same time, as though we could just sense the timing of each other’s bliss. Everything in my body started shaking: my legs, my knees, my arms. I couldn’t hold myself up anymore, and Luke picked me up and placed me on the floor, draping me over his body.
Silently, we laid there in a heap. I was on the edge of sleep. And when I woke, he would be gone.
CHAPTER 4
Luke
I was washed up on the shores of Hecate. All I was aware of was the warm water lapping against my skin.
I tried to open my eyes, but I felt groggy and disoriented. And then I saw something that I never expected in a million eons: Candice was by my side.
“What?” I said. I propped myself up to see if there was any danger nearby. Just about a mile away I could see the battle in full swing. Lasers were being shot, there were explosions, and I could hear screams. I had to protect Candice, and that meant getting her to the dome.
How did she get here? I thought it was only me that was sent to Hecate due to the effects of intense pleasure. How could I explain why she was here? Perhaps that first time that Candice came to Hecate was a fluke. Maybe even Grim allowed her through the Gate so that she would understand the Curse, introducing her to her role in it. No matter what the answer was, I didn’t want her here. She was in danger, and I had to find a way to send her home.
“Candice, wake up,” I said, holding her tightly and pulling her out of the water. Her skin was cold and damp. “Can you hear me?” I asked. She slowly began to come to her senses but appeared disoriented.
“What is happening?” She asked.
“You’ve come back through the Gate with me. I can’t explain it.” I replied.
“Oh my God.” She say]id. As I hold her in my arms, I considered that my curse could be extended to those that I love. The thought of it made me so angry that I wanted to rip an alien apart with my bare hands. When I encountered that Krill general again, he was going to taste my sword faster than he could utter a word from his disgusting blue lips. On my own, I could endure the Curse, but when Candice was involved, it would not be tolerated.
“You’re going to be okay. We have to get you back to the dome as quickly as we can. The battle is just on the hill there.” I said.
“Okay. I can’t move my legs.” For a moment I was concerned, but then I knew exactly what to do.
I picked Candice up off the sandy beach and threw her over my shoulder. It was satisfying to carry her in this way. I had carried wounded soldiers off the battlefield before, as many as three at a time, so Candice felt light as a feather.
“Let me down. You can’t carry me like this the whole way.” She said.
“Oh yeah? Just watch me.” I replied. I broke into a run.
Within minutes, we had reached the dome, and I put her down with care. Perhaps if she took a rest for a while, then the strength would return to her legs.
“Thank you.” She said. There was fear in her eyes.
“I told you I could carry you the whole way,” I said.
“Show-off.” Candice replied. She even managed a smile, and I found it heartening.
“You’re safe now. You can relax.” Perhaps I needed to relax a little as well. I was agitated the first time that Candice came to this planet, worried for her safety, but this time I felt like she might really be in danger, and the thought made my blood boil. I could see the veins in my forearms beginning to pop with the excess of blood.
“Arias! You’re back and not a moment too soon.” I heard Halifax say. He was one of the highest ranking Corin generals, and if he was here, then I knew that the fighting had to be serious.
“Halifax, you’ve come all the way from Perla,” I replied.
“Yes, Arias. Since you were last here, the Krill forces have doubled. We’re short on Corin soldiers, and the situation has become grave.” He replied.
“I see.”
“They’re so close to taking this planet that I’m not sure how much longer we should remain. It might make more sense for the Corin forces to move their base to Perla, where we know that they will be safe.”
There was no chance that I was going to let this beautiful planet be overtaken by the Krill, but it might be an opportunity to send Candice to safety.
“I’m staying. I will not give up this fight, even if I’m the last one standing. But I wanted you to take this woman to Perla.” I said, motioning to Candice.
“I’m not going.” I heard her reply.
“What was that?” I said. I didn’t care how captivated I was with this human woman, she would not disobey me right now.
“I said I’m not going. I’m staying here with you, even if that means I have to fight by your side.” She said, getting up from the bench and steadying herself.
“You’re talking nonsense,” I said with little emotion in my voice. “I will not allow you to be in danger.”
“You can’t just send me to Perla. I want to be where you are.” She said.
“We’re not on earth anymore, Candice. You’re in a grave situation that you don’t understand. I’m no longer Luke. I’m Arias, and you must do what I command in this regard.” I replied, holding her slim shoulders firmly.
“I’m not going without you.” She said, staring deeply into my eyes. This beautiful, willful woman was di
sobeying me. Did she not understand who I was?
“What do you say, Arias? I can send the troops off to Perla this very day. I await your command.” Halifax said. This was a highly important decision that was challenging to make with Candice’s disarming presence here. My warrior's brain was at war with my male, protective brain. The human side of me.
“We’re staying to fight this battle,” I replied to Halifax, still staring into Candice’s eyes. “But you.” I pulled her towards me. “You are not leaving this dome, and you’re going to concentrate as much as you can on how to get home. You may have to find a source of intense pain to do it.”
Alien Romance Box Set: Alien Former: Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Books 1-5) Page 111