The Nanny and the Alien Warrior

by Honey Phillips, Bex McLynn

  “How—”

  Before she could finish the question, Craxan lifted her up against the wall, her back to the smooth metal. Her head brushed against the ceiling but she didn’t care because his mouth was on her breasts, pulling on the sensitive peaks with almost painful intensity. She clutched his shoulders, squirming restlessly, seeking pressure against her needy clit.

  He growled and reached between them, ripping away the thin fabric of her gown as he spread her legs further apart and yanked her towards him. She bit back a cry as he pressed her against the hard muscles of his chest, those marvelous nubs massaging her swollen flesh. His tail dove in between them, and she felt it probing at the entrance to her pussy just as he carefully scraped his teeth across an aching peak.

  Her climax swept over her, shockingly intense, and she clamped down on her lip to avoid crying out as she shuddered in his arms. Before she could catch her breath, he slid her down his chest, each ridge of his abdomen sending another ripple of pleasure through her body and straight onto his cock. Oh my God. He seemed even bigger, even harder, and the nubs stroking her channel sent her straight into another climax, even as she struggled to adjust to his size.

  His body was taut with strain, his muscles rigid, but he didn’t move as she buried her face in his chest and tried to catch her breath. But then his tail swept across her clit, fully exposed, and her hips jerked towards him. He growled again, and then he was moving, yanking her frantically up and down the length of his shaft.

  All she could do was hang on, her nails biting into his shoulders as sparks of excitement sizzled along her nerve endings with every thrust. Her nipples rubbed against his chest, a tantalizing counterpoint to the pressure against her swollen nub that added to her pleasure. His scent deepened until her head swam, and then he yanked her down hard, embedding himself as deeply as possible as a muffled roar escaped his mouth. He expanded inside her, locking them together as his heated seed flooded her channel, and she quivered in ecstasy.

  His arms tightened around her as his head rested against her, and his weight pressed her against the wall, but she didn’t mind. She felt safe and… loved.

  “Thank you, my mate,” he murmured, his voice hoarse.

  “I think I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

  He raised his head and smiled down at her.

  “It gives me great pleasure to know that you are satisfied.”

  “Very much so.” She wiggled, testing the knot inside her, then gasped as he flexed in response and her own arousal flared.

  “I am a fool,” he said conversationally, tightening his arms.

  “I don’t believe that for a second.”

  “I am. I was blinded by the fact that I have spent my entire adult life in one profession.”

  “This really doesn’t seem like the right time to discuss career choices.” She shifted her position slightly and heard him groan.

  “You do not understand. I want you, Joanna, you and Sultavi. I want you with me always. I have done since the moment I saw you outside the tavern.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. “You didn’t say anything.”

  A big hand clamped down on her ass, drawing her even closer against him, and she gasped.

  “I should have told you long ago, but I did not see how I could care for you. My profession pays well, but it is a specific skill and it would require me to travel.”

  She didn’t like that idea at all. The few short hours when he’d been gone had been bad enough, but if he left for weeks at a time? And yet…

  “I would rather have limited time with you than none at all,” she whispered.

  His hips jerked, his knot throbbing inside her, and she hovered on the brink of climax again.

  “As would I, but I will find another profession. I love you, Joanna.”

  Happiness washed over her so quickly she felt dizzy. “I love you too.”

  He kissed her until she was breathless, then simply held her, and her heart overflowed with happiness.

  A thought occurred to her. “Do you realize that you just told me you loved me for the first time in a bathroom?”

  “Does that matter?”

  She laughed. “No. But I’ll have to come up with another story to tell our grandchildren.”

  “Grandchildren?”

  “One day Sultavi will be mated, and hopefully she will have a child.”

  His eyes closed, the expression on his face almost pained.

  “Craxan? What’s wrong?”

  “I never thought I would have a mate, let alone a child. Or grandchildren. It still seems like an impossible dream.”

  “It’s not a dream. I’m here. Sultavi is here—metaphorically speaking. It’s real.” She suspected she was convincing herself as much as him. Even before she had been taken, she had decided that a family was not part of her future. And now she finally had one.

  She ran her fingers along his jaw, her heart full. He was such a good male.

  “As much as I love Tavi, I wish we could have children together. I would like to have had another child with you,” she whispered.

  A startled look crossed his face.

  “What is it?”

  “We were always told that a Cire could only mate with another Cire,” he said slowly. “That it is only when we find our true mate and knot inside her that we become fertile.” He looked down to where their bodies were locked together, his cock still buried deep inside. “But I am sure sure that you are my true mate and I knotted inside you.”

  A wild hope sprang to life in her heart, but she tried to push it down. They were so different, and she was no longer young.

  “I’m not sure it’s possible,” she said, unable to keep her voice from shaking.

  His tail cupped her chin, lifting her face to his. “It does not matter. If it should happen, I would be thrilled, of course. If it does not, then I will still be completely satisfied.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  As much as Craxan would have liked to remain inside his mate, as soon as his knot subsided, he gently lifted her free. He washed her quickly, an awkward business in the tight space, but he did not mind and she voiced no objection.

  “Let us find our daughter,” he said as soon as they were dressed.

  “She’s still with Rissta. I joined them earlier but I was so nervous that she was starting to get worried.”

  They found Tavi in the kitchen, cheerfully cutting out pieces of dough, but she rushed over to him as soon as they entered. He swung her up in his arms, and she kissed his cheek.

  “You’re back. You’ve been gone forever and ever.”

  “I am afraid I had a job to do.”

  “But it’s done now? You’re not going away again?”

  “Not permanently, but sometimes I will have to leave you while I work.”

  “Father had to work a lot too,” she said sadly.

  He saw Rissta shoot a look at him from under her brows, but he ignored her and concentrated on his daughter.

  “I will be with you as much as I can,” he promised, resolving to start investigating the possibility of a training job immediately.

  “And Mama too?”

  “And Mama too.”

  “Good. Do you want some of my bread?” She squirmed to be let down, then led him to the table.

  “You made bread?”

  “I did!”

  “All by yourself?”

  “Well, Miss Rissta helped a little.” Her big eyes sparkled up at him, and he hugged her again as she proudly presented him with a slice of bread.

  “She has a talent for it,” Rissta admitted, then gave Joanna a thoughtful look. “Must take after her mother.”

  “Thank you,” Joanna said calmly as she sat down with them.

  Contentment filled him as they ate breakfast together. If every day could begin like this, he would be a happy male.

  “I think I should go back and check on Suzanna now,” Joanna said as they finished.

  “And I need to talk to
Merios.”

  “I’ll meet you back here later,” she promised as she kissed him. “Do you want to come with me, Tavi? We have a new passenger on board, and she has a baby.”

  “A girl?” Tavi asked eagerly.

  “I am afraid he is a male child,” he said solemnly.

  “That’s too bad,” she sighed, and they all laughed as they went their separate ways.

  He found Merios on the bridge, consulting with Hagrin.

  “I was just going to send for you,” the captain said cheerfully, and Craxan’s suspicions flared.

  “Why?”

  “Slight change in plans. The ship is heading to Tyssia first.”

  “Isn’t that uninhabited?”

  Merios hesitated for a fraction of a second. “Yes. But my cousin has a station in orbit around it. I want to take the female and the child there.”

  “To a space station? It does not seem like an appropriate environment for a female and a child.”

  “I’m sure they won’t be there long. He will arrange transportation for them.”

  He frowned at the captain. “You said we were going to Trevelor.”

  “And we will. After Tyssia.” Merios shrugged. “Are you in a hurry?”

  Was he? As much as he would like to prepare for their future, they were together now. “Perhaps not,” he admitted. “Although I was looking forward to larger quarters.”

  “I might be able to arrange something.”

  “You never said that there were larger cabins available.”

  “We only made the deal for the small one.” The other male’s fangs glinted. “Are you really objecting?”

  Object to the time spent snuggled together with his family in the tiny cabin? The forced proximity had brought them together. He had no complaints.

  “No,” he admitted. “But some additional space would be nice.”

  “There is a true family cabin across the hall from yours. I am willing to let you use it.”

  “And what do you want from me in return?” he asked suspiciously.

  Merios shook his head. “So suspicious. I am… grateful that you went back for the child.”

  “I could not leave him.”

  “No. But some males would. Take the cabin.”

  “Very well. Thank you.”

  “There is one more thing,” Merios added as Craxan turned to leave.

  He sighed and turned back. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Jed informs me that Anaeus tried to leave the ship in Driguera. When I asked him, he said that he was trying to do some quick trading.” The captain tapped his claws absently on the console. “I don’t trust him—not that I ever did—but his recent behavior has been more concerning. He will be leaving the ship once we reach the station. I would like you to make sure that he does so peacefully, and with only his own belongings.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Of course.”

  Merios was the picture of innocence, but Craxan decided the sooner they were off the ship the better. He suspected that the requests for his assistance would not stop as long as they were on board.

  “And then Trevelor?”

  “I said that was our ultimate destination.”

  “No, it will be our next destination,” he said firmly.

  “Very well. If you still wish to travel there, it will be our next stop.”

  “Why would we not want to go there?”

  “You never know.” Merios waved a casual hand. “Things can change.”

  “They will not,” he said, and left the bridge before the captain made any more requests.

  He headed for the exercise room, but found it empty.

  Jed wasn’t in the engine room or the crew quarters either. Craxan finally tracked him down in the small recreation room at the back of the ship. He was sitting in a worn chair, his eyes focused on a bottle on the table in front of him, his thumb rubbing back and forth over his fingers.

  “Thank you for looking after my family,” Craxan said as he sat down next to him.

  “You’re welcome.” Jed’s eyes never left the bottle.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  Craxan kept silent, and Jed sighed. “Everything.”

  “That is comprehensive. Is it the female?”

  “Yes,” he burst out. “Did you see her? I don’t mean to offend you, but when I met your mate, I decided that humans weren’t a very attractive species. But Suzanna is the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. And her son is perfect.”

  “That does not sound like everything is wrong,” he said mildly, suppressing his annoyance at Jed’s dismissal of his mate.

  “But she was abused.” Jed’s eyes looked haunted. “By a Skaal. She is afraid of me.”

  “The only way for her to grow less afraid is if she gets to know you. Which she cannot do if you are hiding in here.”

  “I thought perhaps a drink would help. Would calm my nerves so that I could speak to her.”

  He kept his face impassive. “And did it?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t taken a sip yet. Because that’s how it starts.”

  “Can I help?”

  “Yes.” Jed grabbed the bottle and thrust it at Craxan. “Take it away and don’t return it to me if I ask.”

  “Very well.” He knew that it was no more than a symbolic gesture—alcohol was readily available on board—but if it would help his friend, then he would do what he could.

  “Thank you.”

  “My mate is with Suzanna. Do you want to go with me?”

  “I…” Jed straightened his shoulders and nodded. “Yes.”

  Joanna led Tavi back to Suzanna’s cabin and knocked quietly. She didn’t want to wake the other woman if she was sleeping.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Joanna.”

  “Are you alone?”

  “I have my daughter with me.”

  There was a short pause, and then the door slid open. Suzanna looked down at Tavi, then back at her, frowning.

  “You said your daughter was with you, but she’s far too old to be the result of—”

  “She is the daughter of my heart,” Joanna said firmly. “May we come in, or would you prefer to be alone?”

  “Come in. When I’m alone it’s too easy to think I’m still back there.”

  Tavi had been standing silently next to Joanna, looking at Suzanna.

  “You need a bath,” she said.

  “Tavi, that’s rude.”

  Suzanna bit her lip. “But it’s the truth. I’ve been thinking about it, but I just didn’t want to leave Adam. And… it was better to be dirty before.”

  Joanna would have put her hand on the girl’s arm but she wasn’t sure if the touch would be welcome. “We can watch Adam, if you would like.”

  The girl still hesitated. “Is the other snake man gone?”

  “Do you mean Jed? I didn’t see him.”

  Suzanna scowled. “He was lurking around outside the cabin. I told him to leave.”

  “He was just trying to watch over you,” Joanna said gently.

  “Well, I don’t want him anywhere near me. He’s too much like—” Her fierce expression faded, and she shivered. “Never mind. If you’ll watch the baby, I’ll take that shower.”

  Tavi had already wandered over to the bench where Adam was sleeping. “He’s awfully little.”

  “You were that little once too.” Joanna smiled at her. “Babies have to be little so that they fit in their mama’s tummies.”

  “Do you have one in your tummy now?”

  Joanna shook her head, trying not to think about the possibility. She didn’t want to get her hopes up. Suzanna opened her mouth, then glanced at Tavi and apparently reconsidered.

  “I don’t suppose there are any more clothes on board?” she asked wistfully.

  “Not really, but I can lend you something. It will probably be too big.”

  “Better than being too small,” the girl snorted,
looking down at her skimpy outfit.

  “I guess so. I’ll be right back.”

  Joanna returned to their cabin and retrieved one of the outfits Craxan had made. As much as she hated to give it up, it would be selfish not to share. She had to remind herself again when Suzanna made a face when she took it.

  “It smells kind of funny.”

  “I think it smells wonderful,” she said fiercely, knowing Craxan’s scent covered the cloth.

  Suzanna bit her lip again. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  Joanna forced herself to smile. “I know you didn’t. Now take your shower before this little one wakes up.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  Tavi was still studying the baby intently. “He would be prettier if he had green skin like Papa.”

  “I’m sure his mama loves him just the way he is, just like I love you just the way you are.”

  She sat down on the bench and Tavi climbed into her lap, then patted her stomach. “Are you sure there’s no baby in there?”

  “Pretty sure.”

  “It would be nice to have a little sister. Maybe even a little brother. He doesn’t have to be green.”

  “You never know what might happen,” she said as lightly as possible. “Now tell me about baking bread with Miss Rissta.”

  Tavi launched into a long and somewhat convoluted story about her baking prowess, but they had moved on to other things before Suzanna finally emerged from the bathroom. Joanna couldn’t help a pang of envy. She had forgotten that the girl was so pretty. Her hair was long and dark, much more dramatic than Joanna’s ordinary brown, and she had startling blue eyes, accentuated by the navy fabric of her borrowed outfit. The outfit was too large, but the girl had tied some artful knots in the loose fabric so that it conformed to her slender figure.

  “You look very nice,” she said, doing her best to sound sincere.

  “It’s nice to be clean.” Adam made a little snuffling noise and Suzanna immediately focused on him “He’s going to be hungry soon.”

  “Are you still feeding him?”

  The girl gave a bitter laugh. “Not any more. Rulmat didn’t want me that involved. But I was so desperate to get him away from there, I didn’t think about what he was going to eat.”

  “We should go see Rissta. She’s the cook, and I’m sure she can think of something.”