by K. D. Jones
“It wasn’t what it looked like,” she told him.
“Was it the guy that asked you to dance?”
“Yes. He had grabbed my arm and pulled me to him to whisper something in my ear. I tried to pull away from him.”
“The bruise. That’s when he bruised your arm?” Maxim glanced down at the marks, still only faintly visible.
“Yeah, he was hurting me. When I yanked to get free, I got bruised.”
“Who was he?” Amelia asked.
“He was a stranger that came up to me at the club and asked me to dance. I said no and then he just sits down and starts talking to me. He asked my name. I didn’t tell him. I kept telling him that I had a date, trying to get him to leave. Then he started asking me questions about my date. I refused to answer his questions. He made me feel really uncomfortable, so I stood up to go to the bar where Maxim was getting our drinks. The guy grabbed my arm hard and pulled me to him. He whispered in my ear. It was really creepy.”
“What did he whisper in your ear?” Maxim asked.
She paled. She really didn’t want to tell them the rest. “Can we get Rachel here first? I planned to talk to her about the guy, so if I could just tell you all at the same time it would save me from having to repeat the whole story again.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea.” Amelia didn’t wait for Nigel’s nod as she took out her own phone and dialed security. She talked with Rachel, then hung up. “She and Trig are on their way up.”
Maxim was pacing back and forth. Why didn’t she tell him that the stranger made her feel uncomfortable? He should have gone after the man when he first saw the marks on her arm. He wanted to punch someone. Damn it, he needed to get his anger under control.
“Maxim?” Alona had moved closer and said his name softly.
He stopped pacing. Her beautiful face was pale and her lips trembled. She was scared. But was she scared of the stranger or of him?
“I’m sorry, Maxim. What the newspaper says is not true. I am not a two-timing type of girl. I can’t date more than one person at a time. This stranger is off his rocker.”
“How?”
“Let’s wait until Rachel gets here so I can tell her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me if this guy made you feel scared?”
“I don’t know.” Fortunately, Rachel arrived just then with her security partner, Trig.
“Thanks for coming,” Nigel greeted them.
“No problem. I assume this is about the reporter that Maxim hit,” Rachel said as she came inside and stood next to Nigel.
“In a way. How did the reporter situation go?”
“I managed to convince him not to press charges. But he wants an exclusive interview with Maxim and Alona. I told him that the happy couple would be delighted.” Rachel winked at Maxim when she said it. He growled.
Nigel glared at Maxim then turned back to Rachel. “Thank you for handling that. I will have Amelia look for a time in their dating schedule for a quick interview.”
“So was there more to the reporter situation?” Trig asked.
“Yes, but let Alona explain how she met the guy in the photo.” Nigel nodded to Alona.
Alona took a deep breath. “Maxim and I were on our second date. I was sitting at our table while he went to the bar to get us something to drink. This guy I had never seen before sat down. He asked me to dance, but I refused. He asked my name, but I didn’t tell him. I told him I was with someone. Then he was asking questions about my date. He seemed off to me.”
“Off how?” Rachel asked.
“His eyes were hard. Like he didn’t have much emotion except for anger. He didn’t move like anyone I’ve ever seen before, really stiff and purposeful. But when I stood up to go to the bar to find Maxim, he grabbed my arm and bruised it.” She paused to show them the forming bruise on her upper arm. “Then he pulled me to him and whispered in my ear.”
“What did he say?” Rachel asked.
She glanced quickly at Maxim but turned back to Rachel. “He said my name and that I was too good for Maxim. He actually called Maxim by his name. He also said, ‘Soon I’ll take care of him, then you will be all mine.’ Then he walked off before Maxim came back to the table.”
“Wait, I thought he asked for your name. So he knew who you were the whole time?” Amelia asked.
“Yes. The whole encounter left me shaky and uncomfortable. I had planned to tell you Rachel sometime today because the guy gave off a dark vibe. Dangerous.”
“And you haven’t seen this guy before?” Trig asked.
Alona shook her head. “Never. I would remember him.”
Rachel turned to Trig. “We need to find pictures of this guy’s face. Check with surveillance and even the reporter that took the picture of him in the club. They may have gotten a shot of his face.”
Trig started texting his security team. “On it.”
“I can’t keep people from getting on and off the GCFA ship unless there’s a breach in security. So far there hasn’t been one. But I’ll assign Alona a bodyguard twenty-four seven. He’s already approached her once, so he clearly has set his sights on her.”
Nigel nodded. “Agreed.”
Just when Rachel and Trig were about to leave, Maxim remembered something. “Wait, I didn’t see the guy, but I smelled him. My droid chips enhance my senses, so my sense of smell is better than most halfsies. He didn’t smell fully human.”
Alona nodded. “I didn’t think about it at the time, but you’re right. He didn’t smell human.”
Rachel cocked her head to the side. “What did he smell like?”
“Like . . . me,” Maxim responded slowly, with confusion. Everyone in the room just stared at him. They were all clearly thinking the same thing: how could there be another droid halfsie? But somehow, that was exactly what they were dealing with.
Chapter 8
“Don’t worry about practice the rest of today. We need to review the upcoming dates and plan something for tonight. We’ll get in touch with you both to let you know what the plan is,” Nigel said, opening the door and allowing Amelia to leave ahead of him.
Maxim moved to follow, but Alona called him back. “Please don’t go yet.”
He turned to face her and all his anger seemed to fade away at the look of fear on her face. Stunning not only her but also himself, he went to her and took her in his arms. “It will be alright. Rachel and Trig are ex-IDJ detectives. They’ll find this guy.”
“I hate that he put a damper on our date. I was really enjoying myself. When we were in the elevator . . . after the kiss you called me yours. It reminded me of what the stranger said and I freaked. I owe you an apology for that. I know that you’re nothing like him.” She glanced up at him.
Maxim relaxed a little with relief. He had been worried that he had come across too strong on their date and scared her away. She was brave to admit her feelings to him, and so damn beautiful. Even with tears trailing down her cheeks. He followed the drops as they gathered at the edges of her lips. He couldn’t resist the temptation. He leaned down and took those drops in his mouth. Salty, but also sweet. Just like her. He growled in pleasure when she opened her mouth to him and he deepened the kiss.
He pulled back for a moment. “I would rather die than let anyone hurt you. I feel protective, but I know I don’t own you. You are a gift, one I never thought I would be lucky enough to receive. I cherish you.”
She gasped and the desire in her eyes magnified. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Their tongues tangled and danced. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his body. Her breasts pressed against his chest and it was all he could do to keep himself from ripping the clothes off her body.
He lifted her in his arms and carried her over to the couch, where he laid her down. He balanced his weight so he wouldn’t crush her. “Alona, maybe we should stop.”
“No. I don’t want to stop. I want you, Maxim, more than I have ever wanted an
y other man.” She reached for him, pulling him back for another kiss. At the same time she reached for one of his hands, guiding it slowly up her body until he cupped her breasts. She made him squeeze. They both moaned with need and pleasure.
Damn, if he didn’t know better, he would think that she was created instead of born. She was perfect in every way, both looks and curves. Alona was every man’s wet dream come to life. Even his. He had never felt so much desire for a woman before. It was true that he had not had a real relationship with a woman since he was converted, but he had shared sex with a few here and there when his physical needs rose up. But this was different; she was different. He had to have more of her.
He wanted nothing between them. He pulled her t-shirt up, exposing her sports bra. He paused to admire her cleavage and then attempted to remove the bra, but experienced some difficulty. The tight sports bra resisted his efforts and he was afraid he was going to hurt her.
Alona laughed and pulled the bra off over her head. “It’s not the most comfortable thing to wear, but it holds everything in.”
Maxim growled with pleasure as she completely bared her full breasts. She was perfect in every way.
“Maybe I should take a shower first. I just came from practice and . . .” She gasped as he sucked the tip of her breast into his mouth.
“Mmm . . . you taste so good. I like you sweaty.” He knew it was a mistake, but there was no way he would stop now. Something inside of him was breaking free of the tight control that his Droid side used every day of his damn life. He was not thinking now, he was feeling.
Touching her was like a revelation. Her skin was smooth and soft. The taste of her exploded in his mouth. He wanted to be skin to skin. He released her breasts and lifted himself up so he could remove his shirt. He sighed with pleasure as he pressed his body against hers.
“So good.” He could feel her heartbeat against his. This felt right. It wasn’t enough, though; he wanted to be inside of her. He had never wanted anything more in his life. She must have been thinking the same thing, because she reached down between them and began to unbutton his pants.
He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent. No one smelled like Alona. She had a pure scent that was all hers. He could have identified it in a room full of people.
He had wanted Alona from the first time that he saw her, but he had fought his urges, as always, and left her alone. If it had not been for the GCFA forcing them to spend time together, he might never have approached her at all. He wasn’t going to waste this chance to be with her. But he wanted to make sure that this was what she wanted too.
He gently grabbed her wrist as she reached inside his jeans before she could grab hold of him. “Wait, are you sure you want this to happen?”
She nodded her head. “Yes, I’m sure. I want this. I want you, Maxim.”
He let go of her wrist and moaned when she took his cock in her hand. She stroked him up and down, squeezing as she went. “Oh fuck.”
“Am I hurting you?” Alona froze, worried.
“I am hurting, but in the good way. I ache to be inside of you.” He moaned as he nibbled her shoulder.
She sighed with relief. “I ache for you too. I should have let you come in last night.”
“I wish that you had. But I’m here now, and there isn’t anything that will make me leave you.”
Maxim hooked his fingers into the waistband of her stretchy workout shorts. He pulled them down her silky legs. He let his fingers trail against her skin. She didn’t wear any underwear and for that he was grateful. He touched her shaved mound and found her dripping wet with desire, all of it for him.
He inserted a finger into her pussy slowly because she was so tight. The thought of putting his cock inside of her had him desperate. He had to see to her needs first, though.
Maxim claimed her lips again and inserted another finger, widening her channel. She stroked him at the same pace as he pumped in and out of her. They worked each other simultaneously.
“Yes, so good, Maxim,” Alona moaned.
He moaned when she increased her pressure around his member. He felt the electrical sparks running all over his entire body. They were all culminating, traveling and focusing in one specific area, his cock. He almost lost consciousness when she lifted her hips, helping him to get a deeper penetration. When he curled his fingers and hit her g-spot, she made herself release his cock right before she screamed out her release.
Maxim stood up from the couch and shoved his jeans and boxers down his legs. He kicked off his shoes and kicked his pants across the room. He returned to Alona, unable to wait any longer. He kissed her again and aligned the tip of his manhood at her entrance.
He pushed his cock past her lower lips and into her hot, wet pussy. She was still very tight, but it didn’t stop him. He took the pain with the pleasure as she squeezed his member. He went deeper and deeper until he bottomed out. Fully seated inside of her, he stopped kissing her so he could look down at her lovely face. What he saw took his breath away.
Alona stared at him, her blue eyes dark with passion, cheeks flushed with desire, her lips full and luscious from his kisses, and the expression told him that she wanted him and only him. He chuckled when she grabbed his ass, trying to force him to move inside of her.
“Easy, Alona. You will make me lose what control I have left and I want to take my time, to make it good for you.”
“It’s already so good. I need you, Maxim. I need you moving inside me hard and fast,” she growled out her need.
He finally gave her want she wanted. He pumped into her, grinding down, getting in as deep as he could each time. He was all feelings and emotions. It was like she had short-circuited him or something, and he couldn’t care less about it. For once, he felt nothing like a machine or a human, but like a man. He was a man loving his woman. Love? Where had that come from? He didn’t want to think about it too much. He didn’t want to think at all.
He lifted her leg up high, almost to her shoulder. Her new position gave him more leverage and he could hit her g-spot better with every thrust.
“Oh . . . I’m . . . going to . . . come!” Alona yelled out as another orgasm hit her.
He felt her inner walls squeezing him, and his seed released into her. She milked him over and over until he didn’t think he could possibly produce any more. But as far as he was concerned, she could have everything that was in him. He was hers, whether she knew it or not. And he sure as hell was never letting her go. If she needed words, he would find them. If she needed him to show emotion and feelings, he would do everything he could to give her that. Whatever it took to convince her to keep him, he would do it.
Some part of him knew that this was not logical thinking, but he didn’t care. Something he never knew had been missing in his life was finally present and he would fight to keep it there. For however long she allowed him to be there.
He stood up and picked her up in his arms. She was so light and fragile. It reminded him of how easily the stranger had bruised her. He was going to make sure that guy never laid a hand on her again. He carried her to the bedroom.
“Where are we going?” Alona laid her head against his shoulder, trusting his strength to keep her from falling.
“I plan to make love to you for many more hours and I don’t think the couch is the most comfortable spot for that.”
“Oh, okay then.” She smiled up at him with desire.
He was humbled by her complete trust in him. He was determined to show her that she had made the right decision.
Chapter 9
Alona lay on her stomach with her head turned to the side, eyes closed, and a big goofy smile on her face. She couldn’t help it. She had never felt so relaxed and satisfied in her whole life. She tingled at the feel of Maxim’s lips on her spine. He was voracious with his lovemaking. Who would have thought Maxim the Cyborg, known for his cold reserve, would be the most passionate lover she had ever known? He caressed her with his large warm hands and she could
n’t help but moan with pleasure.
“That feels so good.”
“You feel so damn good,” Maxim whispered against her skin.
He hadn’t stopped touching her, tasting her. She loved it. He seemed spurred on by her ready responses to him, but it was so easy to be with him. She was a lucky woman. Maxim had an advantage over men of most species, with his droid functions helping him renew his energy so quickly. But she gave as good as she got and he swore that she had nearly wiped him out.
When they finally fell asleep in each other’s arms, Alona swore it was the best sleep she had ever had. He had wrapped his arms around her and slept with her against him. She had never felt so well loved or safe in all her life. She seemed to fit in his arms and she didn’t want to leave them. She especially loved waking up with her body comforted by his warmth and strength. She could get used waking up with him for the rest of her days.
She shook her head. These were crazy thoughts! They weren’t even dating for real. He had to pretend to like her for appearances’ sake. That didn’t mean he liked her in real life or that he would want to be with her when their fake dates were over. But they had both responded to one another last night with total abandon. There was nothing fake about their attraction for one another. She knew that he enjoyed touching and kissing her and the sex was outstanding. Maybe continuing the dates would give her a chance to convince him that they should try a real relationship. He must have been reading her mind.
“Alona, how do you feel about me?” Maxim propped himself up on his side to stare down at her.
“Can’t you tell how I feel?” She reached for his hand and brought it to her wet pussy lips. She smiled when he growled in pleasure.
“I meant, how do you feel about dating me, for real?”
She turned to look him in the eyes. His dark, beautiful eyes. She loved his eyes. “Honestly, I hadn’t thought about dating anyone before Nigel approached me about this situation with you. I didn’t really know you very well.”