by Sabrina Kade
Protection.
That’s what Hujun’s intimidating presence provides.
But I don’t want to be protected by him. I want to be pleasured by him.
So as long as we’re going on this Christmas kick, would it be so wrong to ask Santa for Hujun to fuck me for twenty-four hours straight?
My mouth waters. It’s not fair.
“I’m going to head back to the Gathering Room.” I pull my body away from the rock wall. Hujun uncrosses his arms and glances down, unable to hide the mild irritation on his features.
“Do you want me to walk you back?”
I shake my head. “No thanks. You stay here and do whatever it is you’re doing.” I wave my hand, and this obviously offends him because his frown deepens.
“I am keeping watch.”
“On what? York and Azan?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“Not York and Azan.”
I can’t help but snarl. I know Hujun doesn’t like the idea of me leaving his side, but he also doesn’t like to abandon his supposed watch duties. I don’t even know what he’s watching for; it’s one of the only things he won’t talk to me about. There’s more going on Hethdiss than I know, and that makes me nervous.
I move away, but Hujun easily seizes my arm with room to spare and holds me back with ease.
“Glykoran starts his shift shortly. I would like you to stay until then. Please.” His look softens, but I’m getting so tired of this game. “I like when you are at my side, Ellis.”
I swallow hard. I hate and love when he says my name. It’s so fucking sexy. It makes me squirm, and instinctively I pinch my thighs together. Hujun’s voice alone is enough to make me wet. The way he talks, I barely use my translator because I rather figure out what he’s saying, but more than that, the translator can’t capture the rumble in his voice. I love Hujun’s voice most of all. But I’m still pissed off the only reason he wants me to stay is…
“I don’t need you watching out for me all the time.” I can’t help but sound a little sour. “Most of the guys have their sights set on mates, so they’re not going to try and take me or anything.”
“That’s not—”
“And that’s the only reason you’re watching after me, right?”
He frowns but doesn’t answer. Of course, he doesn’t. Instead, he releases my arm and nods back towards the inside of the lair.
“Please go straight to the Gathering Room. I will come back to check and make sure you are okay.” Something flickers behind his eyes, but it’s gone before I can guess what it means. “I know the other women are excited about the Christmas. More planning tonight, yes?”
This time, I’m the one who doesn’t answer him.
I don’t owe him anything, especially if he only sees himself as my bodyguard.
As usual, embarrassed tears prickle my eyes as I spin away and run back to the Gathering Room. I know the way back there by heart now.
“Ellis, wait—” I swear I hear Hujun call.
But I don’t look back because I’m sure I’m wrong.
No one dares speak to me, not even the Sidyths who are wondering why the super tiny human is running around the halls without her escort, and I thank hell for that. I don’t want to speak to anyone, and I don’t want any of the Sidyths to give me a hard time. The last thing I need is for some damn alien to treat me like a kid who’s been naughty and tell me to go back to my room. I’m so tired of being treated like a kid here because I’m short and look kind of young. I’m not Arizona, but I’m the same age as Blythe, who’s mated to a prince and treated like an adult.
I curse my baby face once again as I stumble into the Gathering Room, not bothering to react to Blythe in the room, rubbing her swelling baby.
“Where’s Hujun?” she asks innocently.
“Where indeed?” I’m annoyed. Everyone thinks Hujun and I are attached at the hip all the time. Personally, I rather be attached to his tip. Of his dick that is, and I rather it inside me. Of course, I don’t say that. The girls always think I'm lude when I talk dirty. Even the ones who are five years younger than me.
“Bad night?” Layla takes a seat next to me on the floor.
“Isn’t it always?”
Layla presses her lips together, knowing exactly what I’m talking about. Sort of. She has a baby face, but at least she has an alien who sees her as a woman. Yeah, he’s fucking pushy and annoying, but at least he has a dick, and someplace he wants to put it. Sigh. I guess I am lude.
“Another fun and exciting evening keeping watch with Hujun,” I tack on in a softer voice. “I could hear York and Azan going at it. I had enough.”
“I don’t blame you,” Blythe calls over, still rubbing her damn stomach. “Girl is fucking noisy.”
I smirk at this and shake my head. As annoyed as I am, I don’t want to spend the evening bashing Hujun or talking about how horny I am. “Any updates on the Christmas front?” I turn towards Blythe, remembering she said something about talking to Korben about having some human-friendly items delivered for the makeshift holiday.
“Korben and Azan won’t let me say much about what’s coming.” Blythe shrugs. “I guess they want it to be a surprise.”
“You know what would surprise me?” Layla asks. “If Dolan would leave me alone. Azan keeps telling him to relax, but it has the opposite effect. He’s worried I’m going to be with someone else.”
“And aren’t you?” Alaska asks. “The human looking one.”
Sloane’s blue eyes widen but she doesn’t say anything.
“Exer,” Layla sighs. “He doesn’t look like an alien, does he? But sadly no, he’s not interested in me. At least not yet.”
“I know how that goes,” I can’t help but grumble. “And what about the other girls at the second lair? Are we all going to celebrate here?”
“Glykoran said it’s going to be dry for a few days soon,” Celeste says. “It would be wonderful if we could all go outside.”
“And if we can’t?” I ask.
“Everyone can come here,” Kansas adds. “I already talked to Arizona and Dakota. The rest of the girls in the second lair are going to come here for our little holiday. It’s going to be so much fun!” Her voice ends with a squeak, but even Sloane should be able to tell she’s being sarcastic.
Personally, I don’t care one way or the other. The only gift I want this year for Christmas is something I’m never going to have. I sigh deeply and bring my attention back to Blythe.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired.” She smiles. “There’s not enough gessroot tea on this planet for me not to feel tired. I’m honest to God afraid of how much Korben’s going to have delivered this shipment.”
I smile slightly. As much as I want to hate Blythe, she’s been pretty damn awesome since this assignment began. Maybe it’s finding Korben. Maybe it’s being knocked up. Whatever it is, I wish I had some of it, because honestly, I’m getting a little depressed.
If more of the girls pair up with aliens, and Hujun really doesn’t want me, will I be sent away again? Back to being a Human Whore because he can’t be honest with himself about how he feels about me? I’m not a prude! I see his dick get hard when I accidentally bump into him or touch his face to get his attention.
“Why doesn’t he want me?” I grumble. Another annoying wave of disappointment in myself washes over.
“Hujun?” Blythe asks.
Shit. I didn’t realize I said that out loud.
“It’s nothing.”
“Aww… poor girl needs her pussy tended to,” Alaska teases. I’m sure Blythe is going to snap, but Alaska’s ribbing doesn’t bother me. I’m not intimidated by her like York is just because she’s tall, blonde and beautiful. Girls like Alaska are a dime a dozen.
“Shut up, I do not,” I grumble, standing. There’s next to no point though. Alaska’s almost as tall as I am sitting on a rock as I am standing. “Why doesn’t he want to have sex? I’m not
ugly, right?”
Alaska frowns. “No. Not really.”
“Funny.” Kansas rolls her eyes. “Girl, you’re adorable.”
“I don’t want to be adorable,” I sneer. “I’m as old, if not older than most of the girls here. And yet everyone treats me like I’m a kid. It’s not my fault I’m short. It’s not my fault I’m not worn looking. I want to be treated like a woman, dammit!”
“Have you told Hujun that?” Blythe asks.
“This isn’t only about Hujun.”
“Whatever you say, Sparky,” Alaska laughs.
“It’s not.” I’ve been short all my life, so I’m used to people treating me like a kid. But it hurts a more when the people treating me this way are three feet taller than me – particularly one stoic one with a permanently etched frown on his sharp features. “But I guess… it would be nice if Hujun didn’t always look at me as though I was only some assignment.”
I close my eyes for a moment, remembering some brief instances when Hujun’s cover slipped and he looked at me with heat in his eyes. When he smiled at me. I remember the warmth in his eyes alone was enough to make want to jump into his arms and grind against his enormous cock.
“Girl, you need to tell him these things.” I’m always shocked by how kind Kansas is to me. With Blythe and York, she’s pretty much a freckle-faced bitch. “Men are stupid no matter what species they are. If you don’t tell them what you’re feeling, odds are they’re never going to figure it out on their own. Tell him.”
I sigh but consider her words.
She’s right, but laying my heart on the line just for Hujun to stomp all over it?
I’m not ready for that.
***
I can’t stop thinking about what Kansas said to me a few nights ago, and I wish I could because now that I’m alone with Hujun standing guard at the main entrance to the first lair and York and Azan aren’t fucking in their private cave, I know the time to tell him how I feel is flashing before me with bright, blinking lights.
It would only take a sentence or two to let Hujun know how I feel. Again.
I like you. You’re cute. I want to suck your dick. I want you to fuck my brains out.
All adorable come-ons, each one sexier than the last, but none of them feel right. I wish there was a subtle way to let Hujun know how I feel without putting everything on the line. I don’t want things to be any more awkward, and if he really does feel nothing for me, will I be able to hang out with him anymore? Will I have to see if there’s another Sidyth who’d want a tiny little human as a mate? I don’t want another mate. I want Hujun. And I don’t want things to be awkward between us no matter what. I don’t want to go the second lair because I don’t know most of those girls half as well as I know Kansas and Layla and Celeste.
I don’t want to start over. I know Hujun likes me or wants to Choose me, or whatever his people call it. I don’t even care anymore. I’m attracted to him.
“The moon looks incredible tonight, yes?” Hujun rumbles beside me, and sure enough, when I look to the sky, the lavender moonbeams shining brightly above us. There’s so much talk about Christmas lately that I can’t help but compare it to the star on top of a beautiful tree. And then the light dims because while Hujun says kind words, it’s obvious he will never allow himself to be with me. Dakota’s getting pleasure and expecting nothing in return. I remember Dolan and how he’s chasing down a woman who’s interested in another guy. On this planet, we’re all sex symbols. Ways to get or receive pleasure.
Everyone except me.
“Your mind seems busy tonight,” Hujun says when I don’t respond after a few moments. “Is there something you would like to… talk about?” He stumbles over the last part of his sentence, probably shocked in himself for asking, but too proud to take it back.
“There are plenty of things I would like to talk about,” I say huffily, crossing my arms. If Hujun would simply give me a sign, any sign at all that he’s interested in me, I would be happy to take it, but there’s nothing in his eyes. He merely stares beyond the gaping mouth of the lair into the darkening abyss of Hethdiss.
It isn’t fair.
“Just worried about Christmas, I suppose,” I decide upon when Hujun shifts a bit to get closer to me. His presence is overwhelming enough, but when he leans over me, it’s all but impossible to focus.
“Ahhh, the human holiday again.” Hujun sounds disappointed though I’m not exactly sure why. “The delivery order has been placed, you know. I do not believe Azan’s brother will be the one dropping off the supplies, but I am sure he is a good lad.”
“Good lad? What are you, a hundred?” I shake my head again, relieved that we’re engaging in some small talk. When Hujun grows silent, I can barely take it. I’m not sure what his problem is with Christmas, but almost every time I’ve brought it up to him, he seems to think it’s a big waste. A waste of money. A waste of time. A waste of Korben’s resources and connections.
Korben. I barely know the dude, but I’m pretty sure I hate him. He’s responsible for Hujun tricking me into thinking he likes me simply by watching over me and being kind.
“I am not sure I know what you mean.” Hujun shakes his head again. “But this is good news… for the humans, at least. Personally, I do not understand why such a procedure had to be rushed. Korben has pushed a lot of money into this event for his mate, and I’m not sure if there’s going to be any reward.”
“Happiness isn’t a reward?” I can’t help but snarl. “God forbid we’re not miserable all the time, Hujun. Lighten up.”
“I am plenty lightened.”
“Riiiiight.” I roll my eyes before something dawns upon me. “So when… when is delivery going to be made?”
“Isn’t that obvious?” He keeps his eyes on the sky.
“No. It’s not. Humor me.”
“Tonight.”
My eyes light up at almost the exact same time something explodes in the sky. It looks kind of like a firework, but it’s far too high in the air to come from the ground. Which means…
“Is that it?”
Hujun uncrosses his arms. “I believe so.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? All of the Christmas items are being delivered tonight? There’s another Sidyth piloting that?” I point at the sky as the firework-like explosion shifts and a large frisbee looking disc fills the air. It’s odd, all the time I’ve spent being shipped from planet to planet, and I still forget how much UFOs look like things from movies. Or at least some of them. I swallow hard, still finding the object a bit terrifying and hunker a little closer to Hujun as it lands in the distance and he stiffens slightly.
“There is nothing to be afraid of.” Despite his rumbling words, he wraps a heavy arm around my shoulder. “And as for not telling you, I wanted it to be a surprise. There is not enough rain for me to be put off, so I am going to retrieve the supplies. And um…” he awkwardly clears his throat, and I find myself holding my breath.
His behavior tonight is both exactly what I always expect, and nothing like I’ve ever experienced before.
“Umm… what?” I try quietly.
“I was wondering if you’d like to accompany me. I am more than strong enough to carry the supplies, but I… I would not mind the company.” He lowers his jaw slightly, and I all but blush under his gentle gaze. Why does he have to do this to me? Why does he have to make me feel as though I’m not just some kid he’s looking after with one heated look?
I shrug lazily, still keeping myself under his arm. “I guess… I guess I could go with you. If you don’t mind the company.”
“I would not.”
A silence falls between us, and Hujun eventually removes his arm as we make a slow, and steady trek across the blue fields sparsely lit by the lavender moon. It isn’t difficult to find the ship through the massive palm trees, but even under their massive shades, it’s still warm. The trees spread apart after a half hour of walking, and it’s odd because I don’t mind the silence. May
be Hujun’s heart is racing like mine. I hope it is.
“Ahh, Hujun! I was hoping you would be the one who would meet me.” The owner of the strong voice is beyond my vision, but there’s a shadow shifting in the darkness. It’s another Sidyth, the moon glistening off the pale skin, and this one seems to have an entire back full of scales. He’s thick and muscular like the rest of them, and my body grows warm and flushed watching him move.
I don’t need him to turn around to know he’s attractive.
Hujun steps in front of me, but not before resting a heavy hand on my shoulder.
“Keep her waiting,” Hujun says stiffly.
“You know she will.” The stranger breaks into thunderous laughter.
I guess this is a greeting of some sort, but after only hearing it once, I’m pretty sure I hate it. Hujun curls his fingers around my shoulder a bit more tightly as the stranger turns around with a huge sack slung over his shoulder as though he’s Santa Claus himself.
And my mouth goes dry.
He’s slim but cut like a wide receiver. He honestly reminds me of Exer from the front because I can barely tell he’s alien. And he’s exactly my type. Golden brown eyes widen and lower towards me, and he licks his lips only once with a long, pink and scaled tongue. Oh damn, and then he smiles; hitting me in places I haven’t felt since I first met Hujun.
Hujun clears his throat.
“Thank you for taking the time to deliver these items so quickly. Humans. They are always looking to celebrate something.”
I want to be offended, but I’m still taking in the Sidyth before me. He’s not as tall or hulking as Hujun, but that doesn’t make him any less attractive. Layla would shit her pants.
“I suppose,” the stranger says, stepping closer to Hujun and I. His eyes drop to somewhere below my skirt, and back to my eyes. “Speaking of humans. Is this one yours, Hujun? Don’t tell me you’ve Chosen?”