Heroic Abduction (6 page)

Fun Dyre seemed more than capable of offering, she thought slanting him a glance. The big hunk truly was attractive in spite of his odd skin color.

So what was her problem with him?

Yes, he’d spoiled her plan to get treasure, which, in retrospect, might not have gone off as well as she liked, given the creature could have quite easily have gotten a little upset once he realized he held a human instead of the tentacled virgin he expected.

Dyre had saved her from an angry mob. Made her pizza. Kissed her better than any boy she’d ever known in her past. And better than that one alien who seemed like he might be compatible until she found out he had fourteen wives.

Speaking of which, was Dyre single? Did it matter? She wasn’t looking for anything long-term. Actually, if he had a girlfriend or wife, then it would make it easy for her to say no. She wouldn’t help a man, even an alien one, cheat. But if he was available … No-strings sex with a hunky guy? What did she have to lose except her inhibitions?

The more she thought of it, the more she decided it could work out perfectly. Except for one thing. The whole returning to Zonia.
I have other things I need to do.
But she’d handle that issue later. Who knew what would happen over the course of the next few weeks or after they hit this Obsidian place? Perhaps a mutiny where she dumped his ass on a planet and stole this sweet ship?

Or I could keep him on board, chained to my bed, a sex slave to my desires.
Zista would be so proud of her if she chose a time-honored Zonian way. Problem was, Betty didn’t think Dyre would enjoy it, and in truth, she really wasn’t into the whole bondage thing. Well, outside of sex that was. For some reason the thought of having him naked and tethered for her pleasure made the heat between her legs intensify.

Yes, having sex with him seemed like a better idea all the time. Maybe even more than once.

What about keeping him as a boyfriend?

Say what?! Did she seriously just think that? Boyfriends were trouble. She only had to remember her past life on Earth to recall boys were bad news. From the guy she’d dated who, when she broke up with him because he was an a-hole, required Louisa and a baseball bat to leave her alone to memories of her stepdad who, when he got in a drunken rage, liked to use his fists. In her experience, love hurt. Love used. And love sucked.

Getting put into the foster care system and ending up as an orphan of the state who then placed her in Louisa’s care was the best thing to ever happen to Betty. It broke the cycle of violence in her life. Her subsequent kidnapping by the aliens slavers and her adoption by the Zonians gave her strength to be her own person and a freedom she never imagined. On their planet at any rate. Off the Zonian world, women held even fewer rights than back on Earth.

Sigh.

“I am going to exercise. Are you coming, little sister?” Zista inquired, interrupting her train of thought.

“Maybe later.” Or never. Betty wasn’t into the intense weapon and self-training like some of the others. She knew enough to protect herself, which was good enough for her.

Unfortunately, it only occurred to her after the door to the bridge swished shut that she was left alone with Dyre. Big and handsome Dyre.

Would he attempt to kiss her again? Let his hands tickle all over her body, touching and stroking … Take her on the console, his big body heaving between her thighs …

“You seem pensive,” he remarked instead of stripping off his shirt and showing what hid underneath.

“Just thinking.”

“About?”

She could only too easily imagine him bringing her fantasies to life. She kept those to herself. “Just thinking about how different life is out here.” She gestured to the scrolling stars and planets on the wide view screen.

“Different in what respect?”

“Well, for one thing, while the Zonians are respected female warriors that few mess with, once you leave their planet, everyone else of the feminine gender seems to be fair game.”

“Not entirely true. On most worlds, females are cherished creatures, protected and cared for by their mates and families.”

“But that’s just it. On their worlds. What if I don’t want to live my life out on the Zonian world?”

“Would you prefer to return to Earth?”

His question took her by surprise. “Good god, no. Even if I miss certain things like Taco Bell and shopping at the mall, things are so much more interesting out here. I just wish I could explore it more.”

“Is that not what you were doing when I found you?”

“Kind of. And only because I beat Zista in a card game. Other than that, it’s pretty boring. We hit spaceports, pick up what we need, then leave. We don’t explore. We don’t mingle. And in some cases, I never even leave the ship because it’s too dangerous.” She couldn’t help a moue of annoyance.

“It is.”

“Figures you’d agree with her,” she grumbled.

“I cannot change the fact you are a fragile human female.”

He thought her fragile? She tamped down the warmth at the backhanded compliment. “That doesn’t make me feel better.” But it did reignite some of her arousal from earlier.

“I didn’t mean to make it sound like a fault. It is who you are. But it doesn’t mean you can’t still have adventure, or at least a chance to explore.”

“How? The one time I sneaked out and went to a bar on a space station, I ended up causing a brawl as a bunch of aliens started fighting over who would get me, and we ended up having to leave pretty darned quick and without our goods.” What a fiasco. They’d already paid for the abandoned wares, something Zista ranted about for days. It also brought home to Betty how dangerous the universe was. Hence why she invested some of her meager funds into illusion charms, mini holographic projections that not only changed her appearance but gave the sensation of texture too—until the power supply ran out.

“You need a protector.”

“A boyfriend? No thank you.”

He frowned. “A what?”

“Boyfriend, you know, a guy who says he loves you to get in your pants then treats you like shit before trying to hit on your best friend. Or a guy who marries your mom and then gets drunk on a regular basis and blames her because he can’t keep a job. I’m not about to let myself become some dude’s punching bag or excuse for being an a-hole.”

Damn his brows could arch high.

“Even mercenaries from my world wouldn’t stoop so dishonorably low.”

“And how does your race treat women?”

“For one, we do not beat our women. Ever.”

“So you don’t hit them. There’s others ways of hurting. Words also can act as weapons.” And kill a young girl’s self-esteem. Thank goodness for Louisa and the Zonians who taught her to believe in herself and not let anyone drag her down.

“Insults are for cowards. And there is no honor in behaving rudely with a female. But her status in a warrior’s life would affect her treatment.”

“Affect how?”

“Well, if the female is not a Kulin mate, then a warrior would make no promises, show no affection. He would simply ravish her.”

“You think rape is okay?”

He frowned. “We never force. Why would we? More often than not, we are turning overtures down. We are known for our ability to give bliss, and our generosity when well pleased. Many a female has been enriched from a sexual encounter with us.”

“That’s rude. You’re saying you purple guys treat women like whores.”

“There is no shame in gifting someone out of appreciation. Both parties get something out of the exchange.”

“What if the woman isn’t willing?”

Dyre cocked a brow. “Did I not already mention we do not rape? I was not merely boasting when I said our mercenary attributes are not the only thing our race is known for.”

Betty couldn’t help but laugh at the lack of modesty in his statement. “So I’m supposed to take your word that you’re considered awesome lovers?”

“We are skilled when it comes to pleasing females, yes.”

“No modesty I see.”

“It is not boasting to state the truth.”

“I don’t see how your treatment of women is any better than any other worlds, though.”

“Because we treat our mates like precious treasures.”

“You’re mercenaries. I find that hard to believe.”

“Pure-bred Kulin females are in high demand on our world. Once a warrior binds himself to a female, it’s for life. He would die before he lets her come to harm.”

“So your marriages are until death do you part? But what if he’s a jerk or he strays?”

He shrugged. “Then she kills him. And if she can’t, another warrior will. As I said, females who can mate with us are in high demand. It is in a warrior’s best interest to treat his mate well, or another will come along and steal her.”

“So you’re saying I should marry one of you purple dudes then?”

“No.” His answer emerged terse.

“Why? Aren’t I good enough for one?” Dyre had seemed interested. In her body at least.

“Yes.”

“Then why did you say no? I mean, how else am I supposed to get this protector you teased me with?”

“No need to bind yourself. Protectors can be for hire.”

“You mean like a guard?” That would work except … “Great idea that has two big problems. One, I don’t know anyone to fill that role, and two, how would I pay them?”

“I could be your protector.” He offered so quickly she couldn’t help but cast him a suspicious glance.

“Why would you do that? I’ve just told you I can’t pay you.” Unless he accepted kisses as currency. Wait a second, wasn’t there a name for girl who bartered sex for something?

“As a warrior on an eternal quest to help those in need, it is my duty to offer you my sword and my skill free of charge that you might achieve your dream.”

He sounded so sincere. Looked so yummy. Appeared so serious. She burst out laughing.

“I fail to see the humor.”

“Oh, please. Maybe Zista buys all you’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart shit, but I don’t. Nobody does stuff for free. You can’t expect me to believe that you’re not only willing to just let us use your money to resupply ourselves but to also put yourself in harm’s way so I can explore alien worlds. I mean, come on, what idiot does that?”

“I do.” It took him a second, while she snickered, before he added, “But I’m not an idiot.”

She laughed harder. “Sure you’re not. But you’ve got an angle. I just need to figure it out.”

“Blasted female, why must you make it so hard for me to keep to my code?” he muttered.

She would have asked him to explain, but for the second time that day, he kissed her. Kissed her hard, this time without hesitancy. Kissed her with a hunger she matched.

Heat burned in her. Moisture wet her sex. Her nipples tingled as they pressed against the fabric of her shirt. Once again, his big hands palmed her ass cheeks, grinding her against his hardness.

“Mmm. More,” she moaned.

“We shouldn’t,” was his reply. “This is wrong.”

“Why?”

“I am not a mercenary,” was his odd reply.

She made a sound of dismay as he yanked himself away and left the bridge. Left her aroused, confused, and wondering why he’d stopped.

A hysterical giggle escaped her as a stray thought hit.
Won’t his mother be disappointed when she finds out he didn’t finish the ravishing he started?

“Exercise your cock lest lust cloud your judgment.” –
A Mercenary’s Guide to Prosperity

“Abstinence helps a hero focus.” –
The Unofficial Guide to Heroism

Dyre lasted a single galactic unit, known as one Earth day, before he couldn’t take it anymore. He needed to see Betty.

He’d tried to avoid her, keeping himself busy doing various tasks on board, ones that kept him far away from the tempting Earthling. He attempted to forget the scorching embrace he’d forced upon her luscious lips.

I almost ravished her.
Never mind the fact she seemed willing. Dyre should have more control. Mercenaries took. Mercenaries ravished. He was supposed to be above that kind of base behavior. As Betty was a damsel under his care, he would give her respect and his protection, whether she asked for it or not.

The last thing she needed was a male forcing his lust upon her. He could see she had trust issues. Given her bitter words about her past, he couldn’t blame her for wanting to avoid males.
But I would not mistreat her.
On the contrary, he’d worship her body and shower her with luxury. But she wasn’t interested in that. She wanted freedom, and adventure, two things she couldn’t truly have, not on her own.

The galaxy was a rough place, especially for those considered weak, and much as Betty might protest, she couldn’t keep her fragile self safe from those who would seek to harm her.
Dead males if they touch her.
Such a mercenary sentiment, but, at heart, also a valiant one.

At least she partially recognized she needed a guard, and like the idiot that she named him, he offered his services as knight.
I’ll protect her.
Such a noble cause and yet she accused him of having an ulterior motive.

He denied it. Surely, he offered because it was the right thing to do?
Have I taken to lying to myself now?
I do have a reason for wanting to remain by her side, the closer the better. And it’s not because I want to shield her from danger.

He wanted Betty. It sounded so mercenary to bluntly admit it like that, but anything else would skirt the truth. Despite his determination to forge a name for himself as a hero, he wanted Betty, in his bed, at his side, and anywhere else she wanted to go. He’d known her only a short time, but already she consumed his every waking thought and dream. He spied on her under the guise of ensuring her safety. Fantasies ran through his mind. He studied everything he could find on her kind.

How could he fix this overwhelming obsession? He’d already determined she wasn’t his damsel because of their less-than-stellar meeting, which meant he needed to find her the right male.
Never!

The sudden jealously rose as it always did every time he thought of pairing her with someone else. Which left him with only one solution.
Ravish her!