Her Alien Bodyguard: The Guards of Attala: Book One Read online

  “You didn’t really think we’d enforce the penalty, did you? Not for falling in love. Who could ever help falling in love?” Kerryx looks alarmed that I believed they would enforce the ancient code, the one requiring a life.

  “What warrior could resist the pull of his mate?” Radyr adds. “We’ve all dreamt of it, that there might still be hope for us, and now you’ve shown us it’s possible.”

  They look at me and smile. “Now, go get your bride.” Kerryx gives me a playful push towards the crowd. Diana stands at the back of the group next to Zaydn, our retired commander and the eldest among us. I approach them cautiously, not yet ready to believe my change in fortune.

  “The city will not stand for this,” I say. They know the truth as well as I do. We will all be punished for my folly.

  “They will never know, brother.” Zaydn motions to the men surrounding us. My men. “Every man here has promised his silence. No one will speak of your taking of the Earth woman.” He takes a step closer to me. “How could you imagine our loyalty to the city would outweigh our loyalty to you, on a matter of such low importance to them but so incredibly important to you? To both of you.”

  I feel a lightness pass over me, a happiness totally unencumbered by any concern or worry. Part of me still thinks this can’t be real, that I’m back in my room, under guard, sound asleep and dreaming. But then I look at her and all I can think of is holding her in my arms.

  Her arms reach out for me and I close the distance between us in a matter of seconds. There’s nothing tentative about our kiss; I feast on her like only a dying man who just received a reprieve could. The taste of her lips against mine, the smell of her hair, the warmth of her against my body. It’s all perfect. I pull back, mindful of the watchful crowd around us.

  “You’re supposed to wait and do that at the end of the ceremony,” she teases as she returns my gaze.

  “What ceremony is this?”

  “A wedding.” She takes my hand in her own and leads me to the makeshift alter nestled among the towering trees. “It’s how we make it forever, on my world.”

  Zaydn smiles as we approach. Apparently, he’s been selected to officiate today. “Your mate is a good one,” he says as we stand before him. “Tried to break you out twice while we had you under guard. We told her you were in no danger, and we just needed time to come up with a plan, but we couldn’t dissuade her.”

  “She can be…forceful,” I admit.

  “Because I love you,” she says as she rests her head against my shoulder. Mina, the Earth woman scientist, moves forward and hands something to Diana.

  “I fabricated these from some of the ore we found in the mountains,” she says. The rings are fashioned from some sort of iridescent metal. “I’m not one to make sweeping statements without rigorous scientific testing, but from what I can tell, they appear to be nearly indestructible. Just like love should be.” Her cheeks flush red with her pronouncement, and she gives Diana a quick hug before rejoining the crowd.

  “I’d like to start with a reading from the Attalan Sonnets,” Zaydn opens the ancient book in his hands and begins to recite one of his favorite verses. I’ve never minded Zaydn’s fondness for the ancient literature of our people, but my heart’s so full right now that I can focus on nothing but Diana. There’s no point to poetry when there’s such beauty right in front of me.

  She takes my hands in her own as she addresses me. “Mallyk. On this day, I give you my promise to be your lover, companion, and friend. I will respect you, encourage you, and cherish you, in health and sickness, through sorrow and success, for all the days of my life. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things.” She slips the ring on my finger and then brings my hand to her lips. Zaydn hands me the other ring, the one for my beloved, and instructs me to repeat the vows.

  I look deep into her eyes as I promise to devote my life to her. Tears roll down her cheeks and I worry they’ll freeze. When I reach in to brush them away, she smiles.

  “From this day forth, you’ll only cry happy tears.” It’s a risky promise to make, but it’s my deepest hope, from the depths of my soul, that I’ll always make her happy. I’ll give her everything she needs. Protect her from any danger. And build a life the two of us can be proud of. I tell her all of this, as I slip the ring onto her finger.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The crowd breaks into applause as Zaydn presents us to our guests. “You may now kiss your mate. Again.”

  There are chuckles from the crowd, but there’s nothing funny about our kiss when I take her in my arms and press my lips against hers, as husband and wife, in front of all our friends. Then I take her hand and lead her back down the makeshift aisle.

  Her eyes sparkle and there’s a rosy flush to her cheeks. She radiates happiness and light and I can’t help wondering what I ever did to deserve being this damned happy. But I’m not going to challenge fate. Instead, I silently promise to spend every day for the rest of my life making Diana as happy as she has made me.

  FIFTEEN

  DIANA

  I WASN’T sure at first how Mallyk’s men would respond to the idea of us. I figured they would be full of confusion, anger, and jealousy. When we return to the outpost after the ceremony and see the feast they’ve put together for us, I realize I’ve misjudged them greatly.

  Every table in the fort has been moved to the center of the yard and arranged around a roaring fire. Trays of native fruits and vegetables are laid out next to bowls of grains and plates of cooked meat. It’s the first fresh meat I’ve seen in Attala and they must have gone out of their way to provide us with something special. I realize then how fully they respect and admire Mallyk. He has given them much over their years together, but now he has given them the greatest gift: hope. Hope of a future filled with love.

  We’re escorted to the table nearest the fire, where a bouquet of tiny white flowers sits in a chipped old glass. All worries are forgotten for the night as we eat, laugh, and dance into the late hours of the night.

  And then Mallyk takes me back to his room.

  I’m slick with anticipation by the time he closes the door behind us. “You’re always wearing so many clothes,” he teases as he begins to work at the buttons below my chin. I remove my winter cloak and drape it over the back of the nearest chair. I place my hand on his to still his movement. Something has to be said before we can continue.

  “I owe you an apology. For drugging you and sneaking out the other night.” I look up at him with a timid gaze.

  “There is nothing to apologize for.” His smile is kind as he takes my face in his hands. “You were doing your duty. I understand. Let’s just avoid any repeats. From now on, we’ll face our problems together.” He pulls me close and kisses me, and all is forgiven.

  My body is warm and I’m practically purring I’m so ready for his touch. He sinks to his knees in front of me and removes my skirt, taking care not to tear the delicate fabric. It also finds a place on the back of a chair.

  Mal leans in, fingers hooked in the waistband of my panties, and rests his mouth against the thin white fabric that covers me there. I tangle my hands in his hair and groan as his tongue wets the skimpy lace. I love being like this with him. My husband. I’m drunk on him and I just want to enjoy it.

  One gentle tug of his hands and I’m naked before him. He snakes his tongue against my swollen lips and I open my legs to him. I’ve never felt so adored or so cherished. He tosses my leg over his shoulder and supports my weight as he growls against me and begins his assault on my swollen cunt.

  His mouth is everywhere. Tracing my opening. Nibbling my outer labia. Sucking my inner folds. Licking my engorged clit. He explores every centimeter of silky skin tucked between my thighs. Every time I reach for his throbbing cock, he bats my hand away and continues devouring my aching pussy until I feel like I’m going to collapse. Orgasms rip through me at a shocking pace until I lose count.

  “I can’t take it anymore.” All my weight is
on one leg, which is trembling under the strain. I hope he’ll relent and let me pleasure him for a little while, but he merely tosses me on the bed and crawls between my thighs again. I’ve never experienced anything like his desire for me.

  I lay on my stomach with my hips swirling as he eats me from behind. I explode on his tongue again and this time I see stars. I reach back and push at his head, struggling for release he isn’t inclined to grant. His grip on my hips becomes stronger, but he shifts his focus away from my pussy. He spreads my cheeks and I feel his warm mouth on my puckered opening there. Nobody has ever done this to me before and the pleasure of it catches me by surprise. My legs buck each time his tongue dances across my pink rosette.

  “Do you like my mouth on your asshole, mate?” His breath hovers there, warm on my skin, as he awaits my reply.

  “God, yes. It feels so dirty and naughty and amazing all at the same time.” I push back against his warm eager mouth, working myself into an orgasmic frenzy. He eases a thick finger inside of my wet pussy and fucks both my openings together in an obscene rhythm. It’s the most intense physical pleasure I’ve felt in my life and I’m glad he’s the one pulling all my strings. A guttural cry escapes my lips as my body clenches around him in pleasure. Waves of bliss surge through me and I collapse on the bed in exhaustion.

  He crawls between my thighs to take his pleasure and I struggle onto my back. I want our first joining as husband and wife to be face-to-face.

  His features are dark with lust and it sends a punch of pleasure through me. It’s rare to find a partner who will delay his pleasure for his woman’s sake. I married well.

  He sits back on his heels as he guides himself into me. I lay there, legs thrown wide, hips offered up to him, body throbbing with pleasure, as he claims me once again. His warm cock throbs within me, hard as iron, as he thrusts in and out at a maddeningly slow pace. It tests my patience and I thrust back against him, trying to hurry him along and bring us both to the brink.

  He stretches out above me, taking his weight on his arms as he sinks into me again and again. “My mate has a greedy little pussy,” he whispers against my mouth.

  Truer words have never been spoken. I can’t get enough of this man. I want to spend every moment with him. I want to know everything about him. I want him inside me forever.

  We explode together in a burst of cosmic ecstasy. His growl of pleasure shakes the beams of the cabin. My body trembles like I’m being electrified. The intensity stuns us both.

  He collapses on the bed next to me, limp as a rag doll. I slide close and he scoops me into his arms, kissing every inch of skin he can get his mouth on. I can’t help thinking I’m the luckiest woman alive. Everything we’ve experienced has taken its toll, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

  I’ll never let him go.

  SIXTEEN

  DIANA

  I COULD SPEND the rest of the week in Mallyk’s arms, but duty is a harsh mistress. I have a planet to save and there isn’t a moment to spare. I gather with my crew mates at dawn the day after my wedding. It’s time to plan our next move.

  “It looks different than I thought it would.” The crystal spikes cast an eerie green glow on Mina’s face as she holds one up and examines it closely. “Less solid. And there’s a movement to it I wasn’t expecting.”

  “Is this going to be enough?” Savannah asks and I can tell she’s worried. “I just don’t see how this is enough to jump start our sun. I was picturing a payload the size of a minivan. This would barely fill a large duffel bag.”

  “Mina still has to work her magic on it,” I say. “Once she synthesizes it, purifies is, and makes her detonation calculations, we should be all set.”

  “If the science is right,” Mina reminds us. “You’re both talking like success is a foregone conclusion, and while I appreciate the vote of confidence, I’d like to remind you that we aren’t out of the woods yet.” She rests her hands on her hips as she runs through her mental checklist. “This is all theoretical at this point. I’ll know more once I get in the lab and start working with it.”

  “I suppose you’re going to need your lab from the ship to start with that?” I rub a hand over my face as I fight against exhaustion. The mission isn’t making for the most relaxing honeymoon ever.

  “There’s not much I can do without it, at this point.” She shrugs her shoulders in an apologetic gesture. “All my theoretical calculations are done. I need to verify them. And I need the equipment on the ship’s lab to do that.”

  “Well,” Savannah rises to her feet and brushes the dirt from her pants. “I think finding Margo and The Sparrow just became our number one priority.”

  “Agreed,” I say as I rise to my feet next to her. “I’ll talk to Mallyk and see if he has any fresh information on their whereabouts.”

  Our fate rests with Margo now.

  Her Alien Protector, the next book in The Guards of Attala Series, is coming soon! Read below for the blurb and a sneak peak. Click here to preorder.

  Margo Turner, a Marine pilot, is still in shock from her unexpected crash landing on the ice planet Attala. To make matters worse, the rest of her research team was just carried away by a group of fierce alien warriors who are intent on separating Margo from her ship. Determined to finish the repairs and make her spacecraft flight ready, Margo fights the Attalan bodyguard assigned to her at every turn.

  Lodyn never imagined his fated mate could be a fierce, curvy Earth woman. She makes his blood boil with her defiance and stubbornness but his heart doesn’t care. Neither does his manhood. Now he faces the impossible decision of keeping his sworn oath to the guard or claiming his fated mate and finding a way to keep her by his side forever.

  Her Alien Protector is the second book in The Guards of Attala Series. This full-length novel can be read as a standalone, but is best enjoyed in order with the other books. Click here to preorder!

  “I’m only going to say this one more time.” I rest my hands on my hips and scan the bridge with the best frosty glare I can manage. “Get the hell off my ship, or I’ll throw you out myself.”

  It’s an empty threat, and we all know it. The alien standing to my left reminds me of a Mack truck. Seven and a half feet of bulging muscles, shoulders as broad as a bus, and pecs that look like slabs of granite. Me? Mr. Alien could toss me around without breaking a sweat. Not to mention, there are three of them, and only one of me.

  But I’m not giving in. I can’t.

  This ship is everything. To me. To my crewmates. To the mission. We need it if we’re going to save Earth. I didn’t spend months flying across the galaxy in the Sparrow only to abandon it at the first hint of trouble.

  “It will be dark soon,” the biggest of the Attalan warriors says. I’m completely taken aback that he addresses me in English. “We need to leave now if we are to make it to the wall by nightfall. The storm will only get worse.”

  “You can speak English?” I ask, letting my curiosity replace my anger for a moment.

  “I can speak hundreds of languages, thanks to an implant that we all have in our ear.” He reaches up and taps his ear. The men behind him shift impatiently and I get the impression he’s tired of waiting.

  I grab the plasma gun from my waist point it right at his huge, muscular chest. It was only moments ago that five huge warriors boarded the ship. Two of them carried Natalie off, injured leg and all, and the other three are standing here, waiting for me to follow their orders quietly.

  “I already told you, I’m not leaving. But you’re welcome to get the hell off my ship unless you happen to be an expert on spaceship engineering. That woman you just carried off? She’s our engineer so you’re making my job much more difficult right now.” He crosses his arms tightly across his chest as I talk and I can tell he’s frustrated. Join the club, buddy.

  “She will be well cared for within the city walls. She will receive the medical care that she needs. All of your friends will be well cared for.” He’s the only
one doing the talking which tells me out of the three of them, he’s in charge.

  “We have our own doctor. Oh wait…but you took her as well.” I don’t know if these aliens understand sarcasm but it doesn’t stop me from using it.

  He gets sarcasm; I hear his deep exhalation and catch a glimpse of him as he rolls his eyes. A very unexpected human gesture that makes my blood boil and already high blood pressure spike through the roof.

  His muscles are impressive and I don’t doubt that he could easily throw me over his shoulder and carry me out, but I’m fairly confident that he won’t. He’s intimidating but not in a scary way.

  “There’s a reason you were to land in the city walls, it isn’t safe out here, especially at night. Not to mention the storm could trap you in here for days.”

  I decide to completely ignore his comment about not landing where we were suppose to. I don’t need to be reminded that I was the one at the controls when we crashed. “The backup systems are still running. We can live in this spaceship for months in outer space. I think I’ll be okay for a few days if I get snowed in.”

  “And if the backup systems go down, you’ll freeze to death. Your body cannot endure the cold temperatures of our planet.” I’m about to interject when he holds up his hand to stop me. “You’ve crash landed on this planet. We will not be alone here for long and I don’t think your human eyes are ready for the things you might see.”

  “Enough of this, Lodyn.” One of the other warriors steps forward, tired of waiting in the background. “I will carry her and we’ll leave at once.” He takes a step toward me but Lodyn’s arm shoots out like a steel beam and stops him. I keep my weapon trained on both of them. I see a hint of a smile cross his lips that sends chills down my spine.