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

  I cross my arms over my chest. “No, as a matter of fact, I’m not. I don’t want members of your army travelling with us. This is a scientific mission, not a military one.”

  He shakes his head and his expression tells me there’s no wiggle room. “That’s just not going to happen, Diana. There’s no way you’re leaving this city without me and my men.” He steps away and begins his retreat down the main steps. “Now, if you’re through arguing and making demands, I’ll take you to your friends.”

  Dammit, does he know how to push my buttons. I grudgingly follow him, but I’m determined to get in the final word. “I’ll find a way out on my own. I’ll find my way around the wall.”

  He stops and throws a look at me over his shoulder. “There’s something you haven’t considered, mate. Those walls weren’t built to keep people in. They were built to keep the dangers of this planet out.”

  FIVE

  DIANA

  THE QUARTERS we’ve been assigned are so lovely I feel a little uncomfortable, especially when I think the old hovels at the edge of the city where most of the residents live. And of the guards on watch in the mighty wall, sleeping in the cold rock towers.

  “I thought I’d never feel warm again.” Mina’s resting on the sofa, bundled in a thick fur-lined blanket, with her hands extended towards a small glowing cube. I can feel the heat emanating from it; it must be their version of a fire place. Her eyes keep drifting shut, and I’m reminded of what a long day we’ve all had.

  “How’s Natalie doing?” I ask as I join Savannah at the table of food set out for us. I’m not really hungry, but I need to maintain my strength to keep my focus.

  “Her leg is in pretty bad shape. Multiple fractures. Jostling along on some alien beefcake’s shoulder sure didn’t help. But the doctors here have impressive technology – imaging systems years ahead of our technology- and they’re taking good care of her. They want to keep her overnight.”

  I select options from the spread that look somewhat familiar. Some sort of salted and dried meat and a grain that resembles barley. “I suppose there’s no way she’ll be in any condition to travel with us in the near future.”

  “Not a chance. She’ll be out of commission for a while.” She picks at her food with about as much enthusiasm as I do.

  “We might be, too.” I pause for a drink of water and it tastes of melted snow. “They want us to wait a few weeks before departing. And to take a unit of the guard with us. For protection.” Savannah rolls her eyes at that, and I’m in total agreement.

  “That’s not going to work, boss.” She stares at me with raised brows. “I hope you have a plan.”

  A smile creeps across my face. “Don’t I always?”

  I STEAL from my quarters once everyone has been asleep for several hours. I hover outside the door until my eyes have adjusted to the inky blackness and then I walk towards the wall. I’m careful to stay out of view, but I see no others in the streets. I reach the wall undetected and touch the bitter cold of the icy stone. I skim against it I walk the length of the wall, searching for a door, a weakness, a foothold for climbing. Any possible weakness to be exploited to aid in our escape. Because there’s no way in hell I’m sitting around for two weeks to obtain their permission to leave the wall. And there’s no way I’m taking a unit of the guard with me. Even if one of them happens to have brilliant blue eyes and biceps like bowling balls. Even if he has invaded my thoughts in the most delightful of ways.

  I hear a chuckle in the dark and I know it’s him before he moves from the shadow and exposes his form. I feel it in my bones. And as annoyed as I am that he anticipated my plan, I can’t help the thrill that races from my flushed cheeks down to the tips of my toes. “How did you know I would be here?”

  “Because it’s what I would do in your position. I think you’re the only person on this planet as stubborn as I am.” He steps closer and whispers into my ear. “I can arrange for extra men to go to your ship.”

  My spirits immediately lift. “Members of your team?”

  “Of course.” I can’t help it. I let out a laugh and, before I know what I’m doing, I reach out and hug him. He puts his hands on my hips and pushes me back, so he can see my face. “Don’t get too excited. I didn’t say it would be free.”

  “We brought some petty cash along, how much do you-”

  “I don’t want your money.” He seems upset with the suggestion.

  “Then what do you want?”

  “I want you, Diana.” He doesn’t even try to hide the desire that’s plain on his face. I meet his straightforward eye contact. I know he expects me to look away, but I don’t. Instead, I straighten to my full height and pull my shoulders back.

  “You can’t have me,” I say.

  He doesn’t look all that disappointed. Which I quickly realize is because he’s not at all deterred. He steps closer and caresses the line of my jaw with the back of his hand. “You’ll turn down an offer of five highly trained Attalans sent to your ship immediately? All I want is a kiss.”

  “You’ll send them for a kiss.” It’s a statement, not a question.

  “That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”

  I’d be crazy not to. It’s just a silly little kiss, right? Except I suspect it will be neither silly nor little. Not with the way he’s looking at me. But then I think of the ship, and Margo stuck on her own out there, and I know what I have to do. It has nothing to do with his broad shoulders or muscled torso, or so I tell myself.

  “I accept.” The words barely escape my lips and his mouth is on mine.

  I was imagining something sweet and chaste. This kiss is not it. His lips practically devour me, and I know my lips will be bruised tomorrow. One hand snakes behind my neck and holds me to him, like a vise. His face presses against mine as his tongue forces itself between my lips and invades my mouth.

  I love every second of it.

  My toes curl up in my boots and goose bumps raise on my arms. I’ve been kissed before, but never with this kind of passion. For the first time in months, I’m not worrying about Earth, our mission, the odds of success or failure. All I can think about is the way his tongue dances against mine. The way his lips engulf me. The way he draws me in and holds me close with arms like steel beams. I feel adored, I feel safe, and I feel horny.

  I’m desperate to feel him against me, to open myself to him. I shift my weight to my left leg and lift my other one, struggling to hitch my bent knee over his hip. He slides his hand under my knee and pulls me close, grinding against me. His bulge nudges my swollen pussy through the fabric and I hump against him. His hungry mouth devours mine; it’s hard for me to sneak in a breath. How can something so forbidden feel so good? I have a million other things I should be concentrating on. But right now, I’m lost in the moment, and it feels divine.

  His hand slides down to cup my ass. He pulls me tighter against him, and an electric jolt goes through me as he thrusts against me again. I curse the layers of clothes between us. He grinds against me again, and I brace myself against the wall for leverage and meet him with all the strength I have. I haven’t gotten off like this since I was a horny teenager, but I’m so close now.

  And then he pulls away so fast I almost collapse.

  “Someone’s approaching,” he whispers as he helps me straighten my clothes. His hearing is far superior to mine. I don’t sense anyone nearby. But then again, I was a little distracted. He takes my hand and leads me back to the road; I’m so disoriented I let him. A few steps later, we encounter one of the stewards.

  He bows when he addresses Mallyk. “Commander, we’ve been looking for you. The Earthling leader is not in her quarters.”

  “I have her right here,” he says as he motions to me. “She went for a walk and couldn’t find her way back.”

  “I’ll escort her back to her room,” the steward says.

  “I’ll take care of her myself.” Mallyk places his hand on the small of my back and steers me down the road as the ste
ward disappears back into the night.

  “So, your people are keeping an eye on us?” I ask.

  “You’re important visitors here. It’s only to ensure your safety. I’m sure that if the situation were reversed, your people on Earth would do the same.” He looks troubled that I read something sinister into their actions.

  “I’m sure my people wouldn’t insist on a two-week delay while time was ticking away for your species.” I pause in the street and place a hand on his chest. “Can’t you talk to the minister?”

  “Perhaps I could.”

  “Good. Because I want to leave tomorrow. Day after at the latest.” It’s a big request, so I try to charm him with a thousand watt smile.

  “You’re asking for a lot.” He moves closer and runs a finger down my neck and chest. “It’s going to cost you a lot more than a kiss.”

  The tiny hairs on my arms stands up like they’re electrified. A thrill runs through me, and, if I’m honest with myself, I can’t tell if it’s because there’s the possibility we’ll leave early, or because I’m imagining what delicious payment Mallyk will demand next.

  SIX

  MALLYK

  THE MINISTER IS NOT INITIALLY receptive to my request to leave early with the Earth women. But I am relentless, presenting argument after argument. For every point he presents, I have a carefully prepared counterpoint. Because nothing will keep me from my mate and giving her what she needs.

  When I give her the news of our early departure, she jumps into my arms and hugs me. The smile on her face is as bright as the Geminus moon. The swelling of my heart in my chest is matched by the swelling of my cock. I can’t wait to collect what I’m owed when we camp for the night.

  But there is much to do before then, and I am not one to neglect my duties.

  Our small band of Attalan warriors waits at the gate, along with the Earth women, ready to begin our journey for the ice mountains. Diana seems certain of our success, but I am still uneasy. Our warriors are spread thin, between the group sent to guard their ship and collect the pilot and the warriors who must remain behind to protect the city. I’d feel better if our group of fifteen were double in size. Diana would be happy with none, but she doesn’t understand the dangers of our world. And the Earth women are far too precious and fragile to face those dangers on their own.

  I look to her. She gives me an angry grimace and taps her fingers against her watch. It makes me smile. She may be small in stature, but she is fierce in spirit. I admire her loyalty to her people and her bravery in facing the unknown. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let her travel unaided, or do anything stupid. Saving her planet is her number one priority. Keeping her safe is mine.

  A thunderous boom echoes around us as the warriors on the wall receive the go ahead from the Minister to open the gate for us. We enter the chamber under the wall, the pathway carved into the stone itself, and the inner gate closes behind us. At the same time, the outer gate is retracted and light from outside flows inside and guides our way.

  I’ve spent most of my adult life outside the walls, but the frigid air still takes my breath away for a moment. I’m prepared for what waits outside the wall, but I worry for the hundredth time that Diana and her friends will not be. The cold outside the wall is ungodly and relentless. The weather is unpredictable and cruel. Technology cannot be relied upon. We have outfitted them with clothing and equipment specifically designed to deal with the weather outside, as they were unwilling to wait for the warriors to return from their ship with their supplies.

  Our warriors will move on foot, as we always do. The humans are too vulnerable for that, even though Diana argues they are not. She begrudgingly agreed to travel by Arav sled, and I can see she is still not happy about it. Most women would delight in riding in the lightweight sleigh, covered in fur blankets and pulled by a team of Aravs, but Diana looks absolutely put out. She’ll realize soon enough how lucky she is.

  “What are these things?” she asks with hesitation as she approaches one of the giant white beasts.

  “You don’t have these on your planet?” I ask.

  “No. We have animals called polar bears that kind of resemble them. They’re friendly?” She has her arms crossed over her chest as if she’s afraid they’ll touch her. They are intimidating creatures with their sharp claws and massive bodies but they’re completely tame. Some people in the city even keep them as pets.

  “They’re friendly, as long as they like you. You could even pet them if you’d like.” I give her a mischievous smile and pat the closest Arav’s rump before walking ahead to the other men.

  We pick up speed as we clear the second gate. It closes behind us with an ominous crash, and we’re on our own. The wind-driven ice stabs at us like tiny daggers. A bitter chill envelops us all and it doesn’t take long for the cold to settle into my limbs. Members of the Guard may have been altered to survive the cold, but it’s still a discomfort. I push down my physical pain and push forward for her and her people. We’ve never made the run to the Ahlwin outpost in one day before, but I’m determined that we’ll do so this time. For their safety and ours.

  I’m relentless in driving us forward. The guard usually stops for periodic breaks during journeys, more for morale than any physical need we have. Today I make the decision to forgo them all. We’ve been on the move for six hours when one of my men, Kerryx, finally gathers up the courage to question me.

  “Commander, the men could use a break. Will we be stopping soon?” I feel anger build in my chest, but my only disappointment is with myself. I have been too easy on the men lately. It has been a while since we have seen any serious action, and we are all growing soft in this time of relative peace. Today I will remedy that mistake.

  “We will stop when we reach the Ahlwin outpost. Not a moment before,” I say. He falls back into his position and I hasten our pace, punishing myself for how indulgent I’ve been. I’m determined to meet the timeline I’ve set out.

  I don’t see the storm until it’s on top of us. It crept up behind us with stealth that seemed malicious in nature. It only takes a few moments until I can no longer see the face of the man next to me. Fortunately, this isn’t an isolated occurrence outside the wall; the guardsmen are so used to dealing with weather like this that I don’t even have to issue an order. Their training kicks in and they begin to set up shelter. I sense fear, but it’s not coming from my men. It’s coming from my mate.

  “Diana!” I yell as I run to her. But I needn’t have worried. My men have collected the Earth women and deployed an emergency dome around them, much like the dome affixed around our city that protects the inhabitants from the weather. It’s pretty much the only technology that works outside the wall, because it was designed to. Not for our safety, but for the safety of any people from the city who have reason to venture out here. The Aravs scatter into the snow; they’ll be far more comfortable than we are in the snow, with their thick white coats of fur. We set up several tents inside the dome, deploying them with the push of a button. Two for the men, one for the women, and one for me. Once everyone is safe, accounted for, and settled in for the evening, I send Kerryx to fetch Diana and bring her to my tent.

  It’s been a long day, and I’m eager to collect my due.

  I remove the more restrictive parts of my travel gear and recline back on the rug-covered floor with a few pillows tucked behind me. I pull a heat cube from my supplies and activate it, in anticipation of my mate’s soon-to-be-naked state. I’m almost out of my mind with anticipation, but her safety is my first concern. I won’t have her catching a cold out here, not on my watch.

  I hear a rustling as she enters through the soft leather flap on my tent. Her long brown hair falls in thick waves around her lovely features, and I’m once again struck by her outstanding beauty. In fact, she grows more attractive to me the more I spend time with her. Her fierce determination, loyalty to her people, and drive to succeed have only intensified my attachment to her.

  “Kerryx said
you wanted to talk with me.” She stands in front of me in her winter exploration suit, seemingly oblivious to the intended point of her visit. “How long do you think this storm will last? We really need to keep moving.”

  “We will not move until morning. The storm is too strong and shows no sign of letting up. We’ll take time to regroup now and start out fresh tomorrow.” I shift my position and look into her eyes. “Now, though, we have another matter to attend to. It’s time for you to pay what’s due.”

  I expect her to argue. Instead, there’s a rosy flush in her cheeks and a playful twinkle in her bright eyes when she finally responds. “I suppose fair is fair. What did you have in mind?”

  “I want to look at my mate.” I rise from the floor and move closer to her. “Take off your clothes.” My voice is thick with lust and it comes across as a demand, not a request.

  “And what if someone walks in on us?” She toys with the toggle of the zipper at the neck of her space suit.

  “Nobody would dare,” I say. “Now, you can remove your clothes, or I will. It’s your choice. But I plan on exploring every inch of your body tonight.” My hands are clenched into fists at my side. If she only knew what she did to me.

  “No touching. If you even try it I’ll scream.” She eyes the rapidly growing bulge between my legs as she says it.

  The sounds that comes out of my mouth is a mix between a growl and a chuckle. “I promise not to touch you. Not even when you beg for it.”

  She bites at her lip, looking suddenly shy, as she slowly pulls the zipper down her chest. I hear the soft little ticks of metal on metal as she eases it over her belly and then lower, down past her hips. She pulls her arms free and then does a little shimmy to wriggle the suit down over her hips before kicking free of it. Hands on hips, she turns to face me.

  She’s not even fully naked, but I can still barely breathe. I’ve never seen such loveliness in my life. Her skin is as pale and unmarked as the freshly fallen snow outside. The swell of her breasts, the curve of her hips, the patch of dark hair between her thighs barely hidden under her thin lace underthings. I feel weak in the knees at her beauty and I curse myself for standing.