Ella and the Alien Gamer (Intergalactic Brides 10) Read online

  They worked together, getting all their stuff packed in a little over an hour. The hardest part had been packing Connor’s room without waking him. When Valero had seen just how few games the boy had, he made a promise to himself that he would take Connor shopping at Gamer Plus at his first opportunity. He’d just have to figure out how to keep Ella from getting upset over it. She seemed like the type who wouldn’t appreciate someone buying her son a bunch of games, or much of anything else.

  They woke Connor, who nearly bounced out of the bed when they explained why there were boxes around the apartment. Ella packed the used bedding last and then Valero began loading everything into the bed of his truck. After he was finished, he waited for Ella to turn in her keys to the apartment manager, then he drove to his house, stopping along the way to treat everyone to a milkshake.

  “This is the best day ever,” Connor said as he slurped his strawberry milkshake.

  “It’s just temporary,” Ella stressed. “Once I get a new job, we’ll move into our own place again.”

  Valero watched Connor’s expression in the rearview mirror and saw him frown, but the little boy didn’t say anything. It was hard for Valero not to tell Connor that he could stay as long as he wanted. Forever, even. Something told him it would only piss off Ella if he did that, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. He tried to watch Connor and Ella as he pulled into his subdivision. His house wasn’t as grand as Reyvor’s, but it was in the same community.

  Connor pressed his face to the glass as he watched the homes pass by. When Valero pulled into his driveway, he heard a very quiet “Wow,” from the backseat. Ella seemed nervous, her hands twisting in her lap, and he wondered what he could do to put her at ease. He opened the garage and pulled inside then turned off the engine.

  “Are the two of you ready to see your new home?” he asked.

  “We’re really going to live here?” Connor asked.

  “Just for a little while,” Ella said as she got out of the truck.

  Valero ushered them inside and gave them a tour. When he told Connor to pick one of the four empty bedrooms, his face lit up and he examined each of them carefully. He finally chose the blue room, with a full bed, matching dresser, and small entertainment center with a TV and Blu-ray player. Valero put all of Connor’s boxes into his room and Ella’s into the yellow room next to it. It wasn’t surprising that she’d choose a room beside Connor. It just happened to be next to his as well.

  “Do the two of you like Chinese?” Valero asked.

  Connor’s eyes went wide. “We never get to eat Chinese.”

  “Do you have a favorite dish?” Valero asked.

  “I had orange chicken once,” the little boy said. “It was really good. The rice had bits of chicken in it too.”

  “And for you, Ella?”

  “I can share with Connor.”

  Valero shook his head. “You each get your own meal. Now, what would you like me to order? I figured we could eat here tonight while the two of you get settled and then tomorrow night we can go out to celebrate.”

  “Sweet and sour chicken,” Ella said. “And, Connor, after we eat, it’s time for bed.”

  “Egg rolls?” Valero asked.

  Connor jumped up and down so he took that as a yes. While his new houseguests got settled in, he placed their order then tried to stay out of their way.

  When Connor came to him a short while later, asking about hooking up his game system, Valero was happy to help.

  “Do you have any favorite movies?” Valero asked.

  “I like mostly Disney movies. Mama doesn’t let me watch much else. I also like Pokémon and Scooby Doo, but the original Scooby, not the new one.”

  Valero had no idea what the difference was, but he’d make sure he got the correct one when he shopped online tonight. After Ella and Connor went to sleep, he’d go to Amazon and order a bunch of children’s movies for Connor to keep in his room. He wanted the boy to be comfortable and think of this as his home.

  With some luck, in the next month, he’d convince both Ella and Connor to make this their home permanently.

  Chapter Three

  Ella lounged in what had to be the most luxurious tub she’d ever seen. Valero had insisted she use the one in his master suite, and she was glad she hadn’t put up much of a fight. The tub in the guest bathroom was nice, but it was just a regular tub. The garden tub she was soaking in had jets and let her soak up to the neck without scrunching down and her knees sticking up out of the water. She’d never been able to take a bath before where all of her was covered in the hot bubbly water.

  She did have to wonder why he kept bubble bath in his bathroom, since he’d mentioned he rarely used the tub. Surely, he didn’t have someone special in his life if he’d asked her out on a date and then moved her into his house. It was innocent enough, since she had her own bedroom, but she’d be lying if she didn’t admit to being more than a little attracted to him.

  She’d watched his muscles bunch and flex while he’d moved her boxes out of her apartment and into the house. More than once she’d had to squeeze her thighs together to ease the ache building there. It had been so long since she’d been attracted to someone, and even longer since she’d felt the touch of a man. Really, she’d never had a man’s hands on her, because she hardly counted her high school boyfriend as a man.

  Her hands cupped her breasts and she lightly pinched her nipples, sending a zing straight to her clit. Ella moaned a little as she spread her legs. She’d give anything to have a toy right now, but she’d never bought one since she didn’t have privacy in her apartment. Her fingers brushed over her clit and she bit her lip to stifle any noises she might make. Other than some quick showers after Connor went to sleep, she hadn’t been able to indulge in any adult time in the last five years.

  Her clit was slick and swollen as her fingers rubbed harder and faster. Her pussy clenched, aching to be filled. Eyes closed, she pictured Valero kneeling beside the tub, his hands under the water teasing and tormenting her. Would his touch be light or would he be forceful? Her fingers eased inside of her tight channel and she imagined it was his cock filling her. She came, crying out his name, and hoped like hell he hadn’t heard her. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as her heart thumped wildly in her chest.

  She heard something in the other room and tensed. “Hello?”

  Footsteps came close to the bathroom door. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, Ella. I just needed to get something.”

  His voice sounded strangled and she was certain he’d heard her. How would she ever look him in the eye again?

  “Ella, I…” He grew silent. “I think we should talk when you get Connor into bed tonight.”

  Of course he wanted to talk. She’d just come harder than ever before while screaming his name like a banshee. She nibbled her bottom lip and stared at the disappearing bubbles. What would she say to him?

  “Ella?”

  “All right. Connor should have already been in bed, but I’ll take care of it in just a minute.”

  “Take your time,” he said softly. “You don’t have to rush out of the tub. Connor is busy playing a video game.”

  How could she possibly enjoy her bath now? She quickly washed and drained the tub before drying off and slipping on her pajamas. Looking in the mirror, she questioned whether or not she should wear the skimpy tank and super short sleep shorts. Her nipples poked at the thin top and she wished she had a robe that covered her from neck to ankles.

  Blowing out a breath to steady her nerves, she opened the bathroom door and carried her dirty clothes to her room. She could hear Connor chatting animatedly and she smiled a little. He’d never had someone to talk to who shared his passion before, and she was thankful that Valero seemed to enjoy spending time with her son. She peered around the corner and into Connor’s room. Valero and Connor were sitting on the end of the bed playing something on the Xbox.

  “Do you always play Yoda?” Valero asked.

&nb
sp; “He’s my favorite. And his lightsaber is green!”

  Valero chuckled. “So I see.”

  Ella cleared her throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s a certain little boy’s bedtime.”

  Connor groaned. “But, Mama…”

  “You have school tomorrow.”

  “Can I stay home just this one time? We just moved and I don’t wanna go to school tomorrow.”

  Ella shook her head. “Mama needs to look for a new job tomorrow, and Mr. Valero probably has work to do as well. I doubt he would get much done with you running around the house all day.”

  “But he said there’s an indoor pool. I wanna swim.”

  Ella smiled a little. “I’m sure you do, Connor, but it will have to wait until after school lets out. If you don’t have homework tomorrow, then you can swim when you come home.”

  He pouted but shut off the game and put the controller away. Valero unhooked his own controller and eased out of the room, but paused in the doorway.

  “Goodnight, Connor,” Valero said. “I’ll make sure my work is done tomorrow by the time you come home and we’ll all check out the pool together. Then maybe we can play another game.”

  Connor smiled widely as he scrambled under the covers. Ella tucked him in, kissed his brow, then shut off the light. She stepped out of the room and pulled the door mostly closed before she realized Valero was leaning against the wall, waiting for her no doubt. Her heart thumped like crazy as she looked at him uncertainly.

  He held out a hand and she grasped it, letting him guide her down the hall to the living room. He put up his controller and then tugged her onto the couch next to him. Ella felt the heat of him pressing against her naked thigh and part of her wanted to crawl into his lap, while the more rationale side of her wanted to move further away. Her gaze jerked up to his as he laced their fingers together, placing their clasped hands on his thigh.

  “Ella, I want you to know how happy I am that you decided to come stay with me,” he said. “I didn’t have altruistic reasons for asking you though.”

  She tensed. “I won’t be a whore for a roof over my head.”

  His grip tightened on her hand. “I would never ask that of you. I won’t lie and say I don’t want you, because I do, but I would never make you sleep with me just for a place for Connor and you to live. If I wanted sex for the sake of sex, then I would find some random woman in a bar.”

  “Have you done that?” she asked.

  “When I first came here, the thought of being with a human female was intriguing. When one offered herself for just one night, I didn’t say no. Looking back, she wanted the novelty of saying she’d been with one of my kind, and while the sex had been good, it left me feeling empty afterward.” He winced. “And while I’m being honest, I’ve also used the services at the floating brothel that hovers near my world. But I seldom went there.”

  She licked her lips. “So, you want sex to mean something?”

  “Ella, I wanted you to come stay with me so you could see that I’m more than capable of providing for Connor and you. I had hoped that when you got here, you’d see that I had a large enough bank account that you’d never have to worry about another thing the rest of your life. I had thought it might make me an acceptable mate.”

  “Mate… like in married?”

  He nodded. “I won’t rush you, but I do want you to think about it.”

  “What if something happens between us, but I’m not sure I’m ready for that step?”

  He smiled a little. “I think it’s safe to say you’re sexually attracted to me, and I’ve admitted I’m attracted to you. Are you suggesting that we have something a little more casual for right now? More of a… How do you humans phrase it? Friends with benefits?”

  Her cheeks flushed because she was very tempted by the idea, even if she didn’t want to sleep with him just to have a place to stay. But sleeping with him because they were mutually attracted to one another was a different matter altogether.

  “Ella, while I would love to take you to my bed, I don’t want to do anything that could end with you getting hurt.”

  Her heart warmed at his words. She couldn’t remember a man ever being worried about her getting hurt. Then again, she hadn’t been serious with anyone since Connor was born. The last time she’d had sex was with Connor’s dad back in high school. She wasn’t sure if that made her picky or pathetic.

  “Valero, you should probably know there hasn’t been a man in my life since Connor’s dad. I never really dated, and since I didn’t have a bedroom I couldn’t exactly bring home a one-night stand. Not that I would have let someone like that around Connor anyway. He’s always been my priority.”

  Valero reached over, gripping her waist, and lifted her. She settled across his lap, her legs splayed on either side of him. She could feel the hard ridge of his cock pressed against her, and it was hard not to squirm. His hands cupped her hips and he bucked against her. A gasp escaped her lips and her eyes widened.

  “I thought you didn’t do casual sex,” she said, her panties getting wetter by the minute.

  “Something tells me that being with you would be amazing, but right now this is about you. I think after everything you’ve done for your son the last five years, maybe it’s time for you to get something you want.”

  “Something I want?” she asked.

  “I was thinking maybe an orgasm that didn’t come from your fingers? We don’t have to go all the way, as you humans say, but it doesn’t mean I can’t make you feel good.”

  “Are you suggesting we fool around?” she asked with some amusement.

  “That’s exactly it.” He smiled. “What do you say? Will you let me make you come? Maybe more than once?”

  “You really want to do that, without getting anything in return?”

  “Ella, bringing you pleasure is all that I need. I’m not asking for you to return the favor, I’m not asking for us to go all the way… I’m only asking you to let me make you feel good. You’ve sacrificed so much since having your son. Isn’t it time that you get something that’s just for you?”

  He bucked against her again, his cock pressing against her soaked panties and damp shorts. Ella had never wanted anyone as much as she wanted Valero. Was it wrong that she wanted him to lose control and do more than just please her? She wanted to feel him inside of her, wanted him to claim her.

  No. She gave herself a mental shake. Not claim her. But she wanted… something. It had been so long since someone had held her, had kissed her, had made her ache to be with them. She wanted more of those feelings, and she knew Valero could give them to her. Did it make her selfish to hold so much of herself back from him?

  “I need a yes or no, Ella. I won’t do anything without your permission.”

  Her heart beat wildly as she contemplated what she wanted.

  “Yes,” she said softly. “But only if I can make you feel good too.”

  Valero groaned and pulled her closer for a kiss. His lips were soft against hers and she opened, welcoming him in. His tongue stroked hers and she wondered what it would feel like to have his tongue stroke other parts of her body. She rocked against his erection, her clit throbbing with need. When his hands slid around her back, and slipped under her tank, his touch left a fiery trail. She pulled away long enough to remove her shirt, then grasped his hands and placed them over her breasts. Her nipples hardened against his palms and she claimed his lips again.

  Valero tweaked the pebbled tips as she continued to rock against him. Their kiss was fierce and earth-shattering, leaving her gasping for breath and wanting more. His mouth trailed a path down her throat before his tongue slipped between her lips again. Ella could feel herself getting close. He pinched her nipples and it was just what she needed to send her over the edge. She cried out against his mouth as she rocked out her orgasm against his cock. Valero stiffened and groaned beneath her and she felt dampness on his pants.

  He pulled away, panting heavily, as he stared at h
er with an intensity that took her breath away.

  “That wasn’t what I had in mind,” he said. “And I have to admit I’ve never come in my pants before. Let’s keep that between us.”

  She giggled a little and rubbed against him again. “I like that you were so turned on you couldn’t hold back.”

  “I think I need to go get cleaned up.”

  Ella bit her lip and wondered if she was brave enough to ask for what she wanted. His hands gripped her and he lifted her off his lap, setting her on her feet. She wobbled a moment, trying to get her balance as he stood in front of her. Before he could walk off, she reached out and fisted his shirt to hold him still.

  “Can I join you?” she asked.

  “Ella, I…”

  “Not for sex. I know you want it to mean something when that happens, but maybe we could play some more?”

  He tipped his head back and groaned before giving her a nod. “You’re going to be the death of me. But yes, you may join me.”

  She picked up her shirt and followed him to the master suite and into the bathroom. Valero started the shower and stripped out of his clothes, hesitating a moment on the fastening of his pants. After what they’d just shared, she found it amusing that he seemed a little shy now. She moved closer and reached for him, her hands gently moving his out of the way. She unbuttoned and unzipped them before shoving them and his boxer briefs down over his hips.

  Valero kicked them out of the way and let her look her fill, and look she definitely did. Ella licked her lips as she watched his cock grow impossibly large. If they ever did get to actual sex, would that even fit? She had to admit, it would be fun to try. After her sex life had been lacking for so long, she felt like something inside of her had been unlocked and set free.

  Valero held out his hand and helped her into the shower. He followed behind her and closed the shower door. The water was so hot the glass walls were foggy with steam. The surround shower meant no one had to freeze while the other stayed warm under the spray. There was even a bench seat along the back wall. Ella had never seen anything so fantastic as Valero’s home and its many features. She was going to get spoiled, living here.