Journey Home Read online

  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2013 Marie Medina

  ISBN: 978-1-77130-322-4

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: Karyn White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To my editor, Karyn. She always asks the right questions to make my story better, and without her, many a review would call me out for unclear pronoun references.

  JOURNEY HOME

  Marie Medina

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter One

  Rebecca trembled a little as the alien male held the tip of the silver armband against her upper arm. She knew what it would do, but anticipation had her heart pounding nonetheless. The band writhed as if alive, briefly, and then wrapped around her arm. He adjusted it once it stilled, and his warm, rough fingers felt much too good against her flesh.

  “Seems we ought to at least know each other’s names before I accept this,” she said, looking up at the pale, dark-haired Arorian and hoping he hadn’t noticed her trembling under his touch.

  He smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m Caenaj. I go by Caen with those close to me, so you should use that name. If anyone suspects you do not really belong to me, you might be in danger again.”

  “I’m Rebecca.” She cleared her throat as she reminded herself that, even though he had saved her, this male was still a stranger who could have a hidden agenda. She needed to be cautious. “And just so we’re clear, I don’t belong to you.”

  His smile faded, as if she had hurt his feelings. That hadn’t been her intention. She’d been told not to trust Arorians, but she was better off with this male than she had been with the human-trafficking scum he had rescued her from. He took her elbow firmly in his grasp and twisted her arm with surprising gentleness to show her the colored gems on the silver armband. “The stones are red. You are not a slave or a concubine, according to this.” He dropped her arm and looked into her eyes. “You are my wife.”

  She gasped. “But—but—you can’t—” She couldn’t help stammering because she knew this particular armband ought to be sacred to him. “Your future wife will come after me and skin me alive when she discovers you let me wear it for even a moment!” She tried to pull it off, but it wouldn’t budge.

  He put his hands over hers to still it. He drew it away from the armband and caressed her fingers. His touch excited her more than she wanted him to see. He looked down at her for so long she thought he might not say anything. Finally, he released her hand and sat across from her. “I will never marry a female from my planet. I cannot sire children. No female on my planet will ever want me.”

  This time no sound came out when her mouth fell open. The male was gorgeous, over six feet of lean muscle with shoulder-length, lustrous black hair and hypnotic silver eyes. “Not even if she loved you?”

  He laughed. “You Earthlings are so fertile you can’t begin to understand how precious children are to us. The ability to create a child makes or breaks males on my world.”

  She started to defend her race, but then she thought back to the alien culture classes she’d attended in school. Children were rare for the people of Aroria because their females ovulated only twice a year. When a child was born, the family had a celebration that lasted for an entire month. “I see. I forgot about that.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Now, tell me how you got here.”

  “I was in the park just a few miles from my home on Earth when those hairy beasts grabbed me.”

  “The Kasilacks.”

  “I suppose. I don’t remember studying them.”

  “You possibly didn’t. They inhabit a world very far from Earth, and I am sorry to say we are a very long way from your home.”

  “How far?”

  “It will take me almost a month to get you home, since I don’t have a working hyperdrive.”

  “You’re willing to do that?” She tried not to sound suspicious, but she couldn’t believe he wanted nothing in return. He could easily find a planet that had good relations with Earth and drop her off with the authorities. Why would he want to help her if he wanted nothing from her?

  “I know what Earthlings say about Arorians.” He stood and came over to her, lifting her chin with one finger to look down into her eyes. “You think us selfish beings, devious. Some are, but I am not. Being an outcast will teach anyone to appreciate kindness from others.”

  His eyes, so serious, held hers several long moments. His gaze changed from serious to sad, but then it softened, and she managed to ask, “You’re an outcast because you can’t have children?”

  “Yes.” He pulled his hand away.

  She missed the contact immediately. Continuing to hold his gaze, where she saw sadness creeping in again, she said, “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t want pity. I’m still a very capable male, at any rate, and I dare anyone to deny it.”

  She swallowed, her throat dry as her eyes trailed down his body. “I certainly won’t.”

  A smile played across his lips, but then he turned away. He pressed a few buttons on the wall console and then moved back toward her. “Yes, I will take you back. You’ve never been off world?”

  She shook her head.

  “You’ll have to give a DNA sample when we reach Earth to prove your identity. But it should be simple enough. You can file a report and alert authorities to the threat. Maybe they can prevent it from happening again.”

  “Thank you. It’s very kind of you.”

  “I wouldn’t feel right dropping you off somewhere and trusting you to someone else’s care. I want to know for certain that you got back to your home.”

  She lowered her head for a moment, feeling humbled by his kindness. She knew very few people who would do the same for a stranger. “Why did you rescue me?”

  Here she received a full smile, which warmed her more than she would have expected. “It’s not something I do every day, believe me. I try to keep to myself as much as possible to avoid notice.” He shrugged as his smile lessened. “I thought you were beautiful when I saw you. The pleading in your eyes told me something wasn’t right, so I watched. The Kasilacks are known for human trafficking.”

  “They were taking me to a man who wanted a redheaded Earth woman. No idea why. They kept congratulating themselves on how deep and rich the color of my hair was.” She shuddered. “Can’t say I found it flattering. It scared me that it was such a big deal.”

  He nodded. “Their customer was probably a Demakan. They adore the color red, every single shade and hue. It’s a divine color, signifying life and power for them.”

  She shuddered again. “I almost feel more terrified now, just remembering.” She looked down at her clasped hands. “I heard them talking about … other things … a few times on the ship.” She closed her eyes and shook her head to dispel the memories.

  “You’re safe now. You’re sure you aren’t hurt? I know you were scared of me an hour ago, but you see that I won’t hurt you now, don’t you?”

  After a brief hesitation, she nodded. “Yes. You were very brave.”

  He laughed and sat across from her again. “I was very lucky. They left you alone in their room so they could go eat. Those two obviously were not the brains of the operation.”

&
nbsp; “I’m very glad of that. And very grateful to you.”

  “How long have you been gone from your planet?”

  She thought, trying to translate her captivity into days. “Perhaps three days?”

  He nodded. “That is why they dared to take you from such a public place. They likely had an order to fill, fast.”

  “It’s disgusting!” She started shaking then, her mind filling with gruesome images of what her fate might have been if this stranger had not come along.

  He was beside her pulling her into his arms within seconds. “Shhh. You’re safe. We’ve already left the planet.”

  “Have we?” she whispered.

  “Yes,” he said against her hair. “I took off as soon as I had you onboard. We were already out of orbit before there had even been time for them to discover you were gone.”

  She held to him even after her tremors had ceased. His hands felt good caressing her back. He turned his face into her hair and breathed deeply.

  The action made her brave enough to ask about what he had said earlier. “You said … you noticed me because … you thought I was beautiful.”

  He drew back, and his eyes seemed a much darker silver than they had moments earlier. “I suppose my desire for you is quite obvious.” He leaned forward. “Perhaps this month won’t be so bad for either of us.”

  He captured her mouth then, stealing her breath and sending a wave of pure lust crashing through her body.

  ****

  Caen pulled the sweet female closer when she opened to him. She gave him full access as he plunged his tongue into her mouth hungrily. Her sigh told him she liked his kiss, his touch. He’d never seen such a beautiful female in his life. Something in her had called to him and given him the courage to try to help her. And he had been lucky, very lucky. He thanked every star in the heavens he had been able to aid her. He knew her face and the fear in her eyes would have haunted him for the rest of his life had he failed.

  He deepened the kiss, crushing her against him as his need to have her surged forward. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and then her nails grazed down his neck. He lowered his mouth to her neck, trying to stimulate her further. He had not claimed a woman in over a year, and he ached to taste her, to feel her body accepting his. He craved her desire, loved the way he could feel how she wanted him. He bore the shameful blue dot, a small tattoo right beside his cock that would make any female from his planet turn away from him in disgust. It felt so amazing to have this gorgeous creature want him.

  Her fiery hair and bright blue eyes were only the beginning of her beauty. Her long legs and her ample curves only increased her appeal. He loved soft and shapely women; there was nothing like getting lost in a lover’s curves. For too many years, his nights had been long and lonely, his lovers few and far between and never interested in more than a few hours of coupling. When he could not sleep, he dreamed of rolling over into the warm, soft embrace of a woman like this one. He cupped one breast and kissed the swell, his thumb flicking her nipple.

  She moaned and arched her back.

  “I take it my attentions are not unwanted.” He kissed the valley between her breasts as his thumb grazed back and forth over the nipple.

  She buried her face against his neck. “What’s happening to me?” she asked before whimpering. “I’ve never felt this way before.”

  He stilled and moved a few inches away. “You feel odd?”

  Lust shone in her eyes. She licked her lips as she gazed at his mouth and nodded.

  As much as he wanted to spend hours pleasuring her, he knew he had to step away. “They gave you an injection?”

  She seemed to struggle to focus on him. “Yes,” she finally answered.

  He cursed under his breath. “Then this is not real. They gave you Lulkin, a drug that is activated when you are sexually stimulated.” He pulled out of her arms, not trusting himself. “They were preparing you for your buyer.”

  This news seemed to distress her, but only for a moment. “I thought you were attractive before you touched me.”

  He stood up and turned from her pleading, sensual look. “I am trying to be honorable. Taking you now would make me no different from the man who had you kidnapped and planned a life of rape and abuse for you.”

  Her breathing increased, and she began to rub her neck. Then her breasts. He had to make her focus.

  “What’s your name again?” He remembered it, but he wanted to capture her attention somehow.

  “Rebecca.” She stood to her feet and came toward him.

  He put his hands on her upper arms and held her firmly away from him. “We should get you to bed.”

  “I won’t argue with that.”

  “In your own quarters. Alone.”

  Her face fell. “You kissed me. Were you just toying with me?”

  “No, but I didn’t realize your response wasn’t genuine.”

  She pulled away from him. “No, I get it. I’m too fat. My hair is hideous. I have freckles.” She pushed against his chest and whirled away. “Your own females reject you, yet still I’m not good enough.”

  Freckles? He knew the word but didn’t remember what they were. But she was not too fat, and her hair was beautiful.

  “Wait. I think the drug is affecting more than your libido. You aren’t making sense.” He turned her back to face him, but he still held her at a distance. He’d be a goner if she began caressing him. “Your hair is a beautiful color, and I think the way it curls down your back is very attractive. You have a voluptuous figure. I know Earthlings like bony mates, but I don’t. And … I like your freckles.” He still couldn’t remember what they were, but he didn’t see a single thing he didn’t like.

  She began rubbing her face. “I hate them,” she said softly. She rubbed harder. “Always have.”

  Freckles! The darker spots on her skin. He released one arm and pushed her hand away, touching a couple of the freckles. “I like them.”

  She took his hand and pressed it to her face, kissing the palm. “Then make love to me.” She gazed up into his eyes.

  His heart and his cock both ached. No female had ever looked at him with such longing and need. No female had ever asked for his attentions—they had allowed them, more because of the famous Arorian stamina than anything else. The females of his race didn’t want him, and the females of most other humanoid races didn’t trust him, so all of his partners had been casual encounters and fleeting affairs. They’d been hollow and meaningless, no matter how pleasurable, and he did not want that with this captivating Earth woman. He wanted her to look up at him and make this request when she was in her right mind.

  “You’re burning up. I need to get you into bed and examine you.” Her temperature was fine, but perhaps if he convinced her the drug might be hurting her she would see reason.

  He released her to gauge her reaction. Her hand went to her forehead. She rubbed the skin, confusion entering her eyes for the first time.

  “Can the drug hurt humans?”

  “Yes.” At least it wasn’t a lie. “If they gave you too much, you could suffer liver failure.”

  Her eyes widened in fear. “Okay. Okay.” She moved to lean against the wall. “Do what you have to do.”

  He scooped her into his arms and quickly took her to the spare sleeping quarters. He took her temperature first, telling her it was three degrees higher than it actually was. Then he prepared a sedative right away, stretching the truth again and saying it was a drug that would bring her fever down. He watched her eyes close, and then he tucked her into bed. After checking her vitals, he left her alone, as he was worried sitting by her bedside would end with him crawling under the blankets with her. She seemed sweet and kind, and he knew her attraction was genuine, but he wouldn’t get his hopes up until she was herself again.

  Chapter Two

  Rebecca awoke feeling very dehydrated and was grateful to find a pitcher of water and a glass by her bed. She felt better after downing two glasses. The ship was quiet ar
ound her. How long had she slept? She felt much better. Had the drug worn off, or would she throw herself at the gorgeous alien again as soon as she saw him?

  She felt humiliated by the memories. She’d practically begged him to take her, on top of delineating all of her flaws. He’d denied all of them, but he’d probably only done so out of kindness. No matter how big a woman was, no wise man would agree with her when she declared herself to be fat. She’d been a size fourteen when she was taken. Looking in the mirror, she saw no difference, even though she had refused most of the food the hairy kidnappers had tried to make her eat. Most men loved her large breasts; some men loved her full, round ass, yet very few men showed much interest in the entire package.

  Caen, however, had seemed interested enough. Had it been real, or had he just figured no-strings sex for a month was too good to pass up? If the females of his world rejected him, he might have confidence or even masculinity issues. Her pussy tightened when she thought about his hand on her breast, his lips on her neck. And that kiss. She didn’t care what those devious bastards had given her—that kiss had been amazing.

  No matter what had been real or what had been the drug, one thing couldn’t be denied. He could have taken her, could have fucked her silly, but he hadn’t. He’d acted like a gentleman, despite his obvious arousal and her insistent willingness. She looked in the mirror again, smoothing her hair and the plain white dress the other aliens had put her in. She went to find Caen and thank him again. Last night would have been very different indeed if he had not rescued her.

  She easily found the cockpit in the small ship. She stopped short when she found a shirtless Caen leaning over the console. He was all pale, lean muscle. Beautiful red swirls covered his back and arms, and when he turned she saw they covered his chest as well.