Home > Alien Mercenary's Destiny(7)

Alien Mercenary's Destiny(7)
Author: Mina Carter

“I-I…” His brain refused to make any more words as she took another step forward, only realizing he was canted forward, hand over his stomach when she touched his shoulder.

“Eric?”

He straightened up instantly, relieved to realize he was at least taller than she was. It was a tiny sop to his male ego, given she’d seen him getting his ass handed to him on a plate. And she was a fighter herself, which meant she could probably whip his ass as well. There was no way a woman like her would want an egg-head like him.

Weak… the little voice in the back of his head informed him with a sneer. Couldn’t even rescue her properly. Had to go and get yourself hurt.

“I don’t even know your name,” he blurted out.

Instantly he was fascinated, taking a step forward. Her skin looked so soft, the scales themselves appearing to be under the skin somehow. He tilted his head, lifting a hand. At the last moment he paused, looking at her. “May I?”

 

* * *

 

Zad nodded, holding her breath. She needed him to touch her, the ache like nothing she’d ever felt before. Her breathing shortened, and she looked up at him as he brushed gentle fingertips against the skin of her cheek.

“Zad,” she said, her voice gruff.

His attention shifted from her cheek and he speared her with a piercing gaze. His eyes were a clear, startling blue.

“Your name or your species?”

His bluntness made her blink for a second. “It’s my name. Why would I introduce myself with my species?”

The smallest hint of a smile crossed his face, bringing her attention to the curve of his lips. He had the most kissable lips of any male she’d ever met. She ached to reach up and touch them, to trace the bottom curve with her fingertips. Shards, any queen would want to add him to her harem. And he’d called armor from her.

“I do apologize. That would be ridiculous. Wouldn’t it? It would cut down on a lot of misunderstandings, though… ‘Hey, I’m Homo sapiens, and you are?’”

She frowned. “What is Homo sapiens?”

“Ah…” he froze and then smiled. “It’s Latin for human being. Literally means ‘wise man.’ We’re from the genus homo and the sapiens part… and I’m waffling. You don’t need to know this.” He cut himself off quickly and offered her a smile. “And you? What species are you?”

Yeah… he was intelligent. Scary intelligent. It shone in his gaze as he studied her… once he knew she’d had no education to speak of, couldn’t even—she cut the thought off right there. No… no way would he be interested in her.

“Krynassis.”

Recognition flittered over his handsome features. “Like Red?”

Zad nodded. She had met the other female briefly during the pit attack and rescue. “Yes and no. She is a half-breed. I am full-blooded.”

“Fascinating. She doesn’t have these.” He stroked her skin again. “It’s so soft, yet I can see the scales beneath. Do they extend everywhere?”

She arched an eyebrow. “That has to be the worst come-on I’ve ever heard.”

He froze, and she saw the moment the scientist warred with the male. “It was more scientific interest, but would it be wrong of me to admit… no, don’t answer that. Zad,” he said with a smile. “It’s a lovely name.”

Pleasure filled her at the sound of her name on his lips. What would it be like to hear him moan it instead?

“Thank you. It’s the one thing I have of my father’s. The full version is Zadaenae. My father was Zadek.”

“Uh-huh. Is that a naming convention for your species?” he asked.

He’d dropped his hand but hadn’t moved away. He was so warm, his body heat calling to her even through their clothes. Humans must run a lot hotter than Krynassis did.

“Huh?” She blinked, realizing she’d missed his question. “I’m sorry, what?”

His lips quirked with amusement. She kicked herself. He’d obviously caught her slip.

“I asked if it was common for Krynassis children to be given derivatives of their parents’ names? What was your mother called?”

She barked a laugh. “Shards no. Most Krynassis offspring are male and are lucky to get anything other than a clutch code. Females are rarer and normally take their mother’s name after her death.”

“Oh… I’m so sorry.” He blinked and then frowned. “If you have your father’s name, does that mean your mother is still alive?”

She nodded. “She is.”

“Do you know where she is? We could take you home.”

Zad froze, her smile just this side of brittle. “I know where she is, yes. But going home is out of the question. I do not have a home.”

“Oh.” She could see all the questions crowding behind his eyes and prepared herself for an onslaught. Instead he just smiled, rubbing a hand against his broad chest. The movement shifted the fabric against his skin, releasing a rush of scent, and she almost groaned at the deep richness of it. He’d been aroused, a trace of it still lingering on his skin, and all she wanted to do was wrap herself around him, bask in the heat of his skin, and bury her nose into the side of his neck where it met his throat.

Mine, all her instincts growled at once, her armor flaring across her skin.

“Fascinating,” he breathed, tracking the movement. “What was that? Can you do it again?”

Instantly he was back to the scientist, his attention on her skin rather than her as a woman.

“Uh… sure.” Each time she did it, it was easier and she raised and lowered her armor as he watched. Rapt.

“It’s beautiful,” he murmured, leaning in a little to look closer. “Like diamonds under the skin.”

“You can touch if you like,” she offered as she raised it again, even though she’d never made that offer to anyone else. But then, she’d never wanted anyone else to touch her. Not ever. Not that she was a virgin, far from it. She had needs, just like any woman. But she’d never met a male who drew her in like him.

His gaze flicked to her eyes for a moment and then back to her skin. She saw the controlled need there and nodded. Biting his lower lip, he reached out and touched her. His eyes widened.

“It’s hard!”

She couldn’t help it. A chuckle escaped. “Isn’t that supposed to be my line?”

He blinked, his expression blank for a second. She caught the precise moment his male brain kicked in as color flooded his cheeks. He cleared his throat and stepped back, putting distance between them she didn’t want.

“Uhm, yeah.” He cleared his throat again and focused on her skin. “It’s natural armoring then? But you didn’t have it in the pits, or those… your attackers were the same species as you. Weren’t they?” he asked suddenly.

She nodded, dropping her armor. “They were, yes. And I had my armor, but I couldn’t keep it raised for long. They knew that, and it gave them the window of opportunity.”

“Huh.” He leaned back, his hips resting against the edge of the bed behind him. He was dressed in typical patient scrubs, which were loose on him because he was smaller than even the smallest Lathar. “Why couldn’t you keep it raised?”

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