Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
The machine we were in stopped and the door lifted up. He got out, grabbing my hand, which was still attached to his shirt, and then I was on my feet. I found myself on a white rooftop a few stories up, looking at other rooftops that stretched toward purple cotton candy clouds in a pink sky. Ahead of us were red mountains. I would’ve typically been afraid to be up so high, but instead I gave my head a shake as I tried to soak it in. He was smiling, still.
His hand was strong, warm, soft. Mine was clammy.
“Come. Let’s get you inside.”
I froze. His smile slipped.
“Are you all right?” His mouth moved more than the words and his mouth was so sensual, I couldn’t help but stare at it.
“Tanya?”
My name moved like it was supposed to on his lips. My eyes moved up to meet his.
“I… I didn’t… I don’t…I…um…” I stopped and my lips twisted. Where to begin?
His smile vanished and his eyes sharpened. He looked angry suddenly, and it felt like cold water flooded my veins. He was huge. I mean, he had to be more than seven feet tall. And he was muscled. Seeing anger on his face suddenly had me afraid. Very.
“Fuck. I wasn’t thinking. I can’t believe how callous I’ve been. I apologize for the dramatic exit, but I had no choice. And there were pheromones at play. I’m still not completely myself.” His jaw tensed as he ground his teeth together. He took a big breath.
I stood there like a dummy, just staring, unsure of how to respond.
“I know you were all tricked to come. Please don’t be afraid. You have nothing to fear. I mean that, Tanya. I promise I mean it.”
His eyes appeared genuine, then transitioned from sharp to concerned. He let out a breath and shook his head.
“I hope you’ll be agreeable to being here with me. Is this okay? Can we talk about this? I apologize for the drama.”
He wasn’t so scary any longer. I had three days to get my vaccination. If I didn’t agree…
My mind flashed with the other men going after the women. Did I want to go back and face something like that? No. Heck no. But what was the alternative?
Sharing me with Ollie?
His eyes were on me with seriousness. “I do not like the way all that went. You don’t need to be afraid. I promise; you’re safe.”
I blinked in surprise at his demeanor shift. How all that went? Him stealing me away over his shoulder like a flour sack and running off without even saying hi?
I just stood there, watching his lips move.
“Come. Your things will be delivered later if you choose to stay. Let’s get you settled for now. Yes?”
What was next? What would I be walking into?
Choice? I had a choice?
I had no idea what I was about to walk into, but I couldn’t help but feel for some odd reason like I could trust him.
CHAPTER 4
ZANE
Zane ushered Tanya inside from the rooftop.
Due to Zane’s work, he had taken time to study her planet and knew more than the average Phallyxian about how Earth people lived.
Much was the same, yet not. In terms of living arrangements and home set-up, things were similar, though Earth didn’t have the level of technology Phallyx had. In fact, many of Earth’s tech advancements in the past century had been due to communications and trading with other planets, which they did in secret, not informing their citizens it’d been confirmed that intelligent life existed on other planets.
Zane found it amusing in his research and through conversations with Elaina Blackstar, that life off Earth was a rumor and that those who believed in the possibility were often seen as mentally unstable.
Earth had very few things Phallyx didn’t already have, so it was Zane’s understanding that the relationship was not entirely symbiotic. Certainly not due to the fact Earth’s genetically modified food had caused the plague that killed off most of Phallyx’s females.
He held Tanya’s small hand, pleased at how hers nervously gripped his larger one, and led her down the short corridor of the transportation level, which was an area that housed his storage zone and served as the automation equipment hub for the house.
He was already more than pleased with his choice. Seeing her in person, holding her in his grasp, the delectable scent of her, those eyes and how they devoured him both excitedly and timidly, that mouth up close? The texture and fullness of her hair? There was also the way she chewed on her bottom lip, looking at him with nervousness but also absolute willingness to follow where he led? He felt a primal urge to protect, to claim. To hide her from the world so no other man could even gaze at her. He wanted to cover her with his body, shelter her, touch her, make her moan for him. That voice, the sexy voice he’d heard on the streams? He couldn’t help but want to hear his name on those beautiful lips as he touched her in places that would only be his from now on.