Rex Dravon, a notorious smuggler, is one of the Outcasts’ most important allies. Many of the Outcasts’ philosophies and approaches to life in general appeal to him, but he’s hesitant to commit to any cause. Hoping to entice Rex into committing, Arton the Heretic, tells Rex that he is genetically compatible with one of the “captive brides”, a feisty blonde named Thea Cline.
Thea is still enraged that she was dragged from Earth without her permission, and she’s recovering from a horrendous tragedy. She sneaks aboard the Marauder hoping to steal a weapon. Instead she’s confronted by the ship’s handsome commander. She knows to be wary of Rex because of his reputation, but she’s instantly, and powerfully, drawn to him. His offer to help her escape comes a little too quickly and she fears he has ulterior motives. Is he simply hoping to lure her into his bed—a fate she’s not sure she’d mind—or is his motivation more nefarious?
Copyright © 2018 Cyndi Friberg
Thea knew Rex was going to kiss her as soon as he touched her, but she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do about it.
Each time she allowed him to kiss her or touch her intimately it gave him false hope. Unless she was willing to let him claim her she shouldn’t encourage him in any way.
Thea knew Rex was going to kiss her as soon as he touched her, but she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do about it. Each time she allowed him to kiss her or touch her intimately it gave him false hope. Unless she was willing to let him claim her she shouldn’t encourage him in any way.
Was she willing to be claimed, to permanently bind herself to an alien? Even an alien as appealing as Rex? She hadn’t thought so until last night. But she’d lain awake long after Rex fell asleep, imagining what it would have been like if they hadn’t stopped when they did.
He angled his head and teased the seam of her lips with the tip of his tongue. “Relax, baby doll. Let me taste you.”
“Don’t call me that.” Her whispered objection parted her lips long enough for his tongue to sweep inside and brush against hers. She gasped, but just as quickly as he invaded her mouth, he retreated. The teasing half-kiss left her tense and aching for more. He brushed his lips along her jawline, then down the side of her neck, his warm breath making her tingle.
She stood stiff and unsure, but sensations erupted in the wake of his featherlight kisses. She felt strange, feverish and muddled. Adrenaline. She was still revved up from the danger they’d narrowly escaped. Her pulse accelerated with each breath she took and her nipples rasped against the inside of her uniform top. No, this was something far more dangerous than flight or fight. This was the pull supercharged by adrenaline. The embers they’d left smoldering last night had just erupted into flames. Slow, rolling heat spread through her body, igniting her senses, making her hungry and needful.
His warm lips retraced the path up her neck, his tongue lightly stroking her skin as he went. When his lips settled over hers this time, she parted for him. She didn’t quite welcome the kiss, but definitely allowed the sensual invasion of his tongue. Her determination not to encourage him was easily eclipsed by the longing he elicited in her.
He took his time, exploring her lips before venturing deeper into her mouth. She inhaled his scent, holding it inside her lungs like intoxicating smoke. Reality narrowed to Rex and her. It didn’t matter that they were surrounded by people, or that trash was scattered among the grass. She wanted him deep inside her, filling the empty ache as no one else could.
She touched her tongue to his, inviting a deeper exploration. He didn’t hesitate. His head shifted, his mouth sealing over hers as their tongues began to swirl and slide. His taste filled her mouth, sending waves of heat cascading through her body. Her clit twitched and tingled. She tightened her inner muscles, driving the ache deeper into her body. All he was doing was kissing her and she was about ready to come.
He buried his face in the curve of her neck, moaning. “Gods above, I need you.”