Alien Warrior’s Second Chance by Sue Mercury

Chapter 6

The skywalk was magnificent.Karla couldn’t get enough of the natural beauty of New Vaxx, and up on the skywalk she had a bird’s-eye view of the nearest mountain range, as well as the valleys and lakes below. The skywalk was a large floating path that, using hover technology, curved over the lush forest, allowing them to walk atop the trees.

“Thank you for bringing me here, Zorras.” She peeked up at him and a flush promptly overcame her. His eyes were glowing again, and she knew that meant he liked her. Well, not just liked, but desired.

“Thank you for accompanying me, sweet beauty.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and his eyes gleamed with a gentleness that put her at ease.

“You shouldn’t call me that.”

“Sweet beauty?”

She nodded. “If we’re going to be friends, calling me by an endearment just won’t work. You should simply call me by my name.”

“Sweet Karla.” He reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. They paused on the skywalk and stood facing one another, and God how she wished she could give this handsome warrior a chance. But she couldn’t. She had enough baggage for ten lifetimes, let alone one. She didn’t even know how to have a healthy romantic relationship—Merle was her first kiss, her first boyfriend, her first everything. After he died, she’d been too scared of the past repeating itself to even think about dating.

“You shouldn’t call me ‘sweet Karla’ either,” she said, swallowing past the sudden burning in her throat, because she secretly enjoyed the endearments he used on her.

“But you are sweet. I can sense the sweetness within your soul.” He tightened his grip on her hands and little waves of awareness jolted through her. “I can sense the goodness inside you, Karla.” His expression darkened somewhat in the next second, taking her by surprise. “But I can also sense your sadness. I am curious—why did you leave Earth? Did something bad happen to you on your home planet?”

She tried to wrench her hands from his, but he wouldn’t release her. She shot a nervous glance around the skywalk but saw no one nearby. They were entirely alone.

Oh God. He wants to know why I left Earth.

Panic raced through her. What would he think if she told the truth?

She sucked in a long breath and met his eyes. “Earth isn’t the safest place right now,” she said. “A lot of humans wish to leave.”

“I know this.” He released her hands, but only so he could stroke her hair. “But I would still like to know your precise reasons for leaving. Please tell me, sweet Karla.”

She stared up at him, unsure of what to say. Goosebumps lifted on her arms and heat pulsed in her center. His caresses felt nice. Too nice. Her throat continued burning and suddenly her eyes burned too. Emotion surged through her, and she felt on the verge of tears, all because a handsome warrior was being nice to her and touching her so very gently.

Was she truly so starved for affection?

She imagined sinking into his arms and hugging him. Would she feel safe in his embrace? Would she feel a little less lonely if she allowed him to hold her? She might live in a house teeming with other people—friends she cared about and viewed as her chosen family—but she still experienced bouts of loneliness sometimes. Especially during the nights when she had trouble sleeping.

She blinked rapidly and managed to hold her tears at bay. Thank goodness. Shame heated her face at the thought of crying like a fool in front of Zorras. She doubted he would understand the reason for her tears—hell, she barely understood it—and she didn’t want him to think she was unhinged.

“I’m sorry, Zorras, but I don’t wish to speak about my reasons for leaving Earth. Let’s just say it would have been dangerous for me to stay there. I came to New Vaxx where I would be safe.”

His eyes flared with compassion, and he continued stroking her hair, each caress slow and deliberate, as though his intention was to soothe her. “I am sorry you faced danger on your home planet, sweet beauty.”

She forced a smile. “Thanks, but I’m okay now. I have a good life on New Vaxx. Given my age, I’m lucky I got the opportunity to come here in the first place.”

His gaze drifted up and down her body. “You told me you were too old to have children, and I believe you, but you look fertile to me. You are breathtakingly beautiful, Karla, and your breasts are full and ripe and your hips are nice and wide. Your bottom is also delightfully curvy.” His nostrils flared and he emitted a sexy growl that sent a rush of heat throughout her body.

She opened her mouth, ready to tell him to back off, but the harsh words died in her throat. The truth was, she was starting to like his bold compliments. His words made her feel desirable—something she hadn’t experienced in eons. When she was with him, she didn’t feel invisible, and God how wondrous it was to finally be seen.

“I-I don’t know what to say.” Her mouth went dry and she struggled to catch her breath.

He gave her a lopsided grin that took years off his face. “I know you find me handsome. Amie informed me that you spent the whole morning talking about me and she shared much of what you said.”

Oh God. Oh no. Amie. Karla could only imagine the things the talkative little girl had told Zorras, and she desperately tried to recall all she’d said during breakfast this morning. Her face heated. Yep, she’d referred to him as ‘handsome’ several times during the conversation and had also mentioned his muscles.

“I’m attracted to you, sweet Karla, and you are obviously attracted to me—twice now during our walk, I have caught the scent of your arousal in the air.”

She gasped and shook her head as she tried to back away, but he grasped her by the shoulders and drew her closer. Shock reverberated inside her. It was true—she’d gotten achy between her thighs once or twice during their walk—but she couldn’t believe that he would openly talk about it. Especially on their first date.

Whoa there! Where had that thought come from? This wasn’t a date.

Why, then, did it feel like one?

Her stomach flipped. She hadn’t expected any of the Vaxxlian males on this planet to show an interest in her. This was all happening too fast. She needed time to think.

Zorras inhaled deeply and his eyes glowed brighter.

“Stop smelling me! On Earth, that sort of behavior would be considered very weird. Creepy, even. Now, as I’ve said before, I am not going to mate with a Vaxxlian warrior. I’m flattered that you find me attractive and all that, Zorras, but you really ought to find a younger female to mate with, a woman who can give you more children.”

“I used to think I wanted more offspring, Karla, but I want you more. There is something powerful between us.” He sighed and appeared deep in thought for several seconds. “I came to your home this afternoon with a fully formed plan in my mind, a plan to romance you, a plan for us to become better acquainted and eventually fall in love. A plan to date you like humans date one another on Earth. But fluxx, I don’t know if I can be patient enough for that. The only reason I’m not kidnapping you right now is because I specifically promised I wouldn't do so today. Tomorrow, however, is fair game, my sweet beauty.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Zorras, but this was a mistake. I-I shouldn’t have agreed to go on a walk with you. I don’t know what I was thinking. I would like to go home now. Please.”