Page 4 of His Human Rebel

The biological father of my baby isn’t around to help and I’m certain will not be a part of my child’s life, but this is no problem.

I can take care of myself.

A goofy smile spreads across my face and my heart warms as I imagine this new life where I’m eventually holding this child in my arms and I’m a mother. This news was shocking, but I’m wrapping my brain around this new normal surprisingly fast. This baby was certainly a surprise but is turning out to be a blessing. “It’s just you and me, kid,” I whisper out loud. “We can do this, together.” All kinds of protective instincts kick in and I’m suddenly much less concerned about how I was arrested, fired and forced into this farce of a marriage on another planet.

Because the good news is that six months from now, I’m going to be a mother.

Mainly, I need to find a way to create a new life for myself and the baby I’m carrying.

And that’s when I hear a noise that causes me to look up. A rugged, open-air utility vehicle approaches. I can see that it’s being driven by a huge, bare chested Hyrrokin male. It turns and starts to move down this side street, as if it’s approaching the platform.

Oh my, this must be him.

Rake Flagstone from the Flagstone Fire Ranch.

The guy I married in absentia. This whole thing is crazy, but I really did marry him. I figured signing the papers and getting on that transporter disk as I was told was the easiest way out of my problems, because if this marriage turned out to be an even bigger problem, I could easily get a divorce.

The vehicle he drives has a roof and a large front window, but the sides are open. It looks very rugged, with large wheels and an area in the back to carry cargo.

The male in the driver’s seat is frightening. The closer he gets, the more uncomfortable I feel. He’s staring right at me with a dark, piercing gaze.

I move forward and stand on the edge of the platform, squeezing the handle of my red suitcase. What does he think of me? On my own planet, I know a man like him would reject me at first glance, because of my weight.

I got ready in my own apartment and packed to leave, so at least I’m clean, my hair is nice and I have makeup on. I dressed in a cute pink shirt and my favorite jeans—unbuttoned though because my waist is thicker.

I’ve been told I’d be beautiful if I lost weight, which I guess is supposed to make me feel better? It’s silly because this is me and if you don’t like me how I am, then I’d rather be alone. If I get past that point with a man and he wants to date me exactly as I am, the fact that my voice is naturally loud and I speak my mind is usually the second barrier. Not all men want to be seen with an outspoken firebrand. I’m an acquired taste and I know that about myself.

Rake Flagstone gets ever closer.

A choking sound emanates from my throat because he’s that scary. He has large, red hands with silver claws at the end, the same as his bare feet. Two black horns erupt from his forehead, taller and sharper than I’ve seen so far. A barbed tail flicks lazily in the air behind him.

He pulls up right to the edge of the platform and turns off the engine.

I stand on the edge. “Rake Flagstone?” I question.

He nods in agreement and doesn’t say a word or get out of his vehicle. Again, he looks me up and down.

I’m breathing heavily. Now that I’m so close to him, he doesn’t look as monstrous as before. His harsh features are proud instead of terrifying. His black lips plush and kissable. And like all the other males, his chest is bare, but this means I am left in amazement at his perfect red muscles and his powerful arms. The black pants against the red chest are exquisite.

Despite all the other Hyrrokin both male and female that I’ve seen so far who cause me to want to run and hide in fear, I consider this one bearable. In fact…sexy. He’s a work of sexy art.

There’s an essential authority about his demeanor.

In my experience, men with authority often use this power to do something bad, like take away all my rights. But I don’t sense that menace from Rake Flagstone…it’s strange.

I automatically place my hand against my stomach, which already has a little bit of a swell. Then I drop my hand.

What are you doing, Stella? You’re giving the game away. Already.

I’m going to scare him away, which isn’t smart. I was forced here so quickly and married in absentia to this male and now I’m in a temporary bind. I’m dependent on the kindness of this stranger for a short while, until I can figure out how to get to my accounts and back home to Mom’s apartment on New Earth.

Hopefully I’ll be out of his hair in a couple of weeks. No harm, no foul. He’ll realize I’m all wrong for him and he could send me back for a refund and get somebody else. I do have a lot of money saved in my accounts, so if the refund doesn’t work then maybe I could compensate him financially for his troubles?

But if he knows I’m arriving pregnant, he could publicly reject me here, on the street. And then what will I do? Go back inside and beg them to return me to another location on New Earth? They’d never do that considering I can’t pay them the exorbitant transporter fee if I can’t access my accounts. And if I have to stay in Fire Creek temporarily without his help, where will I even be able to sleep or eat around here, considering yet again I have no currency? The whole point of my being on Tarvos is that I’m here as his bound. If I say none of that is true and this whole thing was a mistake, along with an angry Rake Flagstone contesting this mail-order bride purchase as a total scam, I’ll be probably sent off to their immigration detention center, which I’m certain would not be a good circumstance.

His gaze drops to my stomach and for some reason I feel compelled to step even closer. He leans forward and inhales.

What’s crazy is now that he’s closer all my girlie parts are getting warm. I can’t seem to keep my eyes off his magnificent chest. This isn’t something that ever happens to me, except that one time when I was out drinking with friends three months ago. But even that was nothing compared to the rush of heat I’m feeling for this total stranger while entirely sober.

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