Page 16 of Taken By the Alien Merrow King

Could it be love? Yes. It was entirely possible that she was falling in love with Des. But she wasn’t quite ready to admit it out loud. Love was too powerful a feeling and, if she said it aloud, that would make it solid and very, very real.

She wasn’t prepared for that. Not yet. And especially because she didn’t want to hurt him if she was mistaken and it turned out to be a fever-dream type reaction to a new environment, her first taste of fresh water, and the pull of a really hot alien.

He put a finger over her lips, stopping any response she may have pulled together. “My love for you is beyond all reason, beyond anything I ever expected to have in my lifetime.”

Her breath caught, her heart pounding at the sincerity in his eyes and the passion in his words. He wasn’t lying. He really did love her. A lump formed in her throat and she could feel tears tickling the corner of her eyes.Shit, she thought.Why am I getting all emotional? Stupid emotions.

His finger traced the bow of her top lip and slid over her cheek to play with a strand of hair. “Still, I realize that humans do not have mates in the same way many races on this planet do. I don’t expect you to love me as I do you.” A slow grin lit up his face. “Not yet, anyway,” he added, giving her an exaggerated wink.

A laugh hiccuped out of her. She covered her eyes, trying to compose herself. “Not yet, huh?” she said. “You certainly have a lot of confidence in yourself, Mr. Big Fish.”

He gently pulled her hand away from her face and brought it to his lips. “So you know, while there are true mates among the Merrow, such a thing is as rare and as precious as the fiery emeralds expelled from Vinuvos, the underwater volcano that created the Merrow Isles. My parents were true mates, and it was a remarkable bond to behold. I want to share this wonder with you, Astra, so please tell me I have a chance to win your heart.”

Dammit. He was so hard to resist with his cheerful persistence and dogged determination. Would she even have a chance to avoid further entanglement if she wanted to?He loves me. And I’d be an absolute fool to shove away a chance at love and happiness. Taking a deep breath, she gave him a cheeky grin and said, “You can try.”

13

DESBURCHÙ

At her agreement, he leapt off the bed, snatched her up in his arms, and whirled her around the room. “Beloved mate, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the chance to win yours.” He gave her another whirl, bent her over his arm, and kissed the depths out of her. “And win, I shall. There is no other option.”

A bright grin lit her face. “Gotta love the confidence.”

He slowly danced them around the room while humming a low tune beneath his breath until she broke free with a laugh.

“What makes you think you’re going to win, anyway?” she asked, eyebrow raised. She snatched up his shirt and buttoned herself into it.

Then the cruel woman had the audacity to snicker at the look of profound disappointment on his face as she covered up her gorgeous breasts and luscious thighs.Damn. I was really hoping she’d be up for a day of naked dancing and orgasms.

“After all, you might be completely wrong about me. I might be a hard-hearted bitch just using you to get humans a place to live.”

“Again with the worst-case scenario, my mate,” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose and falling backwards onto the bed with a groan. “And please do not call yourself names. You’re merely pragmatic, with a little pessimism thrown in for spice.” He propped himself up on a forearm so he could watch her. “Luckily for you, I’m more of a romantic. A dreamer, if you will.”

Rolling her eyes at him, she folded her arms over her chest and said, “Well, I mean, you don’t know me all that well.” She leaned a hip against the chest of drawers. “What if the women on that capsule are all sleeper agents, sent here to take out the planet’s strongest leaders? Or what if humans don’t just want to find refuge on this planet, we want to own it, and my team is part the first wave of an attack?”

Des laughed at her adorable ridiculousness. “Love, you’d make the most terrible sleeper agent ever.” He walked over to her, kissed her forehead, and nudged her to the side to open a drawer. “Perhaps you should write down some of these stories. Your imagination is top-notch.” He shoved his legs into a pair of black trousers and ran a hand through his sex-tousled hair.

Her brows snapped together. “I’m being serious, Des. Maybe your anti-alien protesters aren’t completely wrong about us. After all, human beings did manage to ruin one home through our own greed and hubris. What if it happens again?”

“Astra, my precious love. You’re overthinking things,” he said. “Have faith in your humans and in the denizens of Sanos. I do.”

She went quiet, nibbling on her bottom lip.

“Perhaps you need some assurance, so let me provide that here and now.” He put a finger under her chin and tipped her head up, needing her to look him in the eye when he said this. “While we don’t have the biggest landmass on the planet and can’t house large numbers, we would be honored to have a contingent of humans settle here. I trust that your people canadapt to our ways and intermingle with us, that we will learn from one another and become stronger for it.”

Her mouth gaped open. She closed it with an audible click, small furrows appearing between her eyes. “Why? What do you want in exchange?” she asked, but he was already shaking his head.

“Nothing.” She was such a suspicious little thing. Was this a human trait or an Astra trait? Either way, it was completely endearing. “I already have everything I could possibly want right here in front of me.” He splayed his hand over her neck, his fingers stroking the delicate column of her throat.

Her cheeks turned a soft pink, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. “So, technically, you’re taking me in exchange.”

He bit back a chuckle. “I suppose you could look at that way,” he said, dropping a quick kiss on her lips. “Never change, my brilliant mate. I need your prudence to balance me out.”

Her blush deepened. Clearing her throat, she said, “And what about your council? The opinion of your people? Or are you the be-all, end-all of decision making?”

“Well, I am the king,” he said with a casual shrug.

“And it’s good to be king.” A grin lit her face. She grabbed his hand. “Are you being serious about opening your land up to human settlers?”

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