Page 41 of The Alien Who Saved Christmas
His eyes widened in genuine horror. “I would sooner die than sell one strand.”
“Good Lord… It’s just hair.”
“It’s my mate’s hair!”
Was that sweet or just nuts? Either way, Xane didn’t sound like he was willing to help her shave her head, and they didn’t have time to argue about it. “So, how else can we get some money, then? We need to pretend to belong in the casino, which means having cash.”
Xane sighed and glanced around. “Wait here.” He ordered. “I will get you some money, if you wish.”
“Okay.”
“I am in earnest, Sadie.” One of his many clawed fingers pointed straight at her nose. “Do nothing dangerous.”
“I said okay!”
He glowered down at her, trying to will her into some kind of further compliance.
Sadie smiled cheerily.
“No.” Xane shook his head, not buying her expression. “If I let you out of my sight, you’ll vanish. It is inevitable. You will just have to watch me get the money and strive to remain unafraid.” It was an order.
“You’re being paranoid. I could never be afraid of you.”
“You could.” He grumbled darkly. “And I would not wish that.” His face was set in dispirited lines. “But I cannot risk your safety, even if it means garnering your fear.” A pause. “If I frighten you, will you give me a chance to win back your trust? Or will you seek another husband today?”
“I’m not trading you for anybody else, Xane.” Without even thinking about it, Sadie stood on tiptoe and kissed his downturned mouth. “Not when I’ve almost convinced you to be on a team with me.”
Xane froze in place, the same way Sadie would have frozen if she’d been unexpectedly dropped into the driver’s seat of a Formula One racer. He knew what kissingwas; he’d just never expected to participate in it. He tensed, like he was anticipating disaster.
Sadie took that as a direct challenge. She’d only intended to give him a quick, playful peck. But now it occurred to her that she was aiming too small. Why shouldn’t she kiss her maybe-husband just how she wanted to? She should get some perks for being a maybe-wife, right?
Her fingers dug into the gigantic muscles of his arms, balancing on her tiptoes to reach his mouth.
Xane sucked in a dazed breath, as Sadie’s lips found his in a longer kiss. That obviously gave her the opportunity to brush her tongue against his. It was rougher than hers. That was weirdly arousing. Sadie gave it an experimental lick, dazzled by the sensation.
A low groan escaped Xane, rumbling in his massive chest. Oh yeah.Nowhe got it. And then he was all in, foot smashed down on the accelerator, and zooming towards glory. Following her lead, he deepened the kiss, his own tongue surging into her mouth. The taste of him was like nothing else in the universe. Hot, and sweet, and magical. Her core clenched, and she clutched him even harder, wanting to get closer. Wanting everything he’d give her.
Xane was chained, so she didn’t want to take advantage of him, but he sure wasn’t struggling to get away from her. In fact, the man was now driving the kiss. His lips slid over hers, trying slightly new angles and clearly enjoying them all. He seemed enraptured.
And aroused. Really, really aroused.
Xane moved forward, pressing against her body. He was so big and hard andbigthat it startled Sadie out of her happy haze of passion. Apparently, their species were anatomically compatible, because she could now feel a lot of him. And none of her boyfriends had ever felt likethat.
Sadie jerked back with a surprised gasp.
Xane stared down at her, breathing hard. “Are you sure about me, yet?” He got out roughly.
It didn’t take an alien translator to know what he was asking. “We’re not having sex in a creepy alleyway, Xane!”
Although the idea wasn’t nearly as shocking as it should’ve been. The man was huge, but that wasn’t frightening. Just kind of unexpected. Being caught off guard was her own fault.Of coursehe’d be built to scale. Now that she’d gotten over the initial jolt, she was willing to embrace the challenge. Just --ya know--later. When they weren’t standing around in public, and she didn’t stink to high heaven, and she’d shaved her legs sometime in the previous month.
Sadie retreated a step, trying to get a hold of herself. “We need to focus on the plan.” She decided, resisting the urge to touch her lips.
Wow, that was a good kiss! Come to think of it, this outing could count as a second date, if she were feeling generous. And she was feeling all kinds of generous.
“Um… What were we doing?” She swallowed. “Oh, right! Money! We have to find some money.”
Xane nodded, his gaze intense and centered on her mouth. “Find money.” He repeated in a dazed tone.
