Page 6 of The Alien Who Saved Christmas
“No kidding.” Had he not noticed that before? She’d been trying to hide her species, not her gender. The hideous robe really did look like Santa’s shroud, though. On her short, curvy body, it was like wearing a red-and-white tent.
“Gods.” Xane slowly shook his head, denying this entire situation. “You should not be here, woman. It is far too dangerous.”
He was still traumatized by the auction. Sadie felt a surge of compassion. Of course he was. He might be huge and horned, but this had to be a terrifying experience. And the drugs were probably making everything confused in his head.
“It’s alright.” She soothed. “You’re safe now. I’ll protect you.”
He wasn’t listening. It was like he was in a trance. A massive thumb traced along the side of her mouth, as if he just couldn’t help himself. The gentleness of his touch surprised her, considering his colossal size and deadly claws.
The unexpected contact caused Sadie to jolt, heat flooding her core.
Sex hadn’t been high on her priority list, even before her interstellar abduction. Wesley, her last boyfriend, had dumped her months ago. When they were together, he’d been able to satisfy her needs, but so did a vibrator, and a vibrator didn’t cheat with their ex-girlfriend at a waterpark. Sadie had been perfectly okay with giving up men in favor of handheld technology.
Maybe she’d been a little too hasty.
Xane’s touch had her nipples beading and her breath catching. Sadie had always been drawn to muscular guys, butthis level of lust was a little overwhelming. He was an alien! She was sexually attracted to aliens now? Apparently. But was she allowed to be sexually attracted tothisalien? It was probably wrong, considering he was drugged and not in his right mind.
She’d better stop picturing him naked. And she would. Really, really soon.
Xane muttered out an alien curse and dropped his hand from her face. Shaking his head, he seemed to rally. “This has to be a trick.” He declared in a more forceful tone.
“What does?” Sadie asked, trying to get her wayward thoughts under control.
“You. Beinghere. It’s impossible. It’s…” Xane got distracted again, before he could finish that. “Is it the drugs? Are you even real? And why do you smell like that?”
His billboard-sized chest expanded as he breathed in the scent of her. It probably wasn’t an edifying experience. Back in Ohio, it was winter, but this planet was hot and desert-y. It was stifling under the stupid Santa Claus robes.
Sadie had been “showering” with some kind of powdered, foaming dry-wash stuff for the better part of a month. She didn’t stink, but she also didn’t smell like the delicious marshmallow pumpkin spice bath gel she used back home.
An inhuman growly sound issued from his throat.
Okay… He obviously did not like the smell of her. Who could blame him?
Sadie edged back. “Me being at a slave auction isnotnormal.” She agreed, focusing on that, rather than on her lack of quality soap. “I know that you probably don’t believe that, since I’mata slave auction, but I swear, I’m not buying anyone. Imean, I technically boughtyou, but not really. I amfullyagainst slavery, because I’m not an evil dick.”
He stared at her.
Sadie chewed her bottom lip. The man seemed overwhelmed with all that had happened to him. Ofcoursehe was. Anyone would be, after such a horrific ordeal. “Don’t worry. I’ll explain it all later.” She patted one of his many arms comfortingly. “And Iamreal.”
He glanced down at her palm touching his green skin, his jaw tightening.
Sadie yanked her fingers back. There was a power-dynamic issue between them, considering he was in chains. She didn’t want to overstep his boundaries. “I’m sorry this happened to you.” She told him, praying he understood her lack of sinister intentions. “For now, just trust that I wouldneverkeep you enslaved. Cross my heart. But, we have to get out of here…”
“Is he giving you trouble already?” Octopus-man demanded, striding over. “You should have let me buy the wretch, Lythion. Teach him some manners.”
Sadie winced, realizing he was talking to her. Crap. The guy was right behind her. As soon as she turned, he was going to see that she wasn’t a See-Through Alien Kidnapper, and it would be a whole big thing.
Xane’s turquoise gaze went to Octopus-guy, to Sadie, and then back again. His brows drew together.
“I’ll give you twice what you paid, so he can come back to the mines with me.” Octopus-man went on. “I ran out of credits during the auction, and they were completely unreasonable about accepting a marker.”
Sadie rolled her eyes at Xane. Mr. Octopus sounded about two seconds away from asking to see the manager.
Xane didn’t appreciate the shared moment of levity. His scowl took on a “WTF is wrong with you?” intensity.
“I didn’t expect the beast’s price to go so high. But I’m willing to pay whatever you ask for him.” Octopus-man continued with universal rich-guy entitlement.
Sadie shook her head, keeping her face averted.
