“Fantastic. It’s out again.”
She clenched her teeth and stepped under the stream of water. Goose bumps rose along her body but she suffered through it while she scrubbed her hair and soaped up. She rinsed off and got out of the shower. She dried off and put on a robe, returning to her room.
She picked up the phone and dialed her father. He answered on the third ring. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hi, baby.”
“I was just thinking about you.”
“That’s so sweet, honey. I can’t really talk right now. Me and my buddies are about to go fishing. Kip bought a new boat. You really should take some time off and come down to Florida to visit me. Retiring here was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
She might not have a job. That would free up her schedule. “I’d like that. We haven’t seen each other in two years.”
“Wow. It’s been that long?”
“Yes. Time flies when you’re having fun.”
“I sure am. Just don’t come next month. I’m going on that senior cruise.” He chuckled. “Not the month after that either. That’s when we’re going to Mexico.”
He was always busy. She didn’t blame him. There wasn’t much to do in Green Bend. He’d moved to a retirement community and made a bunch of friends who liked to travel.
“I gotta go. I love you, honey.”
“I love you too. Have a good time.”
He chuckled. “Always.”
She hung up and took a seat on her bed. She dialed her best friend and got the machine. “Hi, Michelle. It’s Lynn. I was just checking up—”
“You caught me in time,” her breathless friend cut in. “My husband and kids are in the minivan waiting for me but I forgot my sunglasses. Did you call to wish us a good flight?”
Lynn remembered then. “You’re going on your big vacation.”
“I can’t wait to get out of here for two weeks. I’ll call you when we get home and you can come over to see all the pictures we take. I can’t believe I’m finally going to see Hawaii. This is a dream come true.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
“Actually, it will be about a week after we return. Mitch’s parents are coming into town to see the kids. It’s going to be pretty hectic with them here. Wait. Maybe the week after that. We’re supposed to go to Indianapolis for that race weekend.”
“Whenever. Have a great time.”
“Thanks. I have to go. Mitch just honked the horn. We don’t want to miss our flight. Love ya!” She hung up.
Lynn replaced the phone in the cradle and just sat there staring at it. There was no one else to call. Everyone had a life except her. She collapsed onto her back, studying the water-stained ceiling from a roof leak she’d had to patch the year before. The silence got to her and she started thinking about Coto, reliving every moment they’d shared.
The phone rang a few hours later and she sat up, grabbing it. “Hello?”
“Miss Reynolds? This is Hilton Morgan’s secretary, Millie.”
She grimaced. “Yes?”
“He’d like to see you in his office at two tomorrow.”
“Why?”
The woman hesitated, then lowered her voice. “He’s angry. I know he received a call from his nephew, then placed a few calls and asked me to make this appointment.”
There it was. Jimmy had ratted her out and those calls had probably been to her boss. “I’ll see him then.” She slammed the phone down.
It rang a few minutes later and she answered. “Hello?”
“What is going on?”
“Who is this?”
“It’s Richard from work. I was just called and asked to cover for you for the next few weeks. I can’t work weekends. My wife is pissed. You need to suck it up if you’re sick.”
“I think I’m fired.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry.” She hung up on him. “My life is shit,” she muttered, collapsing onto her back again. She rolled to her side, staring at the empty space in bed next to her. She wished Coto were there.
The light faded in her room when the sun went down. She lay there, thinking about Coto and her life. She’d always wanted to find a man who could make her feel sexy make her feel as if she were the most important thing to him. She’d known that with him for their limited time together. The pros and cons of a future without him waged war inside her mind as the hours passed. She finally drifted off to sleep.
* * * * *
Lynn jerked awake in her dark bedroom and lifted up, staring at the clock. It was seven in the morning. She’d dreamed about Coto. They’d been laughing together, sitting on a couch in a room she didn’t know. He’d kissed her and something had tugged on her shirt. She’d pulled away from him and a little boy stood next to her leg. He had to be about two years old and it was obvious Coto was his father from how similar they looked. The toddler had smiled at her and climbed onto her lap. She’d known he was her son too.
“What did I do?”
She threw off the covers that she must have pulled over herself during the night, jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom. She brushed her teeth, splashed water on her face, and yanked open the cabinet under the sink to grab out a travel bag. She didn’t want to lose Coto. It was scary insane to leave everything behind but it would be so much worse living with regret.
“I only hope I’m not too late.”
She packed necessities and rushed into her bedroom, digging her suitcase out from the back of the closet. She froze, wondering what to take to another planet. Was it cold there? Warm? She had no idea.
“Son of a bitch.” She opened the case, tossing in some of her favorite outfits. She’d have to find him and hope he hadn’t already been picked up. The campsite would have to be taken down. She might find him there. They could be at the old farmhouse or even where their ship had crashed.
Desperation struck as she located a few family photo albums and precious mementos she didn’t want to leave behind. One suitcase turned into two, plus a duffle bag. Lynn kept glancing at the clock. Every minute seemed to speed by as she rushed around her house.
She finally grabbed a permanent marker and stopped in front of her fridge, hesitating after she ripped off the cap. “How do you say goodbye to everyone you love? I’d call them but they aren’t home.”
She finally started to write. No one would be able to miss seeing it once they came to her house when someone investigated why she was gone. “This is going to suck if he’s gone already and I have to try to get this off.”
It became clear she’d packed too much when she lugged the first suitcase to her SUV and went back for the second one. She lifted it and carried it out her open front door, still trying to decide where to look for Coto first. She slammed into something solid and dropped the case.
Coto gripped her hips to steady her. “Are you injured?”
She recovered quickly. He was on her porch. “Coto!”
“I slipped my communicator inside your pocket when I kissed you goodbye. I came to ask you to leave with me one more time,” he admitted. “I couldn’t sleep. All I could think about was you. I tracked the signal at first light. Please come with me.”
She nodded. “I was going to find you. It’s insane but yes.”
He grinned. “Yes?”
“Yes!”
She was so relieved they were together again that she lifted up on tiptoe and threw her arms around his neck. Coto’s mouth crushed down on hers, kissing her. She moaned against his tongue. He backed her inside and they bumped into her couch. He tore his mouth away.
“I want you.”
“I want you too.” She let him go, fumbling to get out of her clothes.
“I’ll close your door.”
“Don’t bother. Nobody ever comes by. The house can’t be seen from the road. Strip.”
Coto didn’t hesitate. She loved that about him. He nearly tripped tearing off his boots. She finished before he did and motioned him to follow her down the hallway to her
bedroom. He threw his uniform top on the floor, opening his pants as he came after her.
“I missed you last night.” She got on the bed and flipped over onto her back in the middle.
“I’m here.” He shoved down his pants. “You’ll never sleep without me at your side again.”
He surprised her when he dropped to his knees, gripped her ankles, and jerked her down the bed. “I’ve never done this before but I was given instructions should I ever bound to a human.”
“We had fantastic sex,” she reminded him.
“We’re about to have better.” He spread his hands open on her thighs, pushing them wider apart and lifting her. “I’m going to master oral sex.”
Lynn looked down at him. “I’ve never been so enthusiastic before to say okay.”
Coto bent forward, nuzzling his face against her pussy. “Let me know if I do this correct.”
She clutched at her bedding. “Right there. That’s the magic spot.”
He paused. “Magic?”
“You’re supposed to be a leprechaun. I feel lucky. Never mind. Bad timing for a joke. Don’t stop.”
He resumed licking and suckling her clit. It drove her mindless. It might be his first time, but he seemed determined to do it right.
She panted encouragement. “Oh yes. Just like that. A little rougher.”
Coto took orders incredibly well, continuing with the sweet torment until she cried out his name, climaxing hard. He eased his hold on her thighs and straightened his upper body. Lynn met his gaze and smiled.
“You’re a keeper.”
He cupped her hips, sliding her ass to the edge of the bed. “Say yes to being my bound.”
“I’ll marry you.”
He rubbed the crown of his cock against the slit of her pussy and gently entered her. “I’m claiming you right now.”
She nodded. She wrapped her legs around his hips as he came down on top of her, his chest hovering over hers. “Give me everything you’ve got.” She cupped his face, pulling him in for a kiss.
He drove in and out of her, increasing the pace. She loved the feel of him and how incredible it was, having him inside her. The mushroom-shaped crown of his cock hit her G-spot. She clawed at his biceps and had to break the kiss, afraid that she’d bite him.
“Coto!”
He buried his face in her neck, lightly nibbling on her skin. “You’re mine. Always. I’ll never let you go.”
Lynn climaxed a second time. Coto snarled her name, finding his own release. He didn’t pull out of her that time. He came inside her. They held on to each other while they recovered. Lynn ran her fingertips over his back, knowing she’d never get tired of touching him.
“We need to go,” he finally grumbled. “I don’t want to move but we must.”
“I know.”
They reluctantly untangled their bodies and dressed. Lynn took one more look around her house, knowing it would be her last. Coto strode to the door, waiting for her.
“I’ve got one more bag to grab. I hope three isn’t too much. I didn’t know what to pack.”
“You won’t regret this.”
“I know.” The reality of it hit. “Marriage is forever to you, right? It would suck to go there and get divorced in a year.”
He pulled her closer. “Forever. I’ll never let you go.”
“Good. I’m giving up everything for you.”
“I appreciate that. We will be happy.”
“I have faith. I don’t ever want to lose you.”
“Where are the rest of your things? Can you take us there by your vehicle? It would be faster than walking.”
“Of course.”
He let her go and she rushed back inside her bedroom. He followed, seeming to really take in his surroundings for the first time. “Your home is small. Our home on Zorn is larger. You will like it.”
Nerves struck. “I hope so.”
He took the duffle bag from her and they walked out the front door. She closed it but didn’t bother to twist the lock. She had everything she wanted. Coto loaded her things into the back of the SUV and Lynn climbed into the driver’s seat. Coto filled the passenger side with his tall frame.
“Where are we going?”
“Where we set up camp. It’s been taken down but was a good spot for them to pick us up.” He removed the communications device from his pocket. “I retrieved this from your home. I didn’t want anyone to find it. I’ll inform them we are on our way.”
“They won’t leave without us, will they?”
“We have plenty of time.”
Lynn started the engine and backed out of her driveway. “This planet of yours…” Dozens of questions filled her mind.
Coto reached over and took her hand once she was on the road. “You will love it, Lynn.”
“I can breathe there, right?”
He laughed. “Yes. Earth is a lot like Zorn. The colors are different.”
“Really?” She was intrigued.
“It’s beautiful. I am looking forward to showing it to you.”
She was excited. “This is going to be an adventure.”
“It will be.”
She smiled, letting some of the worry ease away. Coto was at her side, holding onto her. It’s going to be okay. She had to park her SUV by the cabin where the dirt road stopped. Coto took the two heavier bags and she shoved the strap of the duffle bag over her shoulder. They walked together through the woods. She really hoped they didn’t run into any wildlife.
The first glimpse of the ship made her heart race. “Are you sure we’re all going to fit in that? It’s about the size of a motor home. It kind of looks like one too, minus the wheels and windows.”
Coto nodded. “I don’t know what a motor home is but this is a small shuttle to fly us into space where a larger ship waits.”
“Okay.”
He chuckled. “No fear, Lynn. I will always keep you safe.”
“What did you do with your other ship? Were they able to fix it or something?”
“No. This shuttle landed while it was dark still. They arrived before dawn. At nightfall we’ll lift off and take what is left of our other ship with us. They can attach it to the bottom of the hull. It will be discarded deep in space where no one from your planet will ever come across it.”
“Why not leave now?”
“Humans would see it if they were watching the sky. We’ll make a larger object with the shuttle hauling the damaged ship.”
“Oh.” She felt foolish for asking. It made sense now that she knew the answer. “Of course. This thing can take that kind of extra weight? Are you worried about radar detection? We have that.”
“Yes, it can take the weight. We’re aware of how you track objects in your sky but the shuttles are designed to warp the signals around the existing bulk so we’re not traceable.”
Two aliens greeted them. She hadn’t met them before. Coto handed her bags to one of them. “My woman’s belongings. Lynn is coming with us.”
“Of course.”
Lynn felt warmth. She was Coto’s woman. He was her alien man. He took her duffle bag and passed it over to the second man. They carried her things inside the shuttle and she bit her lower lip.
“Easy,” Coto rasped, pulling her into his arms. “I’ll hold you.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to be doing that a lot. I’m not a fan of heights.” She peered up at the blue sky. “And we’re going really high tonight.”
“It’s going to be fine,” he promised.
She stared into his beautiful eyes. “I trust you.” She did.
“You are of my heart, Lynn. I will take care of you and we will be happy.”
“I know. I believe that.”
Epilogue
Exactly one year later
Lynn moaned, reaching down to stroke Coto’s silky hair. He growled against her clit, the vibrations adding to her pleasure. He had her legs pinned open with his arms, his hands firmly cupping her ass. He used the flat o
f his tongue to torment her.
“You’re going to kill me if you get any better at this.”
He grew more aggressive with his mouth until she was crying out, coming hard. Coto lifted his head, a satisfied smile curving his lips. “Is that a complaint? I was determined to learn. It is our anniversary of when I made you my bound. I am showing you my appreciation.”
She let go of his hair and stroked her fingers over his cheek. “It’s the best decision I ever made. I love you.”
He eased his hold on her ass and unpinned her legs, climbing up her body and settling his hips between her still-spread thighs. “I feel gratitude every day that you took a chance. I feel that same love. It is so strong it is almost painful.”
“I know what you mean. I never thought I could feel this strongly about someone before.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “Any regrets?”
“I feel guilty about my dad and some of my friends,” she admitted. “They had their own full lives though. I left them that note on my fridge, swearing I was alive and well, just taking off with the man I fell in love with who needed to keep off the grid. They probably think I joined some cult.”
“What is that?”
She grinned. They were still working out some words with the translator but she doubted Zorn had a definition in their language that would fit. “A criminal,” she improvised, amused.
“I can be very bad,” he teased. “You tell me this all the time.”
“In the best of ways.”
He lifted up a little and glanced down between their bodies, adjusting his hips. Lynn moaned when his stiff cock nudged her pussy and he slowly filled her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and gripped his shoulders.
“You often say this feels so good it should be illegal.”
“That’s so true.”
A knock sounded on the door and Coto groaned. “Go away.”
Another knock sounded.
He twisted, grabbing hold of the covers and jerked them over their lower bodies. He withdrew his cock from Lynn and sat up a little. “Damn. Come in.”
Lynn sat up too, clutching the sheet to her breasts. “So much for sleeping in a bit.”
The door eased open and the white-haired older woman peered in. “Sorry for interrupting your love time but someone is hungry.” She stepped inside, cradling a wrapped bundle.