Rogue: A Scifi Alien Romance (Galactic Gladiators Book 8) Page 6

  He looked back at Galen. “Ryan will stay with me tonight. We’ll brainstorm the best way to hack through Gabriez’s system .”

  Galen nodded. “And I’ll work on the infiltration plan with Magnus. We’ll see you first thing in the morning .”

  Zhim drove into the parking area beneath his building, and soon, he and Ryan were zipping up to his penthouse .

  As the doors opened, Ryan headed straight for his computer room .

  “ Ryan — ”

  “I want to start running searches through Gabriez’s data. Neve doesn’t have the luxury of time .”

  “I’ll set it up, but for now, let me show you to the guest room. You can shower and change .”

  She wavered, looking torn. “I would like to wash the muck of that horrible place off .”

  “Come with me .”

  He led her to his well-appointed guestroom. “There is an assortment of clothes in the cupboard. Hopefully, something will fit you .”

  “Thanks.” Her gaze locked with his. “Thank you for everything .”

  Zhim stared at her for a moment. “You’re welcome.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well, I’ll leave you to it .”

  He left her, and after uploading the data they’d confiscated, he moved down the hall to his own room. As he stripped off and headed for his bathroom, he tried not to think about Ryan next door. Naked. With water sluicing over her slim curves .

  He blew out a breath. He had a system to break into, and a woman to help save. He was not supposed to be thinking of Ryan .

  By the time he’d changed, Ryan was already back in his computer room. He noted she was only wearing a man’s shirt that was long enough to be a dress on her. She’d cinched it in at the waist .

  As she tapped on the screen, he realized she’d hacked into his system and gotten past his password. He shook his head, fighting a smile. Why was he no longer annoyed at her lack of respect for his security ?

  “Find what you need ?”

  “Oh.” She jerked and looked up. “I thought you’d be longer.” Her cheeks were pink, and she didn’t quite meet his gaze .

  “What are you doing?” He was suspicious now .

  “Nothing. I’m not in your files, or anything. I’m accessing my own .”

  He circled the desk, and she threw her hands over the screen .

  “Tell me .”

  She huffed out a breath. “It’s just a journal, okay? The healers said I should write about…everything .”

  To help her work through her pain. That made sense. So why were her cheeks burning red ?

  “Okay,” he said .

  She cleared her throat. “Let me just close it down…” She moved one hand and touched the screen. Then she straightened as though she’d been electrocuted. “Oh, my God. The screen’s frozen !”

  “I can fix it — ”

  “No! Don’t look.” She spread her fingers, her voice turning high-pitched. “My stuff, my personal stuff, is stuck on the screen.” She looked at the ceiling. “Why me ?”

  “I have to look to fix it. I won’t read it .”

  She snorted. “Says the man who has to know everything .”

  “You’re going to have to trust me, Ryan .”

  She blew out a breath upward that ruffled her hair. “Fine. But don’t look .”

  When she lowered her hands, Zhim moved to fix the screen. Her data was frozen in the center of the screen, and as his gaze slid over it, he inadvertently caught glimpses of a few words in English. He’d become quite proficient at reading the language .

  Hot sex with a hot alien .

  Sex outside .

  Spanking .

  His heart knocked against his ribs. What the drak? “Hot sex with an alien ?”

  “You read it!” she wailed .

  “I didn’t mean to, the words just leaped off the screen — ”

  She made a small, screaming sound, and covered the screen again. “Oh, God. Why can’t I catch a break? I swear, the universe is just out to get me .”

  “It’s too late for hiding, Ryan.” Zhim kept his gaze on her. He’d never wanted to get information more than he did now. “Tell me what that was .”

  * * *

  R yan’s cheeks were flaming. She couldn’t believe that Zhim had seen her stupid sex list .

  He was watching her now, his gaze narrowed and focused. The man was ruthless when it came to uncovering secrets .

  She blew out a breath. “Look, you know that the last few months of my life were stolen from me. I was barely able to survive, I couldn’t make a single choice for myself.” She swiped a strand of hair back behind her ear. “Hell, before that, on Earth, I wasn’t really living, either. I loved my job, but I just kind of fell into my sort-of engagement with — ”

  “With the sandsucker .”

  “He wasn’t all bad, but yes, he could be an asshole.” She threw her arms out. “I haven’t ever thrown caution to the wind. I haven’t been adventurous, or indulged my secret fantasies, or tried new things .”

  Zhim raised a brow. “Like hot sex with an alien ?”

  “This is my life now. I’ve accepted that Kor Magna is my home.” She lifted her chin. “I’m planning to embrace it .”

  He was quiet for a moment. “That makes sense .”

  She blinked. “It does ?”

  He nodded. “And I’d like to help you .”

  Now, it was her turn to freeze, her brows drawing together. “Help me ?”

  He took a step toward her, tall, lean and graceful. “I’m an alien .”

  Her chest went tight and she felt heat flood her cheeks. “You want to have sex with me?” Her voice was breathy and high .

  “Hot sex. Yes. And I want to learn what the Butter Churner position is .”

  Oh, God . Against her will, her gaze ran down his body. He was gorgeous. She’d never been one for big, bulky muscles. Zhim was lean, with a quiet strength, and most of all, he had a big brain she found fascinating .

  Ryan shivered, tingles igniting on her skin. She swallowed and found her voice. “I’m not one of those long, elegant women you seem to prefer .”

  “No, you’re not.” The colors in his eyes seemed to swirl, and his gaze was laser-focused on her. “I’m finding that I’m not that interested in long and elegant so much anymore. Small, pretty, and insanely smart are proving very attractive .”

  Holy cow. Desire flooded her. She took a step closer, like she was pulled by a magnetic force. “This is crazy, Zhim. We drive each other insane .”

  He tilted his head, and she noticed his hands flex. He wasn’t as cool and composed about this as he looked .

  Time to start living, Ryan. She jumped on him .

  He caught her, and his mouth landed on hers .

  God, the man could kiss. As his tongue thrust into her mouth, she clenched his shoulders, her fingers digging in .

  He strode out of the comp room, banging into a desk on the way out. He cursed, and Ryan laughed .

  “Bedroom is too far,” he grumbled .

  Suddenly, they were in his living room, and he was lowering her onto a long couch .

  Ryan attacked his neck, raking her teeth down his skin. Then, he was gripping her chin, and bringing her lips back to his .

  “Stars, you taste so good,” he bit out .

  They tore at each other’s clothes, and she attacked the fastening on his shirt. She fumbled briefly with the unfamiliar closure, but then struck paydirt, and the silky shirt parted up the center. She ran her hands over his skin and the muscles beneath. God, she loved his chest. Smooth and lean and sexy .

  He pushed her back and then her shirt was gone. He cupped her breasts, a reverent look filling his face. He leaned down and sucked one nipple into his mouth .

  “Oh, that’s good.” She arched up, her hands delving into his dark hair .

  Suddenly, he leaned back, his hot, hungry gaze drifting down her body. “You are gorgeous, Ryan .”

  “I’ve never really thought so
.”

  “Slim, pretty, everything in proportion.” He licked his lips. “And so many things for me to discover .”

  He shifted and leaned down, peppering kisses across her belly. Her eyelids fluttered and she writhed under his touch. He took his time, a lot of time, kissing, licking and stroking. Like he was memorizing every part of her .

  Then he nudged her thighs apart .

  Ryan’s breath hitched. “ Zhim — ”

  “I’ve been reading documents from Earth about pleasuring females, and the clitoris .”

  She rolled her eyes. “Men .”

  “Well, I am an information merchant.” His grin was predatory. “I must know everything.” He slowly stroked her between her legs .

  Jesus . Her hips bucked up .

  He took his time, stroking, fingers brushing her damp curls. “So warm, soft, and wet .”

  He was relentless. He parted her folds, watching every one of her reactions. He slid a finger inside her and she moaned .

  “I like that sound.” A satisfied smile played on his lips. He worked a second finger inside her. “Drak, you are tight .”

  “Quit…tormenting…me,” she gasped .

  “But you like it.” The words came out with a slow hiss of air, and Ryan looked at his face .

  His gaze had narrowed and his own breathing had increased .

  Clearly, he liked it, too. His thumb stroked her clit, and she jerked beneath him. “Ah, there it is .”

  Air burst out of her in ragged breaths. He kept sliding those fingers inside her, that thumb circling her clit .

  Then his hands were gone .

  She reared up. “What? No, don’t stop — ”

  He pushed her back down. “Grab the pillow, Ryan. Hold on tight, and give it all to me .”

  He lowered his head, his breath hot on her thigh. Oh, God. She reached up above her head and gripped the side of the couch with her fingers .

  Zhim licked her .

  She cried out once, and then his tongue was delving inside her. Sensation flooded over her skin, and incoherent words tumbled out of her mouth. He didn’t rush, exploring every part of her with his tongue .

  “You taste divine, Ryan. Like the rarest delicacy .”

  She felt the edge of his teeth, and then he sucked on the nub of her clit. She hissed in a sharp breath .

  “And you feel warm, tight, and wet. I love it.” He used that wicked mouth, uncovering every part of her and learning what she liked the most .

  “I can’t…I…” Her body was strung tight as a bow, sensations winging through her .

  “I want it all. Give it to me .”

  She looked down her naked body to where his dark head rested between her thighs. His eyes were blazing, the nebulous swirl of color glowing in the dim light .

  His fingers brushed her clit. “Give it to me, Ryan.” He lowered his head once more, and when he licked her clit this time, she exploded .

  Her body stiffened, her hands flexing on the couch. She cried out, her body shuddering, the orgasm hotter and stronger than anything she’d experienced before .

  She flopped back on the soft couch, her chest heaving, pleasure still making her muscles twitch. She tried to get her brain firing. Zhim shifted, and when she opened her eyes, he was standing over her .

  He shed his shirt, and then, with a few flicks, he opened his trousers .

  Instantly, Ryan’s body went tight again. Her gaze was glued to his hands. He kicked his trousers off, putting his body on full display to her .

  Holy. Hell. He had strong legs for a man who sat at a computer all day. And he had a long, hard cock rising up toward his belly .

  Ryan sent a small prayer up to the long-gone Creators she’d learned had seeded humanoid life throughout the galaxy…leaving her and Zhim physically compatible. She wanted. She wanted now .

  She rose up on her knees and reached for him. She wrapped a hand around his cock and stroked. So hot and hard, but smooth on the surface .

  He made a growling sound and thrust his hips against her. She smiled. Time for her to learn what her information merchant liked .

  But Zhim moved, pushing her back on the couch .

  “I think it’s my turn,” she complained .

  “I’m not done with you yet.” His voice was deep, close to a growl .

  He pressed one knee to the couch. Okay, this was good, too. She gripped his hips and pulled him closer. His cock slipped between her small breasts and he groaned. She felt the slick pre-come coming from it and pushed her breasts together, adding more friction. He let out a growl of satisfaction. He thrust again, sliding between her breasts. On the next thrust, she licked the thick head of his cock .

  Another tortured groan. “Enough .”

  He pulled back and gripped one of her legs. He pushed it up against the back of the sofa, opening her wide. Then he lowered his big body over hers .

  She felt the prod of his hard cock where she was damp and needy. His cock notched between her folds and he stilled .

  “Ready, Ryan?” His gaze found hers .

  Her hands gripped his arms. “Yes .”

  He slid into her with a hard thrust .

  “God.” Her nails bit into his skin. He was thick, stretching her, filling her. She hadn’t known she’d been so empty .

  He started a rocking motion, his cock spearing inside her .

  “More,” she moaned, lifting her hips. “Harder, Zhim. Faster .”

  He growled and started hammering inside her. Need was raking Ryan with sharp claws, and another orgasm was looming. This wasn’t a slow, sweet exploration. This was hard, fast, and desperate .

  The power of his thrusts sent the couch moving across the floor. She reached up, her nails scratching his back. Pleasure was tearing into her now, small cries breaking from her throat with every thrust .

  Ryan lost track of time, pleasure blurring everything but the two of them. Zhim’s face was set like stone, need riding him hard .

  “Drak, Ryan …”

  She wrapped her legs around him, digging her heels into his back. He groaned, his hips slamming into her .

  Her release crashed over her and her screams echoed off the wall. Her body clamped down on him and his thrusts lost any sense of rhythm. His hand sank into her hair, pulling her face close to his. As he kissed her, he thrust home one last time, coming inside her with a deep groan and collapsing on top of her .

  Ryan panted, trying to catch her breath. She was wrecked. She wrapped herself around him, holding on tight. She needed something to ground her .

  His breath was hot against her neck, and when she finally turned her head, she blinked. The couch was halfway across the living area, cushions were tossed everywhere, and her shirt was hanging off a lamp .

  “Wow,” she murmured, stroking her hand down his slick back. “Hot alien sex rocks .”

  A laugh broke out of Zhim. He raised his head, his gaze moving over her face. Ryan felt…something pass between them .

  Then, before either of them could say anything, he rose, scooping her up into his arms .

  “Where are we going?” she asked .

  “It’s time for another item on your list . “

  Excitement raced through her. “Oh ?”

  He smiled. “Sex outside .”

  Chapter Six

  Z him carried Ryan out onto the balcony. The warm, desert breeze brushed over their sweat-slicked skin. He felt good. Really good .

  For him, sex was always fast, hot, and over. Before a woman had even left his bed, the feelings always started to fade, and he was eager to get back to his work .

  But the complex feelings mixing in him now, heavily dominated by pleasure, weren’t fading .

  No, instead, he wanted more .

  He tightened his hold on Ryan. He liked the warmth of her small body against him .

  As he approached the small plunge pool at the end of the balcony, the pool lights clicked on. Ryan gasped .

  “Oh, the pool goes right over
the edge of the building !”

  “That’s right.” When Zhim had first purchased the penthouse, he’d wanted the best .

  “My God, it’s gorgeous. Is it safe ?”

  “Yes. It’s very well engineered.” He set her on her feet and she instantly shot away from him, wading into the water. He watched the water lap up her legs and then the smooth curves of her ass. His cock tightened .

  “This is so great, Zhim .”

  She ducked down under the surface, then came up with water streaming off her hair and slim body. She was beautiful .

  Zhim felt everything in him go still. He’d always attached a value to things. Always needed to know, to have, to collect. He’d come from nothing, and he would never, ever go back .

  But looking at Ryan, he didn’t feel that ever-present drive to know and have. Instead, just watching her was enough .

  She ducked back into the water, swimming over to the clear edge of the pool that extended off the building. Not many people who lived on Carthago could swim, and her movements were mesmerizing. She looked like some elegant water alien from an ocean planet .

  Need exploded. He had to have her .

  Zhim waded into the water .

  Ryan turned with a wide smile on her lips and her dark hair slicked back. When she saw his face, she froze .

  “You’re mine.” His words were a guttural promise .

  Her gaze lit. “You’ll have to catch me first.” She ducked under the water and darted away .

  Zhim lunged after her. She sliced through the water quickly and elegantly. Slim limbs brushed his hands and kicked away. But he had a longer reach, and as she darted to the side, he grabbed her. He brought her back to his chest, and she laughed. It was a gorgeous sound. He knew she hadn’t had much to laugh about lately .

  He pulled her head back and kissed her .

  “Zhim.” A husky murmur before she opened her mouth and kissed him back .

  He walked through the pool until the tiles beneath his feet gave way to clear glass .

  “Look down,” he murmured .

  “God.” Her fingers tightened on his forearms. “It’s like walking on air .”

  Far below them, transports whizzed through the sky, and the brilliant lights of the district sparkled and blinked, all slightly distorted by the water. He reached the clear edge of the pool and nudged her forward, until she was pressed against it. Her hands curled over the side, her gaze on the city beyond .