She couldn’t help but smile as it buzzed inside her hand. This old key was the only way to get into her father’s ship, Promise . As well as the only way to get it started. She always teased him about it being old-fashioned and rusty, but he insisted it was perfect. He also said it was rustic, not rusty.
Alex untied the knot on the end of the leather cord, wrapped it around her neck, and retied it. The key hung down to her stomach, so she stuck it under her shirt.
Daddy, I promise. I’ll never take this off.
She jumped off the bed, grabbed a bag from under it, and started filling it as quickly and quietly as she could manage.
Chapter Sixteen
Ulric leaned into his back legs and leaped onto the window sill. He landed with a huff before scrambling inside. The last thing he wanted now was for someone to spot him. He’d been watching this room for a while, and he knew Alex was finally alone.
As soon as he stepped into the room, his animalistic features receded into his pores, and he became a man. With the last caress of the moon against his spine, he was able to suck in a deep breath of the early morning air and welcome the man he’d always believed himself to be.
He stumbled, doubling over as the pain of becoming himself rushed through him. It took a moment for it to subside, before he could straighten.
None of what had happened to him since reaching this planet made any sense, but he didn’t see what he could do to change it. He was at the mercy of the bright orb in the sky. With a new day dawning, maybe he’d be able to use the time to show Alex he was here. If she knew he’d hidden in her ship, because he couldn’t stand to be away from her, surely she’d change her mind about everything. She would realize how much he cared about her and would admit she felt the same way about him. They could get out of this strange place with concrete walls, buildings, and endless garden paths, and run to Promise. Then, get the hell off this planet and head back to Anteris.
This planet-or at least its moon-was turning him into a crazed animal.
His stomach was finally sated, but the rage still buzzed beneath his skin.
He stepped farther into the room, enough to be engulfed by shadows.
Alex’s familiar scent teased his nose. Even before he laid eyes on her, he licked his lips. Now that I’ve found her, a new hunger’s rising.
There she was, sprawled out on her back. A flimsy sheet covered the lower half of her body but her top had risen over her abdomen. His gaze shifted higher, focusing on the dark outline of her nipples against the fabric. His gut clenched with desire. His erection twitched, ready for action.
What would she do if I climbed into bed beside her and started to make love to her? Would she shun me away, ask me what I’m doing here, or just go along for the ride?
He was about to find out when something caught the corner of his eye. Alex’s bag sat on an armchair, and tucked into the pocket was a paper photo. He’d never seen it before. Curious, he headed for it. When he lifted and tilted it toward the light, he saw a much younger version of Alex, and a man with close-cropped, black hair had an arm wrapped around her. They were both caught in mid-laugh, as if one of them had said something funny to the other, and they both couldn’t help but laugh out loud. They looked so happy.
Ulric couldn’t help but envy a man who could make her this happy. The sparkle in her eyes made them widen with innocence. He couldn’t help but wonder who this man with dark skin was.
Alex didn’t share her innermost secrets with Ulric. She just gave him reports of where she’d ventured during her last courier delivery or what she’d delivered. She only shared generic things she could talk to any random stranger about, instead of sharing personal details with the man who loved her.
He tucked the photo back where he’d found it and tiptoed over to the side of the bed. For several minutes, he just watched her sleep. Watched as she rubbed the tip of her nose and snored, before licking her lips.
What was she dreaming about? At least she was sleeping alone, and not with the man who seemed to shadow her every move on this planet. As soon as Ulric saw the prick leave the building, he was tempted to follow him, so he could tear him to pieces. Instead, he decided the lure of Alex trumped everything else. Though, he’d had to wait several minutes while someone else rummaged around inside her room. As soon as whoever it was left, Ulric hadn’t been able to wait a moment longer.
“Alex,” he whispered, exhaling. Maybe, he hoped, his voice would wake her, awaken a realization within her. Or maybe he just liked to say her name.
Ulric noticed her key necklace wasn’t around her neck. When he inspected the bedside table, all he found was her blaster holster. Where the hell is it?He’d seen the two male lovers find Ulric’s latest mess, as well as Alex’s lucky charm. Then, each had run in a different direction so quickly, he didn’t know which one had taken it.
Yet, it wasn’t in this room. She was supposed to see it and put the pieces together. Remember where she’d left it and work out the only way it could’ve reached this planet. She needs to know I’m here!
He licked his lips and still tasted blood in his mouth. His torso was stained with it, too. The blood, dirt, and leaves in his hair probably made him look like a feral native, but none of it mattered right now. He wanted to be close to her so badly, he didn’t give a shit about how he looked.
I’m going to surprise her. After all, she’s never denied me pleasure before.
Ulric pressed a knee onto the bed, and then another, recalling how she’d done something similar the last time she was in his quarters. How he wished she had just accepted his offer. He’d rather be with her-naked in bed, eating and drinking to their heart’s content-than lost in a foreign place. Separated, while he feasted on the flesh of humans, and she got to know another man.
It just didn’t seem fair.
When he got close enough, he leaned over and ran the back of his fingers over her cheek. She squirmed and moved her face to the other side.
“Alex,” he whispered near her lips. “Are you awake?” He knew she wasn’t. How many times had he roused her from sleep by rubbing his cock along her back or belly?
The thought made him harden. His erection was so hard, it hurt.
He ran his fingertips down the side of her neck and the middle of her chest, before moving them over her left nipple. He circled his fingers over the hard flesh peeking through the fabric of her top.
“Oh, Damon,” she whispered, curving her spine upwards. “Don’t stop.”
Ulric felt as if a dagger had punctured his heart. She’d called him by another man’s name. Did this mean she’d already had sex with him?