Alexandre by Shelley Munro Read Free Book Online Page A

tightened his arms. “Don’t fight.” He lowered his head and inhaled the floral scent that came from her hair.
    Instead of settling, Lily continued to struggle. Alex loosened his grip and pushed her away to arm’s length to search her expression.
    “I don’t want your sympathy,” she snapped.
    Alex held back his grin with great difficulty. Lily reminded him of a tigoth cub, all eyes and spitting temper. “I don’t pity you. Why would you think that?”
    She shot razor daggers at him with her stormy blue eyes, her nostrils flared, and he noted her curled fists.
    “Look at me.”
    Alex knew following the order was a mistake, but he did it anyway. He ran his gaze up and down her curvaceous body again before coming to a halt on her pale oval face. “Yeah? What’s wrong with you? You’re not missing any of the necessary bits.” His voice emerged calm and matter of fact, as if he lacked interest and didn’t care one way or the other. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
    “What’s wrong with me?” Lily screeched loud enough to hurt his ears. She widened the distance between them, a pained expression on her face. “I’m fat. What man would want me? My husband didn’t. He went elsewhere. To another man.” Her shoulders hunched like a cowering fodo bird that didn’t want its tail feathers plucked, and she refused to meet his gaze.
    Her husband didn’t want her? He discarded her? Shock roared through Alex at the disclosure. Fat? The female scored highly on his mental writing tablet. Body fat to cushion a male. A pretty mouth that made his pulse race, especially when she smiled. She had many good points. He took half a step toward her then stopped, at a loss when a broken sob emerged. The solution that presented itself wasn’t that lava hot. But he couldn’t think of another.
    Alex grabbed Lily before she could strike out with her bunched fists and kissed her. Hard. Unrelenting, until he had to surface for air. By that time, Lily had ceased her struggles and was allowing the kiss even though she wasn’t actively participating. Better, but not satisfactory. What now? He studied her, uncertain of how she’d react to his aggression.
    “What was that meant to prove?” Lily asked in a quiet voice.
    Frustration bubbled up in Alex, and it wasn’t all sexual. Someone, probably the stupid-assed ex-male, had done a number on her confidence. They stared at each other in stalemate. He regretted the kiss but only because he hadn’t taken the time to taste and explore, to make it memorable for both of them.
    “I find you beautiful.” Alex lashed out with truth. He stepped behind the kitchen table in the hope it would hide his burgeoning erection. His tom was starting to feel like the sail of a glider-ship hoisted then hauled in because of fickle winds. Up. And then down. Was it any wonder he felt a little crazed? “Under different circumstances, I would call it an honor to mate with you.”
    Holy moly. Lily went from depressed and defeated to hot and hungry in seconds. The serious expression…he meant his words. Awe whirled and skidded through her mind. She’d thought the lusty feelings had been solely on her side. She’d thought…heck, she hadn’t thought past her initial attraction because…because she was fat. Overweight. Fleshy. All the superlatives. Ambrose hadn’t wanted her so she figured no one else would either.
    Then her mind seized on his words. “What different circumstances?”
    “I’m from Dalcon. You’re from Earth.” Alex shrugged as if his response explained everything.
    Lily sniffed. The fibbing toad. She wasn’t that stupid. “You’re lying to make me feel better. You don’t want to make love—to have sex with me.”
    As she watched, he squeezed his eyes shut, an expression of pain darting across his features. His impressive chest rose as he inhaled. Then his eyes opened. Blazing with resolve, they pinned her in place even though a part of her desperately wanted to