Noble Monster: A Scifi Alien Abduction Romance Standalone (Jannan Raiders Book 1) by Zena Zion Read Free Book Online Page A

plaza in front of the gigantic hunting lodge. He landed as gently as he seemed able to, jolting her only a little bit as he came to a stop.
    “ There. Are you all right to walk?”
    “I should be fine, just give me a minute.” The truth was that her legs were pretty stiff from hanging on to him for so long.
    She grabbed the straps to steady herself, and swung her legs down. They promptly proved to be partly numb, and completely exhausted, almost folding under her.
    She clung to the thick leather strap for a moment, feet scrambling at the ground until she managed to get them braced under her. “Whoops! Okay. I'm good.” She took a few staggering steps away from him, feeling as clumsy as an infant.
     
    She heard his human voice behind her, laughing softly. Then a big hand reached out and settled on her shoulder, helping to steady her. “There you go. You looked like you were having a little trouble, there.”
    She turned to face him, suddenly very aware of how close he was. It didn't intimidate her or scare her anymore. She didn't feel imposed on by his gigantic presence.
    It certainly helped that he had left the armor off this time, wearing instead a pair of black uniform pants such as his soldiers wore, and a pair of their boots.
    A deep blue shirt of some gauzy material stuck to him just a little bit thanks to the warm day. She gazed up at him as he went suddenly quiet, holding himself still, as if afraid to scare her off.
    “I'm okay,” she mumbled, feeling her cheeks heat up. When exactly had she started feeling this attracted to him? Had he grown on her that much? Or was it this bond that he kept talking about? Either way, it was the best and most problematic feeling she had had in a long time.
    If she let him have her heart, how could she then fly away from him afterward? She knew that his duties would bind him to this planet forever. Could she stand to stay here? “Thanks for the catch.”
    “You are welcome.” He wet his lips as he gazed down at her. “Did you...mean what you said back there? Would you miss me?”
    She swallowed a lump in her throat as she stared up with him, and then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him as far as they would go. She laid her head against his chest as he went rigid, and she heard him gasp suddenly for air.
    Very, very gently, his arms went around her. She felt him bury his nose in her hair, and was absolutely shocked to feel a tingle go through her that demanded more contact.
    Uh oh. That part of her that was willing to die to be free balked suddenly, as if breaking the touch barrier with him was the most dangerous thing in the world.
    “Yes, I would miss you very much. Even with the way we met. Even with how much I hate the way that your world treats women, especially women of my race. Even so. I would miss you if I left.”
    She felt him shudder against her, and his arms tightened around her. “Irina,” he murmured hoarsely.
    “I wish I could change this whole world. Make it a better place for you. But even with all my power, I only think I could change a little. There are too many men like Torvin in this world--too many wicked men in power. I topple them as I find them, but there are always more.”
    “Would you find these things more worth fighting for if I was there with you?” Her voice had gone down to a breathless whisper. She realized suddenly that she was trembling too.
    “I would fight a thousand battles for the sake of justice if only you stayed,” he whispered into her hair.
    She looked up at him, and saw the desperation in his eyes. Squashing a surge of apprehension, she leaned up and brushed her lips gently against his.
    He responded immediately, deepening the kiss, one hand sliding up to cup the back of her head. Her knees suddenly got weak all over again, and she fell against him. He caught her, and after a moment, simply lifted her into his arms, and started carrying her inside.
    What difference a month and different context could make?