Unexpected by J.J. Lore Read Free Book Online Page A

them.
    “Nothing to fear. We won’t let
any harm come to you.” Felix tried to soothe her. Her eyes narrowed.
    “Of
course harm may come to me, at any given moment, anywhere I am.” Even though
her voice was steady, Mikel sensed the fear underlying her declaration, her
resignation that terrible things were inevitable in life. The world of
experience in those few words pained him in a way he’d never felt before.
    Mikel
wanted to say she was wrong, but how could he? She’d soon be back at her rooms,
alone, going about her daily tasks on her own. Granted, the women’s refuge was
fairly secure, but certainly not impregnable. Witness his and Felix’s easy
scaling of the outer fence the day before. “We understand your circumstances.
To be captured, threatened with slavery and pain would make anyone afraid for a
long time to come.”
    Alisa
nodded rapidly and drew in a shaky breath. “I’m better than I was, believe it
or not. Now I only get upset when I think I might be hit, or by expressions of
anger like those.” She gestured in the direction of the defaced and damaged
vehicle outside.
    Felix
knelt in front of her and opened the bottle for her. “Perfectly
understandable. If you don’t feel safe at the refuge, we could help you
find better lodging.”
    Alisa
shook her head once. “Where? The compound has a fence,
and alarms, and locks. And the Alphans who screen our visitors.”
    Mak would be a formidable opponent
to humans bent on mischief, but only if he spotted them. There were several
buildings and extensive grounds at the refuge, but there was only one man on
duty per shift. “You could stay with us.”
    From
the way she stiffened and widened her eyes, he knew he’d made an error.
    “It
might seem presumptuous, but it would be far more secure than your current
situation.” Felix remained crouched down as he gazed up at her. Mikel was
relieved his bondmate had come up with such a smooth endorsement.
    “But
I wouldn’t be entirely safe, would I?” Alisa tightened her mouth and dropped
her gaze to the water bottle she held.
    “What
do you mean?”
    Mikel
thought a blush rose in her cheeks again, but it was difficult to be certain in
the shaded interior of the hover. “You want to have, ah, an affair with me. A physical relationship. Both of you.”
    The
temperature of the cabin seemed to spike. Felix glanced at him, a question in
his eyes. Yes, they certainly wanted that, and he was relieved that she
understood at least that much about their intentions. He knew the more usual
arrangements on Earth involved two parties, so at least they wouldn’t shock her
with declaring their desire for three in the bed.
    “We
would keep you safe in that as well,” Felix offered, his tacit confirmation gentle enough not to startle their sweet Alisa.
    She
looked up then, and gave them each an evaluating look. She was hard to read.
Mikel didn’t know if she was repulsed, indifferent, or curious. He desperately
hoped it was the last.
    “I
don’t, I mean, I haven’t done that sort of thing.” Her voice was quiet, but she
wasn’t drawing away.
    Mikel
reached out for her hand again, using as much courage as he’d ever had when
approaching a battle. Her little fingers quivered in his, and he was heartened
when she didn’t pull away when Felix gently removed the water bottle and
grasped her other hand. Just that little physical connection among the three of
them was like a zap of electricity along his nerves.
    “We
haven’t either,” Felix said, then paused when Alisa frowned. “I mean, we have,
but not in the way we’d like to, with you.”
    “Would
it hurt?” Her soft question nearly undid his control. What sort of tales and
warnings were these humans spreading about Alphans ?
Before he could reassure or refute, there was a rattle at the hatch and Ivar
leaned in with a scowl on his features.
    “The
local authorities have arrived, and we are dismissed.” The disdain in their
commander’s voice was clear,