Harden My Heart (Club Release 3) Science Fiction Abduction Romance Read online

  Yellow feathers float down around us. I shake my head, this is not a nice place to be. Tears welled in my eyes as I watch the huge bird chomp a few times and then swallow my little friend.

  Din Tairin wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in close to him as he starts walking. "I'm sorry you had to see that, little human."

  Guilt starts eating at me. "If I haven't been here the ardop would probably still be alive."

  Din Tairin stops and catches my gaze. "You are not responsible for others' actions."

  When he continues to stare deeply into my eyes I realize that he's waiting for a response. Even though I don't like it, I nod my understanding. He dips his chin and then starts leading me on down the path.

  "What was that huge mean bird? How could something with a good five feet wingspan be so quiet?" I shake my head in wonder. I never even heard the massive bird’s wings. My little friend didn't stand a chance.

  "That was a crowdoc. They are the largest birds on this planet. Their stealth makes them deadly." He stops beside a sleek dark blue vehicle. He touches his thumb to my chin, gaining my full attention. "Crowdocs don't go after people, so they are no threat to you. Let's get you home."

  I nod in agreement even though my heart feels heavier than ever. His attention goes to the cuff around my wrist. I watch as he rubs across the metal and then says, "Open." I watch in wonder as the metal opens, releasing me.

  He takes the cut off his own wrist and then pockets them before opening the vehicle door, guiding me in, and then buckling me in. As I watch him walk around the sleek vehicle, I think of the cuffs he has. I've never seen anything like them. I am a long way from home.

  I watch him get in and then use a strangely shaped key to start the vehicle. He looks over at me and grins. "Hang on, little seema. We will be home before you know it."

  My heart leaps at the sight of his dimples. They make him seem more free-spirited and happy instead of the tough warrior I know he is.

  My nerves jump when the vehicle vibrates and then rises up. What kind of vehicle is this? I only wonder that for a moment. In no time he is pulling out of the lot and heading down a path that has been cut through the lush jungle environment.

  This is so different from the roads on Earth. Only a few people have vehicles. Most people take shortcuts through the woods instead of using the hole riddled streets. I’m not sure if my shortcut was a good move or a bad one.

  I look out the window and watch a blur of tan, blue, and green whiz past. We travel on for quite a while, I noticed that the sun is dipping even lower in the sky. Night is coming.

  A shiver runs up my spine. What is going to happen next? Will he be nice or mean when he gets me into his home? I take a deep breath. His scent is masculine, unique. Calm slides through me.

  I watch in awe as our vehicle glides over the ground and takes turns smoothly and effortlessly. Their technology is way beyond Earth's. After taking several more paths, he pulls up to a mental, glass, and stone home.

  My nerves jump as he pulls into a vehicle port that is connected to his home.

  In a flash he is out of the vehicle and opening my door. Damn, he's fast. After he helps me out, I can't help but look longingly toward the jungle. Once he gets me inside who knows what will happen. I debate running.

  I scan the area and notice a home in the distance. It's far from here but still offers nothing good for sure. Birds chirping have me looking toward the sky. A gasp comes from me. The moon is just visible and it's square shaped with a purple dot in the center. I am definitely far from home.

  My heart sinks all the way to my toes. I don't know if I should run or stay with the devil I know.

  Din Tairin inhales and then growls softly. His hand captures mine and then he tugs me forward. Toward a door that could lead to my doom.

  "You have nothing to fear, little seema. I will never hurt you." Something in his voice makes me believe him.

  He opens the door and leads me into his home. I don't get any bad vibes. He leads me down a stone hallway and into a living room. It's a huge but sparsely furnished one.

  I scan the room again but still only notice the massive black couch and some kind of system along the wall that I assume is for entertainment and possibly learning. Yellow sways in my peripheral vision.

  I blink and look at the yellow flower. I am sure it was leaning farther back a few moments ago. But that can't be right because plants don't move on their own. I shake my head and check out the blue vine that runs the length of a glass wall. I like the dark and light blue tones of the plant.

  The room is sparse but nicely kept. My mind drifts to Din Tairin haggling with my captor for a lower price. He's conservative, this one. I'm surprised he paid for me at all. Since he had to be called out in the crowd I know he wasn't there to buy anyone.

  A shiver runs down my spine as I think of all the beings that were in that crowd. I can't imagine going home with any of them. I'd probably be someone's dinner by now.

  Din Tairin gestures around the room. "You'll get accustomed to your new home soon. I do a lot of meditation in this room. You will be doing it with me too. Meditation is good for your mind, body, and soul. It will help calm you as you get used to your new home."

  Ahhh, the open space now makes sense to me. The rumbling of my stomach seems to echo through the room. Heat stings my cheeks. He's already done a lot for me. My growling stomach makes me feel terrible. If he continues to be nice to me I don't want to seem like a burden to him. Without him I'm sure I'd be dead already.

  "Let's get you some food, little seema."

  He leads me through the living room and into what I assume is the kitchen. It has strange devices but the sink and faucet are close enough to the ones on earth for me to recognize them.

  I watch as he opens a cabinet and begins pulling a few things out. In no time he has a plate in front of me with something that looks like a muffin. And he's pouring some kind of purple liquid into two glasses.

  As he slides a glass toward me, he says, "This is stros. It is full of vitamins. We zaphinians drink a lot of it every day." He points at my plate. "That is a piclot muffin. Go ahead and try."

  When my stomach growls again, I pick up the muffin and take a bite. Just the right amount of sweet dances across my tongue. As I chew I look the muffin over and see that it has blue fruit in it.

  “Those blue spots are bits of piclot fruit. Do you like the muffin?”

  “Yes, very much. Thank you.” I take another bite and then another one. The texture is perfect as well. Not hard and dry. Moist and sweet.

  Just as I reach for my glass, I hear a hiss behind me. I whip around but don’t see anything. I picture the vicious crowdoc bird and shiver.

  A tsking sound comes from Din Tairin. “That hissing sound is just the air system in my home making some slight adjustments for your human breathing needs. It will stop in a moment.”

  I feel so dumb. It’s hard having to learn so much. I hope his patients is non-ending. I straighten my spine and eat the last of my food. I need to try harder to fit in and not be a burden to him. I know what happens to people who become burdens.

  As I take a drink, he puts some kind of nuts on my plate. The purple drink has a zing to it. A chuckle comes from him.

  "It's not too hot for you, is it?" Humor is blended with the concern in his eyes.

  "No, it's fine. I was just surprised, that's all. What are these nuts called?" I pick one up and pop it into my mouth. It tastes like a cross between a pecan and a cashew. I like it.

  "Those are called penlo nuts." He takes a long drink of his stros as he watches me eat.

  His eyes are so intense that they draw me in. Like a predator watching his prey. I quickly push that thought aside. I need to look strong in front of him.

  A beep comes from the communicator on his wrist. I finish eating while his attention is drawn to his communicator’s screen. With each moment, I become more and more exhausted. My stomach is fuller than it's been in a long time.
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  I glance out the wall of glass and notice that it’s even darker than before. Night is rapidly falling. The last few days have been hell. I feel a yawn coming on and try to stop it but can't.

  Since I work for him, he may need me to do something tonight. I can't look weak.

  Another yawn forces my mouth open. I cover my mouth with my hand. I can only hope that he doesn't know what a yawn is. I'll do whatever it takes to live.

  Din Tairin makes that tsking sound again. "You're tired. It's time to get you cleaned up and put to bed."

  Cleaned up! Alarms go off all along my nervous system. Is he wanting sex tonight?

  "There will be no sex until I think you're ready. But I will be touching you a lot to get you use to my touch." He puts my plate in the sink and then heads down a corridor. "Follow me, little seema."

  Although his tone is not loud or gruff, I know he expects me to follow his quiet command.

  We pass a couple of doors and then he opens one and gestures me into the room. Like the other room this one is sparsely furnished but in great shape. There are two doors. I have to guess that one is a bathroom and the other is a closet. The only other thing in the room is a large bed.

  He walks over to one of the doors and opens it. "Come inside and strip."

  A sliver of fear speeds up my spine. I debate making a run for it. One look into his knowing eyes and the remembrance of how fast he is has me walking in the room. My shoulders sag as go into the room to follow his command.

  He comes in and starts removing his weapons and then clothes. I stare at his chest until he makes that tsking sound. I look up into humor filled gold and purple eyes. Heat rushes to my cheeks.

  "Take your clothes off, Kinsey Lea. I want you clean before you go to bed."

  I look down at my dirty clothes and this time when heat singes my cheeks it is for a totally different reason. I have to look horrible to him. I quickly remember that he did not go to that planet looking to buy a servant. I was not planned so I need to be thankful and follow his commands so he doesn't regret saving me too soon.

  He says he's not going to hurt me, I believe him. Maybe I shouldn't, but something about him makes me.

  As he takes off his pants, I drop my gaze to the floor and start removing my clothes quickly. Seemingly unconcerned about his nudity, Din Tairin walks over to the shower and starts showing me how it works.

  I soap up and get lost in the fresh scent. The feel of his intense gaze has me peeking over at him. I swallow hard. My tall well-built alien is openly checking me out.

  A mixture of embarrassment and desire swim around in my belly and heat my core. I don’t know how he makes me want him but he does. Since he is open with his curiosity, I look him over.

  Mmm, muscles ripple as he soaps himself up. His lightly striped skin is strange but not ugly. Not at all. My gaze moves lower and lower. I take in the cut of his abdominal muscles. A part of me wants to lick them.

  Flipping fuck, he does strange things to me. When his hands go between his legs, my gaze follows. I gasp when I see how large his member is. Backflipping fuck. A spark ignites in my core.

  I start rinsing off and look down as I do. Surely all those bubbles made him look larger than he is. I take another peek. It’s standing a lot taller and fuller now. Heat swirls around my core.

  I look back at the tan stone floor. I want to jump in his arms and ride him. As best I can, that is. What has he turned me into? I feel like a sex-starved nympho. I know it’s been a long time since I’ve had an orgasm at the hands of another, but damn.

  He makes that tsking sound and I look up into heated eyes that hold a hint of humor. “No sex tonight.”

  Flipping fuck. He knows what I’m thinking. I’m too easy to read. I need to work on that.

  He points to a rack with folded towels. “Get out and dry off.”

  “Okay,” I grumble. He doesn’t have to be so commanding. As I dry off, I glance over and see him rinsing off. I don’t look at his package again even though I want to.

  I’ve never seen a body like his. So big and chiseled.

  He steps out of the shower and inhales deeply. “I’m glad you are attracted to me. That will make our mating all the better.” He grabs a towel and efficiently dries off.

  I gape at him for a moment then check out the floor. My face must be giving me away. I just need to keep from looking into his eyes so he won’t know how he makes me feel.

  At this point, it’s still foolish to trust him. My past flares through my mind. I harden my heart. People are never to be trusted. I have to remember that.

  I hate not being able to trust anyone. An ache starts in my chest and radiates through my whole body. Why can’t I be loveable and have a family that’s tight? I push away those useless thoughts. Life is never easy.

  Din Tairin holds out his hand. “Come. You’ve had a long day.”

  I take his hand. An electrical arc flows from him and through me. Did he feel that? I look up into his hungry eyes and know that he did. What will he do about it?

  He leads me to the bed and tucks us both in. My heart races as I wonder what he’s going to do now. A part of me longs to go back to Earth. But what do I have to go back to? Nothing.

  The bed shifts as he scoots in closer to me. I stiffen automatically when his body presses against mine. I close my eyes when his arms wrap around me.

  His lips press against my neck. “Calm yourself, seema. I’m only going to touch you.”

  Din Tairin’s tone makes me believe him. I glance over my shoulder and nod once.

  The feel of his rough hands gliding over my skin is scary and exciting all at the same time. I shouldn’t enjoy his touch, but the longer he strokes my arms, shoulders, and stomach, the more I enjoy it.

  The warmth radiating from his long muscular body has me snuggling deeper into his embrace. His skin is rougher than mine but I like it. I’m beginning to like the feel of the soft sheets under me and his hard body pressed against my back. The contrast is so good.

  Heat swirls through me and pools in my core. He inhales and releases the breath against my neck. Goosebumps dot my skin and the pulse between my legs beats harder.

  “How many lovers have you had, little seema?”

  The huskiness of his voice sends a shiver through me. “Two.”

  My nerves light up. I really don’t want to talk about sex with Milo or David. I’ve had okay sex and bad sex. Neither are worth talking about. Neither man lit a fire in me the way Din Tairin does with just a touch or look.

  “Good.”

  When he doesn’t ask me anymore questions, my muscles relax.

  His hands glide up my stomach and cup my breasts. For a long moment, he just cradles my mounds. The longer he holds my rounded flesh the stronger the ache between my legs gets.

  I’ve never had a man slowly seduce me. A moan escapes my lips when his rough thumbs swipe across my beaded nipples. Liquid heat circulates through my core.

  His lips lightly brush my neck. I moan and sink deeper against him. I feel his hard length and press my ass against it. A soft grow comes from him. The sound sends another shiver along my spine.

  I inhale his masculine scent and relax even more. His hands massage my plump flesh for a moment longer and then move back to my arms and shoulders. Cradled against his body, I start to relax more and more.

  I could get used to this—to him.

  No, that would be bad because he will leave me sooner or later.

  But for now, I get to enjoy him. My eyelids get heavier and heavier with each stroke of his skilled hands.

  ~ Din Tairin ~

  The smooth rise and fall of Kinsey Lea’s chest lets me know that she’s fallen asleep.

  She needs the rest. I keep stroking her soft skin. I can’t get enough of the feel of her. I’m sure this feeling will fade with time so I’ll enjoy it while I can.

  I inhale her sweet scent. My erect flesh longs to slide into her hot body. I know that’s going to be zyfing good. But she’s no
t ready for that yet.

  A grin curls my lips when I think about how strong she is. She gave me the slip today. Her small lithe body aided her. I can appreciate that.

  Too bad Zairin was the one to catch her. I’ll never hear the end of this. I inhale her scent and hold it in my lungs. She’s worth the teasing I’m going to endure. I can feel it in my bones.

  I don’t know why I’m so drawn to her and right now I don’t care.

  I run my face through her soft hair and breathe in her essence. She tries to act tougher than she is. Her scent reveals her true emotions. An ache flares through my chest.