Gigi Read online

  He hadn’t been aware of the sound he made until then. His rage just escalated after the collar around her neck tightened every time she moved. As she fell to her knees, gasping for air, Briq’s anger had taken a life of its own. He smelled her confusion and fear, and for that he’d kill everyone who tried to get close to her.

  The pit master signaled the start of the fight. Dozens of creatures rushed forward, trying to grab her. Briq leaped into the air and landed protectively between them. He knew without looking Xy did the same.

  Torn body parts flew around as the contenders ripped each other apart. The fight was brutal. Everyone wanted her. Briq gave his wrath full rein, his body priming for battle. His forearm spikes erupted larger than ever, indiscriminately cutting down creatures. Pure instinct was now his fuel. Protect her, the voice roared inside. Protect the one with the burning hair like a shining star, protect my mor’u.

  One by one the pile of bodies grew larger. He felt strong, exhilarated, spurred by the sight of gore until he heard a small gasp. Briq looked up from the mangled bodies and met the most beautiful green eyes he’d ever seen. Shame and anguish quickly replaced his bloodlust. He was a beast, worse than the creatures he’d cut down to protect her.

  After a few seconds, it became clear she didn’t look at him with revulsion. She stared right into his eyes with gratitude, but he didn’t want it. He wanted her approval, her passion. He wanted to claim her.

  Briq’s admiration kept growing after she stood, squaring her shoulders. She made sounds with her voice. He couldn’t understand the language. They were beautiful, hypnotic.

  Eerie silence fell upon the arena. Everyone seemed to be in a trance-like state. No one was immune to the powerful sound, not even him. How could someone so tiny possess such a magnificent voice? A peaceful feeling like coming home descended on him. She was his home.

  The last creature standing was a nasty tentacle beast. He made his way to grab Mor’u. Briq hissed a warning. The male faked a retreat, then reached for her legs with his bottom tentacles. Briq roared, leaped into the air and cut the critter in half.

  “Release her to me.”

  “You haven’t won. There are still two warriors left in the pit.”

  “I’ll not kill them, but I’ll kill you if you don’t release her.”

  “Then you forfeit the fight and your claim.”

  Fear shone in her bright green eyes. Does she think I’ll walk away? Briq asked the Labonian if he could deactivate her collar. He didn’t wait for an answer and took her into his arms. He was prepared to tear it off with his bare hands when he heard the click. The collar fell away. She gasped as he lifted her off the ground. He came face-to-face with Mor’u.

  “Please don’t be scared, ula’ah mor’u. I’ll die before I see you harmed.”

  “I know. I’m not scared, at least not anymore. Thanks for saving me.”

  No one had ever done to him what she did then. She leaned over and placed a kiss on his lips. Never had he felt such softness, such warmth. The kiss was natural, even though he’d never kissed before. Having her in his arms was torture. She was more delicate than he’d thought. She weighed so little he feared breaking her bones.

  His passion cooled instantly. He was fooling himself, thinking he could have someone like her. She was made of pure light while he was a base animal. For a moment, though, he dared to dream. She gave him a purpose. Briq breathed deeply, taking in the sweet scent of her arousal.

  Chapter Four

  Ula’ah Mor’u

  There was disbelief on Briq’s face. Had she made a mistake by kissing him? Had she misjudged his attraction? No, she was sure of the passion smoldering n his eyes. Davide had never looked at her like that. He’d preferred his women curvier with wider hips. She was just too skinny, too lanky, to have held his attention.

  Her champion, on the other hand, looked at her as if she were the most desirable woman in the entire universe. He made her feel cherished, deeply loved. She thought of him as man, but she didn’t know what he was. To her, he was more of one than Davide ever had been. In the past few days, she’d learned mankind wasn’t alone in the universe, and cruelty wasn’t exclusive to humans, nor courage.

  Was she wicked for feeling this way? Did she have the right for a second chance after what she’d done? She didn’t want to dwell on things past. She was alive and with this man who made her dying heart beat with desire.

  “We must hurry before they have a chance to recover.”

  “Where are we going? Are you taking me with you?”

  “I’ll never leave you behind, Mor’u. You’re now under my protection.”

  No one tried to stop him once he turned to exit. Gigi glanced around for the first time. The place was carved out of an immense a cavern. Judging by the lights and the amount of seats towering over them, she figured they were deep underground. To her it looked like a place for combat like the Roman Coliseum.

  They entered a clear plastic-looking bubble. It was some sort of elevator. The blue guy waved his hand and a display appeared out of thin air. It looked like a hologram from a movie. They floated only to stop one level above.

  “Transfer our credits. I’ll wait for you at the ship.”

  “Understood,” the blue guy replied, looking directly at her. “Interesting prize.”

  “I’m not a prize. I’m a human being,” she replied indignantly.

  “Please forgive my friend’s lack of manners. I’m called Briq and the blue thing is Xy. What are you called, Mor’u?”

  “My name is Iphigenia Allen. My family calls me Gigi. I’m from Earth.”

  “Please forgive me, Lady Gigi. I meant no disrespect,” Xy exclaimed, bowing.

  “Apology accepted, Xy.”

  The blue guy, Xy, left the bubble. She was now alone in the arms of a very big, extremely attractive E.T. He held her tight against his chest as if she were his most valuable possession.

  Gigi looked up, taking in his features, which for the most part were remarkably human. In fact, the only thing different was the soft textured skin and those mean-looking things that came out of his arms.

  Did they hurt as they came out or went back in? She’d been captivated by how the spikes had slowly retracted as he’d approached her. If it were painful, he’d never showed. One long spike out of each like a sword. He’d torn many creatures to bits with those sharp points.

  His most mesmerizing feature was his eyes. She should be repulsed by them. Truth was she loved them. They were yellow in color with elongated pupils. As their gazes had met during the fight, she’d seen a myriad of emotions in them. There was rage, anguish, shame and need…raw need. Their souls had instantly connected.

  Oh, my god, he smells so good, even after fighting slimy critters. She was cocooned inside the cloak he’d thrown over them before leaving the arena. Gigi peeked out from under the folds once he stopped walking. His hold tightened reassuringly after her shocked gasp. There were real spaceships docked to what looked like a station. All the sci-fi shows she’d ever watched didn’t even come close to what she saw right now.

  “This is my ship. It’s not much, but I call it home.”

  “Wow, where are we exactly? Are we in a cave?”

  “Yes and no, Mor’u. What you see is a series of hollowed-out asteroids connected by a network of bridges. We’re in an asteroid belt.”

  “Why do you keep calling me mor’u? I told you my name is Gigi.”

  “Forgive me, my lady, but your hair reminds me of the fires I once saw burning brightly on a star.”

  “Really? I hate my hair. It’s too brass and ugly.”

  “You’re wrong. I see nothing but beauty when I look at you. Your hair is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen, Mor’u.”

  “Thank you. I like it when you call me that.”

  Gigi felt a blush spread all over. No one ever talked to her like that. Davide had only seen flaws every time he’d looked at her. Not that he’d done that often. He’d barely stomached the time t
hey’d spend together.

  Her expectations for him had died shortly after their wedding. He’d been cruel with a violent streak he’d shown her every time she’d dared to question him. She should’ve left him years ago, but he’d kept her prisoner of her own shame.

  He’d been an exhibitionist and a pervert, who on numerous occasions forced her to pose nude in front of a camera. One evening she’d come back earlier than expected. Davide had been in bed with another woman, high on drugs. She’d never told a soul what had happened then.

  Davide had ripped her clothes, then tied her up in the bed. While the other woman had recorded, he’d beaten her using different things, including a whip. Her fear had just fueled his madness, but the more she’d pleaded, the more they’d laughed. She’d been so sore and bloody afterward she’d soaked in the tub for nearly four hours. The bastard had saved the whole thing and had threatened to post it online.

  Now she felt safe with Briq holding her close to his chest. His hard muscles moved with every step he took. It was funny how her view of things had changed from one moment to another. A couple of weeks ago, she would’ve considered him a monster. He was big, scary, had weird eyes…in other words, not human. She knew better now after all the things she’d gone through.

  She’d witnessed him commit the greatest acts of violence in the pit yet she was certain he’d never harm her. This man, Briq, treated her with respect and tenderness. He fought for her, and had saved her life without even knowing who she was.

  He bent over carefully as if afraid she’d shatter, placing her feet on the floor. Gigi felt the loss of his arms around her with regret. She wanted to be held by him, craved his touch.

  I don’t even know him and I already love him. She felt silly at the notion. Love at first sight didn’t exist. It was a fairy tale told to innocent girls by their parents. She needed to concentrate on what was real, forget about sexy E.T.s with soulful eyes.

  First, she was no longer on Earth. Second, she was no longer free. Last but not least, she was the sexy alien’s, Briq’s, prize. Another thought crossed her mind. He probably wanted to have sex with her. Are we even compatible?

  She wandered her gaze down his hard, sculpted body to settle on the bulge between his legs. Oh dear, they were very compatible indeed. Gigi looked up at him, catching the smoldering look in his eyes. Her clit responded instantly, throbbing in tempo with his sexy rumble.

  “Mor’u, you shouldn’t look at me like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “As if I were someone worthy of you.”

  “How do you know you’re not?”

  “Because I’m a thief, a liar, and above all, a killer without a conscience.”

  “Then we’re more alike than not. A killer you might be, but without conscience, no. Do you want to know what I see? I see a man who risked his life to keep me safe.”

  She reached up and caressed the long bumps on his arms. She was surprised at how soft and warm his textured skin was. She heard that soft rumble again. Interesting. Was he turned-on by her touch? She didn’t have the chance to find out. A wave of dizziness came over her.

  * * * *

  Briq ran into his cabin yelling “A.I., find Xy.” Something was wrong with ula’ah mor’u. He could feel it. She was the most delicate female he’d ever seen. She’d told him her name was Gigi and she was from Earth. He’d never heard of such a planet. She looked like a Pendo’rahn only smaller. And her red hair… It was the most incredible thing he’d ever seen. Star shine.

  “What’s wrong with her? Did you break her?” Xy asked, rushing in clutching the datapad containing their winnings.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong. She’s very weak and can’t stand on her own. Bring the bio scanner.”

  Xy had to take the scanner from Briq. His hands shook so badly. He held her tightly as his friend ran it over Gigi’s body.

  “Scan completed. Subject requires immediate medical attention. Life termination imminent without it,” the A.I. said after running through the scanner information.

  “Proposed solution?” Briq dreaded the answer. What if there was none?

  “Subject needs high-grade medical gly-urq to repair her damaged organ.”

  Her bio-readings were weak because she was sick. He wasn’t losing her, even if it cost him his last credit. There was only one creature in the badlands capable of helping. He wasn’t looking forward to it, but Mor’u was worth any sacrifice he had to make.

  “Xy, open commlink to Lo’prus’ lab.”

  “Are you sure you want her involved?”

  “What choice do I have? I won’t lose Mor’u.”

  * * * *

  Lo’prus ran another scan, agreeing with the A.I. His mor’u was dying of an untreated heart condition. She was now submerged in sub-standard medical gly-urq until they could find someone to treat her. According to Lo’prus, Gig’s condition could be reversed with the proper equipment and the best nano-infused substance.

  He refused her offer to find some if he allowed her to take samples of Gigi’s blood. Lo’prus told him his female was genetically similar to a Pendo’rahn female with some variations. Her looks were certainly similar to them.

  Having someone confirm what he already suspected was bittersweet. Briq killed Lo’prus to protect Gigi. He wasn’t risking her life by having Lo’prus divulge this knowledge. He recoiled inside, thinking how his little one would react if she found out how casually he’d done it.

  Before today, he hadn’t cared how others might perceive him. He was a coldblooded killer. No one was safe from his rage, except now for Mor’u. Thank the goddess he’d purchased a six-month supply of the inhibitor since he was now out of a supplier.

  * * * *

  They docked at Galadonia’s spaceport three weeks later. Briq relinquished command to Xy and stayed with Gigi. They were now at Xy’s SCUD—Self-Contained Underground Dwelling. The Galadonian medic who’d examined Gigi told him she was living on borrowed time if left untreated. The medic gave her around two years submerged in gly-urq and only six months outside.

  The outlook was even grimmer if they stayed in Galadonia, because they lacked the technology to handle her condition. It would take almost all his credits to purchase the high-grade gly-urq she needed. Finding someone discreet enough to program the nanobots to heal her would take a fortune. Xy had given him all his savings. Briq had no choice but to accept.

  With no other option, Briq left Mor’u under Xy’s protection. He set course for the A’nuryan Galaxy, making the jump without a hitch. He’d sent out feelers for possible smuggling jobs. He didn’t have to wait long. Word that someone looked for the smuggler known as Ghost had reached him. He sent out an encrypted message, agreeing to meet the perspective client.

  The location of the upcoming meeting was a risky one. Pra’mm Station orbited the protected planet of K’luk. The merchant planet was one of the largest centers of commerce in the entire A’nuryan Galaxy. It boasted a maximum security prison on one of its moons, and Pra’mm was the most advanced space station in the twin galaxies.

  * * * *

  Briq tossed and turned on the platform as images of his last hours with Gigi invaded his dreams. He’d finally persuaded her to go back into the newly infused gly-urq. He couldn’t say no when she asked him to spend their last day together. Her eyes were so expressive when she looked at him.

  For the first time in his life he’d found someone he cared about. He refused to lose her to a condition that could be cured. Briq knew he wasn’t worthy of her, but he’d die to keep her safe. Before his change, he’d been one of the largest warriors. With his altered DNA he was even bigger.

  Gigi was tiny and delicate compared to even to the smallest females of his world. Briq fought against his baser nature. The beast urged him to take her. He knew she wanted him. He could smell her desire. It made him a little crazy.

  Maybe if he visited a surrogate house the beast would relax. The mere thought of touching another repelled him. He wanted
no other but Mor’u, yet he refused to soil her with his touch.

  Briq’s dream became so vivid it was as if his last time with Gigi happened right then. He sat next to her. He tensed as she climbed onto his lap, hugging his waist. He hissed, his body reacting to her sweet scent. Would she run if he touched her hair? His hand trembled as he reached for the soft strands. Burying his face in it, he gave up any pretense of civility. She molded to him perfectly. Her scent clung to him, mingling with his.

  The memory of her touch lingered, hardening his cock. Her fingers fluttered down his body. Briq couldn’t stop the rumble that escaped his lips. Her hands felt so good on his skin he wanted more. He should stop her before it went too far, before he lost all control. She wasn’t a sex surrogate to be taken without care. How did her people mate?

  Another rumble escaped his lips after her fingers brushed his cock. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of her small soft hands grasping him. Briq knew she wanted him. It made him so hard he almost spilled his seed like an untrained warrior.

  He had enough sense left to think about her pleasure first. He grabbed the edge of her tunic and pulled it over her head. Her skin was so pale and soft. Goddess, give me strength. I don’t want hurt her. Briq caressed her in slow, leisured strokes. He reached her lower back, trying to locate her nub. Where was it?

  “Mor’u, I want to pleasure you, but I can’t find your dji’krah.”

  “My what?”

  “The core of your sexual pleasure.”

  “Oh, I do have one. It’s in the front. Right here.” She released his cock and guided his hand between her legs.

  Briq couldn’t believe it. Her dji’krah, clit, as she called it, was nestled between her thighs. It looked like the females’ on his planet, just in a different place.

  How would it affect her ability to feel pleasure? His fingers seemed to move on their own accord, reaching to tap the little nub. It was so beautiful, glistening with her essence He wanted to taste her, fill his mouth with her flavor. Briq turned and placed her gently on the platform.