"Oh, Bob, honey, can you be a sweetheart and help me for a moment again?" The husky voice called out from where she stood balanced precariously on a large rock. "Fred, baby, just hold the line for a few more minutes. I think I've got it this time."
"She is called Riley St. Claire from Denver, Colorado-wherever that is," Tor said in amusement as he watched her almost fall off the rock again. "She is … a most unusual creature."
"Do you know what she is besides being a hair up my cat's ass?" Vox snorted before he looked at Lodar who was anxiously watching as the female teetered for a moment before regaining her balance.
"No, I've never seen a female like that before," Lodar ground out through clenched teeth as she wobbled again. "Most species I know have some sort of instinct for self-preservation. This one seems to be lacking that particular trait. She has fallen off that rock three times now, and it is a miracle she hasn't broken her neck!"
Vox gritted his teeth. He was well aware of how many times she had fallen. Tor caught her once-barely-Lodar the second time, and she'd landed on the Tiliqua she kept calling Fred the last time. He had not been able to catch her because he still couldn't even stand without falling on his own face, thanks to her. Now even his jaw was sore from grinding his teeth every time she almost fell, bent over, or just thrust her-He groaned again as his cock jerked in response to her bending over and affectionately patting Fred on one of his heads.
"You are just such a sweetheart," she cooed. "Bob, you cute bowl of key lime Jell-O, can you hook the other end of the rope on the wall like you did on this side?"
The huge body of the Gelatian started to move toward Riley to take the rope she was holding out but stopped when Vox emitted a low, dangerous snarl. The huge being trembled in terror. Its head turned back and forth between Riley and Vox. Vox rose stiffly and glared at the creature in warning.
"My lord," Bob choked out. "The female-She-" the creature stuttered out before his voice faded.
"Oh, just ignore him, you scrumptious dessert. He's all growl and no howl," Riley said before she giggled. "Oh, that was so good! Do you get it? All growl, no howl? Damn, sometimes I'm just good."
"Sarafin warriors do not howl," Vox said through clenched teeth as he took a step toward the female. "Female, if you ever shock me again I'll turn you over my knee and spank your big ass until it is as red as the Brighton dwarf star."
Riley turned and wobbled dangerously for a second on the rock where she was standing. She glared at the huge figure threatening her. She was as tall as he was now. She reached her hand down along her side, easing the small cylinder she had taken out of her luggage and slipped into the pocket of her skirt into her hand. Her eyes glittered dangerously, and her lips pulled back but it was not into a smile.
Oh, like hell he did not just say I have a big ass, Riley thought viciously.
Her lips pinched together into a pucker before relaxing. "As you said earlier, Saraprick," she replied in a quiet, sarcastic voice. "I'd like to see you try."
Vox smiled at the challenge. He was going to enjoy getting his hands on her luscious body finally! He was going to finish the curtain wall, bend her over, and take her hard and fast.
"And as you said, you really shouldn't have said that!" He purred out as he walked slowly toward her.
"Vox," Tor murmured from behind his friend and leader. "I don't think that is a good idea," he said, getting a bad feeling from the look in the female's eyes.
She did not look like she was worried. In fact, she looked like she was out for blood-Vox's blood if he had to guess.
"She doesn't have her weapon on her," Vox responded, nodding to where the small Taser lay on the bed. "She'll be purring like a kitten once I've claimed her." Vox smiled as his eyes glittered possessively. "That's what you need, isn't it, little cat? A good fucking."
Riley's face flushed at the dark promise in the huge male's voice. "I am so going to enjoy putting your ass on the ground again!" she hissed out, trying not to give in to the desire to turn tail and run.
The problem with running was there was nowhere to go in the small room. The second problem was that she had learned a long, long time ago if you didn't stand up to a bully when you had a chance, you might never be given another one. She gripped the cylinder, waiting until he took another step closer to her.
"Last chance, big boy," Riley warned softly. "Step back over the white line and leave me alone, or I'll have to put you down again."
Vox almost paused at the soft warning he heard in her voice. There was a trace of steel that told him she wasn't going to run. She would stand and fight him tooth for tooth, claw for claw. His eyes stared deeply into hers, and he saw a resolution in them. She would not back down. His pride in her grew at her fierce determination to face him even though he could see the slight trembling in her hand as she pushed a long strand of white blond curls behind her ear. She was a worthy mate for a king.
"You are mine, little kitten," Vox responded gently. "You will accept what the gods have given you. Come to me willingly or come to me fighting, but come to me you will."
Riley shook her head and tightly pinched her lips together in determination. "Sorry, dude, I've seen enough alien movies to know that it never turns out good for the supporting actors. Since I've never been a heroine, this is a no-win situation for me. I'd just as soon go down fighting."
Vox's grin widened. "I always did like a good fight before I fucked," he said, reaching to grab her off the rock.
"Your choice," Riley muttered, holding her breath as she held the small cylinder up and depressed the button.
Vox's roar filled the small room as the pepper spray hit him in the face. Riley stood frozen on the rock, pressing her hands over her ears as his loud curses and pain-filled roar continued to echo. He fell back several steps, grabbing at his face, before he fell to his knees in agony.
"What did you do?" Lodar asked in horror as he tried to help Vox who was rocking back and forth on his knees emitting low mewing sounds of pain.
"It will stop hurting if he washes his eyes out … I think," Riley whispered. "I've never actually had to use it before, but that is what the directions say to do."
"You've never used this weapon before?" Tor said as he gripped Vox's shoulder and tried to see what was causing his friend so much pain.
"Well, I warned him!" Riley said defensively. "It's his fault for not listening."
"Female," Vox hissed out painfully. "I'm going to strangle you when I can see again."
"If you even think of it, I'll … I'll … " Riley threatened back. "I don't know what I'll do but it is going to hurt you more than me!"
"Not if I can help it," Vox groaned as Lodar laid a cool, damp cloth over his burning eyes.
Hell, he needed one for his nose, throat, and mouth as well. When she had raised her hand he had thought she was just trying to warn him to stay back. He had not expected her to have anything in it. Both of her hands had been empty except for the rope she was trying to hand the Gelatian just minutes before. He had made sure she didn't have anything in them after the first time. Where in Guall's balls she got her hands on the device she used on him he didn't know, but he was going to be damn careful the next time he got near her! Gods, his eyes, nose, mouth, and throat burned!
"Just … just keep away from me, and I won't have to hurt you again," she muttered before turning to the Gelatian and the Tiliqua. "Come on, guys, help me get this wall built before Saraprick gets on his high horse again."
Riley glanced at the green, gelatinous being and smiled when he shook and moved backward instead. "It's okay, darling. It won't take but a moment. I won't hurt you, you tub of gorgeous green."
"He is not gorgeous," Vox growled out hoarsely, trying to glare at the female through blurry, burning eyes. "You will not speak to him like that. I am your mate!"
Riley glared back at the huge, seething male who was glaring at her with watery red eyes. She felt her pulse rocket at his deep growl, and that just made her madder. She would not let her body react to some overzealous, pompous alien, no matter how cute he was! She brought to her mind the last five alien movies she saw and reminded herself that not a one of them ended well for the humans. Just look at what happened to Sigourney Weaver. She not only had that alien bursting out of her-she became one! There was no way that Riley was going to take a chance of that happening to her.
"I don't believe I was talking to you," Riley growled back. "Now, go bother someone else for a little while. Bob, honey, get your green body over here this instant. I think I feel a headache coming on, and I want to rest in peace for a little while."