He had roared for the others to go secure a ship for them while he, Tor, and Lodar shifted into their cats and went after Riley. They could move faster and clear a larger path in that form. Vox burst down the corridor that housed the medical unit and control room, his sharp claws digging gouges into the stone floor. He slowed as he saw the pile of bodies outside of the control room door which stood open. He pulled back on his cat, slowing it down. It hissed at him, fighting for control as fear threatened to overwhelm caution.
Vox moved silently toward the door. Tor and Lodar had shifted behind him and were moving up the sides, checking each room for any guards that might remain. His ears twitched back and forth as he picked up Riley's husky, tear-filled voice. His cat picked up speed at the sound of its mate. He jumped over the pile of dead bodies and froze, his eyes narrowing on where Riley was sitting with the laser pistol pressed against her chest. Time seemed to stand still as he watched her draw in a deep, shaky breath. A silent curse tore through his mind as he realized what she was about to do. With a burst of speed he hit her sideways, whipping his huge paw out and knocking the pistol out of her hand as he stumbled over her, rolling as the pistol fired mere inches from her.
He knew he hit her hard enough to knock the breath out of her, but he had been so frightened he could barely restrain himself. Gods! He had almost lost her again. He didn't know if his heart would ever beat calmly again. He shifted, rolling until she was trapped underneath him. His hands were framing her face as he frantically looked down at her.
"Riley," he croaked out desperately. "Where are you hurt?"
Riley opened her mouth as she stared up in a daze at the huge figure above her. She couldn't breathe. He had her pinned under his huge body and had knocked the frigging wind out of her. She finally drew in a huge breath as dark spots began dancing around the edges of her vision.
"You aren't supposed to be here," she said confused. "You were supposed to have already escaped."
"Are you hurt?" Vox tenderly growled out again as he ran the palms of his big hands down over her hair and cheeks.
"No, I don't think so," Riley said before she let out a loud squeal as she found herself flung over Vox's huge shoulder as he jumped to his feet.
"Good! Once we know for sure, I'm going to tan your ass for this little stunt, female!" Vox growled out turning back toward the door.
"My suitcase! Don't forget my purse either!" Riley cried out looking over at her big, pink suitcase from upside down. "I need it!"
"I'm on it," Tor said, hurrying into the room and grabbing the huge case and heavy handbag with a grunt. "Damn, Riley, this is heavy. What do you have in it?" Tor asked as he jogged down the corridor behind Vox.
"Can we talk less and run faster?" Lodar asked coming up the rear. "We have less than two minutes to get far enough away from this rock we don't get blown up with it."
"Sor … ry … ab … ou … t-th-tha-that!" Riley finally got out as she bounced up and down. "I … hit … the … wronnnggg … butt … on. Damn it, Vox. Will … you … quit … bouncing … me!"
Vox's large hand tightened around Riley's legs while his other one landed on her ass with a satisfying whack. He couldn't help the grin that lit up his face at her outraged yelp followed by a long string of colorful curses and threats. He let his hand rest there, enjoying the soft, heated flesh under his palm.
Gods, but I love this female! he thought, almost tripping as he bolted down the steps and charged across the landing bay. I love her!
He never thought he would feel this emotion for a female, but he realized he did. His cat rolled deep inside him in disgust as the revelation spread warmth to every inch of his huge frame. He never expected love to feel like this! He felt wonderful and terrified at the same time. He, Vox d'Rojah, ruling king of the Sarafin was terrified of a little alien female from a species he had never even heard of before. She scared him to the marrow of his bones, and he loved it. She drove him nuts, was totally oblivious to just who he was and the power he had, and he never knew what in Guall's balls she was going to say or do next. He was also terrified that something might happen to her. He and his cat needed to protect her, even if it was from herself. Speaking of which-
"What in the hell did you think you were doing?" Vox growled out as he charged up the loading tube to-"What in the hell is that?" he croaked out in dismay as he got his first good look at the dilapidated freighter.
"It is the only thing left," Banu snarled out. "Move your asses. Titus and Adur have the engines primed as much as they could without blowing them. We have less than a minute to get as far from this place as possible."
Vox's curses echoed as Banu sealed the door behind them and barked out to Titus to get them the fuck out of there. Vox reached out and grabbed the bar along the side of the passageway as he felt the old freighter groan and shake as Titus and Adur pushed it to the maximum.
"Go! Go! Go!" Lodar muttered under his breath as he hung tightly to the bar next to Vox.
"I'm going to go see if I can't get this rusted piece of dragon dung to move faster," Tor snarled, holding onto the bar as he worked his way down the corridor.
"Ah, hello," Riley said, blowing her hair out of her face. "Is it possible to be put down now? The blood is, like, flowing to my head, and I am definitely getting a headrush here. Not to mention, you have a very uncomfortable shoulder considering how much meat you've got on you. Let me tell you, muscle is not soft!" she complained.
Vox snarled at Banu who had his eyes glued to Riley's ass. "Mine!" he snapped to the younger Sarafin warrior.
Banu grinned at Vox. "If we are about to die at least give me something nice to look at," he said with a shrug.
Cross grinned at Banu. "I couldn't agree with you more, my friend. If I have to die I wouldn't mind having her in my arms."
"What are they looking at?" Riley said, trying to walk herself up Vox's back with her hands. She turned and looked at Banu and Cross who were grinning mischievously at her. "What is nice?"
"They are staring at your big ass," Vox snapped in irritation. "It is mine!"
Riley's eyes widened before they narrowed to dangerous slits. "I know you did not just say I have a big ass, you hot-headed, no-good, two-timing piece of kitty-litter trash!" she snapped. "Put me down right this minute."
Vox slid Riley's succulent body down along his own solid form with a loud purr. Gods, she had curves on top of curves and was so soft he could feel his hands sinking down into the creamy flesh as his hands slipped under her shirt. His cat rumbled in delight as her sweet scent overwhelmed his senses, and his eyes actually rolled back in his head when her huge breasts caressed his cheeks.
"Gods, female, you are potent," Vox purred against her ear as he leaned into her.
Riley opened her mouth to let him have it, but before she could the entire freighter shuddered violently, creaking and groaning as the asteroid exploded. Her arms flew out, wrapping around his neck at the same time as she tried crawling back up his huge frame. She had too much to live for to die now. She had to find a way home, she had to lose her virginity, she had a big, gorgeous-smelling lummox to kill.
Vox turned, pressing Riley's shivering figure between his body and the wall. She had her long legs wrapped tightly around his waist, and her face was buried in his neck. He didn't know whether the groan that escaped him was because he could feel the old freighter struggling to move through the shockwave or because he could feel the heat of his mate's pussy pressing against his cock which decided it didn't care that they were in mortal danger right now. He pressed her against the side of the corridor as his arms strained to hold onto the metal grip bar.
"Brace for impact!" Titus's voice came over the communication system. "Adur, see if this piece of crap's shields can be increased to the stern. We have debris coming at us."
"Shields are at ninety percent. I'm rerouting power from life support to give it additional power," Adur muttered tensely.
"I've got the engines primed," Tor's voice came in. "Give it full thrust, Titus. She can handle it for a short period. Just get us the fuck out of here."
"Hang on," Titus yelled as he pushed the freighter past its specifications.
Banu cursed as he was jerked almost off his feet as the freighter lurched before surging forward. Cross reached out and grabbed Banu, pulling him upright at the last second. Banu muttered a quick thanks under his breath as he grabbed for the bar again. Vox whispered quietly in Riley's ear as she whimpered. His heart beat heavily against his chest as he turned his face into her silky hair and pressed his lips against her.