Lara
My heart leaped inside my chest when he told me about other ships launched from Earth. It wasn’t so far-fetched; they did train others to do the job.
Deep inside, I knew I could trust him. I just didn’t know why. This was freaking outer space, and who knew what he looked like? He could have three heads and long tentacles…maybe he moved like a snail, leaving a trail of slime behind him.
Closing my eyes, I repeated over and over in my head, You can do this, you can do this…
Yes, you can.
I am talking to myself, so be quiet.
Why would you talk to yourself?
I huffed, knowing he wouldn’t give up. Finally deciding to get it over with, I pictured the corridor and the vent in my head. Surely, he would get the message. He knew everything else I was thinking and feeling. Talk about an invasion of privacy!
Holding my breath, I waited. I just knew at any moment he would tear me out of the vent and I would regret the decision for the rest of my life.
About fifteen minutes later, thick legs blocked the light shining in from the corridor. My breath caught thinking about his massive size. My mind flashed to the red alien with a chiseled face and bulging arms. This could be him—those legs were massive enough—and I was freaking out on the inside. The only time I laid eyes on him, he had looked very angry; now I worried I’d just made the biggest mistake of my life. Heart-pounding fear undulated throughout my body, my hands visibly shaking.
He knelt, and when I stared into his ebony eyes, I didn’t know whether to scuttle away or fall into his muscular arms. I quickly averted my gaze, staring at the floor. Warm fuzzy feelings chased away the fear until I lifted my eyes and caught his once again. Neither of us spoke as I looked over his large frame.
He looked humanoid, no tentacles at all. Short dark hair to match his eyes, black lips…as big as he was, he probably needed to lay off the steroids.
“Natalya,” he said, holding out his hand.
Crap, I lied about my name. Not wanting to risk angering him, I just smiled…a little.
“Roark?”
He nodded once.
Swallowing hard, I stared at his outstretched hand. I don’t know why, but it took every ounce of courage to lift mine and place it in his. Okay, I do know why. I was scared; I had always been a little afraid of the unknown, so this was a giant leap for me.
His large hand wrapped around mine, heat seeping in, and for the first time, I knew everything would be okay. Moving slowly, I stood. My legs were weak and wobbly after sitting in that one position for so long.
When he saw that I was naked, he shrugged off his shirt and wrapped it around my shoulders. That act alone brought tears to my eyes.
He must have noticed my weakness. In one quick move, he scooped me up in his arms and held me tight against his chest. At first, I stiffened, then relaxed into his embrace. The scent of sweet spices smelled heavenly, and his skin felt warm, almost hot to the touch with a leathery feel about it. I didn’t care, I felt protected—just as he said he would.
As he carried me through the space station, I knew others stared; I could feel it. Burying my face between his shoulder and neck, I refused to look.
Where are you taking me?
Back to my ship.
Why?
We cannot stay here.
As the only Human in space, I was a novelty, a thing to experiment with or stare at.
Not to me, ji’si.
How do you keep doing that?
I will explain everything to you when we are safe.
Dread curled deep inside, taking hold, even in Roark’s embrace.
One day at a time, I thought.