Diana
When I wake up, for a moment, I think I’m in the cell again. I open my mouth to scream, but then I hear Max breathing, and I realize that everything is okay.
I’m safe.
I’m with Max, and I’m safe.
Everything is going to be just fine.
I was brave. I was bold. I believed in myself, and I believed in Max, and I trusted him.
I lie beside him now and run my fingers over his chest. It’s hard, and I wonder how much of it is because he works out and how much of it actually is because he’s Orchidian. Orchidian men all seem to be so strong and big. Much bigger than Earth men. Much bigger than humans.
Giving myself up to Max was incredible. Freeing. It reminded me that I am more than my past. I am more than the darkness that I was lost in. I am more than what happened to me. I am more, and I am fine.
“Hey,” he lifts my hand and presses a soft kiss to it. “How long have you been awake for, beautiful?”
“Only a few minutes.”
“Sleep well?”
“Yeah,” I tell him. “Really well.”
He opens his eyes and smiles at me.
“Sarah was worried you’d have nightmares, you know. You had them when you first came to the ship, so she gave you a sedative. She gave me some of the pills to keep on hand. You know, in case you needed them.”
“Apparently, all I needed was you,” I smile, and this time, Max kisses me. He brushes his lips over mine and smiles.
“You’re amazing, Diana.”
“You too,” I whisper. “Thank you,” I say, clearing my throat. “For last night.”
“What about it?”
“I just know...it could have been really weird or awkward, but it wasn’t. It was just so...nice. It was nice to feel like a real woman again.”
“You’re a beautiful woman, Diana, and you’re incredible. Trust me: it was no hardship.”
“What happens now?” I whisper, because I’m not sure how this is supposed to work. Max is my rescuer, of course, but he also has his own life. I can’t ask him to change all of that for me. I won’t ask him to change all of that for me.
“What are you asking me, love?” He looks at me curiously. “Are you asking me if I want to be with you?”
“I don’t know.” I whisper. I don’t know if what happened between us was a one-time thing. I don’t know if he wants more, if he’s capable of more.
I don’t know if I am.
Max kisses me. He kisses me like I’m beautiful, like I’m precious to him.
“You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met,” he says. “You’re so brave, love. The only thing you need to worry about is healing. You’ve been starved, and you need to eat, and I’m going to take care of you, Diana. I’m going to make sure you heal completely.”
“What if…what about…”
“What is it?”
“The man who took me,” I whisper. “What if he comes back?” It’s not something I really want to think about, but I have to. Is there any chance he might come back for me? Is there any chance he might view me as the one who got away?
“He’s not going to come back.”
“How can you be sure?”
Max hesitates, and I look up at him.
“Is he dead?”
Max nods.
“Did you see him die?” I ask, whispering. Is there any chance Boss Man could still be alive? Is there any chance, any circumstance, in which he might come back and try to steal me away?
“I shot him myself, love. We transported him to Orchid, and I killed him there. The king witnessed the entire thing.”
“Orchid? Your home planet?”
“One and the same. That man was our entire mission. He stole something from the royalty on Orchid, and we were hired to get it back.”
“I think you got more than you planned for,” I tell him softly.
“I got more than I could have hoped for, love.” He strokes my cheek. “It was supposed to be a normal mission. It wasn’t supposed to be anything special, but then you came along, and you just changed everything, didn’t you?”
“I’m sorry I messed up your plans.”
“I’m not. You’re incredible, Diana. You’re brave and strong. I had to bring the asshole in to the king. Luckily, the king is a reasonable man. Once I explained what happened, he was more than happy to give me the honor of killing the bastard.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“I would do anything for you, Diana.” I’m surprised by how certain he sounds.
“Why? You barely know me. I mean, I don’t want to sound like I don’t appreciate it, but why me, Max?”
“You’ve been through hell and back again, Diana, and you know what? You’re still fighting. You’re still brave. You’re going to have moments that are hard, moments that feel impossible to get through, but you’re a beacon of bravery. You’re going to be just fine, and I want to see your journey.”
He kisses me again, and then Max pulls me on top of him.
“Max,” I giggle. “What are you doing? We just made love last night.”
“I can’t get enough of you, Diana. Are you sore?” He looks concerned, but I shake my head.
“No.”
“Then I want to get my fill of you before breakfast,” he says, and he kisses me once more. Max is big, and strong, and safe. He is my safety. As I sink down onto him, I’m surprised at how aware of every inch of my body he is. He kisses my neck, and my breasts, and he runs his hands down my back, and I realize that I never want this moment to end.
I never want any of this to end.
I feel like a fairy princess who has gotten a second chance at life, and I want to spend it with Max. I know this is crazy. I know we’ve only just met. I also know that he gives me a peace I’ve never experienced before.
I want more.