Stalked by the Alien Assassin (Aliens Among Us, #2)

by Tiffany Roberts

Fyran was a knife, a blade in the dark, a precision weapon. He was an assassin. Not a fucking…inseminator, or whatever the hell Command expected him to be for this mission.

Only one thing was clear—the beast dwelling inside Fyran had chosen Avery as its own, and it wasn’t going to be denied.

Oh, God, now he’s going to ask me what I write, and I’m going to have to explain to him that romance books aren’t porn right here in the middle of this café…

“So, where are you from?” Avery asked. “Birth certificate says Cheyenne, Wyoming,”

vaerina.”

Karak’duun, he wanted Avery. Wanted her…as his lifemate. Though he wasn’t even certain of what that truly meant, he knew down in the deepest parts of himself that Avery was meant to be his mate—and that he’d settle for nothing less. He would have her. All of her. Yet his desire for her couldn’t change the fact that he’d never been with a female. Everything he wanted to do with her, to her, was the product of an imagination he’d fed too much.

And what then? He knew the basics, of course, but that wasn’t enough for his would-be lifemate. He wanted to overwhelm her with pleasure, wanted to hear her cry out in need, wanted to make her burn with desire.

“I wish I had a man who looked at me like that. Like he couldn’t wait to stick his head between my legs and—”

He’d look pretty damned good with fangs. All the better to eat me with.

She could imagine those ears of his tapering to points, could imagine tracing their tips with her fingers…or maybe her tongue.

If she kept imagining him with features that only made him more enticing, she wouldn’t be able to finish her shift without having to change her panties.

“You touch her again,” Hunter said in a low, gravelly voice that was barely more than a growl, “and I’ll tear off your fucking hand.”

“So, a surprise kidnapping, huh? Guess that’s all right.

She was damn well ready to turn in her V-card. With him.

“There are children here,” a man said from nearby in the sort of exasperated, patronizing tone Avery had heard so much in her youth. The muscles of Hunter’s jaw ticked. He swung his head aside to look at the man and growled, “How the fuck you think they got here?”

Interestingly enough, there were no children following them. There weren’t any children around at all.

“Because he is more concerned with what is proper than showering her with unbridled affection,” he said, his voice thick and sultry.

“I have a…sweet fang.” “Do you mean a sweet tooth?”

“I’ve…never done anything like this until now, either. Until you, Avery. It warms me. Here.” He pressed his fist to his chest. “And I’m happy that I’m experiencing this first with you.”

part of her knew he was hiding something.

“Oh, did you see the trailer for that new Infinite City RPG?” Noah asked. “They have a bunch of playable races, and they’re hinting at a lot of romance options with all kinds of aliens. Saw some dudes with three eyes and horns in there for a second. I know you prefer the fantasy and paranormal stuff, but this looks good.”

I don’t deserve happiness. Don’t deserve her.

“Karak’duun,” the Hunter-impostor muttered. “Should’ve waited to show her.” The bed rocked, and he appeared above her, braced on his hands as he leaned over the edge. “Are you all right, vaerina?”

“Spent some time dating you. I wouldn’t call that procrastinating.” Despite everything, a small smile curled her lips. “What would you call it, then? It’s not like you were sent here to seduce and breed with a human woman, right?” His eyebrows rose, and his lips parted as though to reply, but only a soft huff came out. His fingers on her leg flexed. For several seconds, he just stared at her. Avery’s smile faded, and uncertainty trickled into her chest. “Right?” Fyran pressed his lips tightly together, drew in a deep breath that made his chest swell, and said, “I was sent here to take a human mate and breed with her.”

“You’re mine, vaerina. I was a fool to think I could live without you.”

His expression was hard, unwavering. “Firstly, the drug is still in your system, and your body needs to be at full strength to flush it out. Secondly, you’ve missed more than one meal. I found you just after ten o’clock last night. It’s almost four in the afternoon right now. And thirdly”—he leaned his face closer to her, the red in his eyes suddenly brighter and his voice dropping into a growl—“my mate will not go hungry.”

“Avery?” Another pause. “I searched the internet. I will not tolerate this silent treatment any longer.” She grinned. She could picture him frowning over a computer, typing why won’t my female speak to me into a search bar with the tips of his claws.

“You spanked me,” she said, shocked. His big hand remained on her ass, rubbing to soothe away the lingering sting as he moved down the stairs. “You can have more after you eat.” She sputtered, unable to believe what he’d just said and done. Unable to believe that she…wanted more. “You—you big jerk! You don’t get to do anything after everything you kept from me.”

“But you make me want those things. You make me want to learn. You make me want to live, vaerina. I don’t have a home, but karak’duun, I want nothing more than to make one with you.”

Fyran chuckled. He covered her hand with his and turned his head, brushing his lips across her forehead and his nose over her hair. “You can be mad all you want as long as you’re in my arms.”

“You’re mine, vaerina. And I am yours. All that I am, for better or worse…I belong to you.”

Murder bad. But maybe I can figure out which car is hers and shred a tire or two…

Time to do a fucking murder after all.

Just wait until I put away all her things and she doesn’t know where any of them are…

“I think it’s about…hope. And selflessness. About being close to the people you love and giving them gifts not because you want something in return, but because you want to see them happy. About making traditions that you share with the people closest to you.”

Fyran’s eyebrows drooped, and he narrowed his eyes. “I’m familiar with the silent treatment, but what is this cold shoulder nonsense?” Avery smirked and lifted a single shoulder in a shrug as she turned away from him without answering. “Female, I already don’t like this. Stop. Please?”

Avery was his, and he loved her.

and together they would make a family. The family neither of them had ever had. He would fucking make sure of it.

at least until he actually drank some of the wine, anyway. His features contorted, and he withdrew the glass quickly. His expression as he swallowed was that of a child who’d just eaten the foulest vegetable known to man. “Humans like this?” he asked. “You like this?”

Fyran sat back in his chair. “That was the best food I’ve ever had.” “How do you feel about those TV dinners now?” “Fuck ‘em. I’m keeping you.” She giggled and stood to gather the dirty plates. Her body was warm and relaxed thanks to the wine. “I might be convinced.”

“Well, that’s it,” she said, tossing her hands in the air. “I’ve been convinced. A man who cleans and does the dishes is too rare to pass up.”

“I’m sure there are still other ways by which I could convince you, vaerina. It would be a shame not to explore them all before you decide.”

Walk a little louder.” “I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Is my mate lying to me?” She took a bite of her sandwich, looked away, and gave him a hesitant, muffled, “No.” Fyran’s grin tilted to one side as he selected another chip. “Good. I’m sure she wouldn’t want to face the consequences, would she?” Her brows rose as her eyes met his. She swallowed. “I lied. It was a total lie. I did it on purpose. When do I get my punishment?”

There was something different about her fragrance that went beyond the effects of their mating bond.

“When Avery told me you were a lawyer, Derek, I guess I made the mistake of assuming you’d be less prone to jumping to conclusions before having all the information. Mistakes on both our parts, huh?”

“Avery is the most beautiful person I’ve ever known. She’s like the stars in the night sky, sparkling, constant, mesmerizing. She’s like the sun, fierce and fucking passionate, warm and welcoming. And she’s like the moon, quiet, calming, always smiling even when she hurts inside. She’s all that despite you. Your best fucking efforts couldn’t destroy her, because she’s more than either of you could ever be. And she is mine.” He tossed the money onto the table. “Enjoy your fucking meal.”

Avery had surprised him with it on the day they’d married, having apparently conspired with Khelvar to have it made.

The white gold band had a sapphire as its centerpiece, flanked on either side by tiny rubies.