Wanted by the Alien Warden (Cowboy Colony Mail-Order Brides, #4)

by Ursa Dax

“I would just like to interject,” said a slightly frantic-sounding Oaken, “that I have never actually murdered anyone! And I would very much still like a bride if there is one yet willing and available!”

I did not know that human females ate meals shaped into squares. This was good, if odd, information.

“I am busy,” he bit out testily. “But I…” “But you what?” White streaked through his eyes, then disappeared. He hitched up his pants by his belt and fiercely uttered the next words. “But I’d make time for you.”

“What would it take,” he asked quietly, “to get you comfortable enough with me to simply call me by my name?” “I… I don’t know. Time, I guess?” He chuckled softly. “Perfect,” he said, throaty and warm. “I’ve got nothing but time out here, Tasha. And if you want it, I can give you it all.”

“Next time something’s hurting you,” he said on a guttural growl, “you don’t go wiggling around, ignoring it, or trying to solve it yourself. You tell me. You tell me right away.” He released the closed lid and came around the side of the slicer. His calloused fingers found my chin. My entire body spasmed at the firm yet tender touch. “I don’t care what’s causing it. I don’t care if it’s me. You tell me.” A raw, raging emotion tore through that white gaze. “Especially if it’s me. You tell me, Tasha.”

“When you’re hurting, you tell your warden. That’s your most important duty. That’s your job.” He lowered his face so that I felt his next words against my mouth more than heard them. “Fixing it is mine.”

“How does it feel,” he murmured, “to be the only one in this world capable of making a Zabrian warden beg?”