In The Corsair's Bed (Corsairs, #2)

by Ruby Dixon

Truth be told, I find it a pretty appalling way to make a living, taking other people’s rights away. Just because it’s legal on a lot of worlds doesn’t mean I have to agree with it.

This one is covered in bruises and half of her face is swollen. There’s a gash across one cheek that is crusted over and possibly infected. She doesn’t get up when I come over, her breathing shallow. Lacerations and bruises cover a lot of her naked body, to the point that I’m surprised I could tell by the coloration that she’s human at all.

The crowd laughs. I don’t care. I wipe the spit off my face and oddly enough, I’m smiling. If she’s got that much anger in her, she’s a fighter.

“Because I couldn’t leave her.” It’s clear to me that she needed my help. I wouldn’t leave a friend behind, and I’m not leaving this fragile one to her fate.

To comment on how ugly I am. I wasn’t born cute, and after a shuttlebus accident as a youth destroyed what little charm I had, I figured it wouldn’t matter if my nose got broken in every fight. It has…and my brow ridges and my cheek. I know I’m a mess.

This one is more humanoid than some, but in a dark, dangerous sort of way. His skin is a deep blue, his eyes pupilless and pale yellow. Massive horns arch back over his head like an antelope and are covered in shiny metal. When he smiles at me, he’s got fangs.

One arm moves over me and I see tattoos covering his skin.

Instead, he smiles again. “Did you just try to kill me? Kef, that’s cute.”

If you really want to fight back at a mesakkah with words, use ‘kef.’ I promise you’ll get a better response.”

I’ve had no complaints about my cock in the past, but it’s nice to hear it reaffirmed. Face yes, cock no.”

His brows look too hard for him to frown, but the tip of a blue tongue sticks out between his teeth as he works, as if he’s trying very hard to be delicate.

“Good,” he says, and I’m surprised. I look into his face, but he’s not looking at me, just at the bandages. My breasts are already covered by the first two loops of them, so I know he’s not ogling my tits. “You keep fighting all the time,” he tells me. “Never let anyone think they own you or you’ll start to think it, too.”

“I’m a fighter, but I don’t have the heart for it like some. It’s just a handy tool—”

He scratches at his head. It’s completely bald, the occasional pale scar marring the blue of his skin.

She nods and glances around my room. “I can probably find a weapon in here, you know.” “If it makes you feel comfortable, do it.”

His features are very foreign to me, and I can’t say that he’s handsome. But his eyes have crinkles at the corners, which makes me think he smiles a lot, and there’s a kindness to his ugly face that has appeal. I remember how carefully he wrapped my ribs yesterday, telling me what he was going to do, and not manhandling me like I was nothing. There’s a lot to be said for small kindnesses.

His smile is so warm and friendly that I don’t even mind that his face is kind of patched up badly and his nose is uneven.

I learn that Tarekh is really, really patient and just as easygoing as he seems.

“I’m fine, Mother Hen,” I tease him. “That a human thing? Because my language chip tells me a hen is a fat bird, unless I’m hearing wrong.”

“Exactly like that. But nothing to do with sex.” Down below, he grunts as I scrape. “Good. I was starting to wonder about humans.” I snort-giggle. “Humans are just as weird—or as normal—as every other sentient being, I think. Sex is always on the brain to a certain extent.” “You’re safe here,” he tells me unnecessarily once more. It’s like he feels he needs to keep saying it just so I know for sure, and that’s kind of sweet.

because I’ve learned that Tarekh is like a big, easygoing teddy bear of a devil-alien. There is absolutely nothing scary about this man other than his size. I even like his ugly mug, though it’s less ugly to me as the days go by and more comfortable and appealing.

And just because he’s so indignant, I can’t help but tease him a little more. “Not a fan of humans?” The glare he gives me is quelling. “Not a fan of pity pussy. I’ve had enough of that in my life, thank you.”

“Fuck anyone that tells you that you’re ugly,” I say to him. “I like your face.” He’s quiet for a long moment, as if he doesn’t know what to say. “Humans do have strange tastes after all.”

Someday maybe she’ll tell me what happened. I suspect it’ll make me sick, but if she needs to speak about it, I’m here for her. Really, I’m just here for her in whatever way she might need me. Even if it’s just as a friend.

I’m happy to be her friend and defender. She hasn’t had many of those in the past and I aim to pick up the slack.

“You bought a fucking human? I’m going to murder you, Tarekh—” Cat quickly slips out from behind Fran’s back and steps in front of me, her arms wide. She’s protecting me. A funny ache starts in my chest.

More humans will make this place a lot prettier than looking at these ugly faces.” He gestures at the rest of us. To my surprise, Cat scowls at Kivian. “Quit saying that. Tarekh’s not ugly.” I’m torn between astonishment and wanting to squeeze the small human against my chest. Such an ardent defender. “I’m lucky to have someone so fierce on my side,” I tell her, pleased.

Ah, kef. She’s going to be the death of me, I think, because I’m already wrapped around her small human fingers and she doesn’t even realize it.

I meant that I saw the way he looks at you. He adores you already and I’m guessing he’d do anything for you. He won’t ever touch you, of course. That’s not who he is. But that doesn’t mean he can’t love you from afar.”

He’s the best thing on this ship, hands down, and everything on this ship is pretty fucking amazing.

I've (unfortunately) had my share of alien sex, but never with one of his race. For a moment, I'm glad. I want him to be the first.

I'm secretly pleased. I think of the husky little way he said my name. God, I liked that far too much.

For some reason, that irritates me. I hate it when he calls himself ugly, as if having a pretty face is the only virtue a person can have.

but it’s you that she turns to for everything. You haven’t noticed that?”

“You don’t have to talk about it—” “No, I do,” she says, interrupting me. “If you and I are ever going to be anything, if we ever want to be anything, you have to know.”

“Cat, I think you’re my favorite person I’ve ever met. Nothing that you told me changed that.”

“You’ll never lose me as a friend, Cat. I promise.” His voice is warm, slightly rough, but so good I want to use it as a blanket and wrap myself in it. “I’m here if you want me. I’m here if you don’t. I’m here if you change your mind about all of this and just want a buddy. And I’m here if you want more. There’s no pressure.”

Everything I do pushes just that much further. And every time Tarekh responds with patience and that same wonderful, charming amusement that rocks me to my core, I fall a little more in love with the guy.

That human female is going to kill me.

Instead, I just give his tail a little tug. Tarekh stiffens, his eyes going wide, and I send him an innocent smile. He grabs my hand. “Not that, not in public.”

“Be right back, love,” he murmurs to me and brushes his lips over my brow as he stands.

But words mean I have to use my face for something other than pleasuring her, and there’s no time for that.

“Oh my. Ribbed for her pleasure.” “What?” “Nothing,” she murmurs. “Just a little something we humans like to say.”