Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
GRACE
" I 'm going to go outside first just to make sure it's safe," Tarax told me. "Just a few steps out into the open to clear the vicinity."
"I can agree to that," I said.
He had that protective presence about him that I found exciting. He was tall and brooding as he took a brave step out the back door of the bank. His bronze skin reflected against the grayness of the sky, shimmering almost ethereally.
He had his snazzy blaster with him, one that I found enticing because of its vibrant and sharp primary colors. It was something unlike anything I'd ever seen here on Earth.
He nodded back to me and beckoned me to follow him out the door. "It's safe," he advised, but I need you to stay as close to me as you can."
"I will, I promise," I said.
I stepped in front of him because I had to lead the way, but soon he was walking side by side with me.
"Where is this store?" he asked.
"It's just up that way." I pointed straight ahead. "It's a corner store. I have no idea if there will even be any supplies left there. For all I know the place has already been ransacked and cleaned out but?—"
"But it's better to try anyway than to just assume something and not take the risk," Tarax said, finishing my sentence for me. "Who knows. We could walk out of there with a bounty in our arms."
I smiled at him, taking a moment to breathe in the scent of fresh air I felt around him. He was amazing and handsome. He had the warmest, kindest eyes.
"I sure hope you're right." It was a long shot, but I didn't have a problem feeding into his optimism even though I expected the worst.
I didn't even know if we would make it to the store alive, much less be fortunate enough to be able to grab stuff and return to the bank in one piece.
As we walked along, we started talking, getting to know each other better. I was surprised to find Tarax easy to talk to, and I appreciated his company. His body was sensational. I couldn't stop staring at him. I kept sneaking little subtle peeks at him. Sometimes he'd notice and I'd get embarrassed, looking away so he wouldn't see me blushing. I felt like a girl with a new crush.
Every so often, I had to remind myself to take a step back down to reality. Now wasn't exactly the time to get my head all fucked up with lust and longing.
It had been a while since I'd had sex, and I was intrigued by this new mysterious alien man. I wondered how he would be in bed. These were thoughts going through my head that I was having trouble controlling.
However, given the current circumstances we were in and the litter of debris and wreckage all over the streets, my melancholy mood returned rather quickly.
Tarax carried his blaster in his hand, having it ready just in case we came across some unfriendly scavengers or androids along the way. The androids were terrifying with their slit black eyes and ominous, gray colored armor.
The worst part was that they walked around on two legs just like we did, had two arms just like we did, but black slits for eyes that had no emotion in them. I knew whatever was behind them was cruel and unforgiving. I shuddered at the memory of how awful those androids really were.
"So, what's the deal with you and that David guy?" Tarax asked, cutting through my thoughts.
I grinned at him. He was kind of adorable, like he was trying to play it casual when he secretly wanted to know all about my relationship with David. I could tell, just by the curious look on his face that he wanted to know what was going on between us.
"You want to know about me and David?" I chuckled, still smiling wryly at him.
Tarax cleared his throat and put on a masculine front. He stared straight ahead and tightened his sexy jawline. He shrugged as if he was indifferent, but I knew better.
"He seems to really care about you," Tarax mentioned.
I scoffed lightly. " Please. The only person David cares about is himself."
"Well, I get that sense too," Tarax said, looking at me and grinning too.
"What are you jealous or something?" I teased.
"Do you want me to be jealous?" Tarax asked.
I smiled. "I asked you first."
Tarax laughed and glanced up at the sky. "Do you want to know what I really think?"
My heart fluttered. "Sure."
Tarax looked at me. "I think David is a prick."
"I'm surprised you know that word." I laughed.
"You'd be surprised about a lot of things," Tarax quipped.
I met his gaze. "Is that so?"
"Maybe." He shrugged again, looking even more handsome, if that were even possible.
"Well, if it's any consolation, I happen to think that David is a prick too," I admitted.
Tarax chuckled. "I'm glad we think alike."
"David is my ex-boyfriend. Things didn't end very well between us, but we work together, so it can get a little awkward sometimes," I confessed.
Tarax gave me a sympathetic nod. "I kind of figured there was some rocky history there between you two."
"However, could you have guessed?" I chuckled sarcastically.
Tarax laughed too. "I can keep him in check for you if you want."
"I can handle David just fine myself, thanks," I joked.
"Well pardon me then," Tarax said and laughed. "I'll just be going back to the bank base. It doesn't sound like you need me in the slightest. I'll let you take care of this one."
"Come back here, big shot," I said and scooped my hand around his muscular bicep. Holy shit — it felt good to do that. He was fine as hell. What in the world was wrong with me? I needed to snap myself out of it.
Maybe if we snuck behind an alleyway and fucked each other's brains out we could get the sexual tension out of the way and clear the air. We would have the chance to get it out of our systems and move on. At least we would get a better sense of whether the chemistry felt right or not.
Yeah right. Fat chance of that ever happening, but a girl could dream. Besides, it wasn't safe out here, exposed and in the open anyway.
The last thing I wanted to do was have Tarax and I get caught with our pants down around our ankles when a wicked android alien could pop out from around the corner and try to decapitate us both in an instant. That wasn't exactly the 'happy ending' I counted on.
Our eyes locked. A warmth sizzled in between my legs. I felt hot and flustered. My heart pounded. The attraction between us soared. The chemistry was searing, mind-blowing just from that simple touch. So maybe I wasn't way off base after all with Tarax.
"Sorry," I said and quickly yanked my hand back to my own body where it belonged.
"It's okay…" Tarax trailed off, looking slightly disappointed that I wasn't touching him anymore.
I looked straight ahead. "We're here," I said and pointed to a white stucco building on the corner next to what used to be a stoplight intersection before the tornado of alien androids had plowed through this area last night.
Tarax took a deep breath. "Oh good."
The intimate moment was over, but the sexual tension lingered on, weighing heavy on my mind and body. Great. Now it was even worse than before. My clit throbbed.
You have a job to do, Grace. Put your head on straight before you lose it altogether.
The door was open when we approached the entrance. It was half hanging off its hinges and the glass had been shattered completely out of its frame. The 'open' sign on the wall had been smashed and was making a buzzing sound, crackling through the store.
The fluorescent lights were blinking on the ceiling above us, but part of the roof had been blown to bits, and a mess of drywall explosion and exposed wires was hanging down above our heads.
I was honestly surprised that there was still electricity in here at all. I was certain that the power grid had been wiped off the map. We certainly hadn't had power back at the bank, but then again, it had been abandoned for years anyway.
"It looks pretty rough in here," I said, taking an apprehensive step inside beside Tarax.
He protectively put his hand out in front of me. "Let me walk ahead of you so I can clear the aisles as we cross them."
"Okay," I said, thankful that he cared enough about me at this point to keep me safe.
I scanned the rows of products on the shelves. This store hadn't been as picked through as I expected it to be. I guessed we were lucky in that way, but it was still better to get in and get out. The longer we lingered, the greater our risk of being found became.
I grabbed some bags from the counter area and then turned down the aisle to grab a few containers of SpaghettiOs. They could be eaten cold, and wouldn't go bad.
It was the nonperishable items like that we should bring back with us to the bank. We could open them with the supplies we already had, but if I got lucky and happened to find a can opener lying around, I would certainly snatch it up before we left. You never knew.
I backed up a few inches to study the shelves and figure out what else we could bring back with us. I plucked a loaf of bread from one of the lower shelves. I knew we would need water too, and if I could find over the counter medicines, I would scan that row as soon as I came across it.
I bumped into something hard and large when I was walking backward. It startled me and when I turned around, Tarax was standing in the center of the aisle with his arms full of water bottles. It was him that I had backed into.
"Nice score," I said, trying to keep my eyes on his face and not his groin area.
Tarax smiled. "Thanks."
"We're a pretty good team I guess."
Tarax's teal eyes flickered with passion. "The best team."
"Oh, come on." I laughed. "I'm not better than your Space Knights."
"Actually," Tarax began with a charismatic smile. "You would make a great Knight."
"Oh yeah?" I studied him with a grin. "What makes me so special?"
"Well for starters, you're brave. I saw you out there last night. Don't think I wasn't paying attention because I was. I liked what I saw. You have street smarts, and you take your training seriously. You put others before yourself. That takes a lot of guts to do."
"You were paying attention to me?" I grinned.
Tarax rolled his eyes playfully. "I think you're missing the point."
"I'm not missing the point," I said and gave him a graceful smile. I felt at peace when I looked into his eyes. "Believe me. I understand exactly what you're saying. Thank you for your kind words."
We made eye contact. Neither one of us broke the gaze. Tarax took a step closer to me. He stood there, towering over me, looking ethereal and exotic. He was exquisite from head to toe, a sexy, bronzed-toned creature who was stealing my heart without even knowing it.
He leaned in and closed his eyes. I went with the moment, feeling spontaneous and rippled with excitement. It was like my entire body was electrified.
I felt like I was glowing in that moment, radiating passion. Tarax's lips lightly brushed with mine at first. it was a thrill. He took his time. There was a tenderness about the way he pressed his lips to mine that grounded me and rocked my center of gravity.
An explosion of pleasure launched through my entire body. I wanted more. I needed more. I never wanted him to stop.
A current of ecstasy spread through my body like wildfire. I was flying on a euphoric high. Endorphins surged through my body as he parted my lips and caressed his free hand through my hair. Our tongues tangled together. His body felt strong and protective, pressed up against mine.
I felt like I was on top of the world. I forgot that the world was in shambles. In this moment, I was locked in time, imbedded in how good it felt to have Tarax kissing me. It was fresh and new, and I embraced every moment of it. The world was a harsh place, but Tarax made me feel safe and secure. He was a wonderful person to ride out this storm with.
Our intimate moment was surreal. When Tarax pulled away, the Earthy, salty taste of his lips lingered on mine. The warmth of his tongue dancing with mine still made my heartbeat fast.
"That felt good," I said, giving him a dreamy smile.
Tarax softly brushed his thumb across my cheek. He gave me a tender smile. "Yes, it did. I would love to keep doing it, but we should really get out of here and back to the bank with our supplies."
I wanted to keep kissing him too, but I knew he was right. We gathered as many items as we could carry in the bags and started walking together back toward the door.
As soon as we arrived at the exit, we were ambushed by a squad of androids. They came out of nowhere and started assaulting our area. They had formed a semi-circle outside of the store with their blasters raised and their snake-like, slitted eyes glaring at us ominously.
Tarax protectively leapt in front of me. He was armed and dangerous in his own right — ready to fire back as many rounds as it took to take them out.
One of the android's fired a bullet from its blaster. The bullet ricochet off one of the aisles that held a variety of different chips products. The bullet slammed through a bag of Doritos and the chips exploded, flying out everywhere. There were Doritos raining down all around us.
"Shit," I said. "Let me help you," I called out to Tarax.
He nodded and glanced at the weapon I held in my hand, a smile lighting his face. It was the one he'd given me. "Just try to stand behind me so I can guard you from all angles," Tarax said.
"I've got you from behind," I shouted.
These ruthless androids seemed hellbent on destroying us and everything else moving, living, and breathing that crossed their paths. They must have had some kind of radar or antenna attached to them to detect us and our whereabouts.
How else could they have found us? We were in the back of the store, otherwise undetected and away from any windows. It just didn't make any sense to me. it unnerved me to know I was being so horrifically hunted.
My heart had just been pounding from lust a few seconds ago, but now it had jumped into my throat and was thundering with fear.
Life could change in an instant, but I wasn't prepared to die here in this corner store — and I sure as hell wasn't going to leave without our supplies. It was a dangerous world out there, but somebody had to be willing to take the risks. Our survival depended on it.