Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
NOELLE
An hour before dawn, I slip into the warehouse to finish wrapping the last of my personal gifts.
During the past three days, we’ve distributed over three hundred toys all over the city despite a truck that keeps breaking down and weather that refuses to cooperate.
Through it all, Nikkov has been the one person to show up day after day, playing Santa, even learning to smile for the kids.
He’s been the only one I’ve been able to rely on.
Fuck me, I keep forgetting he’s here on a mission, not because he wants to be here.
Why do I keep forgetting that? Part of me wants to believe he is using magical powers to keep me passive, something I am not. I fought to get where I am, ahead of all the males who think they’re stronger, smarter, more skilled than I. But I don’t believe in magic.
Which means what? That I cave to Nikkov because of his unrelenting, subtle charm?
You need to get laid, Noelle. That’ll take care of this intense burn for the guy.
I kick a chair out of my way, something I’d never do in front of the volunteers here because I’d have to explain my frustration and that’s not something I care to do.
Piling so many lies sky high will only cause them to crash down on me at some point.
But there’s no one here today. I told everyone to sleep in, arrive after lunch since we have two evening deliveries.
I reach for another component in my purse and start wrapping it in my special candy-cane paper, trying to forget about my sexy alien warrior and focus on work.
Three more wrapped ‘gifts’ later, a tall figure stands over the wrapping table. I never heard him enter the warehouse.
Immediately, my body hums to life and my senses kick into gear. I quickly tape the last flap of wrapping paper over the charge conduit before he sees what I’m hiding and arrests me.
With a big smile that I hope will distract my big blue Santa, I look up to greet him, all while praying he didn’t see what I was wrapping.
Except it’s not Nikkov leaning over me. It’s a huge bald man—my contact from the toy giveaway on Mount Washington.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” I scold the man I’ve only met once.
“I need more pieces.”
“If you didn’t notice the blue Santa the other day, he’s a zyanthan warrior who’s been hanging around looking for stolen blaster parts.”
“I can get rid of him for you.”
Sudden fear rips through me and it’s all I can do to maintain my composure to keep this brute from thinking I care about Nikkov.
“No. I don’t need a dozen Galactic Intelligence officers swarming down here looking for a missing agent. I’ll handle him. You have your instructions and your part. Now, go.”
“Give me a pulse rod.”
“If I have one, I don’t know where it is.
The blasters were broken down to make them easier to get through security check points.
You were told all this, including that you weren’t to show up here.
Take the part I gave you and send it up the chain of command where your higher-ups will assemble the blasters.
Now, get out of my warehouse.” I stand up and lean both fists against the table that separates us, strategically placing my right hand near my open purse.
“Don’t make me repeat myself. Leave while you can. ”
The asshole kicks the chair away and starts to leap over the table, but stops when I pull the Glock from my purse. “You’re not the first asshole to think he can intimidate me.” I cock the gun.
Surprise, surprise, he steps back. “You don’t know what you’re doing, little girl.”
“Move away from the female,” Nikkov’s deep voice echoes through the room.
The man whirls away from me and charges at Nikkov. I shove my gun into my purse and dive for cover just as the two plow into the wrapping table, sending ribbons, scissors, and presents flying in every direction.
Nikkov’s bigger than the courier by a foot, with long, sharp horns, but the thug is street-wise and probably has more weapons hidden on him than a Coalition warlord.
My stomach knots when the bully slices outward with a three-inch blade, but Nikkov’s fast on his feet, avoiding the knife. His claws strike outward, catching the guy in the face. Grabbing at the blood streaming from his cheek, he glances at me, then stumbles backward and runs from Nikkov.
That surprises me. As does the fact that Nikkov doesn’t chase him.
“He’s getting away,” I call out, not because I want Nikkov to catch him… that would ruin everything, but I can’t let Nikkov discover what I’m doing.
“I will not leave you unguarded.”
“I don’t need a guard.”
“A male just attacked you.”
“I’m fine,” I say in a shaky voice—not entirely fake—as I straighten my sweater which rode up when I dove for cover. I’m glad Nikkov arrived when he did. That asshole caught me off-guard, which has left me a little rattled.
“He just wanted money,” I add, trying to calm down. “Times are tight. And it’s my own fault for showing up alone. What are you doing here anyway? I gave everyone the morning off.”
“Saving you, apparently.”
That rankles, not because he’s right, but because I’d lost control of the situation. “I didn’t need saving.”
“The Brotherhood has infiltrated your charity project. Just as my intel revealed.”
“Brotherhood?” I laugh. Unless I can convince him this was a random and simple robbery attempt, I’ll never get rid of him.
“You think that’s the first time someone’s tried to rob me?
For every generous person who donates, there’s a scumbag out there just as willing to steal toys meant for children.
Probably hoping to resell the toys or trade for drugs.
You’re making more of this than it is, Warrior.
And you still haven’t told me why you’re here.
Were you planning to break into more gifts?
Haven’t you seen enough by now to know my project is legit? ”
“I never doubted your charity project’s legitimacy, female.”
From his stern expression, it’s becoming clear he doubts me.
“I left the Santa uniform in the workshop. Another lead demands my attention. That’s why I’m here early, to tell you I might not be able to fulfill Santa duties tonight.”
Or he’s here early to snoop. If I were in his shoes, I sure would.
“Good timing then. Thank you for scaring off the robber.”
“That was no thief, little elf.”
I’m considering telling him to call me Noelle—little elf seems way too personal—but I like that he’s given me a nickname, as if he’s claiming me with it. I should object.
“Are you calling me a liar?” I press instead, because I’m a fool who should be working harder at getting rid of him instead of challenging him.
My blue Santa slams his hands against the wall on either side of me, like in the cable car, except this time there’s no hesitation in him. One whiff of that male musk and I’m leaning in toward him, tempted to touch the warrior whose leather vest falls open showing off his tatts and hard muscles.
My fingers travel from his shoulder to his arm, luxuriating in the hard muscles there. “Santa never gets this up close and personal.”
He presses his torso against me, letting me feel what else is hard. OMG, it’s not only hard, but very large. I should push him away, but I don’t. Heaven help me, I roll my body against his length, and down again. Slowly grinding, to the point that my nipples harden and my pussy pulses.
What the fuck am I doing? My name might be Snow, but that doesn’t mean I should melt for a hot alien who smells delicious enough to eat.
Maybe I don’t have to commit… to anything substantial. I could start small. A taste. Just a little lick…
His brows arch. Fuck me, I licked my upper lip.
There’s no easy way out of this, so I take the bold approach, to show I’m in control here. Not my pheromones.
As I slide down his body, my tongue glides along his smooth, delicious abs to the top of those leather pants. For a moment, I’m thankful he’s not wearing his Santa suit. With the elastic waistband, those Santa pants would be way too easy to pull down.
Nikkov’s hand cups the back of my head, keeping me steady, but not forcing me closer. He’s letting me lead. With much regret, I lift my lips from his skin before reaching that fabulously large cock and slide out of his hold.
As I rise, I run my tongue over my upper lip, quite intentionally this time. “I have a lot of work to do. More presents to wrap.”
“Don’t you mean unwrap?”
I glance to my left, to the candy-cane wrapped components I should have hidden. My head is spinning with questions. What does he know? Did he sneak in here last night to snoop more than he can with me around, or is he just fishing for information?
“Unwrapping is your specialty, not mine.”
“Then let me demonstrate how it’s done,” he says, running his hands down my neck and over my breasts. When his thumb circles a very hard peak, a moan escapes me. Like snow sliding off a roof, his hands drift down to the hem of my sweater and then easily draw it over my head and arms.
For a moment, I pull away, self-conscious of the curves I carry in my breasts, hips, and thighs. Fuck me, if his eyes don’t light at the sight of me. It’s as if he can’t see any flaws… only me.
“Are you sure about this… about me?”
“Drekk, female, I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.”
“You don’t know anything about me, Nikkov.”
His mouth captures mine, and damn if that’s not the most convincing argument I’ve ever experienced.
There’s no resisting his hands as they slide down my body, taking my pants with them.
My shoes and pants disappear in rapid succession, while my hands explore those glorious horns as they bend backward, away from me.
I can’t help but wonder if that’s instinct or if he has any control over them, but I’m certain about one thing.
This male is not a player. Every move he makes demonstrates a caring nature, one that is as much about my pleasure as his own. Perhaps more.
As he rolls my panties down and grips my too-thick thighs, he parts me like I’m a ripe peach to be sucked on, enjoyed…
savored. His tongue explores every curve and hidden part of my most intimate area, all while I hold onto those horns, rocking my pussy against his face, his tongue, seeking more of this pleasure, more of him.
When his tongue latches onto my clit and slowly increases pressure, I’m unprepared for how quickly my legs clench around his head. When I dig my fingers into his horns, a guttural moan rises from him. Oh, how heavenly… I’ve found an erogenous zone at the base of his horns.
I stroke and press, exploring him as I come down from an orgasm that has no equal.
His head tilts back, an amazingly serene smile on a glistening face. “You have no idea what you are doing to me, sholani.”
“Sholani? Is that a pet name like babe or little elf?”
“It means heartmate.”
“Heartmate’s a cute nickname.” I stroke his horn again and watch his eyes close. From the first moment I met Nikkov, I considered him a handsome male. But here he’s so much more than a warrior. There’s a side to him that’s open and vulnerable with me. A side that trusts me.
And that causes my stomach to twist. If he knew what I’ve been doing…
When I squirm out of his hold, his eyes fly open. “Have I offended you?”
“Offended? Hardly.” My pussy’s still thrumming from his extra special attention.
Dressing feels so incredibly wrong, like I’m ending something that could be really great.
A man as sweet and wonderful as Nikkov is a rarity.
Fuck, who am I kidding? There’s no one like Nikkov.
He’s smart, handsome, good with kids and strangers alike.
And he actually cares. But he’s a freaking Galactic Intelligence officer who will destroy everything I’ve built if I don’t end this.
“We’ve only known each other for five days, Nikkov. This is moving too fast between us. And before you know it, you’ll be out of here onto your next mission. Earth, and I, will be little more than a memory.”
“Heartmates are not like pleasure mates. They are… forever. One soul cleaved in two by the gods and scattered across time and space, always seeking to be whole, but they never are. Not until they find their way back to one another, to the one who completes them.”
Why do I melt at everything he says and does?
Get your head in the game, girl!
I shake my head. “Having fun is one thing, but knowing one another, making a lifetime commitment is a whole other level I’m not ready or able to make.
” I lean in and kiss him one last time. The kiss turns passionate quickly, threatening to escape my control, so I break it before I do something stupid like tell him the truth.
“I have to get back to work. And I’m guessing you do too.”
He tilts his head, a look of confusion on his face.
“That other lead of yours—”
“Is not as important as a sholani. All warriors swear to sacrifice their lives for Zyan and her people, but when we find our sholani… there is nothing else that comes first, even Zyan. That is understood by all.”
“I’m not your sholani. I’m just… me. Noelle Snow, a human born to do the best she can to survive a post-occupation world. Running off with an alien to another world isn’t the way to do that.”
“What do you fear? Me, or what being with a warrior means? I would not force you to leave your world, or to do anything against your wishes. Sholan and sholani are equals. As you come to know me, you will understand.”
“And love? Does that fit into the equation?” I shake my head again, because I can’t believe I’m standing here talking to him as if we could have a future together. “Lots of people confuse lust and love. What we have right here is lust. Love… takes time.”
With furrowed brows, he backs away from me. “As you reminded me, I have a lead to follow. And I… need to think.”
“Think? Usually people just say goodbye and leave. My brother did that. Came and went at all hours, without saying a word. One day, he never came back. We found him dead two days later. A rival gang caught up to him and his buddies.”
Nikkov steps toward me, as if he wants to comfort me, but I hold up a hand stopping him. “It’s okay, Warrior. It was a long time ago. I’m just saying I’m a realist about life… and people.”
“I will return, sholani.”
My smile is genuine, but not one filled with hope. “Go, do what you need to do.”
With horns twisting, he nods and leaves. The door clicks shut behind him, leaving me alone in the warehouse. I’m shivering, but it’s not from the cold. I may have just turned away what could be the best thing in my life…