Grim (Tornians #1)

Chapter Two

“Stop crying you whiny brats!” A harsh male voice has Grim stepping protectively in front of Lisa as they enter the dwelling, but Lisa shoves him aside, rushing past. Inside she finds her brother-in-law standing over her babies, yelling.

“She’s gone! She’s never coming back! She never loved you anyway! Now let’s go!”

“Peter! What the fuck are you doing?” Grim watches her fearless shove the larger male aside, dropping to her knees to wrap her arms around her sobbing offspring, who immediately dive into her arms.

Peter pushes himself away from the wall. That little bitch! Did she really think she could do that to him…to him! He’d make her pay, make her brats watch, then they’d know what to expect if they ever disobeyed him. Raising his fist, he moves towards her, ready to show her how a real man controls a woman. A deep threatening growl freezes him, his eyes flying around the room in a panic. What was that? Grim steps out of the kitchen shadows and his jaw drops.

“What the fuck!” He stumbles back sinking into the wall, as a menacing seven-foot giant slowly approaches, his growls growing louder. Once he is at Lisa’s side, he stops. Lisa looks up from consoling her children to see Grim’s eyes widen as he looks down at her girls before narrowing at Peter.

“Who is the male?” He demands pressing his leg into her back.

“Peter. Mark’s brother, Peter.” She whips her head around locating him.

“What the fuck are you doing here Peter? Where’s Trisha?” Peter’s mouth opens and closes like a guppy but no sound comes out as he stares at Grim.

“He hurt Miki mommy.” Carly whispers.

“He what?” Lisa stares in horror at her oldest.

“Miki….” Her hands fly over her baby finding bruises on her arms.

“You bastard!” Her fury is easily heard and Grim knows if she didn’t have an armful of trembling young females she would attack, so he will take care of it for her.

Grim’s eyes stay on the male as he reaches down to help her rise.

“Gather what your offspring require, we need to leave.” With one last glare at Peter, she nods and they move to the stairs.

“Mommy who is that man?” Carly whispers, looking over her shoulder at the large man moving menacingly towards her Uncle who is sliding to the floor.

“His name is Grim.” She says taking them to their room where she sits them on a bed.

“Shhhh baby.” She soothes the still crying Miki.

“It’s going to be okay.”

“Where were you mommy? Did you go to be with daddy?” Miki whispers.

“Don’t you love us anymore?” Her lost amber eyes breaking Lisa’s heart.

“Of course I still love you! I will always love you!” She pulls her daughters close.

“I told you I was going to visit daddy’s grave baby. Remember? You’ve gone there before.”

“The stone?” She sniffles.

“Yea baby, the stone. I was stuck there honey and it just took me a while to get back, but I did, Grim made sure of it. I’d never leave you.”

“He’s scary mommy.” Carly whispers.

“What? Who?” Suddenly she realizes she’s talking about Grim.

“Why would you say that baby?” Lisa looks at her oldest.

“He looks scary." Carly tells her. "He sounds scary.”

“You know better than that Carly Marie, we don’t judge people on how they look.”

“But mommy….”

“No! I know how he looks, but has he hurt you?” They shake their heads.

“Didn’t you hate how your friends would look at daddy?”

“Yeah.” She whispers, dropping her head.

“They thought he was scary didn’t they.” She nods. “Was he?”

“No mommy.”

“Then don’t judge Grim.”

“But mommy he growls.” Miki whispers.

“Growls?” Lisa looks at her girls totally confused until she remembers they can’t understand Grim.

“It’s just his language baby. I promise, soon you’ll be able to understand him, then you’ll see he’s not scary.”

“Promise mommy?” Both girls look at her with trusting eyes.

“Promise, now Grim is waiting so we need to pack." She smiles encouraging at them. "We’re going on an adventure girls.”

“An adventure?” She can see she’s managed to distract them from the trauma Peter’s caused.

“Yes an adventure. We’re going to go live with Grim…somewhere far away from here, a place called Tornian.”

“When are we coming home mommy?” Lisa has to take a deep breath before answering.

“We won’t be baby. We’re going to live there.”

“But….”

“Enough, Grim is waiting, go find your back packs.” Nodding they go into their closet.

Grim watches the three females from the doorway, while he doesn’t understand what the little ones are saying, he can sense their fear. Fear of him, fear of the unconscious male down stairs. For some reason their fear of him hurts but Lisa defended him…to her own offspring. Why? He’s done nothing to deserve it. He's forcing her to be his.

His…. Grim frowns at the thought. When he demanded she join with him and only him he assumed her offspring were male, they all had. She’d given no other indication, if she had, Luuken would have immediately claimed her and her offspring, and that bothers him.

She hadn’t completed the education program, Luuken should have been there to instruct her on how to access the information her brain now contained and because he hadn’t, she didn’t understand her value on Tornian or the value of her offspring. Once she did, she’d understand that every warrior on Tornian would want to join with her. The power she represents is immeasurable, a male with three females…it hasn’t happened since the infection.

He will be challenged once it is discovered. Grim's jaw tightens at the thought. Challenged for the right to keep her and there is nothing his brother can do to stop it. They will claim he’s unfit, that Lisa has the right to join with another, because of her lack of understanding, only Lisa could stop it. She will choose another, for no female would willingly join with one such as him, unless forced and he can’t lie to himself, he's forced her. A vicious growl erupts before he can stop it. Lisa jumps as she turns to face him.

“What’s wrong?” She asks her voice trembling.

“We must hurry.” Is all he will tell her. Nodding she backs away, bumping into a dresser, before turning to hurry into the closet.

Grim releases a deep growl, angry at himself, he hadn’t meant to frighten her, never her, but the thought of her joining with another male…already he considers her his and his alone. He hadn’t expected that, that he’d become possessive. A warrior couldn’t allow himself that luxury. If he is blessed with a joining, he knows his time is limited. A female can choose to leave her male at any time…for any reason. A warrior's only hope is that she will present him with offspring before leaving, a male child cementing his place or a female elevating it. Grim’s own place had been at risk since no female would join with him and without that joining he would have no offspring to maintain his position, so it would be given to another, Wray would have no choice, not now that Van was dead.

Getting Lisa to agree to join with him and only him gives him the chance to hold on to it but the addition of her offspring….only the Emperor will be more powerful. If she chooses another….His dark thoughts are interrupted as the females reentering the room, the young ones clinging to Lisa’s hands, unsure eyes looking at him.

“We’re ready.” Lisa informs him.

“Where is your bag?” He doesn’t know why he asks.

“Well…..I….”

“You have nothing you wish to take?” Females take everything when they leave.

“I….I do.” Lisa looks at him hesitantly.

“If there is time.”

“There is.”

“My room is across the hall.” She motions with her head. Stepping back, he allows her to lead him. Once inside, the young ones jump on the bed, obviously comfortable here, while their mother pulls a bag out from under it. His eyes wander around the room taking in its many colors and textures. Its softness surprises him, as does its smell, it’s all Lisa. He watches her move from place to place, but instead for empting drawers as he expects, she only pulls out a few select items, the last being something shimmery before zipping the bag closed to turn and face him

“Ready.”

“Mommy you forgot daddy.” Carly grabs the picture of Mark from the nightstand.

“You can’t forget daddy.” Swallowing hard she looks at Grim.

“Your right baby, let’s put it in my bag.” Grim says nothing, just walks over taking her bag.

“We leave.”

“Yes.”

The girls sit wide eyed as Grim carefully secures them in their seats.

“Mommy….” Carly whispers.

“This is a spaceship.” Her eyes flying around trying to take everything in at once.

“Yes it is baby.”

“We’re going into space?!?” She can’t keep the excitement out of her voice.

“I told you we’re going on an adventure.” Lisa smiles at them.

“This is going to be awesome!” The huge smiles on Carly and Miki’s faces have Grim pausing. He’s never seen anything like it. It is pure innocence and excitement and right then he knows he’ll do whatever it takes to protect these young ones. They are his.

“Grim?” Lisa watches him stare at her daughters.

“Sit.” He orders, pushing aside the unfamiliar emotions, he spins to the control panel, in moments Earth is left behind. Closing her eyes Lisa prays she’s doing the right thing.

Grim senses her fear but doesn’t know how to ease it. Doesn’t know if he can…not if she chooses another.

The return trip seems so much faster to Lisa, now that they have the girls. Looking behind her, she smiles at their wide eyes and excitement, although Miki’s aren't nearly as bright as her older sister’s is. She knows Miki idolizes Carly but she’s the quieter of the two, less confident. She never experienced the security that Carly had, Mark had been ill since the day she was born. There’d been no family vacations, no father throwing her in the air…no carrying her on broad strong shoulders. She learned to be small and quiet while Mark had treatments or rested. She is almost four but has never truly been a child.

“I will have a Guide waiting when we arrive.” Grim’s comment brings her back to the present.

“Can it wait?” He gives her a suspicious look.

“I want to get the girls settled.”

“You have the right to understand what has happened to you. So do your young ones.”

“Will it change anything?” The sadness in her eyes causes his heart to ache.

“It could...if you want it too.” His honor won’t let him lie to her.

“What does that mean?”

“You will understand once you’ve met with the Guide.” He can’t bring himself to tell her.

Lisa watches him, trying to figure out what he’s not telling her.

“Can they take my girls from me? Take us from you?”

“Only if you give them your permission.” He assures her.

“Then it can wait. I…” She hesitates, unsure she should allow him to see her weakness.

“What Lisa?” He doesn’t realize he’s addressed her by her name, but she does.

“I’m tired Grim.” She looks back quickly, making sure the girls haven’t heard, and he can see the stress and fatigue around her eyes.

“I need to take care of my girls. Please,” she takes a deep breath hoping she’s not being foolish, trusting him.

“If you tell me we’re safe then I believe you, the rest can wait.” After a moment, he nods his agreement.

“I will protect you and your young females.”

“Girls.”

“What?” He gives her a confused look.

“They are called girls on Earth. Little girls.”

“Girls…” He lets the unfamiliar word settle on his tongue.

“I will protect your girls as if they were my own.” He knows she doesn’t understand the vow he’s just made to her, but he does.

“Thank you Grim. I…” She’s interrupted by the ringing of his comm.

“Grim were you successful?” Veron demands.

“Yes.” He answers impatient at the interruption.

“Good. Once you and your new offspring are on board we will continue.” Lisa gives him a questioning look at the emphasis, ignoring her Grim responds.

“It truly is good. I want a cleared corridor Captain. My offspring need rest.” Stunned silence meets his order.

“It will be done Sire.” Veron finally responds stiffly.

“Grim?” She puts a tentative hand on his arm.

“Trust me to know how to protect my females.” He growls at her.

“Mommy?” Miki interrupts, her fear easily heard by both.

“It fine baby. Grim’s just making sure everything’s ready for us.”

“Is that where we’re going to live?” She sees the ship through the window.

“For a while baby, I don’t know how long it will take to get to Tornian.”

“It will take two of your Earth weeks to reach my home.” Grim realizes she’s making sure he’s involved in their conversation. She’s including him.

“Really? That long to get to Tornian?” She asks.

“My home isn’t on Tornian, it’s on Luda.”

“Luda?” She raises a questioning eyebrow.

“It is a planet, three days from Tornian. I rule it for my brother.”

“Rule it…like a King?” He gives a quick nod.

“I am King Grim Vasteri of Luda. My brother entrusted me with the task of making sure it is protected.”

“And your brother?”

“Emperor Wray Vasteri of the Tornian Empire, protector of all civilized planets.”

“There are many planets?” Grim gives her a frustrated look.

“You need the Guide.” Lisa pulls her hand back quickly.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to irritate.”

Grim watches her open, curious expression close up. This female confuses him. She interacts with him, outside joining. She seems…interested…in what his thoughts are, is willing to touch him. That will change once she understands her unique position. Turning back to the controls, he lands the ship.

The room is stark…it is the only word Lisa can come up with to describe it. It has no softness, no color, no warmth. There’s furniture, a table, several chairs, a desk and couch. There are doors on either side of the room but she has no idea where they lead.

“This is the common area.” Lisa nods, saying nothing as she holds onto her daughters hands.

“The…” He hesitates over the word.

“Girls will have their rests there.” He points to the large couch and watches as they walk over inspecting it. It is as wide as a double bed on Earth, sitting to check its softness she nods to the girls.

“It will do while we’re on the ship. You have blankets and pillows?” Her voice is flat, her eyes blank as she looks at him.

“Yes.” Moving towards a door it slides open.

“This will be our resting quarters.” Stepping aside, he allows her to enter and what she finds is similar to the common area. No comfort, just a large bed, and some chairs. Grim puts her bag on the bed and runs a critical eye around the room. It is nothing like what he saw in her dwelling. Those rooms had color, comfort, softness, and warmth. Warrior’s rooms had none of that, they had no need for it, but females…they demanded it and with three….

“The cleansing room is through the other door.” He watches her approach the door, hesitate when it opens then proceed inside. He sees her study the room and waits for her questions, finding he’s looking forward to them. Instead, she approaches the basin, carefully moving a hand under the spout, activating the water. When she pulls away, it stops. Turning she judges the other units in the room before turning back to him.

“It will do.” Is all she says.

“Mommy?” Both turn to see the girls standing behind them.

“What is it baby?”

“We’re hungry.” Grim looks at her questioningly.

“They need to eat.”

“I will have food brought.” He quickly walks to his desk, happy to be able to do something for them.

“Girls, let’s get you ready for bed while we wait for dinner. Grab your bags.” Grim watches as the girls follow their mother’s order and enter the cleansing room.

“How long?” She asks looking no higher than his nose.

“Long?” He gives her a confused look.

“Until the food arrives?” She prompts.

“Thirty minutes.” She nods.

“I’ll hurry them along then.” The door closes, leaving him as he’s always been, alone.

Grim looks up from his desk when the cleansing door opens. The sound hits him first…laughter, young, carefree laughter, and then the smell, innocence and females. Breathing deeply he takes it in and something inside him shifts. These are his. His females. This is why he trained. This is what he needed to protect from harm. Them. Just them. Watching them move towards him he frowns, the little ones are in some strange type of covering that hide not only their arms and legs but also their feet.

“On the couch girls and I’ll do your hair.” Still giggling the girls’ race for the couch only to freeze when they see him. Lisa gives them both a soft pat on their rump.

“Couch girls, it’s fine.” Slowly they sit down but their eyes never leave Grim.

“Here Carly,” She hands her a comb.

“Start on yours while I do Miki’s.”

“Yes mommy.” However, her eyes never leave Grim.

Grim watches the female ritual in amazement. He’s never seen anything like it. The bond these three have is so strong, it’s there in the way they interact with each other. They work together, seeming to enjoy each other. How strange. He’s never seen it with Tornian females but then he’d never seen young females together before, especially with their mother.

Once weaned, infants are raised by the males of the household, the females responsibilities completed. Grim instinctively knows this will never happen with Lisa. She truly cares about her offspring, has already proven she’ll fight for them.

“Braided or straight baby.” She asks still working on Miki’s hair.

“Braided.”

“Braids it is.” Lisa quickly french braids Miki’s long auburn curls tying it off with a holder from her wrist.

“Done.” She quickly kisses the top of her head. “Carly?”

“I want a pony tail mommy.”

“Pony it is. Let me check for snarls.” Pounding on the door pulls Grim’s attention from them. Rising he puts himself between the opening and his females before pressing the panel to open it.

“Mommy, their blue….” Miki whispers in awe, as two Tornians, carrying trays enter the room.

“Tornians come in many different colors Miki, just like on Earth.”

“Yeah but not blue.” Lisa has to smile at the awe in her youngest voice. Blue is her favorite color. When both girls suddenly burrow into her side, she looks up to find the males staring intently at them.

“On the table and get out!” Grim orders angrily, sensing the little ones unease. When neither male moves, he gives a threatening growl that finally has them moving. With the food delivered one stops in front of Grim. They stare at each other until Callen finally speaks.

“I brought some food from the female’s supplies. Rebecca insisted the little ones would want something familiar until they adapt to Tornian food.” Grim realizes it is something he should have considered.

“I thank you and the female called Rebecca.”

“She asked….demanded…” Callen gives Grim a befuddled look.

“That I confirm Lisa and her offspring have arrived safely. Otherwise, she threatened a mutiny. I know not what this is but all the females agreed.”

“It’s a revolt or fight against those in charge.” Lisa informs him.

“They would attack us?” Callen is shocked. Lisa just shrugs.

“How do I prevent it? They could become injured.”

“Tell her my children and I am fine.” She ushers the girls to the table.

“She said she wanted 'proof'. That my word wasn’t good enough.” The insulted look on Callen’s face has her shaking her head.

“I don’t understand why?”

“Why?” Lisa storms right up to him counting off on her fingers.

“Let’s see. You knock them out. Kidnap them. Are taking them to an unknown planet to join with males they don’t know. All because you need females. Gee, no reason for them not to trust you.”

“But they were unprotected.” He says truly confused.

“They will be protected on Tornian.” His eyes are wide and sincere.

“Is that how you would feel if the situation was reversed? If you were taken from Tornian and forced to live on a strange planet. Forced to join with someone you don’t know. With rules you don’t understand?” Neither man answers.

“Tell her to stay on the Bounty.” Lisa turns back to her children.

“What?”

“Just tell her, she’ll understand.”

“Stay on the Bounty.” Callen repeats slowly.

“Yes.” Dismissing them, she speaks to her girls.

“Come on sweethearts let’s get you fed.” Callen is telling the truth, the food on one tray is from Earth, apples, oranges, grapes, some cheese, and bread. The other tray is obviously food from Tornian and she doesn’t recognize a single thing. Filling plates for her children, she sets them in front of them.

“Females…” Callen finds he can’t take his eyes from them.

“Did you know?”

“No.”

“The goddess has truly blessed you my King.” Callen smiles at him before it slowly fades.

“You will be challenged.”

“Yes.”

“She gave herself to you willingly. It is recorded.” He reminds him.

“Where was her Guide Callen?”

“What?”

“She removed the educator herself. Luuken wasn’t there.” Callen pales, his eyes flashing to Lisa.

“She is unharmed?”

“Yes, but she doesn’t know how to access what she’s been given.”

“I will bring Luuken immediately.” Grim puts a restraining hand on his arm.

“She is tired and wishes to wait until she is rested.”

“Understandable, but majesty….”

“She will have what she wants. She is under my protection.” His tone brooks no argument.

“Yes my King. I will tell him to be ready for your summons.” With a slight bow, Callen leaves.

“Mommy I’m thirsty.” Lisa looks to Grim as he sits.

“What does she say?” He questions.

“She needs something to drink.” He reaches for a closed container and pours it into a cup before placing it in front of Miki.

“It’s endary juice.” He informs her.

“Endary….” Lisa watches Miki take a hesitant sip before she smiles.

“It tastes like grape juice mommy.” Pouring another glass, he gives it Carly.

Grim watches the females as he eats. Lisa is attentive to them, making sure they have what they need, that they eat plenty.

“You need to eat also.” He holds a piece of meat up to her mouth.

“It’s rashtar.” After a moment, she opens and chews.

“Mommy?” The girls watch her with interest, breaking eye contact with Grim she looks at them.

“It tastes like bacon.”

“Can we try?” They look to Grim expectantly and he puts a piece on each plate finding it satisfying caring for them.

“Time for bed girls.” Lisa announces once their plates were empty.

“Yes mommy.” Giggling they rush over jumping onto the couch. Tucking the blankets around them, she leans down to give each a kiss.

“Night babies. Mommy loves you.”

“Love you mommy.”

“I’ll be right through that door,” She points.

“If you need anything. Okay?”

“Mommy?”

“What Carly?”

“Can you leave a light on?” Lisa turns to Grim.

“What do they need?”

“Can the light be left on low for them?” He sets the lights.

“Good?” She asks her girls.

“Yes mommy.” They reply in unison.

“Lisa….” Grim puts a hand on her back and she knows she must leave them. With one last smile for her girls, she lets herself be led out of the room. Once they are alone she turns to him.

“The outer door….no one can enter?” Concerned eyes look over his shoulder.

“I’ve sealed it, they are safe.” His eyes darken with desire.

“Remove you coverings Lisa.”

Taking a deep breath Lisa’s fingers slowly move to her shirt. She'd known this was coming she'd given her word. Trembling fingers unbutton her shirt, shrugging it off revealing lace-covered breasts. Without looking at him, she slides her jeans over her hips, toeing off her shoes leaving on the matching lace underwear.

Grim’s eyes follow her every move, missing nothing. His desire grows with every inch of pale skin revealed. She is so unlike Tornian females. Where they are tall she is short, where their bodies tended to be male-like, hers is soft with lush curves.

“The rest.” Anticipation has his voice lowering. The breasts she releases are fuller then Tornians, with large dusty nipples that he wants to suckle. A nest of auburn curls hides her woman’s beauty from him as the last scrap of fabric is finally removed. He can't wait to taste her.

Moving, he slowly walks her back until her knees hit the bed. A gentle shove has her gasping as she falls back. She’s shocked when he drops to his knees, his mouth latching onto a breast, sucking it deep into his mouth.

“Grim!!!” She gasps gripping his biceps but he ignores her. Totally focused on the feast before him. He’s never seen anything as beautiful, never felt anything so soft. This is what the goddess meant a female's body to be. Soft and giving, a refuge for a warrior from the hardships of his life. With a pop, he releases her nipple, turning his attention to the other. The hands spanning her waist hold her still for his attentions but suddenly he realizes she isn’t trying to push him away, instead, she’s running her fingers up his arms to sink them in his hair, releasing it from its tie as she pulls him closer, her groan has him suckling even harder.

Leaning her back, his lips gain access to her soft pliant stomach. This is the place where two fragile females grew, where they were protected. It is the place where, the goddess willing, his offspring will soon thrive. He will put them there but first he must give her pleasure.

Gripping her thighs, he pushes them apart, settling between them. Her unique scent calls to him as his thumbs gently parting her curls, revealing a never before seen beauty. She is plump, pink, and already glistening. Nothing like the Serai, who remain dry until pleasured. He can wait no longer. Lowering his head, he tastes her and nearly loses his mind. She is as sweet and juicy, like the ripest endary berry, separating her lips he continues to explore until he finds her berry and latches on to it.

“Oh God, Grim!” Moaning Lisa falls back. It’s been so long since she’s felt like this. Maybe never and Grim didn’t play around, he goes right for the good stuff and it feels amazing. Her hips instinctively jerk. Growling Grim throws a restraining arm across her hips never breaking off his attack.

Slowly he drags a rough thick thumb across her glistening lips, coating it with her juices, teasing the trembling flesh.

“Please Grim….” Lisa can’t stop herself from begging. Slowly he presses his thumb into her woman’s opening, finding it incredibly tight. Carefully he pushes further and groans when he finds she’s soft inside too. The vibration causes her to tremble. She cries out in denial when he removes his thumb only to groan when its replaced by two fingers that slowly move in an out stretching her.

“Faster, please Grim, faster.” Obeying her, he lightly bites her clit causing her to cry out as an intense orgasm blindsides her.

Breathless, Lisa can’t believe what just happened. Has she really just had the best orgasm in her life, from a man she doesn't know? No not man…male…an alien. How could she have done that to Mark? She loved Mark. Had loved him since she was fifteen to his eighteen. He’d been her first and only lover, had always gentle, respectful, caring. So what if it hadn’t been the all-explosive passion written about in books. It had been theirs and theirs alone. They had three wonderful years together before he’d gotten sick. Before cancer had taken away his ability to be a husband. It had hurt him, she knew that, hurt his pride, his ego that he’d been unable to be intimate with her and now this….oh god what was Grim doing now?

While she’s been lost in thought, Grim has ripped off his clothes and is now pressing his cock against her entrance. Startled she rises up on her elbows and can’t help but gasp before quickly backing away. Grim’s vicious growl freezes her.

“You would deny me!” She’s never seen a man so enraged.

“It’ll never fit….your huge!” Growling he forces her legs apart, leaning forward on his elbows, he cages her beneath him.

“It will fit I have prepared you.” He presses his engorged head against her entrance and gives a quick shallow thrust. Her juices have made her slick but her body still struggles to accept him, at her gasp he immediately stops. Grim watches her, waiting until he feels her relax then pushes further, slowly moving in and out until she takes all of him.

He’s drenched in sweat from trying to control his hunger, he wants to release in her so badly he’s trembling with it. He thanks the goddess that she can take him, she is so small, now he can wait no longer, withdrawing nearly completely he slams back into her.

Gasping, as the pleasure starts to build again, Lisa wraps her arms and legs around him and hangs on. Here it is…all the uncontrolled passion she always dreamed about.

Grim continues to plunge into her; he can’t believe how good she feels. All tight, silky heat and she is his! He feels his release fast approaching and quickens his pace driving even further into her. Soon he will give her his seed and hope it takes root.

Grim is shocked when Lisa cries out again, her female muscles tightening painfully around him, sucking him even deeper into her heat. Jerking he can't stop from erupting inside her.

Gasping, Grim collapses on top of her, barely keeping from crushing her. What just happen? His scattered thoughts try to make sense of it. What has she done to him? That wasn't supposed to happen. The Serai never released when a male was in it. He'd never heard tales of a female Tornian releasing this way. Lisa had wrapped around him. Matching him thrust for thrust...participating...that wasn't normal. Quickly he pulls away, glaring down at her.

“What did you do!?!” He demands harshly.

Lisa is floating in a warm sexual haze of satisfaction until Grim rips it from her with his sudden withdrawal and accusation.

“What?” Confused eyes meet his.

“What do you mean?”

“You released when I was inside you!” He accuses.

“You’re upset because I had an orgasm?” She gasps.

“I gave you your woman’s pleasure. Why did you have another?” He demands.

“I…”

“It is not the Tornian way.” Lisa watches in disbelief as Grim stands, crossing his arms across his chest and realizes he’s upset…really upset…because she had a second orgasm…her first double. Most men would be patting themselves on the back, not blaming their partner.

Grim turns presenting her with a perfect view of his gorgeous backside. She’s never seen one so toned and muscled. Guilt immediately assaults her. Mark had a nice ass. She’d loved his ass. Ashamed that she could feel so much pleasure with another man, she grabs for the covers.

Grim pulls on his pants before facing her.

“You will not do that again!” He snarls watching her pale as she hides her body from him.

“You don’t want me to come when you’re in me.” She whispers.

“Come?”

“Orgasm, find my relief.”

“No! It is not normal, I will give you pleasure. Then I will take mine. That is the way it is done.”

“Oh…so you don't need a participant, just a hole.” Lisa slaps a hand over her mouth. She can’t believe she just said that.

“I do not understand.”

“Yeah, it’s going around." She pulls the sheet tighter. "Don’t worry I get it.” He watches her intently then nods stiffly before moving to a chair.

“You can rest there. I will rest here.”

“You’re not even going to sleep with me?” She can tell she’s confused him.

“Tornian females sleep alone.” Lisa closes her eyes, dropping her head on her drawn up knees. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. She chants silently. She hasn’t let herself cry since Mark died. She isn’t about to allow some big stupid alien to make her now.

There are two little girls in the other room depending on her. She has to be strong. She isn’t going to let him make her feel ashamed of her natural responses either. The problem is his not hers. She deserved that orgasm, damn it! Especially after the crappy day she'd had. Looking up, she finds him still staring at her. Damn, she may have promised to stay with him but that didn’t mean she had to stay here with him.

Grabbing the bag that’s somehow managed to remain on the bed she pulls out a pair of sleeping pants and shirt, working them on under the covers.

Grim watches her actions in confusion. "What are you doing? Why are you covering yourself?" He demands.

“You can have the bed. I’ll sleep with the girls.” She figures his second question is self-explanatory.

“You would rest with me?” He asks hesitantly.

“In the same bed?”

“I always did for with my husband.”

“Husband?”

“Mark.”

“You rested together?” He frowns.

“His scent wasn’t in the room.” She throws the covers off, sliding off the bed.

“What is it with you and Mark’s scent? For the last year of his life, Mark was too weak to climb stairs. I had a special bed put in downstairs for him.”

“He rested there?”

“Yes. I slept on the couch. Look it doesn’t matter,” She runs a shaky hand throw her tousled hair.

“I don’t even know why I’m telling you. It apparently isn’t the Tornian way, so it must be wrong.” Walking away, she leaves a very confused warrior.

Lisa looks at her daughters, innocently sleeping head to toe on an alien couch, in an alien spaceship, going to an alien planet. What has she done to them? Covering her mouth, she stops a desperate cry from escaping. Maybe she should have left them on Earth…

No! Her inner voice screams. Peter would have destroyed them. He cared for nothing and no one but Peter. Here….here they at least had a chance.

She'd never gotten along with Peter, even though they were the same age. He always seemed so cold, so remote, especially when compared to Mark. However, it hadn’t been after the fire that nearly claimed them all that he really changed.

With the death of their parents, Mark and Peter had become very wealthy. Peter traveled, bought expensive cars, jewelry and women who never would have looked at him before.

Mark reacted just the opposite, investing not only in their future but their children's. He immediately set up trust funds at each girl's birth, assuring that they would always be taken care of.

It was only during that last year of Mark’s illness that Peter had started coming around. At first, she thought it was to help support his brother, his only living relative. It didn't take long to discover the truth. Peter wanted Mark to make him the girls’ guardian, giving him control over their trusts. Insisting Lisa wasn't capable of handling it, which was bullshit. The truth was he was broke, having blown through his inheritance in less than four years.

Lisa never told Mark how Peter tried to intimidate her into signing the papers. How he'd threaten the girls. How once he’d caught her alone and she’d had to fight him off. By then Mark had been so heavily medicated it had taken all his strength just to sit up. She wasn't going to add to his pain but she'd documented everything even recording Peter tirades. After the funeral, she'd gotten a restraining order using it. Peter had been furious but he'd left town, or so she thought, until Grim had brought her home.

Now Peter is out of their lives forever. Will Grim be any better? She willingly gave herself to Grim and would again if it keeps her girls safe but could she trust him? He hadn't hurt them…not physically but that could change. Could she trust him with her girls? Realizing only time would tell she grabs a cushion and collapses on the floor, a hand on each of her girls, instantly she's asleep.

Grim hasn’t moved since Lisa’s left. He’s confused. She confuses him. She doesn't act like Tornian females. She doesn't respond like one. Wray had said they were different but hadn’t gone into detail and Grim hadn’t wanted to know, since he’d never be allowed to have one, now he wishes he'd asked.

Thinking back, he realizes Lisa had been as surprised at his responses as he’d been at hers. Is he really so different from her previous protector, her Mark? What had he been like, this male whose bed she’d willingly shared, who rest with her. Whose children she’d presented him. How had he been able to instill such loyalty in her? To make her stay with him even when he’d been unable to protect her. How had her Mark managed that?

He looks at the closed door. In his selfish desire to have her, he’d forgotten everything she’d been through this day. The strength she’d shown in standing up to Luuken and Veron, in standing up to him. She’d given herself to him in return for the retrieval her offspring, not explaining they were females, and she’d kept her word. She’d allowed him to join with her, to spill his seed within her body and what had he done….he’d complained. Rubbing rough hands over his scared face, he takes a deep breath.

He’d complained.

How could he have done that? She isn’t Tornian, never claimed to be. Obviously, Earth women respond differently to joinings and while it surprised him, he realizes it had also been the most amazing release of his life. Is he willing to lose that? Just because it wasn’t the way he expected? Different didn’t mean wrong and Lisa is very different from Tornian females and he realizes he likes it, her differences, he needs to explain that to her.

Striding into the common area, he’s shocked to find her on the floor, a reassuring hand placed on each child while she rests. Her devotion to them amazes him. Gently he touches her arm and frowns. She’s cold. Carefully he scoops her into his arms, carrying her back to their bed. Covering her with every blanket he can find he quickly returns to the girls, checks their blankets, and increases the temperature of the room.

Returning to Lisa, he strips and slides in next to her. He’s never rested with a female before. Has never heard of it happening. How does one approach it? He knows what he wants to do…he wants to pull her close, hold her in his arms and give her his warmth, his protection. Will she allow it? Deciding there's only one-way to find out he carefully slips an arm under her shoulders, tipping her towards him, when she mumbles he freezes.

Feeling heat, Lisa instinctively rolls towards it. She’s so tired. She just wants to sleep. Wrapping herself up in her electric blanket, she snuggles in.

Grim remains perfectly still as Lisa wraps her body around him before settling. Carefully he encloses her in his arms. When she doesn’t protest, he lets himself relax and just feel her. Her smaller frame molds itself to him, fitting so perfectly it's as if they are two pieces of a whole. A sense of rightness settles over him, who would have thought just holding a female could do that. Closing his eyes, he rests.