Page 8 of Bound to the Alien Gladiator (Hope Runs Deep #10)

I woke back in the Champion’s quarters, and everything was quiet. There was no crowd, no imminent danger. Frankly, I was surprised to still be alive and in the Champion’s cell. I thought for sure Atroba would have had us killed after we’d been dragged out of the pit.

I’d been half-dead two hours ago, leg bitten to shreds by a prehistoric gator, and tranqed by a lady who’d rather see me dead. But all of that meant nothing to me as my body begged to be filled by the male that saved me. Apparently, any near-death experience was excellent foreplay.

I lay stretched out again on his bed as Tezakk, naked and glistening, knelt between my knees, determined to rub warming cream into places I didn’t even know I’d bruised.

A dark patch of smooth skin among his scales sat on his shoulder where the gun had torn through him, a wound he’d repeatedly told me no longer bothered him.

Tezakk’s hand was coated in that special healing cream he massaged in larger and larger circles. The pain disappeared, replaced by a deep, throbbing heat. I should’ve been thinking about the rescue. About escape. Instead, I focused on the way his hands lingered on my naked body.

I still couldn’t believe everything that had happened, and that we were both alive.

“You chose me,” I murmured.

His tentacles curled protectively around us, but he hesitated, possibly worried about how I’d take his response.

“It was the only choice I could make,” he rasped. “You are mine to protect.”

His fingers trailed over the curve of my hip as if memorizing the moment.

“I thought you were dead.” My breath caught in my throat and tears prickled behind my eyes.

I had a hard time tearing my gaze from his healed wound, even as his muscles continued to flex with his movements. Instead of collapsing into a puddle, I focused on the heat throbbing in my core and the emerald green eyes now lifted to mine.

“I would never leave you.” He paused. “Not by choice.”

Every bruise he touched made me want to cry or climb him. The balm seeped into my skin, melting away resistance, fear, and any lingering doubts.

No one had ever chosen me. Sacrificed themself for me. Even my crew’s support was tinged with the transactional. I was valuable to them for my combat skills and my knowledge of the galaxy.

The power of his choice and what it meant raced through me and heated my blood. I pushed upright, shoving away the last traces of pain and feeling desire build inside me.

“I want to . . . I mean—” My voice hitched, and I almost turned away from his searing gaze. My emotions were too close to the surface, too tight around my heart, and my expression too vulnerable. “I choose you too.”

“I know,” he murmured and pulled closer until our foreheads were touching. He hovered over me, and his hands cradled my hips, hesitating, waiting for me.

“Mine,” I choked out, desperate to claim him.

The question he’d asked before, but now I answered.

I arched into him, and his throbbing hardness was a reply. His earthy, musky scent infiltrated my brain and flipped every one of my switches. I would never get tired of this.

The ache between my thighs turned molten, and I ground against him. He growled as his tentacles twined around us, sliding over and caressing me. They were slow, teasing, hungry.

Needing more— needing to feel something real, solid, and alive, I shifted my weight and rolled on top of him. Straddling his body, his hard cock nestled between us. I pumped my hips and coated his length in my wetness.

He was stretched out before me in all his glory. He clasped my thighs as I settled in the only place I forever wanted to be.

“I need you inside me.” I leaned down and devoured him with my mouth.

I nipped down his neck and raked nails across his chest.

“But your injuries. You almost died.”

“But I didn’t.” I roll my hips, slowly. “And I want you. I want this.”

Unbidden, his tentacles coiled around my limbs. Slick. Feather-light. One traced a slow path up my chest. I tugged one from my skin and gently sucked it into my mouth.

Tezakk hissed, and his eyes dilated with lust. He sat up and pulled me against him, and his suckers were suddenly everywhere, plucking at my nipples and the sensitive skin at my hips.

His tentacles were going to be so much fun.

But the suction and friction between us were almost unbearable, and I needed more, needed to be filled. “Please.”

“Take what you need.” His hands flexed into the flesh of my hips. “Everything that I am is yours.”

I lifted my hips and notched his shaft at my entrance, and I sank down slowly, feeling every inch of him.

I bottomed out and dragged a groan from my lips.

My pussy ached and pulsed around him. He was so deep.

I felt him everywhere. His body trembled beneath mine, like the only thing keeping him tethered was me.

I moved, rising and sinking along with him in an ancient rhythm, as if our bodies had known each other for years. He thrusted up, eagerly meeting every undulation of my hips. We surged together like a storm breaking against itself.

Electricity sparked under my skin, and tension coiled in my core.

“Tezakk,” I murmured. His name was both a prayer and a promise. “I can’t. I can’t. I need—”

One tentacle curled between my legs, the tip flicking my clit with maddening precision. Suction built, soft then sharp, dragging me toward the edge.

His mouth crashed into mine, and he thrust up faster and harder into me. My breath groaned out of me. I couldn’t wait, wouldn’t deny myself what I desperately wanted. What I needed.

I rushed heedlessly toward the crest, and I felt him quaking against me.

“I’m yours,” he gasped, thrusting even faster. “And you are mine.”

I shattered, crying out as my thighs gripped him hard, and I spiraled with him in a crash of pleasure that hollowed me out and filled me all at once.

I collapsed atop him, his hips still thrusting into me. His tentacles caressed me, leaving a wet line from where they’d plucked at my clit. One tentacle curled gently around my arm, like he couldn’t bear to let me go. Not yet.

My arm vibrated. I lifted my head and stared at my arm, confused at the haptic response.

Tezakk tensed, his body already moving to shield mine. But it wasn’t danger that lurked around the corner.

“Ahem,” croaked a deep voice from the darkness of the doorway.

I peeked over Tezakk’s shoulder, since I was unable to make out who’d spoken.

“Doesn’t look like you need rescuing after all.” She stepped closer, claws wrapping around the bars.

“Cleo!” I threw off the blankets and rushed bare-ass naked to throw my arms around my First Mate, even though the rails made it difficult. “You’re here!”

She chuckled, her sharp front teeth exposed as she smiled. She pulled back to peer into my face.

“Didn’t you get the message?” Cleo picked up my vibrating arm. “Or is your interface tattoo not working?”

“No, no. It’s working, but I just thought—” The rustle of blankets behind me let me know that Tezakk had climbed out of bed and followed me to the cell door.

“That we wouldn’t come for you?” Cleo released my arm. “You’re the captain.”

My breath caught as Tezakk pressed up against my back, the full heat of him chasing off the chill in the room.

My nipples pointed, and I crossed my arms to cover them.

Cleo couldn’t care less about my nakedness, but I didn’t want to flash my growing excitement around, plus who knew where my clothes had traveled to when we were dragged back here.

Cleo playfully tapped my shoulder. “You really think those jokers could get anything done without you?”

Pride flushed through me. Maybe our relationship wasn’t as transactional as I’d thought.

“I’m sure you would have figured it out,” I said, turning so she wouldn’t see the tears that threatened to spill over.

As I did, I caught Tezakk’s emerald gaze. His arms wrapped around me and tugged me close.

Secure in his hold, I turned and faced Cleo. “Tell me you didn’t crash too? Otherwise, we’ll wind up right back here when we leave this cell.”

“If you’d come in from the other side of the solar system, you wouldn’t have been pulled into the gravity well. And you’d have a functioning ship to get off this shitty world.”

She flicked a glance over my shoulder and looked back at me.

“Looks like you kept busy in the interim between crash and rescue.” She smirked.

“Lost a little weight too, although I’m not surprised you’re still alive with the live streams we caught once we spatially located your position.

You were always a scrapper. Now it’s time to leave the male play toy and let’s go. ”

Tezakk stiffened behind me, and I gave Tezakk’s wrist a squeeze. I asked Cleo, “Can you give me a minute?”

“Sure, but just a minute. We’re blocking their comms and video feeds, but it won’t last for much longer. It’s a good mile out of this damn place and to the ship.”

She turned and took up watch near the entrance to give us some semblance of privacy.

Tezakk’s eyes didn’t leave mine as I faced him again. My heart raced with excitement . . . and dread.

“That’s Cleo; she’s from my ship,” I whispered. “They’re here to take me—”

“I heard,” he said flatly.

“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the emergency signal. I didn’t know if they would come.” I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him.

A pang hit my chest when he didn’t return my embrace. I rested my chin on his chest and looked into his emotion-filled eyes.

“I didn’t plan for this to happen,” I finished lamely.

His tentacles hung heavily and unmoving around his head. He pulled back, face carved from stone. I flinched as he drew a cloak of protection around himself.

I shivered as all my warmth fled. My bare skin and exposed vulnerabilities hit me hard.

“So, this was just an interlude.” He stepped back. “I was just a way station in your time here before you headed back to your real life.”

“What? No!” I followed his retreat. “I thought I was going to die in that pit.”

I reached for him, but he stepped even farther away. My arm fell limply at my side. “You saved me.”

“Now I understand Rena Fucking Vale.” His bioluminescence dimmed into the darkness. “You are free. I release you.”

Pain slammed into my chest as he blurred in front of me. I rubbed my eyes. “So that’s it?”

“You will leave.” He dropped his gaze. “And I will stay.”

“Are you kidding me? You really want to stay here, in this hell hole, fighting for your life?”

“If it means you’re free, then yes.”

“You think we can’t take on one more being?” I ran a hand through my hair. “You’re coming with us, if not for me, then at least to fulfill your original mission.”

He collapsed into himself and turned away from me, heading to the back corner to grab something.

I rubbed my stomach and shivered. The sight of him—so strong, so certain, and so sure he’d already lost me.

Realization washed away the hurt, and I straightened.

Vale, you are a total idiot.

“You absolute fucking dummy,” I choked out as I lifted his chin and gave him my best stern face.

He turned, a small wooden box in hand. I stepped forward, aggression in every line of my body. He blinked—once, slow and unreadable.

I closed in on him and cupped his cheek. “Do you deny that you are Mine?”

“Are you?” He gestured towards Cleo, who was politely ignoring us. “Your friends are here to remove you from this place, to protect you from everything here. How can I be your Mate out there if you do not need my protection?”

“Infuriating,” I muttered. This male was so freaking infuriating.

I leaned closer, my hands trembling as I slid them through his tentacles. Our lips were close enough to touch. “You almost killed me, tended my wounds, gave me orgasms I might never recover from, and I am not giving you up. You are my Mate.”

He looked stunned. Almost afraid as his bioluminescence dimly lit.

I gave him a shake. “I love you, you dummy!”

He froze. I pressed my mouth against his. Bright yellow exploded in the room. Instantly, heat buzzed between us as he kissed me back. I wrapped a leg around his thigh as he hardened against me.

A cleared throat in the hall broke us apart.

“We are on a short timetable here. If we could hurry this up?”

Tezakk chuckled and leaned his forehead on mine. His tentacles swirled around us, blocking out everything else. “I’ll go with you.”

“You have no idea what you’re signing up for,” I said, pulling away. “We fly all over the galaxy and get into all kinds of trouble.”

His smile spread slowly. Wild. “Then show me.”

“You. Are. Mine,” I stated as hope thrummed through my blood. “Always.”

I grabbed his hand and dragged him behind me.

“Great.” Cleo wrapped her claws around the bars and pulled the gated door from its hinges. She tossed it to the side. “Let’s go before the guards get wind of your escape and shoot us out of the sky as we leave.”

“Seeing what you just did to the door,” Tezakk said as he reached for our torn clothes, “I’m sure Atroba would love to add you to her horde.”