Page 21 of Guardian's Soul (Space Guardian's Mate #2)

HANNAH

I hadn't expected to ever watch a movie again, but that's what we did. Every night after our training and going over Thrax's plans on how to kidnap Possedion, we watched a movie. We made our way through the entire Mission Impossib le series, Ocean's Eleven , The Italian Job , and Inside Man . I was sure Thrax was just humoring me when he mentioned using drones after getting inspiration from one of the movies, but I didn't have the heart to call him out on it since he was obviously doing it to please me. Something I appreciated.

In a strange way, we weren't only bonding over planning this entire mission or heist. The movies brought us closer. Things he picked up on that I had taken for granted on Earth were making me see them with new eyes. It was also fascinating to find out similarities, like when he talked about a space station with an unpronounceable name that was basically a Las Vegas in space. Intrigued, I asked if one day he would take me there.

"I would love to," he replied, his dark eyes gleaming with a sparkle I hadn't seen yet. The more time I spent with him, the more he intrigued me. More than once, I caught myself thinking what it would be like to have sex with him. I didn't even notice his silver skin so much anymore. The dance of his muscles when we trained or worked out or his smile and laughter when we watched a movie captivated me more.

More and more, the reality that we were bound to each other not only by our mating marks but by something bigger became more acceptable to me. My anger against the universe slowly dissipated little by little with everything I learned about this universe I had been thrust into. My options weren't limited to choosing between life as a colonist on Astrionis or rebuilding Earth. There were so many more prospects out there. So many things, like the unpronounceable space station, that I wanted to see.

The fact that I was planning a kidnapping should have revolted me. It should have made me want to call the authorities—whatever they were. Instead, I was finding myself not only fascinated but fully resolved to committing a crime.

I hated the way Thrax's head hurt like it was splitting open every time he tried to answer a simple question, like, did he have friends? What was it like for him growing up? And with that, my hate for the Ohrurs grew steadily because I knew they had something to do with it. Had done something to him. We just didn't know what.

We fell into another routine. During breakfast and lunch, we watched his kind of holovids, or we researched the GTU database for anything we could find on fated mates, soulmates, mating marks, and so on.

Throughout the universe, there was an amazing number of species believing in fated mates, but mating marks were rarer. We only discovered about fifteen species with mating marks; two of them were actually tattoos the couple gave each other, and none of them resembled Thrax. Not enough to be his species. Even more surprising was the number of humanoid-looking alien races there. I estimated that probably sixty percent of the universe's known population was made up of species that looked like humans, added a tail, horns, fangs, and scales, but with the same main body structure.

We spent a lot of time planning Possedion’s kidnapping. My role was fairly simple: watch Thrax's back . But it also involved a few things I was still leery about. Like sneaking through the woods, climbing a wall… I wasn't a trained 007 agent. I was a freaking personal trainer. I was good at talking people into another set of pushups when they thought they had reached their limit, but I had no idea how to infiltrate an alien compound. Which, according to Thrax, was filled with Space Guardians like him. All trained to keep people out—my only consolation was that Thrax was also trained in how to get in.

Astonishing me more than Thrax, I held my own during our combat lessons. Twice more, I managed to surprise him with a move that he then insisted on me teaching him.

Besides that, he taught me how to handle weapons like blasters. I had never held a gun on Earth, but holding the metal in my hands boosted my self-confidence, even more so when Thrax told me I was a natural. After I missed the first couple of times, I quickly got the hang of it and began begging him to take me back there and to add more challenging targets.

I was still weaker than ever before from having been held captive for so long, but my strength was slowly returning. I wouldn't be running a marathon anytime soon, but sprints were definitely in my near future.

When I wasn't training, I used one of his comms to explore more about this world I had been thrust into. It wasn't that much different from our tablets and computers at home, well, besides the fact that screens hovered in front of me, appearing out of thin air, or that said screens were cube-shaped. Instead of having several tabs open like I would on my laptop, I just called up as many cubes as I liked and turned them around to look from one screen to another. It was actually really handy and interesting.

I didn't know how this worked, but everything I watched and read was in English. Whatever I was looking for came up in the blink of an eye. I didn't have to type any commands. I simply talked to the device, and it would pull up what I needed.

"I still can't get over how awesome these things are," I confessed when we sat around the dining room table. I was surrounded by an assortment of several cubes, which seemed to be my new norm when I wasn't training.

"They tested mind comms before." Thrax looked a little distracted and pulled one of my cubes closer, turning it.

"Mind comms?"

He nodded. "Yeah, like instead of having these"—he kept turning the cube—"surround you, they were in people's minds."

"Wow!"

He had my full attention. I tried to imagine how that would work, but the thought alone made me dizzy.

"How did that go?"

"Not well," he mumbled. "Expand," he ordered the cube.

"What happened?" I hated it when he diverted his attention, especially when the conversation actually turned interesting.

"The test subjects didn't do so well with it. So they abandoned the idea. It turns out that most of us intelligent beings in the universe are more visually adapted. It's easier for us this way to digest mass loads of information. Otherwise, a mind simply… snaps."

Finally, he looked up, meeting my eyes.

"Oh." I didn't know what else to say. Plus, I found myself caught in his gaze. This had been happening more over the last couple of days. It seemed like I couldn't keep my mind straight whenever he was around. Part of the training included a lot of touching, and my panties had become soaked more often than I liked to admit. Having his strong arms around me, grunting when I landed a hit, did things to my body… even now, as he swiped the cube again, silently chuckling, I couldn't help but stare at his long fingers, his large hand without imagining it on me, doing wicked things to me.

He chuckled again.

"What the hell is so funny?" I wanted to know.

Startled by my outburst—which, granted, my voice did sound pretty pissy—he looked up.

I glared at him, not backing down. Being mad at him was a hell of a lot easier than wanting to feel his hands all over my body. That and I hadn't fully mastered the new Hannah yet. The one that wasn't bubbly or angry all the time. Finding the perfect balance was still challenging some days more than others.

"Here." He pushed the cube to me, expanding it. On the screen was a small alien, probably shorter than me. He had gray skin and was so slim it looked painful. His oversized head looked too heavy to be held up by his little neck.

"Just one more example of how out of control these Space Guardians are," the little alien was saying. He was standing in front of a marketplace, filming another holovid. The concept of the alien version of a social media blogger was still a new concept that made me chuckle now and then at how similar we all were. The idea fascinated me more than the story he was talking about: a Space Guardian who had caused havoc in the marketplace while apprehending a suspected criminal.

Thrax chuckled again as the little alien kept spewing about the Space Guardian Menace , as he called it.

"You like him?"

"He's amusing as frygg." Thrax laughed.

"He doesn't sound like he likes you or your brethren," I opinionated.

"He doesn't. He hates our guts, which makes this so amusing. I mean, look at him. You could probably wring his neck." I took a sharp intake of breath at this latest insult, but he only grinned at me. "No offense. But you know what I mean. And here he is, picking on the most feared, elite fighters in the universe." He chuckled again.

I still didn't see why that was so amusing, but let him have his fun.

"What's the guy's name?"

"Nock," Thrax said, laughing even harder as if that was a joke as well.

"Here, look at this one." He swiped through the cube and played another video for me. In this one, Nock was confronting a man, towering over him in outraged indignation. The man could have been a carbon copy of Thrax. Just as tall, wide, muscular, wearing the same uniform.

"You killed this man in cold blood," Nock accused the other Space Guardian.

"This man killed more than thirty females," the Space Guardian spat back.

"So you say. What evidence do you have? Are you the judge and executioner?" Nock held his ground. "Why not call the GTU forces? Let them handle him?"

I hadn't realized how close Thrax had sidled up to me until his deep, rumbling laughter alerted me to his presence, instantly sending goose bumps all over my skin.

"I don't see why this is so funny," I mumbled, swallowing, hoping he didn't notice the hoarseness in my voice.

"You see how exasperated Zaarek is?" Amusement dripped from Thrax's voice.

I had, and I hadn't. I took a closer look now, though. I watched as Zaarek's fist balled and unballed, how he leaned forward, towering over Nock at probably twice his size. Pure, unadulterated frustration oozed from the Space Guardian while Nock stared up at him, seemingly nonplussed.

"Nock has balls," I remarked.

Thrax chucked. "Either that or he's incredibly stupid. "

"The GTU were the ones letting him go in the first place," Zaarek hissed.

"Because there was no evidence." Nock looked at him triumphantly.

"Then tell me, Nock the Holostreamer, what's stopping me from wringing your neck right now?" The giant alien held up his hands.

Nock did take a step back at that but fearlessly stared up at him. "Because you're live," Nock spat in triumph. "Because trillions of viewers are watching you right now."

"You made sure trillions of people watched me dispatch Gro'Bdhuir. That didn't stop me," Zaarek pointed out.

This time, Nock's lipless mouth opened without reply.

"So think about that before you accuse me next time." Zaarek turned and walked away.

"That male has some serious self-control. I'm not sure I would have walked away from Nock like that," Thrax mused.

On the screen, Nock stared after the retreating Space Guardian, still speechless, before he made a slashing motion, indicating the camera to stop recording.

"What would you have done to him?" I asked, honestly curious. Hoping he would describe some horrible death that he would inflict on the little alien so that my body would stop trembling around him.

Thrax sighed loudly. "Probably the same thing Zaarek did," he admitted. "I could never hurt someone weaker than me who didn't deserve it."

"And by deserving, you mean done something seriously criminal?" I wanted to know.

He nodded. "Yeah. Nock is just a nuisance. He's been after us Space Guardians for a long time. It's his claim to fame."

"Tell me about you, Space Guardians. How do you know Zaarek? You said you don't associate with others."

Thrax took my index finger and pointed it at the caption underneath the video. Nock confronts Space Guardian Zaarek Taloor after he murders Gro'Bdhuir in front of crowd .

"Oh." The moment of disappointment that rushed through me that he didn't know the other Space Guardian was quickly overcome by the sensation that he was still holding my index finger. An electrical current ran through me from there straight down into my belly that made a quick flop before it filled with bubbles.

"Most of the time, we work alone," Thrax replied to my question. I wondered if it was my imagination or if his voice had really deepened. "The Ohrurs collect large bounties and send us after criminals who cannot be touched by regular law enforcement."

It took a moment for my mind to shift gears from the flood of emotions, especially the overwhelming feeling of being so close to him.

"So." I cleared my throat, hypnotized by his wrist, where the same markings I bore spread up his enormous forearm, complementing his muscles. "If I had a grudge against someone and enough money, you would kill him for me?"

"It's not that simple." His voice was hypnotizing, and it took a lot of focus not to get distracted by the path my eyes took, traveling up to his bicep. "There has to be strong evidence the person is a criminal. We are not hired assassins going after just anybody," he clarified. His words translated in my brain, but it was his voice that was cloaking me like a warm fur coat. "The truly bad guys give off a certain vibe. The Ohrurs sent us after them, but it's up to us to make the last call."

"Vibe?" I sounded squeaky.

"Hmm, yes." He nodded, my eyes latched on to his throat. His Adam's apple—was that still called an Adam's apple on an alien?—bobbed, fascinating me. Just like the thickness of his neck did. Why hadn't I noticed before how thick it was?

I waited for him to continue, but he fell so silent that I looked up, flicking my tongue over my lips when I saw the dark expression on his face. The black light in his eyes that screamed desire.

Oh God, is he going to kiss me? Please, please make him kiss me .

"Hannah." His voice was nothing but a rasp now.

"Uhum," I replied, incapable of saying his name or anything.

"Frygg," he cursed, lowering his head.

It's happening. It's really happening!

The bubbles inside my stomach began to seriously multiply until there was nothing but a plopping, floating sensation left in it. My heart picked up speed.

His lips were so close now they nearly brushed mine.

Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop .

I closed my eyes.

His scent reached my nostrils. It was so sinfully manly, it made me dizzy, or maybe I was getting dizzy because my heart was beating so damn fast. I was sure my blood had turned into a white-capped river.

His breath tickled my lips, so close, so fucking close .

When our lips made contact, it wasn't more than a brush. A feather wisping over my mouth would have made a stronger impact, yet it was the most powerful touch I had ever experienced. I was glad he wasn't applying more pressure yet. It would have been too much. I probably would have disintegrated on the spot. I was already feeling as if hot lava was running through me, burning me from the inside out. As unappealing as that may sound, it was a most intoxicating sensation.

Slowly, ever so slowly, his lips applied more pressure, like stepping into a hot bathtub. Carefully, letting first your toes get used to it, then your foot, your ankle, before your body glides into the hot water, and then… sheer heaven.

My lips parted, and his tongue glided into my mouth, probing, asking for permission. Mine nudged his. Permission granted .

And then there was no holding back. With a groan, his arms slung around my waist and lifted me off the chair and up while my arms snaked around his neck. Our mouths were fused together, our tongues dancing, and my entire body was on fire. Every nerve ending yearned for his touch. My nipples puckered in answer to a strong pulse raging through my clit. I felt myself getting soaked just from his kiss.

He picked me up, mumbling, "Not here." While peppering my throat with hot kisses. We rammed into a wall as he searched for the exit while nibbling on the sensitive skin on my neck, pulling it in with his teeth, latching on, sucking on it. A loud moan escaped my lips. The pulse in my clit was getting stronger, and an ache spread through me that bordered on pain.

"Here," I demanded, panting. "Thrax, here. Now."

I couldn't have said where my impatience came from, but I felt as if I would die an agonizing, slow death if he didn't start fucking me. Now!

I had never been much of an explorer when it came to sex. It was nice. Fun. A needed intimacy. But this? Holy fuck, I felt as if I had turned completely feral. My body twisted in his arms, forcing him to let go of me as we stumbled through the nourishing chamber. A chair fell. A table scooted to the side. I pulled my pants down. Frantically, I looked for a spot.

Thrax was out of his breeches in a heartbeat and on me. I clung to him as he lowered us to the floor.

"Hannah…" he panted my name.

"Now, Thrax, now," I demanded, my hands moving for his gorgeous silver cock. It was hard and thick. Ready. It looked like it would split me in half. What a way to go! I felt ridges along his shaft and took a sharp inhale of breath. Ridges! Oh! My! God! The walls in my pussy contracted, and a new surge of liquid ran down them in preparation for what I was sure was going to be the most amazing fuck of my life.

I wiggled my lower body. He fisted his cock. "Are you sure?"

Dark eyes searched mine down to the bottom of my soul. " I'm going to kill you if you don't fuck me right now," I responded.

He chuckled lowly and didn't hesitate another second. With one swift move, he thrust into me. All! The! Way!

I cried out, sensing him freezing. I scissored my legs around him, urging him on. Slowly, his hips moved back, and I reveled in every long inch of his cock as it slowly retreated before plunging back in. Filling me so deliciously that my eyes rolled back. And yes, those ridges gave just the right amount of friction to drive me to never-before-experienced heights.

"So frygging tight," he groaned.

"Thrax," I mewled, needing him to thrust back, harder, deeper. I raised my hips, and he obliged.

Taking me to the brink of the mother of all orgasms within a few thrusts. I clung to his shoulders and dug my teeth into one of them, trying to keep myself grounded as his rhythmic strokes heated my core. The pulse in my clit was spreading, becoming more urgent and feverish. I was coming. I held on to him for dear life, nearly dislocating my jaw as I opened my mouth, ready to swallow his shoulder.

"Hannah!" he roared as I bit down. His body spasmed on top of me, just as my entire pussy seemed to liquefy around him. I screamed, clawed at him because I was afraid I would… I don't know what… float away? Disintegrate? Because that's what it felt like, just in the most pleasurable way imaginable.

Thrax collapsed on top of me, mindful to keep most of his weight off me. Our foreheads touched, our noses touched as our panting breaths mingled. Sweat beaded both our bodies. Even through the tops we still wore, I could feel the erratic beating of his heart. Just as hard as mine. Pounding would be a better word.

I closed my eyes. Besides my heart and my heavy breathing, the only other part of my body able to move was my toes as they curled around each other .

We lay there for what seemed like forever. Him, still inside me, me with my legs still around him. Anchoring him to me. We didn't speak, not even after our breaths finally returned to normal. Both of us were struggling with what had just happened… was still happening.

This had been more than sex. This had been an explosion of emotions I had no words for. At some point, he gently rose, and I reluctantly unclenched my legs around him, groaning as small spasms moved through me. I didn't think it could have been hours that we had lain there, but it sure felt like it.

Without a word, Thrax picked me up. Both of us, half-naked, he carried me to our quarters. I gave a half a second thought to the fact I had gotten a Depo shot not too long ago, but soon we would have to talk about this having sex thing and babies and… I shut practical Hannah up for now. Right now, I only wanted to feel, not think.