Page 21 of Krin (The Protectorate Warriors Alien Fated Mates #3)

“I have credits Trex gave me back on Alara.”

“Keep them. I am paying for this. It is the least I can do for my K’sha.” He released my waist and ran a hand down my hip before stepping up to pay for my items.

The clerk avoided eye contact, and I could see him trembling when he held out a small box for Krin to swipe his credit chip over.

As we left the shop, Krin stopped and looked at me. “I thought you said you did not want a male present while you purchased your monthlies?”

I chuckled and my mouth twisted to one side. “My monthlies are not something that can be purchased. There was a female clerk who got me what I needed. When I was looking at the clothes, the guy came over when he saw me, and began to chat.”

A deep growl erupted from Krin’s chest.

“Don’t worry big guy. My heart is all yours. I was only being polite.”

He stopped and looked down at me. His eyes clouded with worry.

“Would you prefer to stay on the space station rather than the ship?” he asked with a hint of uncertainty.

“Of course not. Why would I? I love being on the ship. Especially now that the crew might actually start to accept me. Best of all, I get to be with you.” I grinned.

He kissed me. “You will always have me, K’sha.”

“And I’m not going anywhere without you,” I added.

WE CONTINUED TO WALK a little further until I saw another shop that not only carried clothing. In the window were several books. Paperback and hardcover that were not available anywhere on Luna these days.

“I have to go in here,” I said already walking toward the door of the shop.

Krin remained at my side. “I will go in with you.” He took my hand in his.

The first things I picked up were a couple of soft cover alien romance books. Then Krin followed as I picked out some outfits that I could see myself wearing in our bedroom.

Krin watched with an amused expression each time I held up something against me to check it out.

I’d managed to locate a couple more pairs of pants that were made of a special material that supposedly transformed itself to the correct size when you put them on. I was eager to check out how they worked.

“Can I try these on?” I asked a humanoid orange skinned alien who approached.

She took the pants, instructing me to follow her.

I glanced at Krin. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” He stopped walking and gave me a single nod.

As we rounded the corner at the back of the shop, the employee motioned for me to go a little further ahead. She held out the pants for me to take.

“There is a place to try on the items just through the door.” She turned and walked away after I thanked her.

It was only when I turned around that I realized there were two doors. I strolled to the one closest to me and pushed it open.

Upon stepping out, I took a sharp breath as I found myself in an alley of sorts, instead of a dressing room. As I turned to head back inside, I heard grunts and what seemed like the sound of someone being punched.

I glanced around before realizing the noise was coming from the corner. Quietly, I walked towards it and peeked around. Much to my surprise, the Minotaur alien was thrashing the tentacled alien I saw earlier.

I reacted without thinking. “Hey, stop!”

Midway through his punch, the Minotaur paused with his fist above the silver-skinned alien.

The intimidating alien with horns growled as he bellowed, “Be gone, little human.”

I reached into my vest and pulled out my dagger, wielding it the way Krin and Aza had taught me.

The deep, booming laughter of the alien filled the air. He stepped back from the battered alien and raised an eyebrow at me. “Female,” he warned, “leave before you make a foolish mistake.”

With a defiant lift of my chin, I admonished him. “No. You can’t just go around beating people up. I won’t allow it.” I stood in a fighting stance, ready to face whatever came next.

He laughed again, shaking his large horned head in disbelief. “I cannot tell if you are stupid, or not of sound mind.”

“Neither. I’m not going to stand by and watch someone get pummeled by a bully.”

The sound of the door opening behind me was quickly followed by the distinct thud of heavy boots approaching.

The Minotaur looked over my shoulder. “Does this female belong to you?” he asked Krin as he reached my side.

Krin pushed me behind him. “She is my mate.”

I stepped around Krin, stuffing my dagger back into its sheath. “He beat that guy up,” I complained. “I was trying to stop him.”

The Minotaur released his victim and took a step toward us. “You are a brave female. But you have no business interfering in things you know nothing about.”

Krin placed his hand on my shoulder and addressed the alien. “My mate is unfamiliar with Tazira station. And the Nomu.”

The beaten alien let out a pained cry as the Minotaur’s foot came down hard on one of his tentacles. He glanced back at us, explaining. “This scum is my bounty. He is wanted in two star systems. He refused to come along quietly.”

I swallowed. Oh. Krin said he might be a bounty hunter. “I didn’t realize... sorry for the misunderstanding,” I said.

The alien cocked his head, nodded, and picked up his bounty like a sack of potatoes before walking away.

Krin waited until they were gone before turning to face me. “I heard some of what happened. Riley, you put yourself in danger when you did not need to.”

My nose scrunched. “I know. But I couldn’t bear to see him being beaten.”

I left out the part where the Numo threatened me. Though thinking about it, he made no move to harm me when he easily could have.

Krin pulled me against his chest. “My brave warrior mate. You astound me with your fearlessness. I am honored to have you as my K’sha. However, you must promise me you will be more careful.” His voice was filled with admiration and pride.

I leaned back. “Why were you so civil to him? How can you know he was telling the truth?”

He grinned. “We do not interfere with Numo business. Although they are not allies. They are also not our enemy. He likely would not have hurt you. In fact, I think you earned his respect.”

Krin stroked his fingers through my hair with a tenderness that brought tears to my eyes. I’d chosen to wear it down today since I knew how much Krin liked it when I didn’t wear a ponytail.

“One thing you have to know about me, is bullies are something I detest, and I cannot turn a blind eye to injustice. I will not allow anyone to be hurt or taken against their will.”

Krin stood tall with his shoulders back, watching me.

“Nor will I. I give you my word. But you must be more careful. Always come find me first. I will help.” His mouth quirked.

Leaning towards me he grazed my lips in a chaste kiss.

He appeared to be bursting with pride yet I got the feeling he didn’t want to encourage me going rogue.

“I am sorry, Krin. Don’t worry, I’ll be more careful in the future.”

He gave me a sincere grin that warmed my heart. I think I could get used to having my own hunky hero.

Krin noticed the old paperback books I had packed before he picked up my shopping bags.

“What are these?” He lifted one out and studied it, with its bare skinned chest of a purple alien.

“It’s uh...a romance book. Apparently, they print them on one of the colonies and sell them here to those who want the experience of holding a book in their hand.”

He eyed me with one brow cocked.

“I don’t expect you to understand. Everything you guys write is on tablet form. I haven’t seen a paper book anywhere.”

His mouth showed distaste. “Nor will you. This is archaic. How can it be better than a tablet... and the images...”

I laughed. “Trust me, they are good books.”

“Why do you read this? What did you call it?”

“Alien romance. Do Alarans not read fiction?”

“Sometimes. I have never heard of this... romance.”

“These stories have gotten me through some lonely times, big guy.”

He gazed at me, surprised at my confession.

“What can I say? I like sexy aliens.” I teased.

His chest rumbled, teasing me back. Krin knew I was all his.

“Okay. I like one sexy alien,” I corrected, winking at him.

He put the book back in the bag and we walked back to the ship.

I ran my hand along his skin while our arms were linked. For such a big tough guy, his skin was silky smooth. Krin’s mating marks glowed with color as I ran my hand up his huge biceps.

My lady bits fluttered as my imagination kicked in. I whispered in his ear, standing on tiptoes. “Maybe we could play out some of my favorite scenes from my romance books?”

Before I realized it, his pace quickened, and we found ourselves on the ship headed to our quarters.