make anyone force you to do anything you don’t want to do, Nikka. You’re an adult. My gut tells me you’re going with him with or without my blessing. Besides, you’re halfway in love with him already.”
Nikka squeaked like a trapped mouse. “No, I am not!”
“Thank you, Samuel.” He turned to Nikka, then took hold of her hand. “Walk or be dragged.”
Halfway in love with me?
Despite their encounter with the Orkinians, he found a reason to smile.
Chapter Four
Wearing Cor’s black helmet, she wrapped her arms around his waist. She had no clue where they were going, except Cor said some place safe.
In all her life, she had been a good girl. Made a mistake of falling for a deuchebag and lost her virginity. But that was just one time. She never strayed from the straight line anymore. Until now. Or did she ? Ugh! Of course she did.
Technically, Cor was every bit a stranger as the Orks or something that he tried to blast with a ball of fire earlier. Oh, my God! Did he kill the other one with a broken piece of her shelf?
The thought had made her loosen her hold on his waist, but she felt Cor squeeze her hand. Somehow, that little gesture calmed her nerves.
Holy petals, who is this man? No. Who is this alien . His color changed to green when he touched her and could make things move and appear using his hands. Wait. He could just be a magician. But no. He said he’s from Rhyn. A planet. Which the Oriks or Orkits—whatever—confirmed when he called Cor Rhynian.
Confused, Nikka pressed the side of her helmet on Cor’s back and tightened her hold on him. Her chest to his back—Lord, it felt so good. It had been ages since she’d hugged a man—and first time to hug an alien.
Cor was all muscles, warm, drool-worthy, smelled good, and a hot alien.
They drove for what must have been hours. The sun was almost gone when they reached the quiet stretch of beach. There were a few people walking down the shoreline The panoramic view of the ocean and dunes were remarkable. Earlier, she spotted a sign reading, Welcome to Ocean Shores . She’d read about this place, but never made it here. The images on the magazine didn’t do justice to the beauty of the water, sand, the horizon. She could stare at the view forever. Here, it seemed like they were away from the rest of the world.
A soft breeze kissed her skin. She could almost taste the water—salty. She loved it here. What a great place for vacation. Except I am not on vacation.
They took the Oceanfront Road. This part of Ocean Shores seemed desolate. No houses, no cars. Where were they going? To the end of the world?
As soon as the question escaped her mind, Cor turned right. They entered a narrow street with a tall, arched gate. A sign, Nature Lover’s Beach House, hung above it. At the end of the street, she spotted a house with a promenade around the top floor. Lovely, she thought.
She hoped it didn’t boast a basement with all kinds of devices for torturing people. Eep! Stop, brain.
Cor stopped and parked the bike in front of the house. She’d never been on a bike before so, her thigh muscles hurt, probably from trying to stay on her seat or squeezing her muscles whenever Cor made a turn. Sweet dove, she hurt.
She should hop off, too, but for some reason, her legs wouldn’t cooperate. Massaging her thighs, she hoped her blood flowed back into her legs again. Shoot! This is embarrassing.
Cor removed her helmet. “Hey.”
“Hey, back.”
Without taking his gaze off her, Cor hooked the helmet on the bike’s handle. He stood beside her with his hands on his hips. “You okay?”
“Half part of me is good, the lower part is dead.”
He tucked her hair behind her ears and then trailed his fingers along the side of her neck. Nikka’s breathing became erratic. His touch sent delicious heat all over her body, but at the same time made her nervous.
“First time on a bike?”
“Yes.”
Cor surprised her when he moved her achy leg so
Heidi Hunter, Bad Boy Team