I stare at my new husband, who doesn’t even look flustered by the unexpected attack.“If you could just make us disappear, why didn’t you do that before we got on the horse?”
“The change in light frequency fools the eye, not the enemies’ tracking technology.”
“Oh.”Of course.That makes sense.I try to recall everything my dad has talked about regarding UFOs and alien civilizations over the years, but my brain is focused on trying to avoid needles and being married to an alien.A girl can only handle so much.
I feel a bit like Alice after she followed the White Rabbit.“Rygar, I don’t understand.I don’t.What is happening?Why do we need to get tattoos?This is crazy.I can’t do this.”
His calm demeanor shifts in an instant and suddenly I am looking into the cold, stoic face of a soldier.His shoulders are tight, and his hands are clenched into fists at his sides.His blue gaze is devoid of all emotion.Empty and clear as glass.
Shit.I know that look, too.I hurt him and he’s hiding his feelings behind that practiced stare.
“Do you wish to leave?I will honor your wishes and return you to your home, if that is truly what you desire.I understand.You will be in danger with me.It is an unacceptable risk.I never should have put you at risk.I was not thinking clearly.I knew the Dark Fleet was hunting us.”His sigh makes my heart hurt.“I am sorry, Madison.You deserve better than a stranded commander with no back-up and a damaged ship.I will take you home until the threat is eliminated.”
Is that what I want?Do I want to walk away from him?Leave him standing outside this tattoo parlor as I order up a taxi, ride home, go to sleep and forget I ever met him?Forget this whole night?
I could file for an annulment.It’s not difficult.We haven’t had sex.No one knows we even got married except Sasquatch and Calypso, so it’s not like anyone in the village would even ask.I can walk away.Forget that he’s an alien who crash landed here.Forget about being chased by the MIB, forget about all the nifty devices on his spacesuit.
My head is moving side to side in denial before I’ve completely processed the possibility.
“No.I know this is completely nuts and I don’t know you, but I want to be with you.”An emotion damn close to love heats up my chest and lungs, clogging my throat with things I don’t know how to say.Something about him speaks to my heart, directly bypassing my brain, logic, and everything I’m supposed to believe about relationships.“I can’t explain it, but I want to be with you.Even though I can’t stand needles, I’ll try and marry you in the way of your people.”
He lifts his hand and cups my face.The hardened emptiness in his eyes is gone.What I find in those bright blue depths makes my heart skip a beat, then race so fast I feel like I’m going to faint.“The Astral Bond is new to me as well.I believe your people call this phenomenon the Twin Flame Reunion.”
B.I.L.L.:Soulmates is another term, Commander.If you’re going to take the mark and complete the bonding process, please hurry.I do not like the situation.You are far too exposed.
“Soulmates aren’t real.”Everyone knows this.The idea of a fated, destined, perfect true love like that is about as realistic as a fairy godmother showing up to sing a song, wave her magic wand and turn me into a fairytale princess.Even though, deep down, a love like this is what I’ve longed for, especially after watching my parents romance all these years.
Rygar backs me up against the side of the brick building and leans down, his lips hovering over mine.“I’m real.You’re my mate, Madison.This is as real as it gets.”
The kiss melts my brain, somehow sexy as sin and gentle at the same time.I’m being worshipped and seduced.Revered and ravished.All I can do is hold on because letting go is unthinkable.
B.I.L.L.:You don’t have time for this, Commander.
With a curse that should fry BILL’s circuit for brains, Rygar breaks away and gives us both a chance to catch our breaths.The matching gold bands on our ring fingers shimmer under the sign’s neon light.I can’t believe I’m married to this god-like man in the weird, alien, techy suit, who kisses me like I’m the most beautiful woman in the universe and the best thing to ever happen to him.
Oh my god, I’m married to a total hottie who has chosen me above and beyond all the women in the galaxy.I also have an all-access pass to his criminally, rock-hard body.Hell, yeah.I’m more than ready for my new husband and whatever he’s got in his pants.
Feeling bold and incredibly naughty, I glide my hand down his torso.I press my palm against hiscucumber.
“Mate,” Rygar groans and slaps his palms against the brick building, caging me in.He’s looking at me as if he plans on enacting every wicked fantasy he has ever dreamed up—on me.
A tremble starts in my chest and takes over my entire body.Iwant.Him.Now.
My gaze dips to his mouth, then back to those hypnotic blue eyes.I ache to taste him again.Instinct and desire wrap around me as I lift onto my tip toes and lick my lips in anticipation.If he’s serious about being invisible—and who cares, because there’s no one around anyway—why not be a bad girl right now?A very naughty, horny, excited new bride who is craving her husband’s touch more than she ever believed possible.
Rygar’s eyes appear to glow, the color somehow deeper and more intense as he holds my gaze.I see the struggle in his eyes.He wants me as much as I want him.I open my mouth, to urge him to take me?—
B.I.L.L.:Are you ill, sir?Need I remind you, you didn’t mind-wipe the humans at the wedding chapel or the restaurant.Sloppy, sir.The Dark Fleet pursuit realizes they have lost track of your position and have called in reinforcements.I’m monitoring their chatter.After the freeway incident, they are assessing the best manner to capture you.
Rygar grunts and shifts back a few inches, lowering his arms.“No.I am not ill.”
B.I.L.L.:Madison, stop tempting the commander.You are both in danger.Human authorities have issued a call for a couple that matches your description.You must, at the very least, get off the street.Unless you wish to be locked up in a research facility.
“Fine.”At least I was fine, until BILL cock blocked me.“BILL, people are smarter than you think.They can handle the whole alien from a different solar system thing.Especially when they know you aren’t here to hurt them.”Although I don’t like the thought of anyone trying to capture my new husband and do research on him.The Dark Fleet sounds far too ominous for my liking.
If he really is an alien, I should talk to my dad.He will know what to do.He’s the best Ufologist in Stargazer Village.He’s been telling anyone and everyone who would listen that aliens are real for almost as long as I can remember.He is Stargazer Village’s king of conspiracy theories.Aliens are just the tip of my dad’s delusional iceberg.
I release a pent-up breath.My dad doesn’t seem delusional now that Rygar has confirmed the existence of life beyond this planet.I owe my dad an apology.Maybe once we’re back in Stargazer Village, I’ll bake him cookies, just like I used to when he deployed.
