This time, he held up another device, one that reminded her uneasily of a weapon.
“Heal,” he said, then looked uncertain. He tapped at his wrist device again. “Fast.”
“You mean it won’t take long?”
He nodded, then added reluctantly. “Fast pain.”
“Oh. It’s going to hurt?”
She was actually surprised he hadn’t hurt her already, and she was used to pain. At least he was asking her.
“Go ahead,” she said, and clenched her hands again. To her surprise, he covered a fist with one giant, warm hand. Startled, she looked up at him, but before she could ask, there was a brief, searing pain in her breast. It faded just as fast, leaving behind a slight, lingering ache rather than the fiery burn that had preceded his treatment.
“Good. Brave female.”
No one had ever called her brave before. A warm little glow filled her.
“Thank you.”
“Heal.” He held up a container of grey gel. It didn’t look particularly appealing, but she hoped it wouldn’t be harmful.
“Go ahead,” she said with a shrug. Her indifference vanished the second he stroked one big finger down her breast. Oh. The combination of the cool gel and his slightly rough finger actually felt amazing. As he worked the gel into her skin the last lingering ache departed, leaving behind a pleasant warmth. He was focused on his task, and she followed his gaze. The contrast of his big steel-colored hand against her pale flesh was oddly erotic. His claws had disappeared again, and she realized that they must be retractable.
As he continued, his hand slowed, rubbing the soothing substance into her flesh with long, deliberate strokes that were shockingly pleasurable. Even in the beginning, Adam had never treated her breasts with such tender care. Eventually, the monster moved to the other breast, the one that Nick had so sorely abused, circling inward until he reached her swollen nipple. In spite of everything she had been through that evening, she found herself arching into his hand, desperate for the pleasure of his touch to erase the horrible memories.
Her breath caught as he very, very carefully worked the gel into the taut peak, and when he brushed his thumb across the tip, a small gasp escaped. He looked up, his eyes glowing purple again and, for once, she didn’t feel the need to duck her head. She returned his gaze openly, wondering what he could see in her face. Whatever it was, it caused him to pause then draw back. He pulled the remnants of her uniform back across her chest.
An odd combination of relief and disappointment filled her as he moved on to cleanse her knees, bruised and scraped from the fall, before finally stepping back. She tried to sit up and he was there immediately, helping her swing her legs over the edge of the table and supporting her while she regained her balance.
“Um, thank you… What’s your name?”
More incomprehensible language before he shook his head and said simply, “T’saran.”
“T’saran?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, T’saran.” She took a deep breath and held out her hand. “I’m Lauren.”
He stared at her hand for a minute, then reached out to take it. Just as his fingers closed around hers, a new voice intruded.
“Ah, yes. I believe that gesture is called a handshake. Although I am surprised that you wish to shake hands with your captor.”
Chapter Four
“Captor?” she repeated, looking at the newcomer, a cold feeling gathering in her stomach. He was not quite as large as T’saran, but he was still huge, his horns heavy and dark. His eyes glowed yellow and his face seemed twisted into a permanent sneer. She instinctively lowered her eyes, convinced that it would take little to enrage this male.
“Of course. Why else would a Yehrin warrior come to the rescue of a human…” Eerie yellow eyes ran over her dismissively. “Scrap?”
T’saran started to protest in their growling language, but the new alien barked a command at him, and he subsided, his fists clenched.
“I am Commander T’ngorzul, and this is my ship,” the man continued smoothly. “Officer T’saran was sent to retrieve a female specimen for our experiments.”
“Experiments?” she whispered, starting to feel dizzy. Every horrible tale she had ever heard of alien abduction swirled in her head. And behind that was a horrible feeling of betrayal. She should have known she couldn’t trust a man, even an alien man. So much for safe, she thought bitterly.
“There is no need to look so distressed,” he continued. “It is merely a series of examinations to determine if you—if Earth females are suitable.”
“Suitable for what?” she managed to ask through numb lips.
“For breeding, of course. We always start a breeding program on conquered planets.”
“But you haven’t conquered us,” she protested, even though her horrified mind was still stuck on the word breeding. What a horrible, cruel irony.
“Not yet,” he agreed with unruffled composure. “But by this time next year, you will be under our control.”
He looked at her again and shook his head. “I had hoped for a more pleasing specimen, but I suppose you will have to do.”
T’saran burst into speech again to which the new man responded with a few sharp comments before turning back to her.
“You may have one shift to recover from your present injuries. You may remain here or accompany Officer T’saran.”
Accompany her betrayer? She had no desire to ever see him again. She shook her head sharply, then felt an unexpected pang of guilt at the way T’saran’s face fell. But why should she care about his feelings?
“Very well.” Commander T’ngorzul looked spitefully amused. “You will remain here. Do not attempt to leave the lab. Most of the men on my ship have not seen a female for
