Free Alien Love by Lily Marie Page A

been a long three months, waiting for her arm to heal completely, then for Kiele’s body to completely purge the last of the poison.
    He and Orlen had been forced to seriously modify their immersion cycles, keeping their wounds from the poisoned dagger dry, since any contact with water would reignite the poison. Yesterday they both received a thumbs up from the ship’s doctor.
    That meant tonight she and Kiele could finally make love. Finally. Just the thought had heat flushing her cheeks. She’d missed touching him so much, feeling his body next to her as she slept.
    She rounded the corner and almost ran into Orlen.
    He raised his eyebrow. “Is an engine on fire?”
    “No. I—” She blushed, flustered by the rare smile on his face. “I’m happy that I can run again.”
    “As am I, Anji. There is a bit of fine tuning that needs to be done on the main engine. It should only take you an hour. Then you are dismissed for the day.”
    “Yes, sir.” She gave him a jaunty salute. “Thank you, sir.” His even rarer laughter followed her as she ran toward the engine room.
     
    ***
     
    Smoothing her hands over the knee length, strappy blue dress, Anji took a deep breath. She hadn’t been this nervous since her first meal with Kiele. It felt like a year ago, but it had only been a few months since they met, in Captain Johnson’s disgusting excuse of a ship.
    Her life hadn’t been the same since.
    Now it was about to change again, in a way she never expected. She wasn’t quite sure how to break the news to him.
    The door slid open and Kiele stepped inside, still wearing his dress uniform. He had spent the day aboard his father’s ship, attending a private reception, and presiding over the final sentencing of Sonia. He looked exhausted, but he smiled when he saw her.
    “You are a sight for these tired eyes, t’anling . Come here.”
    She moved to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “What happened?”
    He let out a sigh. “Sonia was sentenced to life in the prison colony.”
    “Is that bad?”
    “She should have been given a sentence of death, after all the lives she took. Because they were human lives, and the T’An she did attack survived, the Council decided to be lenient, claiming they did not want to lose such a rare talent. She will be the colony’s new doctor.”
    Anji lifted her head, met his eyes. “If you think I’m mad, you’re wrong. As long as I never see her again, I’m satisfied with her punishment. You did a good thing, Kiele—all the labs are gone now, and my people have a new trust, one that can mean more cooperation.”
    “It will make those of us who love your women easier to be accepted.” He slid his hands down her back, and she shivered at his touch. “Is that fish stew I smell?”
    “Yes. I wanted you to have a good meal.” She smiled up at him. “I have plans for you.”
    “Do they involve you and a bed?”
    “To start.”
    He kissed her until she was breathless, then let her go, striding to the bathroom. When he came back out, he wore only a thin robe, his erection tenting the front of it. After another brief but heady kiss, he sat at the table.
    “I want you, my heart, as you clearly saw. But my body is demanding food.”
    “Then let’s eat.” She served him this time, then sat, letting one strap slide off her shoulder. His spoon halted inches from his mouth, green eyes focused on her now bare shoulder. He swallowed, then shoved the spoon in his mouth. “How is it?”
    He nodded, and shoveled in another spoonful. Anji reached up and pulled the hair sticks holding her thick bun together, her hair falling around her shoulders and down the front of her dress. He swallowed again, staring at her half covered breasts.
    She picked up her spoon, took a small amount of stew and slowly ate it, licking every inch of the spoon. Kiele didn’t know it, but she’d eaten earlier, so she could tease him now, and not worry about being hungry later.
    She lifted her hair and let