Free A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2) by Jessica A Kong Page A

to her face. “I don’t have any cat features. I can’t change my appearance to make myself like you.” She was not about to lie to him, even though she could never tell him the whole truth.
    Sev shook his head. “I don’t desire cat features.” He leaned over to within a hairsbreadth of her lips. “I desire you.” He captured her mouth in a telling kiss.
    The floor dropped beneath Areo. The man knew exactly what it took to make her do his bidding. Sev had complete dominance over her traitorous body. His tongue stroked her into submission. Areo leaned into the warm moistness of his mouth. Inhaling his scent, she grew warm and languid and yearned for more of his devilish explorations.
    Unexpectedly, Challen’s and Carol Ann’s dear faces appeared in Areo’s mind, dousing her passions. “Stop.” She nudged him away. “I told you, I can’t.” She stood and moved away, stopping several feet away from him. “Someone will come for me. I will return to Aaren where I live.” Dejectedly, she added, “Where I belong.”
    “You belong here!”
    Sev’s outburst surprised her. From the look on his face, she saw he meant it. Areo decided to explain the reason why she could not remain with him. At least, the part that would be most beneficial to him.
    “Sev, come and have a seat beside me. We have to talk.”
    “I’d better not. I’ll stay here. You sit if you like.”
    “OK, then.” Areo sat back down. “I never did thank you for saving my life.” She met his gaze. “And you never did get around to asking those questions. Why?”
    Sev shrugged his shoulders. “They don’t matter anymore.”
    “I see. Nonetheless, here we go. I live on a planet called Aaren. Aaren is part of an alliance of peace-loving planets that trade with and protect each other. I’m one of the warriors sworn to keep this unified group together and safe from enemy attacks. Sea Base Five is a space station; it also houses the headquarters of the Aligned Worlds. There are nine space stations in total. A tenth one, only two days travel from here on warp speed ten, was built with permission from the Space Guardians, since this is their jurisdiction. Sea Base Ten’s grand-opening ceremony was to take place on my birthday. It was supposed to be a giant extravaganza, but what it turned out to be was a royal bloodbath. Apparently, someone by the name of Daehog wishes to rule this entire dimension of Guildhall.”
    Sev scowled.
    “Oh, yes, the entire dimension Guildhall. But it seems he felt my warriors and I and what we stand for was an obstacle. So, he sent his disciples, called the Dominion, to attack Sea Base Ten.”
    “That was where you were almost killed.”
    Areo noted his fingers curled into fists. “Amongst other things.”
    “Other things?”
    “Sea Base Ten was capable of holding over a million lives—”
    “A million!” he interrupted.
    Her head bowed once. “We were all asleep. Only the night crew was on duty. Unbeknownst to us, amongst our night crew were some traitors.”
    His face darkened.
    “These traitors turned off our security alarms. By the time we realized we’d been breached, the alien invaders were in our bedrooms.”
    Sev’s eyes opened wide. “What happened?”
    Areo raised her knees, placed her elbows on them, and covered her face with her hands. “My worst nightmare.” She took a deep swallow. “Six aliens entered my room. They snatched me from my bed, ripped my nightclothes off, and—”
    “Did they touch you?” She did not answer fast enough. Sev grabbed her by her arms and yanked her up to him. “Did they rape you?”
    His actions startled her. “No, thank Onssa.”
    Sev searched her eyes for the truth.
    “My brother Bob entered my room and killed them.”
    Sev slouched in relief. He leaned his forehead against hers and massaged her arms. “Princess.” He kissed her.
    Areo’s eyes fluttered shut. Sev’s endearment transported her back in time to when things seemed less complicated. She