Ice Planet Honeymoon (Four Novellas of HEA)

“Mmmhmm. That’s fine, keep your secrets. Your kinks will eventually be common knowledge.”

“Bullshit they will.”

I arch my brows at her. “Were we or were we not discussing how much Nora likes to be spanked not ten minutes ago? I mean, hello.”

Her face flushes red even as I slide another pouch of something into my pack. “It’s because they’re so loud. We’re quiet.”

“But you are kinky,” I tease, and her face goes even redder. “It’s cool, I won’t tell anyone but Raahosh.” I close my bag and drum my hands on it. “Sooo, give me ideas. Honeymoon stuff. Come on.”

“You could go somewhere pretty?” Georgie spreads her hands helplessly. “Enjoy the scenery?”

Enjoy the fucking scenery? It’s a honeymoon, not a sightseeing tour. “You suck at this, you know that?”

She sticks her tongue out at me. “Okay then, how about giving each other sexy baths? Do a strip tease for him? Give him some tail play?”

Ooo, perhaps Georgie’s not as vanilla as I thought. I tap the side of my head. “I like the way you think.”

“Steal away.” She glances around at the storage cave. “Do you need anything else?”

“Nah.” I pat my bag, which is now bulging with supplies. I can’t take too much, since we’re supposed to be helping re-stock the caves and not cleaning them out, but I also want to send a bit of a “fuck you” to everyone that exiled my man. So I’ve taken more than I should, and I don’t even care.

Georgie gets to her feet, brushing off her leathers. “I think I hear the men anyhow.”

I heft my pack onto my shoulder and head out of the supply cave with her, a calm smile on my face. It’s all for show. Raahosh knows that even though I say I’m fine with exile, I’m also ridiculously protective of him in my own way, and that means letting everyone in the tribe know what dicks they are for exiling him when all he wanted was to be with me.

I mean, I was the one he kidnapped. If I’m fine with it, shouldn’t they be? But whatever. It just means me and Raahosh get a lot of quality alone time together.

There are two big alien men standing at the large, triangular mouth of the cave, and my Raahosh is easy to recognize. It’s not just the one busted horn and the scars that cover one side of his face that give him a permanent scowl. It’s the way he carries himself, like he’s got a stick up his ass. His back is ramrod straight and his shoulders tight and set like he wants to fight anyone and everyone.

It’s so fucking hot. I love that irritated little swish of his tail, the stiff way he holds himself, all of it.

He turns as we approach and his gaze locks onto me with that possessive, overbearing way he has. Like he wants to snatch me up and shield me from anyone who dares look in my direction. Like he wants to devour me whole just so no one else can have me. Like he wants to throw me down on the cave floor and nut all over me just so everyone knows I’m claimed.

Maybe it shouldn’t be so thrilling, but I fucking love that look in his eyes. Like I’m his everything. Like he’d become unhinged if anyone tried to separate us ever again.

Even now, I approach and he holds his hand out to take my satchel. I offer it to him and he glances at it, noting how heavy it is, and then tosses it over his shoulder as if it weighs nothing. His tail goes around my thigh, curling possessively, and his mouth flattens even as he pulls me closer to him. He’s not good at showing affection, my Raahosh, but I don’t mind. I know how to read him. He’s frowning because he’s worried someone made me upset, or that I’m wanting to stay here without him.

I just ignore his surliness and put my arm around his waist. “I’m ready to go whenever you are, babe.”

He grunts and looks at Vektal, who stands nearby. He nods and lifts a hand in farewell, then heads back inside the cave. I kinda want to slap Vektal around for being so stubborn. I want to shake him and scream in his ear about how he’s hurting his best friend, but I know it’s all because he has to be the unbiased chief. Raahosh doesn’t hold it against him.

It’s me that’s the grudgy bitch. I’ll be angry for him.

But not today. Today, it’s sunny-ish and we’re heading out for our honeymoon. I stand obediently while Raahosh checks my leathers over like I’m a child that doesn’t know how to dress herself. He tightens straps on my boots, tucks my leathers closer to my body, and then tugs my cape down over my face. “You get red in the wind,” is all he says, voice gruff.