Mama and the Alien Warrior (Treasured By The Alien #1) - Honey Phillips Page 0,35

way, his tail dropping. Hrebec shared his melancholy, but there was a bright spot to his circumstances. Abigail and his girls were waiting for him. It would be undignified for a captain to run, but he did set a rapid pace back to his cabin.

Chapter Sixteen

Abby stared after Hrebec and hoped she wasn’t making a mistake. When he’d made the remark about “their” cabin, she realized that a part of her had been expecting him to return tonight. Seeing him with Lucie just reinforced the expectation. And while it did make sense to encourage his bond with Tiana, a selfish part of her wanted him there for herself—to explore more of the delicious feelings he created. His touch reminded her that she wasn’t just a mother; she was a woman too.

“Mama,” Lucie demanded. “It’s story time.”

With a little laugh, Abby went back to motherhood.

Once Lucie was asleep, Abby showered, and after a brief hesitation, she changed into the nightgown Cassie had designed for her. Silky material crisscrossed her breasts before falling to a hem high on her thighs. True, she felt sexy, but also more vulnerable than she liked.

“This is ridiculous,” she said to Tiana as she went to retrieve the familiar comfort of her cardigan.

Abby had converted Hrebec’s storage container into a cozy bassinet and Tiana was lying in it, kicking her feet happily and blinking at her with big, dark eyes

“At least you’re not nervous,” Abby muttered as she reached for her sweater.

Before she could put it on, Hrebec appeared. The heat in his eyes—and his obvious physical response—erased most of her embarrassment.

“You are a vision, my flower,” he said in a deep growl that set up an immediate ache between her legs.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Tiana made a cooing noise and they both turned to her. She waved her arms and kicked her legs, her entire tiny body radiating with her delight.

“I think she’s excited to see you,” Abby laughed.

Hrebec went to the makeshift bassinet and carefully lifted her into his arms.

“You are a vision as well, little one,” he said as her little sounds increased.

“That’s the first time I’ve heard her respond like that,” Abby said, trying for a cheerful voice, even though part of her was a little sad that the baby hadn’t had the same response to her. “I doubt you’ll have any problem feeding her.”

Her optimism turned out to be misplaced. Tiana refused to take the bottle from Hrebec, whimpering and moving her head around until she found Abby.

“She wants you,” he said with a sigh.

“But she’s going to have to take food from you. How can I leave her if I don’t know how she’s going to eat?”

Hrebec looked at her, and she saw something in his face which made her breath catch in her throat, but all he said was, “Come closer.”

Tiana calmed when Abby neared, but it wasn’t until Abby actually touched her that she would take the bottle. Abby ended up sitting on Hrebec’s lap while he cradled both of them and fed the baby. Tiana’s eyes darted back and forth between their faces before she finally relaxed and began feeding with her usual enthusiasm. Hrebec wrapped his tail around them and Tiana’s tiny one curled over it as she sucked.

“I like this,” Hrebec said, his deep voice rumbling through her. “It’s like we’re a family.”

She turned her head enough to see the wistful look on his face.

“It’s just an illusion. Families don’t last anyways,” she said, but an unexpected longing softened her usual bitterness on the subject.

“Why would you say that?”

“Experience?” She shrugged, and the movement disturbed Tiana, who shot her a worried look. “Shh, sweetheart. It’s okay.” She stroked the baby’s cheek and waited until she settled before she continued. “I suppose because my father left us when I was a young girl. He was bored with my mother. He did the same thing to his second wife after having a daughter with her, too.”

“Your father left his mate? Left you?” Hrebec kept his voice low, but she could still hear his anger. “And left another child?”

“Yes. My half-sister, Lucinda. We didn’t know about her for many years.” She still remembered how shocked and excited she’d been to find out that she had a sister. Unfortunately, they had never developed a bond. She sighed. “I was lucky. My mother was a strong woman. She pulled herself together and worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed. Lucinda’s mother fell apart after our father left and