Stolen and Seduced - Christine Pope Page 0,180

them and care for them, but we didn’t make them.” I pointed to Donut. “To breed, he would need another bearded dragon. A female. They’d do the old bump and grind and she’d… well I guess they lay eggs. Those eggs would hatch. Voila! A pet.”

I could tell he didn’t understand everything I was saying. Hell, I barely understood what I was saying. Finally he sat up, his clawed hands digging into the sheets. “What does your spawn look like?”

My mouth gaped open. That wasn’t what I thought he’d ask. “Um, they look like me. I guess. Only small. Really small. Less coordinated. A baby.”

His gaze drifted to Donut, and then back to me. He did that a total of three times before something passed over his eyes. His jaw firmed and then he lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “Then the spawn you produce with my seed will be your first.”

My eyes bugged out. “What?”

He reached for me. “You’re still my mate.”

For some reason, I let him draw me against his chest. “But I thought—”

“It doesn’t matter. You proved how well you care for others based on how you have treated this pet. I heard how you fought the Eerinx and saw a few wounds your little kicks left on them. I will take no other as a mate.”

“I don’t understand. Aren’t their females of your own species? Why do you want me?”

“Our population is not reproducing fast enough. I was sent to Earth to find women who’d bear our young.”

My hackles went up. “So I’m a breeder?”

“That was the intention,” he said. “But as soon as I saw you, I knew you were mine. My mate. No other. Not a breeder. If you never bear my young, I still want you by my side.” He curled a piece of my hair around a claw. “You fascinate me.”

“I’m just a novelty. It’ll fade.”

He clenched his jaw. “No, Billie. My pull to you will not fade. I’m a Warnex. We mate for life, and we don’t deny the mate draw.”

“Lo,” I said softly. “I don’t think you get it. My life is on Earth. I didn’t choose this. You chose for me.”

His muscles went solid as stone and his eyes darkened. “You don’t choose me?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. My mind and heart warred in my chest. “I don’t…know. I don’t know your world, Lo. Your home. All I’ve seen so far is that I was nearly dragged off by some slimy jerks. Would I always be in danger?”

His nostrils flared, and he closed his eyes briefly before shaking his head. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“You say that but… that could that happen again?”

That cut him I could tell when a flash of pain crossed his face. “I failed once. I won’t fail twice.”

I swallowed, wanting to believe him. “Lo, this isn’t my home. While I enjoy a good adventure, Earth is safe.”

“What about me?” He tilted his chin up. “Do you enjoy me?”

I blinked, feeling tears well. I didn’t know him that well, but I knew enough that he had a good heart. He treated me well. And he could fuck like a porn star. But was that enough?

I avoided his question. “I have to get Donut home. He’s not my pet. A family member of mine owns him. She’ll be devastated to lose him. I’m sorry, Lo. I can’t go with you to your home. I can’t be your mate.”

He looked like he was going to protest. But then his hands dropped from my shoulders, and I nearly face-planted before bracing myself. He turned away from me and swung his legs over the side of the bed. His tail hung limply at his side. “You’re right,” he murmured softly. He reached for his pants and stood, pulling them on. I watched his broad back tense as he glanced over this shoulder at me. “I can’t change your mind?”

“This isn’t just about you and me.” Fuck, why did I feel like crying? “My family would worry. My friends…”

I could tell he wanted to argue, but instead he only nodded. “I’ll tell Prothy to change course.” After that he strode from the room, his hands fisted at his sides, and left without another word.

I let myself drop back onto the bed, which smelled like us, and screamed into a pillow. I punched it a few times then glanced over at Donut. He had no idea of my inner turmoil. He was probably loving life. But