Joan and the Juggernaut (Alien Abduction #9) - Honey Phillips Page 0,3

or interest, and she couldn’t afford either.

Ukhaan led the way into the room, gesturing the stranger to a chair as he sat, pontificating about the profit margin on ore pellets versus smelted metal. She paid little attention as she kept her eyes on the ground and hoped—prayed—that she hadn’t made a costly mistake.

“Well, well. Get to work, girl,” Ukhaan demanded impatiently, and she jumped, forcing her focus back to her job.

Her hands shook as she prepared their plates and presented them. As she leaned down in front of the stranger, she could feel the warmth emanating from him and caught a hint of an almost smoky scent, like an applewood fire on a cold night. Would he reach for her—grab her ass or fondle her breast? She already suspected Ukhaan wouldn’t stop him, but to her relief, he simply sat quietly and inspected his plate.

“This looks delicious,” he said, his voice a deep, rumbling growl that set off an unexpected response low in her stomach.

Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself. He’s an alien. A big, scary alien.

But her hands shook and she narrowly avoided slopping gravy onto Ukhaan as she presented his plate. He gave an impatient grunt, but he didn’t retaliate.

“I do the best I can with what I can get here. This planet is so isolated,” Ukhaan complained. “Of course, if I had a job in one of the inner systems, the possibilities would be greatly expanded.”

The stranger took a quick, neat bite of the geflin fish and chewed appreciatively. “I’m not sure that anything in the inner systems could compare to this.”

Ukhaan took a much less restrained mouthful, then nodded. “Definitely acceptable. The girl is learning.” He waved at Joan, who was once more standing by the wall. “She’s my cook. Ugly little thing, isn’t she?”

The terrifying male studied her, his gaze moving slowly from her head to her feet, and she did her best not to flinch. From the heat burning in his eyes, he didn’t find her unappealing. She felt naked and exposed, and a tiny spark of something that couldn’t possibly have been excitement shivered down her back.

“She might appeal to a certain type of male,” he said finally.

“I thought about using her.” Ukhaan was in a jovial mood, relaxed and expansive. “But she’s just so… soft. Like an undercooked sarlan steak.”

Once again, she had to stop herself from shuddering. Thank God she repulsed him.

“Besides, a good cook is a lot harder to find than a good fuck,” Ukhaan continued. “But if you promise not to damage her, you can have her tonight.”

What? No! He couldn’t send her off with this terrifying stranger. It took all of her training to stop herself from objecting. She had thought she was safe from this particular fate, but it seemed that whatever gods had decided to punish her hadn’t dragged her down far enough yet.

“I might just take you up on that,” the stranger said thoughtfully. “It was a long flight.”

Ukhaan waved a hand. “Help yourself. Just make sure she’s back in the kitchen in time to cook breakfast. And no permanent injuries.”

“I’ll make sure she can work.”

That wasn’t exactly the same thing, was it? She closed her eyes in despair, and when she opened them again, the stranger was watching her.

The geflin fish disappeared in no time, and Ukhaan frowned at the empty platter. Fortunately, she had prepared a number of side dishes, as well as a dessert. The two males demolished it all.

Under other circumstances, she might have been pleased by the appreciation for her food, but all she could think about was the fate awaiting her later that evening. She had never found sex particularly enjoyable—although she suspected that was at least partially because Kevin had never cared about her satisfaction—and the thought of being at the mercy of this huge stranger made her stomach cramp with anxiety.

The meal dragged on interminably. After the food was gone, they lingered over a bottle of Foldaran brandy. When she attempted to clear the table and escape to the kitchen, Ukhaan frowned at her.

“Leave it. Return to your position.”

Shoulders slumping, she went back to her place against the wall. Normally she listened to Ukhaan’s conversations on the rare occasion he had a guest, hoping to learn something that might help her escape. Tonight, she couldn’t focus. The dread continued to build, and she had to bite back a yip of dismay when Ukhaan finally pushed his chair back.

“Enough business for tonight. I want to start the inspection