Alien Romance: The Space Dragon's Owned: Scifi Alien Abduction Romance (Alien Romance, Alien Invasion Romance, BBW) (2 page)

Meeting His Mate

Bradley was finishing off an email when Ron knocked at the door. He didn't look up as he focused on his fingers pressing the keys with the forefingers of both hands. How his sister managed to use all of her fingers without looking when he could only use two fingers and jab at the keys he had no idea.

One of these days, he was going to ask Lex for lessons on how to touch-type. It would certainly help him get through his work a lot quicker and not let his paperwork pile up.

Ron knocked again.

"Come in."

The door opened and Ron entered, his huge frame filling the doorway. As ex-army, he was military-proficient and that was what Bradley liked about him. He also acted as a bodyguard on certain occasions, although he had been given the night off when Bradley had his last fight. Bradley could have used him that night and then he wouldn't be in this mess.

"Your counsellor has arrived, Mr Nash."

Bradley glanced at the clock on his computer. It was two minutes before two.

"On time. That's a good start." He liked punctuality. Bradley sent the email and put the computer to sleep. He stood. "Where is he?"

"She is in the hall."

Bradley blinked.

"She?"

He hadn't asked about the counsellor, merely giving Ron his conditions and telling him what he wanted. Ron was simply to find the right person and hire them. Bradley didn't want to know; he trusted Ron's judgement.

Ron grinned.

"I thought you'd appreciate the change. Someone who's nice to look at helps a lot."

He had a point. If Bradley were being forced to sit in hourly sessions to help control his anger, then it would be nice to have someone who was aesthetically pleasant to look upon. An image entered his mind of a tall woman with a slim body and legs that went on for miles.

"I guess." He grunted. He moved around his desk. "Send her in."

Ron nodded and disappeared into the hall. There came the sounds of voices and then he appeared again, a woman of medium height behind him. Ron stepped aside and ushered her in.

"This is Cassidy Glen. Miss Glen, Bradley Nash."

The moment Bradley saw Cassidy he was floored. While he wanted the image he had expected, she was just as stunning. Her curves were more plus-size than model thin, clad in a pale pink suit with a pencil skirt that stopped just above the knees and a blouse that was nearly buttoned to the neck. Pale pink pumps with no heel finished off the outfit.

Her hair was a dark chestnut brown, pulled into a simple chignon at the base of her neck, kept away from a smooth, tanned face with the barest hints of makeup. Her dark eyes seemed to pop, darker than his own.

She was lovely. Bradley loved curves on a woman and he had a penchant for brunettes.

So, it seemed, did his dragon because it raised its head as Cassidy came into view and snorted as it became restless. It whined and threatened to break through but Bradley fought it back until it slumped sulkily in a heap in his subconscious.

Bradley had never felt his beast act like this before but he knew what was happening: this woman, this earthling was his mate. According to the culture of Maeeze, the very planet his ancestors had come from to live on earth centuries ago, his inner dragon would recognize its mate immediately.

"Are you okay, Mr Nash?" Cassidy was looking nervous, clasping her handbag close to her side. "Do I have something stuck between my teeth? Is my makeup smudged?"

Bradley realized he had been staring and shook his head.

"No. You're perfect." Then he realized what he had said and groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. "Oh, God, sorry, that came out wrong."

Cassidy blushed and she bit her lip. Bradley's cock twitched. He wanted to see those lips wrapped around his cock. Knowing his aroused state would be noticeable in his suit trousers, he hurried back behind his desk and sat.

Cassidy looked a little lost. She glanced at Ron, who stayed by the door.

"Mr Evas said you wanted a counsellor to help with your anger management."

"Apparently, I do."

She raised an eyebrow, her nerves slowly ebbing.

"But you don't want one."

"Not really." Bradley sat back. He hoped Cassidy didn't approach the desk or she would notice that he was fully aroused. Now it wasn't in view, his cock had stood to attention, demanding that he do something about it.

"To me, counsellors are condescending and are only after the money. No offence."

"None taken." Cassidy approached the desk. "But, I suppose counsellors only sound condescending to the people who think they don't need any help and are simply there by force."

"Touché."

Bradley could see Ron hiding a smile. It took a lot to make his personal assistant smile. Cassidy stopped before the desk but not close enough that she could see how uncomfortable Bradley was feeling.

"You may be paying me as an employee, Mr Nash, but I don't stand for bullshit. I speak as I see it when I'm working and if I have any problems during the session, I'll pull you up on it. I don't condescend. If you don't like it, you can lump it but I'm prepared to help you. All I need is your cooperation."

Bradley couldn't help but stare, nearly distracted by the way her eyes flared and the way she held herself as she stood up to him. But his ultra-sensitive senses noted the faster beat of her heart, the tightening of her nipples under her blouse and jacket and he could smell her scent fill his nostrils. She was attracted to him.

That was something to go with. Bradley was not turning her away. He glanced at Ron and grinned.

"She's got some fire."

"She sure does, Mr Nash."

Bradley looked back at Cassidy, trying not to look at the way she was biting her lip and the way her blush appeared on her cheeks.

"I like you, Miss Glen." Like didn't even cover it. "I think we're going to get along just fine."

While what he was thinking was the most unethical thing he could even consider, Bradley vowed to make the beautiful counsellor his mate by the end of the month.

#

He was back at that night. He was stuck in the burning car. His arms felt heavy as he held his dying mother, her body too burnt to heal. His father lay dead nearby, a shard of metal skewering him in the chest. His heart had given out almost immediately as the metal ripped it apart.

He was screaming. There was a lot of screaming. Bradley didn't know if the screaming was him or someone else. He cradled his mother against his chest and rocked her, allowing the tears he normally kept back to fall. He sobbed as she took her last breath, letting out a furious howl.

This shouldn't have happened. They should never have died. The bastard behind the wheel of the lorry shouldn't have been drinking. But it had happened and now they were dead, Bradley bleeding and weakening. But he was alive.

He should be the one lying dead, not them.

Bradley began to shake. His hands clenched into fists as it began, trying to keep his anger back. Then he realized that it wasn't him shaking; someone was shaking him.

"Bradley! Bradley, wake up!"

With a snarl, Bradley snapped his eyes open and lashed out, grabbing at someone's throat and pulling them onto the bed, straddling them as he snarled and squeezed. There was a cry and someone scratched at his arms. The sudden pain brought Bradley back to reality.

He refocused and saw that Cassidy was lying under him, his hands at her neck. She was looking at him with terror in her eyes, her breathing coming fast. He could feel her pulse under his thumb.

"Bradley, are you with me?"

Bradley blinked and sat back, taking his hands off her neck. What was he doing? He had been trying to strangle his mate in the midst of a nightmare. He was glad it was dark or she would have seen his glowing eyes and his fangs.

He covered his hands with his face and waited until he felt his fangs retreating.

"Oh, God, Cassidy, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay."

"How can it be okay? I could've hurt you badly."

Cassidy smiled. The fear was subsiding. Bradley could feel it like a physical thing. She raised herself onto her elbows and touched his wrist, her fingers feeling hot against his skin.

"It's nothing I haven't come across before. I used to work on wards at college where patients would attack you because they thought you were somebody else." She sounded calm but her voice trembling. "I'm okay. Honestly. You didn't do any damage."

Bradley lowered his hands and stared at her. Cassidy gave him a gentle smile, a smile that stirred his cock. He was glad he was wearing pyjamas bottoms.

Then his eyes zeroed in on the slight bruises around her neck. He couldn't remember seeing them earlier but she hadn't been close enough for him to get a good look. In the dark, he could see them clearly. They had to be a day old, at least.

Bradley felt the stirrings of anger rising in his chest. He reached out and brushed his fingers against her neck. Someone had dared to hurt his mate.

"Who did this to you?" He growled.

Cassidy's smile disappeared and she swiped his hand away.

"Just another client. He lost it during marriage counselling."

"And he dared to lay his hands on you?"

Bradley knew he was sounding possessive but he couldn't help it. Even his dragon was angry, demanding that he went to find the man and tore him apart.

"Never mind that now." Cassidy pushed at his stomach. "Could you get off me, please?"

Realizing that he was still astride her and he was probably poking his erection into her stomach, Bradley rolled off her and sat up at the edge of the bed. He felt the bed move and Cassidy slid off the bed.

Bradley couldn't take his eyes off her. Her hair was down, tousled around her shoulders from sleep. She was wearing a black camisole and black yoga pants. A tiny tattoo of a heart was on her ankle above the bone. It suited her. And she looked lovely even woken from sleep.

He swallowed and rubbed at his own throat.

"My mouth feels dry."

"Go and have a shower." Cassidy took his hand and tugged him to his feet. "You've been sweating. Your bottoms and sheets are soaked. I'll get you something to drink and I'll remake the bed."

Again Bradley was glad that the lights were off because he started blushing.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled. "I didn't ask you here to mother me. I didn't mean to wake you up."

"How could anyone sleep with that screaming?" Cassidy brushed her fingers across his jaw and then pointed towards the bathroom door. "Go and have a shower. I'll find some fresh pyjamas for you and I'll sort the bed out. Focus on yourself and I'll focus on everything else."

Bradley didn't know what to say. Embarrassment made him want to apologize even more but pride made him stop. He had nothing to be ashamed about; it was a nightmare, nothing more.

It was just the first time since Lex that there was someone around to look after him. Bradley was used to looking after himself so to have Cassidy taking care of him felt strange yet comforting.

He liked it.

After having a quick shower and dressing in fresh pyjamas, adding a t-shirt with the bottoms, Bradley entered the bedroom to find that Cassidy had already stripped the bed and the fresh fitted sheet was already on.

A glass of water was by the bed on the cabinet. Bradley picked it up and downed it in one go, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He gave the wet fitted sheet a rueful look.

"I feel like a little boy who's wet the bed." He grumbled.

"I bet you were adorable." Cassidy said, her eyes glinting. She tossed the pillows onto the bed. "But it's nothing to be ashamed about. You just had a nightmare and you sweated it out."

If it had been anyone else, Bradley would have laughed it off. But this was his mate. And she didn't seem at all embarrassed at what had happened. She was taking it all in his stride.

It was what made it more shameful for Bradley.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" He asked.

Cassidy straightened up and frowned.

"Am I not allowed to be nice to you?"

"No, you are." Bradley shrugged. "I'm just not used to it."

"I noticed." Cassidy hefted up the duvet and pulled it onto the bed. "Get into bed."

"Yes, Mom."

"Don't be silly." Cassidy pulled the covers back and pointed. "In."

Bradley smirked as he crawled in, giving her a come-hither smile.

"Only if you join me."

For a moment, he thought Cassidy would actually take him up on it. Her breath hitched and he saw her pupils dilating. Her nipples hardened through her top and Bradley was sure he could smell her scent. His cock hardened even more, eager to pull her underneath him and bury himself in her heat.

But then, the moment was gone. Cassidy shook her head.