2. Stella

Chapter 2

Stella

I continue to "people" watch as I wait for my new alien husband to appear.

My long blonde hair flutters in the breeze and I lift my chin towards the glorious sunlight that kisses my face. It's a beautiful day and in fact this place is basically a paradise. Flowering bushes line the sidewalks and tall, thin trees sway delicately in the perfumed air. All that's missing is a nearby sandy beach and a view of an ocean. Not that I've ever been to a beach before, but they do exist.

I was told that Fire Creek is within a widespread community of ranchers and farmers. It does not seem all that dissimilar to the small town I left behind, but the general location is ten times more splendid.

I watch the activity in town from my perch on the platform next to the transporter station, which seems to be in a central location. Ranch hands are dropped off at what I assume is the feedlot and some go inside and others cross the street.

One good thing that happened before I left—they inserted a painless universal translator at the base of my brain; I think only because the attendant insisted because it was regulation before intergalactic transport. I assume the town council would've loved it too if I'd been sent unable to communicate with anyone. But because of that wonderful little piece of tech I can understand the Hyrrokin language and speak it too, and I can read all the signage on the streets. There are stores, a restaurant and several bars. Streets and houses behind that look very adorable. It's a nice little town.

What's interesting is that I'm noticing all the proportions are larger. Buildings seem broader than necessary, doorways are tall and windows are placed higher. Even the vehicles look wider.

The female Hyrrokin who stride down the streets are bigger and stronger than me. And I am not petite. In fact, I'm tall and overweight. None of the men I've seen wear a shirt. The women wear brightly colored tube tops. No one wears shoes and they all walk around barefoot. Probably because their feet are very big and rough.

Many of the beings on the streets do double takes when they see me, looking startled that there is an unknown human in their midst. But it doesn't feel like rejection, just true curiosity. I give rueful smiles and a little hand wave and they smile in return. They must not get many visitors.

I throw my trash into a small incinerator and continue to ponder my new future which doesn't include my former position or apartment. What if I end up having to stay here for a few days, or even a few weeks before I can somehow get back home to New Earth? My mother, who still lives in the house I grew up in, must be so worried, not being able to get ahold of me now that I've been separated from my tablet.

What is it going to be like, staying, even temporarily, on a planet with these Hyrrokin who look so very intimidating?

I place my hand on my firm stomach and sigh. And I still can't believe I'm going to be a mother.

A few days ago, I had no idea I was pregnant and now I'm suddenly three months along. I feel silly, not realizing that I'd skipped periods and the thickness in my waist and my recent nausea was pregnancy. But I'd missed periods before—my cycles aren't always like clockwork. And I explained away the rest to some recent weight gain and maybe getting sick.

I'd always wanted children someday, but I thought it would come with a future husband and marriage. I hadn't planned on starting a family at this point in my life, but I'm now twenty-eight and…why not? I don't have access to my currency accounts at the moment, but I do have a nice emergency savings. My position paid well and included free housing, so I'd always set most of my currency aside every month. Now that's going to save my ass. And I could always move back in with my mom if necessary. She'd be thrilled to have me back with her and a grandchild too.

The biological father of my baby isn't around to help and I'm certain will not be a part of my child's life, but this is no problem.

I can take care of myself.

A goofy smile spreads across my face and my heart warms as I imagine this new life where I'm eventually holding this child in my arms and I'm a mother. This news was shocking, but I'm wrapping my brain around this new normal surprisingly fast. This baby was certainly a surprise but is turning out to be a blessing. "It's just you and me, kid," I whisper out loud. "We can do this, together." All kinds of protective instincts kick in and I'm suddenly much less concerned about how I was arrested, fired and forced into this farce of a marriage on another planet.

Because the good news is that six months from now, I'm going to be a mother.

Mainly, I need to find a way to create a new life for myself and the baby I'm carrying.

And that's when I hear a noise that causes me to look up. A rugged, open-air utility vehicle approaches. I can see that it's being driven by a huge, bare chested Hyrrokin male. It turns and starts to move down this side street, as if it's approaching the platform.

Oh my, this must be him.

Rake Flagstone from the Flagstone Fire Ranch.

The guy I married in absentia. This whole thing is crazy, but I really did marry him. I figured signing the papers and getting on that transporter disk as I was told was the easiest way out of my problems, because if this marriage turned out to be an even bigger problem, I could easily get a divorce.

The vehicle he drives has a roof and a large front window, but the sides are open. It looks very rugged, with large wheels and an area in the back to carry cargo.

The male in the driver's seat is frightening. The closer he gets, the more uncomfortable I feel. He's staring right at me with a dark, piercing gaze.

I move forward and stand on the edge of the platform, squeezing the handle of my red suitcase. What does he think of me? On my own planet, I know a man like him would reject me at first glance, because of my weight.

I got ready in my own apartment and packed to leave, so at least I'm clean, my hair is nice and I have makeup on. I dressed in a cute pink shirt and my favorite jeans—unbuttoned though because my waist is thicker.

I've been told I'd be beautiful if I lost weight, which I guess is supposed to make me feel better? It's silly because this is me and if you don't like me how I am, then I'd rather be alone. If I get past that point with a man and he wants to date me exactly as I am, the fact that my voice is naturally loud and I speak my mind is usually the second barrier. Not all men want to be seen with an outspoken firebrand. I'm an acquired taste and I know that about myself.

Rake Flagstone gets ever closer.

A choking sound emanates from my throat because he's that scary. He has large, red hands with silver claws at the end, the same as his bare feet. Two black horns erupt from his forehead, taller and sharper than I've seen so far. A barbed tail flicks lazily in the air behind him.

He pulls up right to the edge of the platform and turns off the engine.

I stand on the edge. "Rake Flagstone?" I question.

He nods in agreement and doesn't say a word or get out of his vehicle. Again, he looks me up and down.

I'm breathing heavily. Now that I'm so close to him, he doesn't look as monstrous as before. His harsh features are proud instead of terrifying. His black lips plush and kissable. And like all the other males, his chest is bare, but this means I am left in amazement at his perfect red muscles and his powerful arms. The black pants against the red chest are exquisite.

Despite all the other Hyrrokin both male and female that I've seen so far who cause me to want to run and hide in fear, I consider this one bearable. In fact…sexy. He's a work of sexy art.

There's an essential authority about his demeanor.

In my experience, men with authority often use this power to do something bad, like take away all my rights. But I don't sense that menace from Rake Flagstone…it's strange.

I automatically place my hand against my stomach, which already has a little bit of a swell. Then I drop my hand.

What are you doing, Stella? You're giving the game away. Already.

I'm going to scare him away, which isn't smart. I was forced here so quickly and married in absentia to this male and now I'm in a temporary bind. I'm dependent on the kindness of this stranger for a short while, until I can figure out how to get to my accounts and back home to Mom's apartment on New Earth.

Hopefully I'll be out of his hair in a couple of weeks. No harm, no foul. He'll realize I'm all wrong for him and he could send me back for a refund and get somebody else. I do have a lot of money saved in my accounts, so if the refund doesn't work then maybe I could compensate him financially for his troubles?

But if he knows I'm arriving pregnant, he could publicly reject me here, on the street. And then what will I do? Go back inside and beg them to return me to another location on New Earth? They'd never do that considering I can't pay them the exorbitant transporter fee if I can't access my accounts. And if I have to stay in Fire Creek temporarily without his help, where will I even be able to sleep or eat around here, considering yet again I have no currency? The whole point of my being on Tarvos is that I'm here as his bound. If I say none of that is true and this whole thing was a mistake, along with an angry Rake Flagstone contesting this mail-order bride purchase as a total scam, I'll be probably sent off to their immigration detention center, which I'm certain would not be a good circumstance.

His gaze drops to my stomach and for some reason I feel compelled to step even closer. He leans forward and inhales.

What's crazy is now that he's closer all my girlie parts are getting warm. I can't seem to keep my eyes off his magnificent chest. This isn't something that ever happens to me, except that one time when I was out drinking with friends three months ago. But even that was nothing compared to the rush of heat I'm feeling for this total stranger while entirely sober.

Suddenly I'm hoping he wants to try this out with me and not just because of the legal reasons and the fact that I need his help. I'm starting to shift on my feet, trying to relieve the throb between my thighs.

I did not expect to be attracted to the alien stranger I married in absentia. This is yet another unexpected turn of events.

Rake looks me up and down again and nods. "Now you're both mine. Get in the vehicle."

My eyes widen. "Wait. What?" I'm startled for a moment at this declaration. What does he mean? But then I think through what he said. Hmm. He knows about the baby and he's not bothered? That's a big deal. "You know that I'm pregnant?"

"Yes."

"And you don't care that it's human and it won't be yours?"

"You're both mine," he confirms.

I tilt my head and decide I'm going to warn him again because he deserves to know the plain truth about what's he's getting himself into. "I was kicked out of the community I worked in on my home planet because I'm outspoken and if I see wrongs to be righted, I right them."

He shrugs. "This is an admirable quality and if those beings didn't recognize that where you came from, it was because they are weak minded. I am not like that. Get in the vehicle," he orders.

Hmm. This is sort of a turning point.

Will I accept his orders? Or will that rebellious streak inside of me that hates being told what to do—by anyone—balk at his demand? Will I march back into the transporter room and plead for them to send me back to New Earth, or will I remain?

Our gazes clash as he calmly waits for me to comply.

There's a little smirk on the corner of his mouth. As if he knows what's churning in my mind.

I exhale and nod. "Okay," I say, "let's give this a chance."

He steps out of the utility vehicle and onto the platform. When he's right in front of me, I lift my chin because he's so much taller and bigger than me. Kevin, my one-night stand, was a big guy, but Rake Flagstone makes that guy seem small. And dear gods, this Hyrrokin's chest is amazing and so lickable. All that skin down to…I can't help but glance at his crotch and get a glimpse of a very big package underneath his black pants.

I quickly force my eyes back up to his face.

Rake reaches out a red hand with silver-tipped claws and I look down and see that he's taking my suitcase.

I let go of it.

He lifts the case, walks over and puts it in the back and then he comes back and picks me up. Yes, sweeps me off my feet as if I'm light as air.

I let out a squeak of surprise and grab for his neck.

"I've got you." He carries me down the steps of the platform and places me on my feet next to the passenger side seat. "Get in," he says again, this time gently.

And suddenly, I feel a burst of energy. Like maybe this really won't be so bad. Maybe instead of the townsfolk sending me somewhere that they thought would be a terrible penance for what I'd done, maybe they've accidentally sent me somewhere good?

Is this someone I can count on? There are good men out there—I've met them and I know they exist. There's a slight possibility this isn't going to turn out bad.

And I swear I thought I saw a flash of heat in his eyes when he put me down. He looked at me from head to toe and back up again, his gaze lingering on my ample chest. Quickly, furtively, not salaciously like other men do. Almost as if he were trying to be respectful. But I noticed and I saw heat in his eyes.

A wave of joy hits me hard.

I hop into that utility vehicle. "I'm ready."

And he starts the engine and we're off.