Coto's Captive Read online

  Lynn turned her head to stare at the redheaded alien. He spun around and she noticed the backpack he wore as he stalked to the center of the small clearing. He removed it and threw it down. They began to set up camp. Coto gently lifted her off his lap but placed her next to him on the fallen tree. She didn’t move, too afraid one of the other men might decide to ignore what Coto had ordered. He was the only one who seemed to want to keep her alive.

  They had all kinds of stuff she’d never seen before as one of them dropped another backpack-like bag onto the ground and bent, pressing his finger into a hole on the side of it. In seconds, a hiss sounded and the entire thing started to inflate. She watched in astonished fascination while it continued to increase in size, taking the shape of a large dome. By the time it stopped it was at least twelve feet high in the center and a good twenty feet in diameter. It looked more like a dark igloo created from a strange fabric than it did any tent she’d ever seen.

  Gar opened his pack and handed out dark-brown packets. He gave two of them to Coto, who hesitated before placing one on his thigh and gripping the other with both hands.

  “Are you hungry, Lynn?”

  “You remembered my name.”

  He nodded. “I was able to fully understand you. I already have an implant that translates your language.”

  “It didn’t hurt you?”

  “No. I am used to pain.”

  She let that one go, deciding to return to his original question. “I’m starving. I haven’t eaten anything since lunch.” She glanced at what he held in his hands. “Is that food?”

  “Yes.” He tore the side seam of the bag and placed his hands under it.

  Lynn nearly fell off the log when the bag practically exploded, going from near flat to being balloon-like in size. Coto’s quick reflexes stopped her fall. His hand shot out to grip her thigh, pushing down to pin her where she sat.

  Amusement had his eyes sparkling when he smiled at her. “I’m sorry for finding that humorous but you are afraid of food? You bite it, it will not bite you.”

  “The thing just blew up like a puffer fish. I didn’t expect that.”

  He chuckled again, released her thigh, and turned the bag to show her the open side. “Oxygen activated.”

  “That’s…” The smell of something wonderful teased her nose. She sniffed and reached for it. “That smells really good.”

  “You eat meat?” He stared into her eyes.

  “Yes.”

  He passed it over to her and she was flabbergasted at the warmth coming from the bag. He arched his eyebrows at her gasp.

  “It heats the food and expands it when oxygen is introduced after the seal is broken. We do not have to cook our meals and they are easier to carry compressed…while we vacation.”

  She accepted the warm bag, peeking inside it to see what looked like meat strips, and then looked back at him. “That’s amazing.”

  He shrugged and turned a little away from her, looking down to open his own food. This time she expected it as the bag rapidly expanded. He reached inside with his finger and thumb, pulled out a strip of dark meat, and lifted it to his mouth. Lynn watched his generous lips part, those sharp fangs of his flashing in the blue light for a second before the meat disappeared into his mouth when he closed his lips around his fingers, sucking on them. His eyes closed and an expression of sheer pleasure gripped his features as a soft groan came from him.

  There was just something extremely sexy about the guy as he chewed his food, his eyes closed as he enjoyed every second of the taste until he swallowed. Amazingly blue eyes slowly opened and their gazes locked. He stared back at her until Lynn realized what she was doing. She jerked her attention to the food bag she held on her palm.

  She reached inside, her fingertip testing the texture of the meat that was warm but not hot. It did smell appetizing and it looked similar to steak. She pulled out a strip and stared at it before slowly lifting it to her mouth. She sniffed it again, deciding it even smelled like her favorite food, and then hesitantly opened her mouth. She barely touched it to her tongue first, taking a tiny taste, and then a small bite. Flavor exploded in her mouth, a rich, wonderful taste of perhaps filet mignon. She groaned and took a bigger bite. She finished the strip and reached for another.

  “You enjoy it?”

  Coto’s voice was husky and as she turned her head to look at him, she nearly gasped as he reached for her face. That tone in his voice did something to her. It was sexy as hell, kind of gruff and deep but soft at the same time. His thumb brushed just under her lip, the slightly rough pad of it tracing from the bottom of her chin to her lower lip, giving her good chills. His gaze followed his thumb until it paused at her lips before he pulled it away.

  “Juice dripped.”

  “Thank you,” she got out around the lump that formed in her throat.

  Lynn knew they were staring at each other again. She could hear the noises going on around them as his alien friends set up camp but she only had eyes for him. He was closer since he’d leaned toward her a little and her heart rate accelerated. There was just something appealing about him, from his beautiful eyes to his strong, masculine features. And that silvery, long hair was tempting to touch, just to see if it felt as silky as it appeared.

  He lifted his thumb and licked the juice from it. He still watched her raptly. Memories of touching that raspy tongue of his were instant and she wondered what it would feel like against her own. He inched forward, bending down a little so their faces drew closer.

  Was he going to kiss her? Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, drawing his attention as his focus lowered to her mouth. The attraction between them was sudden, hot, and Lynn took a shaky breath. Part of her really wanted to know what it would be like if he did touch his mouth to hers, how he would taste, and if he kissed the way she did. A soft growl came from his throat and the sound made Lynn pull back, realizing just how close she actually was to finding out if Coto would lip lock with her.

  “What is it with you?”

  He froze. “I don’t understand the question.”

  She inched back again, putting a little more space between them. “You smell good, and I stop thinking rationally every time you stare at me or touch me.” She grew suspicious. “Is it some freaky hormone thing? You know, do you give off a certain scent to make a woman have crazy thoughts about jumping you?”

  His eyebrows rose and he appeared confused. “I don’t understand.”

  “You’re different.” She tried to find words that he’d comprehend. “You and I are not the same. I don’t know you, but I’m attracted to you when you get really close to me. Do you put off crazy pheromones that draw a woman to you? I’m an animal control officer and I study them in my free time so I know some can draw the opposite sex with their scent.” She paused. “You’ve got animal traits like your teeth and you growl, so I’m wondering if you have other traits that aren’t visible.”

  He said nothing for long seconds. “You think my scent arouses you?”

  “Whoa!” She inched farther along the log away from him. “I didn’t say anything about being turned on. I said attracted, which is not the same.”

  His nostrils flared. “You scent good to me as well.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “To my knowledge, my scent holds no affect on women.”

  She studied him carefully, not seeing deceit there. She couldn’t be a hundred percent sure but she was willing to believe him. Great, I’m losing my mind. I’m getting all hot and bothered over an alien. She looked away from him to focus on her food, purposely not glancing his way. The meat strips were mouthwateringly good and she was starving. She ate every piece that was inside the bag and then turned her head to glance at Coto.

  He watched his friends. She took a deep breath. “I really should be going. There’s a cabin not far from here. My people will search for me in the morning if I don’t get back.” She met and held his gaze as he turned to stare down at her. “I w