Page 9 of Rock Hard Alien

“I suppose so. Stay here.”

I watched her squeeze through a gap in the trees, her legs brushing a bush. The belt highlighted her wide hips that swayed as she moved. Among gharrgoils, that was a mark of beauty. I wasn't sure if humans saw it the same way. I would make sure to tell her. The longer I spent with her, the more beautiful she appeared to me in her exotic, alien way. I was desperate to feel her skin again, so very soft and warm, and feel her hair against my face. I wanted to see what she looked like beneath those bulky garments, stroke her, worship her. She was my mate, my salvation, my everything. If only she knew.

“Cairn! It's safe to come out!” she shouted.

I hurried towards her as fast as my aching body allowed. The tips of my wings brushed against branches. Give me a rocky mountainside over forest any day.

The vehicle was round, bright green and seemed way too small for even an adolescent gharrgoil. In the front seat sat a female of about Georgie's age, with long sleek hair the colour of onyx. She had lowered the window and was now staring at me through the opening.

“Don't be afraid,” Georgie said, leaning against the vehicle.

The female didn't take her eyes off me. “I'm not. I'm fascinated. We've not come across his kind before.”

“His kind? You mean-”

“That I've met aliens before? Hell yes. I'm not usually allowed to talk about it, but since you've met your very own alien... We're going to have a long chat.”

“I am Cairn of the Grey Warrior Caste from the planet Spiris. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, female. I am grateful for your help.”

Georgie stared at me. “You can be polite after all!” She turned to her friend. “He grabbed me without a single word. Never introduced himself as eloquently either. I guess he likes you more.”

Fury rose in me. I grabbed her shoulders, turned her to face me, and stared into her wide eyes.

“I. Do. Not. Like. Anyone. More.” I took a deep breath to calm myself. “I cannot. You are my mate.”

Georgie's eyes were wide, her lips parted slightly. She kept staring at me. I wished I could have read her thoughts. Her expression gave little away.

The other female laughed in the background, but I didn't move.

“George, you've got yourself an alien mate and you didn't even need our agency. Well done!” She giggled. “Cairn, word of advice. Human women like to take it slow. They also don't want you to be this intense. Most, anyway. Georgie doesn't seem to mind.”

Something passed between us. My mate closed her lips and something new sparked in her eyes, strong and fierce.

“Take your hands off me, Cairn.”

Not what I'd expected her to say.

What was I doing wrong? How did I keep getting it wrong?

I let go of her shoulders and stepped back, my wings drooping, my tail flopping down. I clearly wasn't any good at this mating thing. I thought I'd been prepared after my sire had given me the talk, but maybe it was because I'd been petrified for so long. Maybe I was broken.

“Now you've made him sad,” the other female said to Georgie. “I was going to drive you back to yours, but I think it might help you to meet some friends of mine. They've been through the same thing.”

“I doubt that,” Georgie muttered. “Or have they been kidnapped by a gargoyle that randomly came to life and has no sense of personal space?”

“I respect your personal space,” I protested. “Otherwise you would be in my arms, wings wrapped around you, safe from all that might harm you.”

“And who would harm me?” she shot back. “Other than you?”

That stung.

And she was right. I'd endangered her. Nobody else. It was me she needed protecting from.

I stepped back, spread my wings and launched myself into the air.

“Cairn!”

I ignored her shout. Until I got full control over myself, I had to be away from her. Even if that meant I got spotted by other humans. I didn't care.