Heroic Abduction by Eve Langlais

considered awesome lovers?”
    “We are skilled when it comes to pleasing females, yes.”
    “No modesty I see.”
    “It is not boasting to state the truth.”
    “I don’t see how your treatment of women is any better than any other worlds, though.”
    “Because we treat our mates like precious treasures.”
    “You’re mercenaries. I find that hard to believe.”
    “Pure-bred Kulin females are in high demand on our world. Once a warrior binds himself to a female, it’s for life. He would die before he lets her come to harm.”
    “So your marriages are until death do you part? But what if he’s a jerk or he strays?”
    He shrugged. “Then she kills him. And if she can’t, another warrior will. As I said, females who can mate with us are in high demand. It is in a warrior’s best interest to treat his mate well, or another will come along and steal her.”
    “So you’re saying I should marry one of you purple dudes then?”
    “No.” His answer emerged terse.
    “Why? Aren’t I good enough for one?” Dyre had seemed interested. In her body at least.
    “Yes.”
    “Then why did you say no? I mean, how else am I supposed to get this protector you teased me with?”
    “No need to bind yourself. Protectors can be for hire.”
    “You mean like a guard?” That would work except … “Great idea that has two big problems. One, I don’t know anyone to fill that role, and two, how would I pay them?”
    “I could be your protector.” He offered so quickly she couldn’t help but cast him a suspicious glance.
    “Why would you do that? I’ve just told you I can’t pay you.” Unless he accepted kisses as currency. Wait a second, wasn’t there a name for girl who bartered sex for something?
    “As a warrior on an eternal quest to help those in need, it is my duty to offer you my sword and my skill free of charge that you might achieve your dream.”
    He sounded so sincere. Looked so yummy. Appeared so serious. She burst out laughing.
    “I fail to see the humor.”
    “Oh, please. Maybe Zista buys all you’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart shit, but I don’t. Nobody does stuff for free. You can’t expect me to believe that you’re not only willing to just let us use your money to resupply ourselves but to also put yourself in harm’s way so I can explore alien worlds. I mean, come on, what idiot does that?”
    “I do.” It took him a second, while she snickered, before he added, “But I’m not an idiot.”
    She laughed harder. “Sure you’re not. But you’ve got an angle. I just need to figure it out.”
    “Blasted female, why must you make it so hard for me to keep to my code?” he muttered.
    She would have asked him to explain, but for the second time that day, he kissed her. Kissed her hard, this time without hesitancy. Kissed her with a hunger she matched.
    Heat burned in her. Moisture wet her sex. Her nipples tingled as they pressed against the fabric of her shirt. Once again, his big hands palmed her ass cheeks, grinding her against his hardness.
    “Mmm. More,” she moaned.
    “We shouldn’t,” was his reply. “This is wrong.”
    “Why?”
    “I am not a mercenary,” was his odd reply.
    She made a sound of dismay as he yanked himself away and left the bridge. Left her aroused, confused, and wondering why he’d stopped.
    A hysterical giggle escaped her as a stray thought hit. Won’t his mother be disappointed when she finds out he didn’t finish the ravishing he started?

Chapter Seven
    “Exercise your cock lest lust cloud your judgment.” – A Mercenary’s Guide to Prosperity
    “Abstinence helps a hero focus.” – The Unofficial Guide to Heroism
     
    Dyre lasted a single galactic unit, known as one Earth day, before he couldn’t take it anymore. He needed to see Betty.
    He’d tried to avoid her, keeping himself busy doing various tasks on board, ones that kept him far away from the tempting Earthling. He attempted to forget the scorching embrace he’d