Alien Desire: A sci-fi contemporary menage romance (Stargazers Book 2) Read Free Page A

them and laughed.
    Pax watched color rise in Gina's cheeks. Was this some kind of joke they had cooked up? Was the joke on him?
    The two men left. Pax turned to Gina, facing her full on. “What the hell is going on? What's the joke I'm not in on?” He was mad now—and turned on.
    “Joke?” She looked confused. “There's not one. I just wondered what your problem with me is.” Gina raised one eyebrow.
    “I don't have a problem with you, specifically. I have a problem with the mockery you, Larch, and Ford are making of this place.” He stood, wanting to go anywhere, away from her before she saw the truth in his eyes.
    “How so?”
    Her calm tone was maddening.
    “You're all sleeping together. Am I right?” He whirled around to face her.
    “Yes, you are, but I don't think we're doing anything wrong.” She spoke softly, and yearning stirred inside of him.
    “Really? You don't think sleeping with two guys at once causes all kinds of problems? Jealousy, fighting, breakups, work fuck ups?” He threw his hands up.
    “Pax.” Gina was standing now, her breath on the back of his neck.
    “What?” He didn't look at her. He couldn't. His hurt was too close to the surface. This whole situation brought back the memories of his own history.
    “Pax. Pax, look at me, please.” Gina's voice was a caress over his wound, a kind touch.
    He sighed and turned around, not speaking. “I can't.”
    “I've never done anything like this before. I swear.”
    Her hand on his arm burned like fire. She stood just behind him. He wanted to turn around and take her in his arms, lose himself inside of her. “I believe you.”
    And he did. She looked the picture of doctoral propriety, like so many women in the sciences he knew. They had lovers, but they were circumspect about it.
    “Would you give me—and maybe us—a chance? We can start with us. We'll only do something else if you want to.” Gina whispered the words in his ear, and he shivered.
    Pax was so tempted. He needed this woman. “I want you so much, but I've been hurt so badly. I might be too broken for you.” He sighed. “I can't believe I'm even saying this. It sounds so weak.”
    His voice shook. He hated it.
     
    * * * *
    Gina lay her head against his back and wrapped her arms around him, just holding him for a moment without saying anything. Tears streamed from her eyes. This man was in so much pain. No wonder he had held her at bay.
    “Are you crying?” He sounded incredulous.
    “Yes.” She wiped at her tears with one hand, loosening her hold on him, but didn't want to let Pax go.
    “Why?” He was still now, only his breathing loud in the room.
    “Because I can tell you've experienced so much pain.”
    “Who told you about me?” His voice was hard again.
    “No one...nothing other than some relationship you had didn't work out. That's all I know. I swear, but whatever happened, you wear it.” She squeezed him harder.
    “That's true, but it's a lot bigger than that. No one here knows what happened, really. I was married, in love with Allyson, and she was carrying my child. I was out here, and she left me. Just up and left without telling me about the baby. Instead, she had an abortion. If only she would have...” He trailed off and cleared his throat. “Anyway, she had found someone else, and that was that. I lost the woman I loved and my child in the blink of an eye.” His voice was flat—the way someone's is when they've agonized over a hurt for a long time.
    “Oh my goodness. I can't imagine. I am so sorry.” Her heart literally felt squeezed in her chest.
    Pax stepped forward, and she let go of him, her eyes glistening. “So you see now why I don't want a relationship with you. I'm very attracted to you, but I can't share you.” He turned to look at her.
    Gina gazed at him for a moment. “I'm not asking you to—not like you think. I'm yours, if that's what you need. That doesn't mean I won't be sleeping with Larch and Ford, too. I know it