After thirty-six hours of no sleep and running the training course all night, Rayne thought she’d imagined Sagan smiling at her across the cafeteria during lunch.

But no.

As Rayne did a double-take, she beamed. Not only was Sagan smiling boldly in view of Justin and the other Overachievers, but she was wearing something other than athletic sweats. Her bright blue sweater matched Rayne’s eyes. Was she wearing a leather skirt?

Holy shit.

Sagan looked hot with her hair tousled and her violet eyes lined heavily with kohl. She so didn’t give a damn that Justin was glaring upside her head.

A kiss.

Sagan Sterling blew Rayne Callahan a kiss.

Rayne melted.

“Excuse me. I have to go to the bathroom.”

As Kyle left to do… whatever… Nikki snickered.

Tameka grinned like Xelan’s trademark expression was catching. “I don’t know what’s up with Sagan, but I’m loving this.”

Rayne beamed back. “Me, too.”

Although nothing else came of it throughout the rest of the day, Rayne rode the high all the way home from the bookstore after school. She even sniffed her dinner, rather than pushing it aside with complete disinterest.

Xelan noticed Rayne’s good mood. “I like seeing you in higher spirits.”

“Me, too.”

They’d kicked ass for a few hours, and after he left, Rayne ran the training course for another hour.

Unfortunately, forty-eight hours and twenty-seven minutes was a long time to go without sleep. Rayne was losing the battle. She’d avoided the post-kiss conversation with Nox for two whole days.

But this was it.

Sick with exhaustion, Rayne passed out while counting the lines on her college-ruled notebook.

Twenty-nine.

Thirty.

Thirty-one…

A waterfall spilled into a nearby basin, crashing black water under a bloated sun. Red and orange light glared at Rayne through an amber dome, shielding her from certain destruction. All around, black trees stood sentinel in a charred forest. She could taste ash on her tongue.

Cinder.

The awesome sight broke Rayne’s heart.

“You cost me an important wager last night.”

The King of Cinder’s silken baritone from behind couldn’t startle Rayne away from the majesty of an alien planet. Through the vibrations of the red soil, she knew Nox came closer. Poised to fight, Rayne let him walk up beside her. Together, they gazed at his scorched kingdom.

Although Rayne couldn’t comprehend what he’d meant by ‘costing him a wager,’ she knew what to say next. “I understand now why you want to invade Earth. Nox, how have you stayed sane looking at this for thousands of years?”

His black eyes stayed on the view while his smirk held a secret. One, maybe Rayne should know. It sent an icy chill through her, and a shiver alerted her to the clothes. Or lack thereof.

Small black shorts and a scant black top clung to Rayne’s skin, leaving more muscle exposed than ever. Black ribbons coiled around her arms, legs, and midriff. And she was barefoot. Again.

Rayne shot Nox a flat, incredulous look.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The King of Cinder laughed, and it sang to Rayne. He was beautiful and devastating in ways she shouldn’t even consider. Yet, here she was.

The continuous storm raged in Rayne, while crashing waves of desire eroded her vulnerable resolve.

She bought into what Tameka referred to as the ‘virginity myth.’ Rayne wanted her first time to be with someone special. Tameka had tried to convince Rayne it was asking too much of a biological act, especially of the first time with no practice. But Rayne was still saving herself for…

Nox confessed, “I’ve missed our talks these past two days.”

Rayne had to admit, “So did I.”

As he faced her, the scenery spun around them in a dizzying transformation. Gone was the poisoned landscape. They’d returned to Nox’s Castle.

“We wouldn’t want you to lose your sanity.” The smirk on his lips warmed.

Handsome bastard.

Rayne planted her feet in the soil and raised her fists.

Nox raked his glittering black eyes over her, lingering on her shoulders and biceps, abs and quads. There was pride in his voice as he said, “You’ve come so far.”

“Dying to you night after night motivated me to become your worst nightmare.” Rayne refused to relax in her stance, despite how much it taxed her exhausted reserves.

Nox settled into his favorite posture, relying on his tree trunk arms as defense. He chuckled. “Yes. A passionate fighter with an even more passionate kiss.”

Rayne wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her blush. She planted her hand forward and went for an overhead kick, flipping backward when Nox evaded. This let her get some distance between them, conscious of his superior reach.

The filter blurred the full effect of his reaction, but Rayne could see Nox’s eyes widen in surprise. “Nice footwork.”

It confused her when he paid her compliments. Rayne always fought the flush of pride at the sincerity in Nox’s voice.

“But you and I both know you’re avoiding this issue. Why, Rayne?”

Not Celindria.

God help her, the way Nox said her name affected her. There was so much gravity as if he was aware of it, too. Rayne said, “Because I’m scared,” before feinting with a right hook while landing a left jab to his ribs.

Nox took the blow and grabbed Rayne by the throat, only he didn’t squeeze. “Nothing has to change between us.”

Rayne stared into his black gaze, whispering, “What if I want it to change?”

As if her skin burned, Nox released her and stepped away. “Speak your mind, warrior, but take caution. What you say, you can never recant.”

“Nox, I want to save Cinder with you. By being together, we can heal the wounds between our people.” Rayne swallowed to get the next confession out. “I want you to be my first.”

Nox tried to sweep her legs out from under her, but Rayne rolled forward and sprung back to her feet. He was there, and they traded blows. Both blocked and dodged, more dancing than fighting.

Amid the combat, Nox said, “I’m honored, but I don’t believe you know what you’re asking. What it will mean for you. I will still invade your planet without mercy—”

“But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can work together to resolve this peacefully. We can be together, Nox.” Rayne knew this was the right course. She felt it.

Nox caught her next punch and twisted her into him, her back to his front. “Is this what you want?”

The warmth of him seeped into Rayne’s nearly bare back. Against her ear, Nox’s breath smelled of spearmint. There was so much of him, solid and intimidating. Yet Rayne breathed, “More than anything.”

Nox lifted Rayne’s mouth to his with a finger under her chin and kissed her roughly. With her free hand, Rayne reached back and did something which had only occurred to her in the fantasies she’d written in her notebook. Rayne ran her fingers through Nox’s hair, appreciating the softness.

As the kiss deepened, Nox released Rayne’s twisted arm and held her to him by the waist. His hand was hot but his ring was cool on her skin. She wanted this. Wanted Nox. More brazen than she thought herself capable, Rayne took his hand and placed it on her breast.

They both moaned.

When Nox’s fingers trailed down her ribs from her chin, over her belly button, and lower still, Rayne knew she was in over her head. Yet still exactly where she wanted to be.

Rayne awakened from a long night of rest, finding her hands busy and wondered if Nox did too. Between that thought and recalling the way he’d said, “Is this enough for you,” after the fourth orgasm—She finished a fifth time.

It was Saturday, so no alarm, but Rayne felt alive and needed a shower. Was Nox showering right then? Like her, was he thinking of how they should meet and discuss their alliance?

When should she tell Xelan?

Rayne felt different.

With the way her mother glanced at her over breakfast that morning, Rayne wondered if she looked different, too. She didn’t actually have sex, but for all the intimate details which were seared in her mind, Rayne might as well have.

Nox’s skin under her hands and the bunching of the muscles in his back as he moved. Their hips together. Apart. Together again. The way he sucked on Rayne’s—

“Honey, are you okay? I’d ground you if I thought it would get you to eat. I’m that worried about you.”

Like this would go over well. Mom, last night in my dreams, I had sex with the alien king hell bent on conquering our planet.

And I enjoyed it.

Immensely.

Rayne’s face burned.

Across the table, Jack asked, “Are you getting sick? I can’t afford to get sick. I got a date tonight.”

Ray and Michelle turned away from Rayne and stared at their son. She welcomed the distraction.

Jack shrugged. “What?”

The parents began a deluge of questions.

“Who is it?”

“Why are we just now hearing about this?”

“Where are you going on this little date?”

Meanwhile, Rayne wondered if Nox always brushed his teeth before their dreams. She liked the idea of him freshening up for her. It made her smile the rest of the morning.

Rayne could do this. She could save the worlds with love.