Aran: Love me Harder - Alien Paranormal Romance (2 page)

“No, I came with my girlfriend and we hit the dance floor before sitting. Seems she found company, though, so it’s just me.”

“This may just be my lucky night. I just happen to run into a beautiful woman who is not spoken for. Will you allow me to be your escort for the evening?”

She must have died and gone to heaven not that it mattered. He might actually be a keeper.

“I would like that.”

“Shall we refill your drink?”

“It’s just Pepsi, but that would be nice.”

Aran led her over to the bar and had them give her a real glass filled with Pepsi. That was a lot better. He took her to a private table to set her drink down and then they went to the buffet.

“Everything looks so good.” The buffet table was on the side of the room. It was long and well stocked with lots of dishes. “The company hosting this party must have had a good year to treat its employees like this.”

She picked up a plate and began filling it. Should she pretend she was not hungry or simply eat? Looking at the food again, she decided if he didn’t like what she ate he could move on. She wasn’t here for a pick up anyway.

“They believe if employees are treated right and well compensated, they will be loyal to the company. A loyal employee is worth his or her weight in gold.”

Rena nodded in agreement as she followed him back to the table.

“Is this your first time coming to one of the company’s parties?”

“Yes. My friend Dee has worked with them for about a year now. She kept inviting me, but I kept blowing her off. Tonight I said no again, but she came and practically dragged me here.”

“I think Dee should be paid a bonus for that.”

The smile and laugh that came to her lips at his words were so natural that they actually caught her off guard. When was the last time she had simply laughed with a man?

“I will have to tell her. She will never let me live it down.”

“Rena, tell me a little about yourself.”

“There’s not much to tell. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. Lately I have been thinking of moving before I get too old to explore. I go to work every day. I work IT for Dow’s. I love my job it allows me to trouble shoot on the computer as well as work from home. Some of the things I like to do include bowling, going to plays along with various others things. Now tell me about yourself.”

“As you say, there is not much to tell. I work security. I run this company. I do have a few hobbies, but mostly I work.”

“You are Aran as in Aran’s Dare, the owner?”

“Yes, Sergey and I own it jointly.”

“I guess I really will have to tell Dee to collect that bonus.” She flushed when she realized what she said. She hoped he took it as a joke and not like she was a gold digger.

“Does my being the owner of the company bother you?”

“No. My comment embarrassed me. I don’t want you to think I was after something, other than getting to know you better.”

“I was not offended, nor did I think you were trying to take advantage of me. If you wanted to take advantage of me, I do believe I could arrange that.”

She felt the smile come back to her lips and knew her eyes were glowing. He had definitely piqued her interest. Her eyes flicked to the dance floor and back to him.

“Would you like to dance?”

“Yes.”

He stood and took her hand, leading her to the dance floor. His nice firm grip felt good. The song had changed to a slow dance. She was already regretting the desire to dance with him.

He pulled her close to his body, melding his hips against hers. She felt every inch of him glued to her, like it should be in a good slow dance. She also felt his interest and boy was she suddenly interested. The hand on the small of her back pressed her against him, while the other burned the side of her hip. When was the last time she had felt so good being held in a man’s arms?

“You feel good in my arms.”

Oh, he was a sweet talker. The world needed more like him. She tightened her arms around him.

“Thank you, I like the way you feel too.”

The music changed to a wilder beat and they broke apart to dance. Several songs played before they found their seats.

“Rena, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.” Her friend was just a tad bit tipsy.

“Dee, you couldn’t have been looking that hard.” She tried to reign in the smile on her face. She would tease her tomorrow about getting so carried away that she had left her alone.

“I’m so sorry.” The flush that went up her ebony skin made her look like she was melted chocolate over a cherry center.

“Girl, you know I am just teasing you. Besides, I met Aran and he was worth the dump.”

Dee looked over and her eyes grew big. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dee. I try to do a meet and greet with all new potential hires. I must have been away when you came on board. Sergey met with you?”

Rena’s stomach clenched. So much for a potential phone number exchange. Oh, who was she kidding? She had kind of hoped for a goodnight kiss followed by some groping and a “Can I see you again?” Looks like she was losing out to Dee again.

Dee nodded her head no. “Niko did the meet and greet I was at.”

Aran smiled at her. “He loves to do to do those kind of affairs. Which department are you in?”

“Accounting.”

“Do you like it?”

Dee nodded enthusiastically. “It’s one of the best places I have worked.”

“We strive to keep our employees happy. I wish to extend a warm welcome to our company and a personal thank you.”

“Why a thank you?” Rena would have found the puzzlement on Dee’s face funny, if she weren’t trying to find a way to leave so the two of them could be together.

“For bringing your beautiful friend to the party tonight.”

Rena’s eyes flew up to meet Aran’s. Maybe she would stay after all.

Chapter Three

“Another dance?”

“Yes.”

Aran led her to the dance floor. He was nimble side stepping any potential accidents as he moved through the crowd. He drew her into his arms with flare causing her to flush a little and smile.

She settled in his arms as the music slowed down. He pulled her closer, she could feel the possessive hold of his hands at her hips. She sighed and moved closer feeling his desire for her flaring hot through her dress.

Looking up, Rena caught him smiling at her making her heart beat faster.

“Are you alright? I am not hurting you, am I?”

She frowned at him. “What makes you think I am fragile?”

“Let me apologize I have a lot of strength in my hands. It makes me cautious not to hurt others.”

She looked up at him liking him.

“I am not fragile. For some reasons I honestly don

t understand, men seem to think I am breakable. It has made my life hard at times.”

He smiled at her making her already fast beating heart stutter at the power of his smile combined with that come hither look in his eyes.

“Maybe I should call you Rena the not so fragile one?”

Her laughter joined his as he swept her around the room moving to a faster beat.

They danced until she thought they would never play another slow song. She was about to call it quits when the slow strands of one filled the room. She floated back into his arms loving the smell of him. It was like being covered in the scent of the wild combined with a freedom she had never felt. She took a deep breath in, already his scent was intoxicating her.

Her lips tilted in a smile as she felt him stroke her back. “Aran, I am glad I met you tonight.”

“I feel the same Rena.”

He led her off the floor as the music stopped.

“I need to find my ride, it’s getting late.”

She stood at the table and looked for Dee, but she couldn’t find her.

She over at him. “Aran, excuse me, I will be right back.”

He nodded. She walked to the ladies room thinking Dee may be in there. No Dee, she checked all the stalls. Walking back to the dance floor she looked one more time. It was official she was stranded. She sighed, it was not like Dee to forget about her.

“Rena, is everything alright?”

Aran had walked up on her with all the noise from the party she hadn’t heard him. She started just a bit.

“You startled me.” She gave him a smile as she looked around once more for Dee. “It looks like my friend left without me. I was thinking about the best way to get home.”

“Let me take you home.”

“I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“Please, I insist.” His mouth twitched.

She kept her mouth from smiling. She knew he had gone back to their previous conversation.

“I would love a ride home.”

They left the room and gathered there coats. The valet met them at the door and went to get his car. The black BMW was brought around quickly. Aran helped her into the car.

“Aran, how is a handsome and successful man like you single?”

“Remember I told you about feeling stronger than the average man?”

“Yes.”

“That was the truth. It is hard to date if you are concerned about harming the female you are with.”

“You do not strike me as the type to harm a female. I understand though.”

“What do you understand Rena?”

“I understand the desire to feel comfortable with someone. To know they are capable of giving you what you want. Not wanting to hide your basic needs. I understand that.”

“You put that very elegantly. That is how I feel, I want to be myself. Not have to hide who I am from the female I desire.”

His voice deepened, becoming husky as he talked. She liked it. Closing her eyes she let herself wonder what it would be like if they got together. She knew she shouldn’t day dream about him while she was in the car, but the thought of a future was tantalizing her.

“Does this mean you have not found the right man for you?”

“Finding the right person can be hard, although thousands seem to do it daily. I am still looking.”

“I do believe this day has gone in my favor. Tell me more about yourself, Rena.” Aran said.

“Let’s see. I have two nephews that I adore.”

“I have four brothers.” Aran interjected.

“Wow your parents obviously loved children.” He smile without commenting.

“Tell me something else. Something you would not tell anyone else.”

“You want that kind of confession?” She looked him over before continuing. “Ok, but then you have to tell me something too.”

He nodded leaving her to think about what she should say. She knew it was silly, but she wanted to tell him the truth. Not blow him off the way she would do with another. Heck why not? At least by telling him the truth, she could weed him out early if he backed away.

“I always wanted to skydive from a plane, but I have to admit that I am afraid of heights. One day I gathered my courage and started taking classes. I can do this I kept telling myself. Finally the day came. I would go up in the plane and conquer my fear. I wasn’t alone. Several of the people I had trained with were going too. I stepped on the plane with my heart pounding and my palms sweating. I took my seat and the plane taxied off. I remember telling myself I could do it. There was nothing to fear except fear itself. Finally we were there, one last final check and it was time to jump. Don’t look down I repeated like a mantra. I looked down and knew I couldn’t do it. I backed away making room for the next jumper and caught my foot. I didn’t jump, I fell. Roughly four thousand meters above the ground. I screamed my way down. My training kicked in, before I knew it I was on the ground screaming I want to go again.”

He laughed with her. “You’re a brave female Rena. Did you go again?”

“Yeah. I love going now, it is so much fun.”

“You faced the unknown and thrived.”

“Ok your turn.”

“When my brothers and I were younger we weren’t allowed outside by ourselves. I would sneak out during the day always ending up in trouble. One day I snuck out and went down to the stream. A small animal approached me, it looked so soft I wanted to touch it. I caught it and picked it up. I kept rubbing my hand along its fur when I went to let it go it didn’t move. I must have held on to it too tightly. My brother Sergey had snuck out to come find me. It was time to eat and he knew I would be missed. I was sitting there with the animal on my lap staring at my hands. He rushed over to me and I told him what happened. I will never forget how he sat with me. He put his head on my shoulder and told me he was not scared of me. It was ok I was strong and now I would learn to be gentle.”

She blinked real fast hoping the tears wouldn’t flow.

“Your brother sounds great.’

“He is. He’s the second son.”

“Did you ever kill another animal?”

“No. I learned to temper my strength.”

“Tell me something Aran. Have you ever hurt a woman?”

“No. Not even those who have asked me too.”

“I probably shouldn’t say this, but I think you’re a good man.”

“High praise indeed. Thank you.”

Aran pulled up in front of the duplex she lived in. He parked the car and turned to face her. She reached out and took his hand. He squeezed it before dropping it with a look of panic on his face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Did I hurt your hand?”

“Silly man.” She smiled at him. “You would have to squeeze a lot harder than that to hurt me.”

Raising her hand he kissed the back of it. He exited the car and came over to open her door.

“Thank you kind sir.”

He walked her to her porch. “Rena I was wondering if you would like to come over tomorrow. My brothers and I are getting together. It’s not a big deal, we usually eat and play games.”

“If it’s not too much trouble. It sounds like fun. Can I bring a friend?”

“Yes bring anyone you want to.”

“I will ask Dee I am sure she would like to come also.”

“I have enjoyed myself tonight.”

“I enjoyed myself as well. I will have to say thanks to Dee for insisting I come.”

He leaned over and kissed her goodnight. Rena tried to get closer, she wanted a deeper taste of him. Instead he laid a chaste kiss on her. His mouth saying one thing while his body said another as she copped a quick feel.