“It’s totally the truth,” I call out as he enters our small house and heads straight for our bed. He’s sweaty and a little dirty from working out in the fields all day, but that doesn’t bother me one bit. Our playful banter ends as I press my mouth to his in a deep kiss, and then the kiss becomes something more.
A lot more.
After we’ve had sex, Jutari puts one blue hand on my rounded belly, caressing it. “How is my son today?”
“Mmm, busy. He’s been bouncing against my bladder all morning.” I put my hand over his. “You think he’ll come out with horns?”
“Messakah children do, but this one will be half-human.” His expression grows unnaturally serious, and he gazes up at me. “Are you happy here? With me?”
I tilt my head at him. “That’s an odd thing to ask.”
He rubs his thumb over my belly, sending skitters through my still-sensitive body. “I just…worry that you will not be happy here. We are very far away from the nearest space station. We don’t get many visitors. It’s just you and me, and soon there will be a child to think about. I worry this is lonely for you, Chloe. I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” I reassure him. “Did I think I was going to grow up and become a space farmer? No. Did I think I was going to marry a notorious criminal and live on the edge of the galaxy in hiding because he’s wanted for a list of crimes and I’m a freakish alien? No.” His expression grows bleaker with every word I speak, but I continue. “But am I happy? Absolutely.” I reach up and touch his cheek. “I love being here with you. I love our little farm. I don’t mind that we don’t have many neighbors—it makes me feel safer that way, because no one’s going to come and take me away from you. I don’t mind that we only get a few visitors a year, and it’s usually your brother and his new wife. I don’t mind farming. I don’t mind any of this. It doesn’t matter that it’s not an exciting life. I think I had enough exciting back on Haven. I’m ready for nice and quiet.”
He grins, showing off his sharp white teeth that look so dangerous and are yet so very gentle against my skin. “I feel the same.”
Our baby chooses that moment to kick against his daddy’s hand. “See?” I tell Jutari. “We’re in complete agreement.”
Author’s Note
Dear Everyone,
Thank you so much for reading! I know this isn’t our beloved sa-khui tribe, but the moment Chloe was mentioned in Kate’s book, I immediately had a story for her. I even dreamed about it. So of course I had to write it!
Is this going to be an ongoing series? I don’t know that it will. I do think I’ve left Chloe and Jutari in a happy place. I have stirrings for Kivian’s story (he deliberately doesn’t show up on screen in this book because I want to give myself room to play) but beyond that, this might just be a side-jaunt into fun territory and nothing more.
If this is your first book of mine you’ve ever read, welcome! I hope you enjoyed!
For those of you who are long-time fans of the barbarians, the next book to come out will be Summer’s story - we’ll be going back to the ice planet and exploring what’s happening there. And if you’ve read Fireblood Dragons, well, you saw a hint I dropped and are probably wondering about that. Wouldn’t you like to know? *g*
At any rate, this was a story that just had to come out, and it was a lot of fun to write, prison and all. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did!
See you next time! <3
Ice Planet Barbarians
Does a big brutal alpha male possessing his delicate human female make you as happy as it makes me? If you like that sort of thing, I’d love for you to give ICE PLANET BARBARIANS a try. It’s the start of a long, on-going series that’s very dear to my heart and also stars some very big blue aliens.
As always, my books are free to read in KU!
You'd think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you'd be wrong. Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble, and they've left their cargo of human women - including me - on an ice planet.
And the only native inhabitant I've met? He's big, horned, blue, and really, really has a thing for me...
Fire In His Blood
BOOK 1 OF FIREBLOOD DRAGONS
Years ago, the skies ripped open and the world was destroyed in fire and ash. Dragons - once creatures of legend - are the enemy. Vicious and unpredictable, they rule the skies of the ruined cities, forcing humanity to huddle behind barricades for safety.
Claudia's a survivor. She scrapes by as best as she can in a hard, dangerous world. When she runs afoul of the law, she's left as bait in dragon territory. She only has one chance to survive - to somehow 'tame' a dragon and get it to obey her.
Except the dragon that finds her is as wild and brutal as any other...and he's not interested in obeying.
What he is interested in is a mate.
Ruby Dixon Reading List
ICE PLANET BARBARIANS
Ice Planet Barbarians
Barbarian Alien
Barbarian Lover
Barbarian Mine
Barbarian’s Prize
Barbarian’s Mate
Having the Barbarian’s Baby (short story)
Ice Ice Babies (short story)
Barbarian’s Touch
Calm(short story)
Barbarian’s Taming
Aftershocks (short story)
Barbarian’s Heart
Barbarian’s Hope
Barbarian’s Choice
Barbarian’s Redemption
Barbarian’s Lady
FIREBLOOD DRAGONS
Fire In His Blood
Fire In His Kiss
BEDLAM BUTCHERS
Bedlam Butchers, Volumes 4-6: Double Down, Double or Nothing, Slow Ride
Double Dare You
BEAR BITES
Shift Out of Luck
Get Your Shift Together
Shift Just Got Real
Does A Bear Shift in the Woods
SHIFT: Five Complete Novellas
Want More?
For more information about upcoming books in the Ice Planet Barbarians, Fireblood Dragons, or any other books by Ruby Dixon, ‘like’ me on Facebook or subscribe to my new release newsletter.
Thanks for reading!
<3 Ruby