“Why should I care if the betraying bastard is pleased?” Rachel sneered at him, but she gave in and sat on the couch, although she chose the end nearest the lamp. It was higher than she would have preferred but the extra cushions and throws made it more comfortable than anything she’d sat on in three weeks.
“Here.” Emily handed her a mug of tea and a plate with a… peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
“Peanut butter and jelly?”
“Yep.” Emily gave her a wink. “I’ve been craving it for weeks now.” She started to climb up next to Rachel and T’lan immediately picked her up and placed her carefully on the couch. He gave her a quick kiss, that same tenderness obvious in every move. He moved away, but only far enough to lean against the wall and watch both women.
Rachel took a sip of her tea and a bite of her sandwich and felt refreshed enough to resume her questions.
“What’s all this bullshit about a Forbidden Cycle and waiting until it’s over before approaching a woman? You’re very obviously pregnant.”
“I am.” Emily cupped a hand over her stomach with a happy smile. “But it’s not T’lan’s fault.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow and devoured more of her sandwich. “What? You tripped and fell on his dick?”
Emily blushed and giggled. “No. I had a friend in the first Yehrin delegation. We had an… encounter as the result of some manipulation by a bad Yehrin. But then I met T’lan and we fell in love and everything worked out.”
“So, you’re admitting that they’re not all good?”
“Of course they aren’t. Are all humans good?” Emily asked. “But the majority of Yehrin that I’ve met are decent, honorable males.”
“What about the females?”
“I’ve only met one but, yes, she’s very nice.”
“Really? You’ve met a Yehrin female?” The scuttlebutt in the pod was that there weren’t any Yehrin females. Rachel wasn’t the only one to speculate about why all the prisoners were young and female. “We thought this might be one of those ‘Mars needs women’ things.”
Emily sighed and looked at T’lan. “It kind of is—but it’s complicated.”
Before she could continue, the door flew open and T’chok appeared, his furious gaze going directly to Rachel.
Chapter Eight
“Are you injured?” T’chok demanded.
Before she could reply, he dropped to his knees in front of her. Even on his knees, his head still topped hers. His eyes blazed, blue streaks sparking like electric flames, but his hands were gentle as he clasped hers. She saw the moment he caught sight of the bruise on her wrist.
“Who did this?” he growled.
“Officer T’judin.”
He cradled the damaged wrist in his hands. “He is a dead male.”
T’lan interrupted. “He is in custody. Your female rendered him unconscious with a blast tube.”
“Where did you get a blast tube?”
“Um.” She had a sinking feeling he wasn’t going to approve of her actions. “Commander T’lan didn’t tell you?”
“No. He sent me a message saying that my female needed me. He did not go into detail.”
“Yeah, well don’t be too sure about that ‘my female’ thing. You lied to me about the whole Forbidden Cycle thing.” She waved at Emily, who was curled up against T’lan.
“I explained that,” Emily protested.
“You explained it was because of a ‘bad guy.’” She couldn’t help the air quotes. “But he’s certainly not the only one. Between some of the guards, that asshole T’judin, Commander T’ngorzul—”
“T’ngorzul?” Emily interrupted. “He’s my bad guy—I mean he’s the one I was talking about.”
“Commander T’ngorzul oversaw the breeder pods. As a result, you may have seen more of the wrong kind of warrior. You have my deepest apologies,” T’lan said solemnly. “That is why T’chok is now in charge.”
“You should have told me that there were guards that behaved inappropriately,” T’chok interjected, giving her a stern look.
“You should have been able to find that out for yourself,” Rachel retorted.
Emily gave an infectious giggle. “She’s perfect for you, T’chok.”
He smiled at the cute blonde and an unexpected pang of jealousy hit Rachel. The two of them seemed awfully cozy, and if she was his type… She cast a remorseful glance down at her own slender curves, then scowled and lifted her chin. Why should she care what type of woman the betraying bastard liked?
“I agree.” He turned his gaze to Rachel, eyes still blazing. “Tell me what happened.”
As T’chok listened to R’chel’s story, he grew more enraged. What kind of animal would go after a child? He exchanged a quick glance with T’lan and saw the same question in his face. How far had the rot spread? But his attention focused on R’chel at her next words.
“You attempted to seduce him?” he roared.
“I most certainly did not.” Her eyes shifted away from him. “I was just trying to get him away from Lizabet. But he took it the wrong way.”
“Little girl, he is three times your size. Do you know what could have happened if you had not been able to seize the blast tube?”
“I know.” Her chin came up, but he saw the fear flash across her face. “But it would still have been better than letting him get to Lizabet.”
“We will discuss this more in private.” He nodded to T’lan. “Thank you for handling the situation. My zuzu and I are going to have a private discussion in my quarters.”
His friend nodded, looking amused for a second before his expression turned serious. “There is something you should know,” he said in Yehrin. “There is a back up to the visual feed that is not turned off by a commander’s override. I am having the data retrieved and sent to your personal files. Also, I have reserved the Arena for tomorrow.”
“Hey, no talking in Yehrin,” M’lee demanded. “That’s rude.”
“Yes, my L’chka,” T’lan replied, without a hint of apology.
“Come, R’chel.” Without waiting for her to object, he picked her up in his arms. She weighed so little it actually tugged at his hearts, but he still relished the feel of her delicate body cradled against his.
“It was nice to meet you, Rachel,” Emily said. “Maybe you can come visit me again.”
“R’chel is a prisoner,” T’lan reminded her.
“Oh, phooey. In that case, I can go visit her.”
“No.” All three of them responded at once. T’chok looked down at R’chel, surprised to hear her voice echoing the sentiment.
“I don’t think that a very pregnant human female is going to reassure anyone,” she said.
“I am very pregnant, aren’t I?” Emily said with satisfaction.
T’chok stalked down the corridor to his quarters. He had sent the command to clear the halls so no one was in sight. He knew that he should return R’chel to Breeder Pod Eleven immediately, but he wanted some time alone with her first. His usual calm had abandoned him. He was furious that T’judin had injured her and intended to make the borag pay for it in the Arena tomorrow. He couldn’t help but be proud of his little human’s courage in standing up for the child and with her outwitting T’judin. But she had put herself in danger. As he opened the door to his quarters, he reached a decision. She had to be punished.
“This is… spartan,” R’chel said as she looked around. Unlike T’lan’s larger quarters, his space consisted of a single room. He was eligible for a larger suite because of his promotion but he had seen no reason for more space. A large bed, cabinets for his clothing and weapons, a replicator, and his own cleansing chamber more than satisfied his needs. His one indulgence was a chair from Syrus Five. Covered in black fur, it conformed perfectly to his body. He perched there now, keeping R’chel in his lap. His cock ached with her nearness, but he found it satisfying just to have her in his arms.
“My translation interface does not have a definition for Spart
an.”
“It means plain, bare, this…” She waved a hand. “It’s named that because of some Greek warriors who didn’t believe in comfort.”
“That seems appropriate. However, if my quarters bother you, I can—” He stopped abruptly at the point of offering to get a larger residence. It would make no difference. He would not be permitted to keep her with him. The Supreme Commander only allowed M’lee to stay with T’lan because she was pregnant. The thought of R’chel swelling with his child sent a surge of longing through his body, but he could not break the Forbidden Cycle.
“You can what?” R’chel narrowed her eyes.
“Never mind, my little zuzu.” Her half-confused, half-suspicious expression entranced him. He traced her face with a finger, fascinated by the delicate bones and the soft skin that met his touch. Seized with a longing to explore her mouth the way T’lan explored M’lee’s, he bent his head until he could reach her lips. His mouth pressed against hers, relishing the way she felt beneath him. Her lips were even softer than her skin and he licked the seam between the two plump curves.
“Oh.” R’chel jumped.
“What is it?”
“Your tongue. It’s rough.”
“Is that bad?”
“No,” she said shyly. “I just wasn’t expecting it.”
Red and slightly swollen from his touch, her lips tempted him again. This time, when he explored the seam of her mouth with his tongue, she opened for him and he dove into the warm depths. Her taste exploded across his tongue. She tentatively stoked her soft little tongue against his in return and he groaned, relishing the sensual experience. No wonder T’lan kissed his M’lee so often. He plunged deeper, demanding her response, and she met him eagerly, running frantic little hands across his chest and up his neck. His cock was painfully hard, pressing against his pants in an attempt to get closer to his female.
When he finally forced himself to raise his head, R’chel gave him a dazed look. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes heavy, and her lips red and swollen. Satisfaction filled him at her obvious pleasure, but they had matters that needed to be discussed.
“Now, my zuzu, tell me why you put yourself in danger.”
Her eyes dropped down to his chest, and she plucked absently at his shirt.
“Why do you call me zuzu?” she asked, instead of answering his question.
“It is a small creature that lives on Leonth. It has big eyes and very soft fur that fluffs out when it is angry.”
“You mean like a kitten?” She scowled. “I’m not some cute helpless little creature.”
“Neither is a zuzu—they have sharp claws and a venomous bite.” He didn’t mention that they also had pink fur and were regarded as adorable pets.
“Maybe that’s not so bad.”
“It is not. But you are attempting to change the subject. Why did you put yourself in danger? Did I not tell you that the pod was monitored?”
“You did, but I haven’t seen any proof of that. No one ever stopped T’ngorzul before,” she said bitterly.
Rage threatened to overwhelm him.
“You said he didn’t harm you.”
“No, he didn’t. He was creepy and embarrassing, but he never actually touched me.” She bit her lip and finally looked up at him. “But Sarah said… she said that some of the women left after lights out, even though the doors were locked.”
Fuck. This was what S’rah had wanted him to know. Was there no end to T’ngorzul’s depravity?
“So, you see, I had to do it,” she said earnestly. “I had to protect Lizabet.”
He stared down at her face, her eyes pleading but her chin lifted defiantly. His warrior instincts raged, infuriated that she had endangered herself, that she had not trusted in him, but his hearts were touched by her bravery and her compassion.
“Very well. I will not punish you this time.”
A brief flash of relief crossed her face, then her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have the right to punish me any time.”
“Oh, yes I do. We both know that you are mine, R’chel.”
“No, I’m not, and you’re not the boss of me. You’re not my daddy.”
Once again, the word fell into a charged silence. She had said it defiantly, but she looked almost… expectant? Was that what she needed from him?
“Oh, yes I am, little girl,” he said deliberately.
Her stubborn chin didn’t lower, but he was suddenly aware of the delectable scent of her arousal. Satisfaction filled him; she wanted this also. With one quick move, he stood up and carried her over to the bed, then let her slide down the front of his body.
“Remove your clothing.”
“Take off my clothes? Why? You said you weren’t going to punish me.”
“I said I would not punish you this time for endangering your life. But I will not allow you to deny the bond between us. Now remove your clothing like a good girl.”
Her fragrance deepened but her eyes were wide and uncertain. He softened his stance and ran a finger down her cheek.
“Do you want me to do it for you?”
“Y-yes, sir.” The words were barely a whisper.
Dropping a kiss on the top of her head as a reward for her honesty, he took off her clothes, a lot more slowly than he would have preferred. His cock throbbed incessantly, but he ignored it. He had treasured the image of her in the shower, but his memory had not done justice to her beauty.
“You are beautiful, my zuzu.”
Color flared on her cheeks, but she shook her head. “I’m nothing special.”
He spun her around and gave her a quick, hard spank.
“You will not deny your beauty. You are very special,”
When he turned her back, her eyes were wide, her pupils dilated, and her dark nipples hard little points.
“I think you enjoyed that, little girl.”
She wet her lips but didn’t respond. He would allow it. Reaching behind her for a pillow, he placed it on the edge of the bed, then bent her face down over it until her upper body was resting on the bed with her hips perfectly positioned at the edge. She didn’t resist, but he could see the fine tremor skating across her skin.
“W-what are you doing?”
“What I have wanted to do since I first licked your nectar from my fingers.”
He dropped to his knees behind her. Perfect. Her hips were level with his mouth and his horns would not prevent him from getting as close to her as he possibly could.
“Spread your legs, R’chel.”
There was a long pause, but he waited as patiently as possible. He wanted her to choose to obey him. She shivered, then sighed, and he saw her muscles relax.
“Yes, sir.”
With tantalizing slowness, she parted her legs. Once again, his shaft pressed painfully against his uniform at the sight—the small patch of silky black hair, the rosy lips already glistening with excitement, the small entrance waiting for his touch.
His patience deserted him. He caught hold of her hips and pulled her against his face, desperate to taste her. Soft, breathless cries escaped her lips as he explored every inch, lapping greedily at her essence. When his first initial hunger was assuaged, he slowed his pace, working his way into the impossibly tight entrance of her cunt, thrusting gently back and forth as he worked his way deeper while she shuddered and tried to push back against him. As her cries grew more urgent, he withdrew, seeking the swollen nub at the apex of her sex. He circled it, teasing and plucking at the swollen flesh as her body tensed and her cries increased, until finally he clamped it firmly between his lips as he drove one finger into her tight little channel, and she exploded with a startled cry.
The feel of her body convulsing around his finger, the wetness flooding his face, her scent filling his senses—it was too much. He had his pants discarded and his body lowered over hers, his rock-hard cock already probing eagerly for her entrance before he came to his senses. What was he doing? He couldn’t claim her now, couldn’t put aside his honor
and her safety. With a frustrated roar, he pulled away.
Chapter Nine
One moment T’chok was on top of her, the next, his massive body no longer covered hers. Stunned by his abrupt departure, it took longer than she would have liked before she realized her position—bent over a pillow with her legs spread wide. Face flaming, she rolled to a sitting position and brought the pillow up in front of her to shield her naked body. T’chok stood against the farthest wall with his back to her, his head bowed so that his horns pressed against the surface. Heavily delineated muscles etched his back and led down to a perfect ass, strongly muscled thighs and calves, and those strange clawed feet. Despite her embarrassment and confusion, the sight of his naked body sent a jolt to her still swollen and oversensitive clit; however, the defeat in his posture concerned her enough to overcome her lust.
“T’chok, what’s wrong?” She kept her voice soft.
“I am sorry, R’chel. I have behaved without honor.” He kept his face to the wall.
“You have?”
“I was about to take your body,” he said harshly.
“Oh.” He was feeling guilty about that? Now that her arousal had subsided somewhat, her rational side emerged and she knew that it would probably have been a mistake, but she couldn’t let him take all the blame.
“I wasn’t trying to stop you.”
“It is Forbidden.”
“You keep saying that, but I don’t understand. Why is it Forbidden?”
He sighed and turned back to her. She couldn’t help noticing his broad chest and stacked abdominal muscles, at least an eight pack, not to mention the massive appendage between his legs. Good lord. Her pussy clenched in a combination of lust and fear. That was no beginner’s model—it was probably just as well he had called a halt to the proceedings. But she couldn’t look away, taking in every detail from the swollen dark grey head to the thick undulating shaft and the wide base. She wet her lips and his cock jerked.
With a low curse, he gathered his scattered uniform and dressed before picking up her clothes. Covering his incredible body didn’t erase the image from her mind, but it did make her even more conscious of her own nudity. Still holding the pillow in front of her, she reached for her top but instead he pulled her to her feet and dressed her quickly and efficiently. His fingers didn’t even linger as he wrapped the top firmly around her waist and she bit back a sigh.
Alien Prisoner Page 6
