by Shyla Colt
"Me either."
"I was planning on pairing it with a salad."
"Perfect."
"The kitchen is just through here."
He followed her into the decent-sized room with a square table that fit six and a stainless steel refrigerator. A breakfast nook sat a foot away from the fridge, lined with bowls of varying sizes and a pizza tray.
"I did a little prepping."
"You'll never hear complaints from me about being ready."
"I suppose I wouldn't," she whispered, more to herself than him. When she saw him dressed down and laid back like this it was all too easy to forget who he truly was. They walked over to the kitchen, washed their hands, and moved to stand beside the island.
"So." She turned her body to face him. "What do you like on your pizza?"
"Everything. What about you?"
"Anything except onions. How about cheese, pepperoni, green peppers, and mushroom?"
"I'm good with that."
"Good, we'll chop the veggies up first." She turned away, took out a bag of pepperoni, a carton of mushrooms, and a green pepper. Ripping off the packaging she tossed the plastic into the garbage can, ran the produce under a stream of water from the sink and walked to the counter. A wooden cutting board and a plastic one sat at the end of the counter.
"I'll chop the mushrooms, and you can chop the green pepper."
Rivka grabbed the wooden board, leaving him the plastic. They both pulled a knife from the butcher's block and set to work.
"Have you always liked cooking?" he asked.
"Yes. It’s a way to keep my hands and my mind engaged without being taxing. The ceremonies take a lot out of me, and this helps refuel me."
"I understand that. I use television that way."
"Really?" She paused in chopping to peer across the counter at him.
"Yeah. Mars introduced me to a couple shows I liked, and I keep up with them."
"What do you watch?"
"I like sci-fi and supernatural stuff, Fringe, Haven."
"Ooh, those are both good shows."
"Do you like that sort of thing?"
"I do. I'm fascinated by mystic and science and where those two lines cross. I know it seems cliché, but there's a lot even I don't know."
"Will it make me sound shallow if I say I've never thought about it much?"
"No, considering you were under The Purge I doubt you were thinking deep thoughts about much of anything."
"It's true. I never realized what I was getting into. My Sensei warned me, but I was too stubborn, thought I knew it all."
"We all do at that age. I did." She chuckled.
"You?"
"Oh yeah. Being a Star Maiden always came natural to me. I had a real knack for it. I let it go to my head. Conjured up some folks I wasn't really ready to handle and had to call in my mentor to help me put them back."
"So you've always been a rebel?"
"I'm not a rebel."
"Uh huh."
"I’m not. I just have a clear vision of what I want and I go for it."
He smirked but remained quiet as they returned to their chopping. Once they were finished, they placed the pieces in bowls.
"I let you off easy with the dough. I made it ahead of time because it takes thirty minutes to rise."
"Darn." His dry voice made her roll her eyes.
"Yeah, you sound real heartbroken."
She moved to the fridge, grabbed the clear glass bowl covered by a cheese cloth and set it on the counter in front of him.
"I'll let you do the honors. You'll want to spread it out over the pizza sheet evenly and then we'll add sauce and the toppings." Rivka removed the cheese cloth and tipped the bowl over. The dough fell onto the pizza tray with a plop.
"You got this. It's like working with clay."
"Can't say I've ever done that."
"I figured, I'm just explaining the mechanics." He looked like a fish out of water as he placed his hands on the round ball and began to knead it.
"I'll grate the cheese."
They worked together in a silence she was grateful for.
"How's this?"
She smiled at the pan. "Great, let's get the toppings on and pop it in the oven."
Once their task was complete and the pizza had been put in the oven, they came into the living room to wait.
"Want to pick out a movie?"
"We could just watch Fringe. It'll be coming on in twenty minutes."
"I'm game."
****
Appetite sated, he leaned back against the couch beside Rivka. The credits to Fringe rolled, and he pondered what to do or say next. He'd never felt so uncertain in his life. Did he leave? Every moment with this woman was an adventure, and though he hated her distrust for him, he couldn't help but find the situation exciting. The more of herself Rivka revealed, the more he liked her. The question is, does she feel the same? He glanced over at her trying to gauge if he was making any leeway.
"What next?" she asked.
"You tell me."
"You're being awfully agreeable. Is this the norm?" She arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m trying to be respectful of your wishes. You said you wanted a chance to lead and get to know me. I'm trying to dial back—"
"That's not what I wanted—"
"Then what is it? I'm trying to make this as painless as possible. I'm not good with emotions, or flowery words. That's not who I am."
"Who are you?"
"I'm still figuring it out. What I do know is from the moment I discovered you were my mate things changed. My mind is filled with images of you. I want to be with you every second of the day, and not just sexually. There's no sweeter place than in between your thighs. But you also make me laugh, and think. You just make me happy. That's a feeling that's been foreign to me for what seems like my entire life. So when you ask me to curb it I don't know what else to do but hold back. Because there's nothing tame or safe about the way I feel about you, Rivka T'Shar."
"Show me."
"What?"
"I want you to show me how you feel about me, Bastien. I'm wading through uncharted waters, same as you. I'm woman enough to admit I was overly harsh with you. I won't lie and say I'm over the hurt you've caused. But I am trying."
"Are you sure this is what you want because once we start on this path, there's no going back to the way things were."
She licked her lips and tucked her hair behind her ears.
"I'm sure."
Bastien leaned over, twined his fingers in her hair and pulled her face to his. He traced her lips with his tongue and slipped inside her warm cavern. She tasted like the mint chocolate chip ice cream they'd had for dessert. Their tongues danced, coming together and moving apart as they battled for dominance, and this time he won. Rivka whimpered. He lowered her body down to the couch, propped himself up on one arm and trailed the other down her body, slipping it beneath her skirt. His fingers traced the damp cloth that covered her core. Her body jerked.
"Oh."
"You like that, Rivka?"
"I'd like you inside me a lot more."
"Patience." He made circles with his fingernail over her cloth-covered cunt, savoring the flood of moisture that came. Bastien pulled the underwear tight, pressing them into her moving the cloth over her swollen clit. She arched her back, clamping her thighs together as she rocked her hips.
"Spread your legs for me, or I'll stop."
"No!' Rivka opened her legs as wide as the skirt would allow, and the scent of her arousal teased him. He removed her underwear with his powers. She hissed as the air hit her bare pussy. Bastien eased a finger inside her, circled her slippery center and began a slow and steady pumping inside her.
"Mhmm, I love how ready you always are for me." He added another finger. "So hot, tight, and moist." He increased the speed.
"Oh Stars! Yes!"
"Place your hand over your head, and grab the couch."
She grabbed the armrest behind her, lifted her hips and clenched her eyes tight. Seeing her face light with pleasure made his cock swell.
"I want you to come on my fingers, Rivka."
"I'm close, I'm close."
"Let go for me, Rivka, let go." He pumped harder. She cried out. Her body went stiff and she exploded onto his digits. The scent of Tagget flowers filled the room, and he waited until she opened her eyes to place his fingers in his mouth and swallow down her juices. The tangy sweet flavor made him moan.
"Delicious. But I think I need more." He pushed her skirt up over her hips and moved down to bury his face between her thighs.
"No, no it's too soon."
"It's not." He licked her lips and hummed as the flavor tantalized his taste buds once more. "I could taste you all day long, Rivka." Bastien licked her slit from top to bottom before he pushed inside. He explored her cushy walls, slurping on her liquids as they flowed. He flicked her swollen nub, and she gasped.
"Bastien!"
"I love it when you say my name." He added a finger, and she gripped him tight. He hummed, and she rewarded him with a fresh batch of feminine dew as her walls closed around his tongue and she came.
"I need a break, please, Bastien." Her hands pushed him away from her center. He licked his lips and sat back up on his heels. It was the first time she'd used his name while they were intimate. Before it was always General.
"A brief reprieve." He moved off the couch, scooped her into his arms and stood. "Long enough for you to tell me how to get to your bedroom."
Her eyes went wide. She held out her hand and pointed to the stairs behind them.
"It's up the stairs and down the hallway, last door on the right."
He turned around and walked to the stairs.
"I hope you didn’t have any plans for tonight, because you're going to be busy." Her eyes darkened to a deep purple. Light flickered inside them, like tiny veins of lightning. Her hair turned a deep red. Heart radiated from her body, burning him in the best way possible. He used his powers to get him to her room faster than she could blink.
"I'm eager to have you the way I've been dreaming of." He opened the door and stepped inside her sanctuary. Lilac paint covered the walls, which were littered with pictures. Stencils of flowers from their home planet ran across the wall in a border. A large bed sat in the center of the room. The rest of the details were lost as he strode to the bed and laid her down.
"I want to watch you take your clothes off, by hand." He moved backward to sit down on a stool in front of the vanity as she sat up in the bed. Bastien unzipped his pants, and his cock sprang free.
"I've been daydreaming of this moment in the shower daily." He wrapped his hand around his thick length.
"Was my name on your lips when you came?"
"Every time." He liked her boldness. It was different from the other women he'd known and felt organic.
"Hmm, would it please you to know you weren't alone? While you were stroking that magnificent prick I was fingering my pussy wishing it was your mouth."
The picture she painted made him moan. She pulled the black sweater with a white heart over her head. The bra she wore beneath was a sheer black, triangular number with a pop of white in the center. Her dusky brown nipples protruded. She slipped her right arm free and flashed a coy look that made him groan.
"I figure the least I can do is put on a little show."
"You're doing a stellar job."
She smirked. "I have to live up to those fantasies you’ve dreamed up."
You already have.
"Mhmm, might be a challenge. I have a very active imagination."
She removed her opposite arm from the bra strap and held the material to her as she did a shimmy. She lifted her hands, and the bra fell down to reveal her picturesque bosom. When she tweaked her buds they both moaned. She opened the clasp in the front and tossed the material away, hooking her thumbs into her skirt and her underwear. She slid them down her thighs and long, sculpted legs. Her shaved pussy glistened in the light. Liquid seeped from the head of his penis, providing lubrication for his vigorous strokes.
"Spread your lips and let me see that pretty, pink, pussy."
Bastien removed the rest of his clothes and moved from his seat to stand at the edge of the bed.
"Let's see how well you can follow directions." He re-used the words she'd spoken to him when they began their relationship.
"Touché." Respect shone in her eyes.
"I think I like you in General mode." Her voice was a husky purr. His cock twitched in response.
"So many options I can barely decide which way I want to have you first. Move to the center of the bed and get down on all fours."
"Yes, General." She did as he asked, and he traced the curve of her back with his hand.
"Beautiful." He gave her ass as slap, rubbing the skin to soothe the sting before he joined her on the bed and cupped her mound. "You're dripping. Are you ready for me?"
"Yes."
Bastien lined himself up and rubbed against her core. Sparks shot through his body. He wanted to tease her, draw things out, but he was barely hanging on. He eased his head inside. Her tight entrance yielded and embraced him like a lover as he slid to the hilt.
"I think it's time I show you exactly whose pussy this is now." He gripped her hips, pulled out, and rammed back inside. She hissed, arched her back and pressed her ass closer.
"You like that?" He pulled out and slammed forward, again and again, in a relentless pace. She clutched the duvet and rocked back to match him.
"Yes, yes."
"Whose pussy is this now, Rivka? I want to hear you say it." He'd deferred to her up until now. It was his turn to stake his claim and stand his ground. He needed to know she was his from her own mouth. She remained silent, and he wound his fingers in her hair and tugged gently.
"Do you want me to stop? I didn't hear you respond."
"Yours, Bastien! Damn you."
He pressed her body lower to the bed, going deeper and hitting her cervix. Her walls quivered. His balls grew heavy.
"Rub your clit, Riv. I want you to come with me." Propped up on one arm, Riv circled her swollen nub.
"That's it." Her body began to shake, and he pistoned faster.
"I'm going to come!" Her back arched, her body went stock still, and she gripped him like the jaws of life as she flew over the edge, pulling him with her.
Bastien let go, spurting hot cum until he had nothing else to give and he collapsed beside her onto the bed. As they came down from their high in post-coital silence his determination to set things right between them increased. This was a huge step, but many more were needed to land them where they needed to be. He turned his head to face Rivka and smiled. She'd fallen asleep. Her face was peaceful, and she seemed smaller somehow with all her power at bay.
"We're going to figure this thing out together, you and I." He waved his hand over her, cleaning her up before he did the same to himself. He pulled her body close, taking the opportunity to hold her while she couldn't protest, and drifted off to sleep.
****
Tavel was tired. He'd combed the country hunting down his children, finding clever ways to distribute his special vitamin, developed to combat their special needs. It was comical how easy human brains were to control. Amazing their genes are even compatible. His eyes opened, and he coughed. Had the introduction of the watered down genes of Charlie made him more susceptible to illness? He scowled. Forcing his achy body up into a sitting position he eased out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. He came to a stop in front of a bathroom mirror and frowned. I look awful. His face was pale, his eyes were bloodshot, and his nose was red. A cough crept up his throat, and he covered his mouth in horror. I have a cold! Tavel opened the cabinet to his right and rattled through the contents. He didn’t even own a pill for influenza, opting to take an Aspirin for the fever he could feel working its way through his body. He wanted nothing more than to go to bed. He
was in no shape for traveling right now, and he was safe here in small town North Carolina, but he knew he needed to press on making plans.
"I promised you I'd find a cure Mom, and I did. I couldn't save you, but I've managed to save myself." Tavel turned away from the mirror and shuffled out of the bathroom. He'd grab a light bite to eat, take some vitamin supplements, and walk down to the lab. Now that he'd fixed himself he'd moved on to much grander plans. There was a crown to steal and a race of people to enslave.
Chapter Twenty
Rivka frowned as she glanced around at the landscape. Why was she back at this garden? She meandered along one of the trails, taking in the plants native to Tagett. The sounds of footsteps coming up behind her made her turn. A few feet away stood the woman from her dreams.
"Why am I here?"
"To learn of what's coming."
"Who are you?"
The woman smiled. "That is a mystery you will figure out when the time is right. For now, think of me as your guide."
Rivka bit back the words of protest that hung on the tip of her tongue. What she had to see was much more important.
"You and your young man must put aside your differences and come together to create a united front. When two become one." She clasped her hands together. "Their collective powers combine and increase. You'll need it to face what's coming."
"What's coming?"
"An abomination, the likes of nothing anyone has ever seen." The woman shuddered. "You can't prevent it. The window of time for that scenario has passed. So, instead you must prepare."
"Stars! Tavel's made something, hasn't he?"
A sad expression covered the woman's face, and she nodded. "Yes, but even he has yet to realize his grievous error. His misstep will cost us all." The wind began to pick up around them. The earth beneath their feet shook.
"I must go!" What began as an aggressive breeze turned into a full out windstorm. The gusts pushed the two of them apart, and her hair whipped wildly, obscuring her sight. Tears welled in her eyes. She struggled to fight the thick mass of locks that found its way into her mouth and covered her eyes. Cold rain fell from the sky, with enough force to sting her skin. The drops became ice. She covered her head to avoid being pummeled.
