by Octavia Kore
He shifted awkwardly as she moved away from him, running her hand over the soft blanket that covered the bed. “I am sorry there isn’t much here. Most of my personal items are left at home when I go on a mission.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She grinned, stopping to look at the picture frame that rested on one of the shelves built into the walls. “Is this your family?”
“Your family as well now.” He loved the way color crept into her cheeks when she was embarrassed. “These are my parents and all of my siblings.” It was the most recent one they had, and he took a moment to point out and name each one of them.
“I’m never going to remember everyone.”
“It is easy enough once you get to know them.”
“I hope they like me.” The whispered words might have been missed if he wasn’t standing so close to her.
“Why wouldn’t they?”
Amanda shrugged a shoulder, turning away to explore the rectangular window. Outside, the stars twinkled against the darkness of space. “They aren’t going to be disappointed when they see me and realize I’m not even Venium?”
“Of course not.”
“And you? Were you disappointed?” There was uncertainty and vulnerability in her eyes as she turned to him.
Was he disappointed?
He took in a deep breath and slowly released it. “I told you before that I’d been waiting my whole life for you. I must admit that when I tried to picture what my mate would look like, I never imagined anything quite like you.” He framed her face with his hands, tilting it so that he could make sure she saw the truth in his eyes. “Was I surprised by you? Absolutely. Surprised, but never, ever disappointed. How could I be?” He dropped a line of gentle kisses across her forehead and then along each cheek. “You’ve proven yourself to be courageous, caring, loyal, intelligent, and above all of that, you have always been true to yourself.” His lips brushed over hers and he felt her whole body shiver.
Her hands slid up his chest to fist the fabric of his shirt as she deepened the kiss, her tongue gliding out to meet his like it had when they had stood in the hallway. He felt her pulse hammering against his fingers as he slid one hand down her throat, stroking the sensitive flesh until she was shivering and moaning against him.
Without warning, Amanda shoved away from him, her hands tugging frantically at the hem of her shirt before she slipped it over her head, dropping it carelessly at her feet. The air left his lungs in a rush as he let his gaze roam over her exposed skin. He must have stared longer than he thought because she brought her hands up to cover herself as if she were uncertain.
“What are you doing?”
“Umm…” Amanda looked down at herself before raising a brow at him. “I sort of thought that was obvious?”
Oshen felt his lips twitch and tilted his head. “Why did you stop?”
“Well, you were just staring, so I thought—”
“Did it seem like I was uninterested?”
Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and she shook her head, loosening the messy knot at the back of her head that held her dark hair back from her face. His hands itched to fist it, to yank her head back and run his tongue up the side of her neck. His kokoras jumped within its sheath, pressing forward painfully.
“Keep going,” he commanded softly.
His eyes tracked her hands as they tugged the stretchy pants over her hips, thighs, and ankles before they eventually joined the shirt on the floor. The smell of her arousal swirled around him, filling his lungs, taking over his senses until he couldn’t resist the urge to touch her. She still wore her under garments, but he wanted to take those off himself. With gentle hands, Oshen moved his hands over her shoulders, across her soft skin, before feathering his fingers through her hair. It was then that he smelled it. Fear.
“If you don’t wish to do this—”
“No!” The word burst from her mouth and she grabbed his hand before he could retreat any farther. “I just… I’m not very good at this.” Her other hand moved up to fidget with the silky material that covered her breasts. “I don’t know how to be beautiful or enticing. Sex appeal has never been one of my strong points.”
“My heart.” Oshen shook his head. “You don’t need to know how to be beautiful. You’re already the most beautiful being I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to each knuckle. “The most enticing female I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.” She caught her lower lip between her teeth when he slid his tail up her leg, wrapping it possessively around her thigh. “Just know though, if you have any doubts, this doesn’t need to happen now. I would wait solars if that was what you wished.”
“I have no clue how long a solar is, but I know any wait is too long.” His little female leaned forward and whispered kisses along his covered chest. He had never been more frustrated by his clothing than he was at that moment. “I want this—I want you. I chose to come out here, to leave Earth and make a life with you, to be your mate. Show me what it means to be your mate, Oshen.”
Goddess, give me strength, he prayed as her hand ran over his bulging kokoras where it pressed against the fabric of his pants, straining at the opening of his sheath and threatening to extrude. He nuzzled his face into her neck, breathing her in as he spun them around toward the bed. Amanda moaned when he pressed her back against the soft padding of the mattress, his hand at her throat, squeezing gently.
He was going to show her exactly what it meant to be his mate.
She arched up beneath him, sighing as he trailed the tip of his tongue from her navel to the decorative covering, nipping at the top of one breast.
Oshen’s tongue slipped out to run along the side of her neck, the unique flavor she produced bursting over his taste buds and claiming permanent residence. The overwhelming demand for him to sample her very essence was staggering, but he needed to take his time.
Amanda’s hand snaked around his head, pulling him closer to her body. Her breath hitched as his claws gripped her hips, and he ground himself against her. Oshen’s world focused entirely on the female in his arms, each beat of his heart solely for her.
The growl that vibrated through his body was not a warning but a promise of pleasure. He kissed his way around her throat, stopping to nip at her chin. His. Every atom sang in joy as he allowed himself to accept that she would be the only female for him. His gynaika was finally welcoming his touch. As much as Oshen had hated to stop her after that first kiss, he couldn’t regret it. This moment meant so much more to him.
“Oshen.”
The whispered sound of his name urged him on as he picked her up, pressing her against the wall. He fisted his hand in her dark hair, tilting her head back so he could claim her lips. Passion seeped into each caress as she clung to him. Wrapping his hands around the backs of Amanda’s thighs, his claws pressing gently into her skin, he pulled her up against his body. The change in position brought her core into direct contact with his pelvis. Her arousal permeated the air, and he fought for control over his excitement. The gyrations of her body against his and the soft sounds of her whimpers nearly had him releasing in his pants.
The taste of her mouth set off something primal inside him. She tugged his shirt up over his head before he even realized her intentions. Did she know how much he had wanted her since that first kiss? He had ached for her, but he hadn’t wanted her to feel pressured into being physical. Amanda dropped the shirt to the ground and ran her hands up his chest until he took them in his own, pressing a kiss to the back of each one.
“Are you certain, gynaika?” He knew that she had already agreed, but it was almost too good to be true and he needed to be sure.
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she rested her forehead against his. “Hell yes.” She giggled before his lips descended on her own, nipping and tugging until she was breathless.
The moan that caressed his ears only drove him on. Oshen pulled back from the kiss, licking along the sensi
tive flesh of her neck as he took in her soft sounds of pleasure. His fangs ached with the need to bite her and leave a permanent mark, to make it known that she was his. He gave up everything to her as he allowed himself to become immersed in the pleasure they shared.
Everything had always been so hard for him; finding a gynaika was impossible, or it had been. He curled his tail between them, sliding the tip up the inside of her leg to rub along her cleft.
Mine.
His hand moved from her hair to cup her covered breast, testing the weight of one in his palm. He ran sharp fangs over her collarbone, working his way down her body. He wanted to taste her. Moisture coated the end of his tail as it soaked through the fabric that separated him from her cunt.
“Don’t you dare stop!” she hissed between clenched teeth.
Amanda arched beneath his hands with a gasp, hips tilting down to allow Oshen better access. Her fingers dug into his shoulders like she was attempting to hold him in place, as if he could have pried himself from her. Watching the pleasure dominate her features as he wrung a scream from her throat sent a thrill down his spine. Her head fell back, chest rising and falling with her labored breathing.
“Brutok?” Amanda squealed in shock, her skin flushing as she buried her face into Oshen’s shoulder timidly. Her hands moved between them, pushing his tail away in mortification.
Oshen’s head snapped up at the sound of Brin’s voice. What the brax? The holoscreen flashed a picture of the male’s irritating face, and he thanked the goddess that they weren’t within his line of sight.
“If the sounds coming from off screen are anything to go by, I’d like to say congratulations on the mating and finish herrrr!”
Oshen shoved away from the wall with a growl just as another voice, one Oshen was very familiar with, interrupted.
“Brin!” Jun yelled from somewhere in the background. “I swear to God, I am going to—”
“Don’t have too much fun!” The feed cut off and Oshen sighed heavily. Braxing pup.
He turned back to apologize to Amanda, but she had her hands over her face and her body shook like she was sobbing quietly as she sat down on the bed.
“Gynaika, please don’t cry.”
I will murder Brin the next time I see him, he swore to himself as he rushed to the bed, but he came up short when a loud snort and uncontrollable giggles erupted from her.
“Are you laughing?” Unbelievable.
When she snorted again, Oshen didn’t even try to hold back his smile; she was exquisite.
“I’m sorry.” Her laughter turned into a surprised gasp when he bent down to taste her skin again. “Gods, Oshen. I think…”
“What do you think?” he asked, trailing his lips over her ribs, nipping playfully.
She grinned down at him, her eyes sparkling. “I think you should finish me.”
Chapter 13
Oshen
Amanda squirmed beneath him as he stroked a finger up and down the inside of her thigh, nearly brushing the thin cloth that covered her center before he retreated. His mate was magnificent, all milky skin over ample curves that he wanted to run his hands and mouth over for days on end.
Careful to avoid nicking her soft flesh, Oshen slid his hands beneath her to unclasp the silky covering. A low growl rumbled up his chest as her breasts slipped free of the silk. Indulging his impulse, he closed his mouth over one stiff nipple, swirling his tongue around it before catching it gently between his teeth. Her gasp of surprise turned into a moan of pleasure, and he moved to the other breast, showing it the same delicious attention as she pressed herself closer.
When he released the peak, Amanda mumbled something unintelligible, clutching at him, but he slipped down her body. He trailed kisses over her quivering stomach, nipping at her skin before dipping his tongue into her navel as he looked up at her flushed face. Her hips lifted, begging him silently to keep going, but he only smiled.
Not yet.
He plucked at the material covering her core before slicing through the bands on the sides, pulling the ruined garment from her and tossing it behind him.
Wedging his shoulders between her thighs, Oshen allowed her scent to overwhelm his senses. He dropped more kisses along her legs and whispered against her skin, “I swear that you will want for nothing.”
Her hands tugged at his braids as she arched her hips toward him. “Please,” she moaned. “Oshen…”
“I swear to love you without reservation.” He trailed his knuckle up her inner thigh before sliding it over the slick folds between her legs, his chin resting low on her belly as he watched her face contort.
Her hips jerked up at the contact, and she gasped. “Stop teasing me!”
A deep chuckle vibrated through his chest as he moved his knuckle over the tiny nub at the top, making her jerk upward again. Interesting. With one last nip at her skin, Oshen spread her sex and ran his tongue over the sweet slickness that coated her. A long, drawn-out hiss escaped her as he did it a second time, stopping to press with the tip of his tongue, swirling it around the little nub that seemed to be so sensitive. “You’re starting to sound like Hades.”
Amanda slapped her hand against the bed, fisting the blanket before she lifted her head to glare down at him. “You’re starting to sound like someone who’s got a death wish. Less talk, more of that thing you did with your tongue.”
The way her entire body shuddered beneath him when he returned his attention to that little nub had him aching. His engorged length had already pushed past the sheath, and he felt it jump when she moaned. Her legs fell away from his shoulders as she bucked against his mouth, moving her hips in frenzied circles. Goddess help him, he almost spilled right then and there from the sight she made.
Beautiful. Sensual. His very own goddess.
“Mine.” He growled, shooting to his feet to rip the clothes from his body. A sigh of relief nearly left his lips as his kokoras sprang free. He stroked his length once, growling when Amanda’s eyes lit with desire. The heat of her gaze was nearly hot enough to sear his flesh. Need blazed through his veins, and he slapped his hand against the control panel on the wall, running his fingers over the commands until he had brought the platform just below the level of his hips, putting his mate exactly where he wanted her.
A shudder worked through her as she eyed him, her tongue sneaking out to wet her lips in the same manner that had been driving him crazy since the day he had woken up in her dwelling. He settled himself between her legs and leaned over her before brushing his lips over hers. Being with a female had never felt this intimate, and she coaxed him deeper and deeper still, entangling him in the web of desire and passion she was weaving. Her hands swept over bare skin, her touch feverish and frantic, as if she thought he was going to pull away.
Amanda caught his lower lip between her teeth, sucking it into her mouth and then releasing it on a moan. His hips thrust forward, and he felt his kokoras slide against her heated sex. She moved her hand down between them, her fingers wrapping around his shaft as she stroked it from the head down to the base, where she ran her fingers over his sheath. He hissed through his teeth in pleasure, his muscles clenching as he tried to allow her time to explore.
“What are these?” she asked as her fingers played over the ridges that circled the base.
“Mating glands,” he managed to grind out between clenched teeth. “Meant to seal us together and ensure procreation.” The engorged member jerked in her grip as the largest ridge began to pulse. He was going to spill in her braxing hand like a pup. “Amanda.” He leaned down, raking his fangs over the skin on her shoulder. “I need to be inside you.”
With a muffled laugh, he felt her guide him to her entrance, running the head through her wet folds, drawing another moan from her lips. He pressed into her, working her slick along his length, slowing his movements for fear that he might hurt her. Her hands flew to his forearms, her blunt nails pressing into his skin as she tilted her hips in invitation. A moan of pure, uncontr
olled ecstasy burst from her lips when he finally seated himself completely within her. The searing heat of her body pulsed around him, her muscles clenching at him as he pulled out a little only to push back inside. He felt drugged by her pleasure, dazed by the way she drew him in.
A satisfied groan rumbled through him as the ridges began to expand, dragging against her walls as they tightened around him. His fushori pulsed, casting Amanda in a golden glow that nearly took his breath away. This was where she belonged. Her scent changed slightly, growing stronger, more potent as her pleasure spiraled out of control. Every thrust of his hips against hers brought him closer to the edge, every whispered caress threatening to make him spill.
He twisted the dark strands of her hair in one hand, pulling her head back and exposing the side of her neck. The sounds of their panting, grunting, and whimpering filled the air, accompanied by the rhythmic slap of his flesh against hers. Her body pulsed around him, tightening like a fist as she cried out. For a moment, he could do nothing but watch her as she came undone beneath him. She was gasping, writhing against the bedding with her eyes closed as she let go.
“You’re mine.” He growled just before he leaned in and sank his fangs into the exposed side of her neck, piercing the soft flesh. He rocked against her almost desperately, driving into her as she spasmed around him.
The metallic taste of her blood flowed over his tongue, undoing all of his carefully kept control. The mating glands around his kokoras expanded, locking them together so that every stroke was a delicate balance between pain and pleasure. His tail curled around one of her thighs, spreading her wider as his hands flew to her hips. The tips of his claws dug into her soft skin as he initiated the mating hold, but instead of crying out in pain, his little mate moaned in pleasure. His release struck him then, taking him by surprise. He came with a loud, rumbling growl as his seed pulsed into her body, bathing her walls.
