Barbarian's Redemption (Ice Planet Barbarians Book 13)

by Ruby Dixon

  She touches her mouth. “I don’t think so. Have you never done this, either?”

  “I have. I had a pleasure-mate several seasons ago.”

  “Oh.” My sweet Ell-ee looks downcast at that.

  In this moment, I regret every caress I ever gave another. I should have waited for my mate. “There was no love between us,” I tell her, stroking her cheek. “She left me because she thought I was mean, and soon after resonated to another.”

  Ell-ee looks startled. “Mean?” Her hand goes to my chest, and her fingers rub small circles against my plates. “Really?”

  “Really. I was not patient with her. Not kind. I regret that.”

  She studies me. “You are always kind to me.”

  “It is different with you. Everything is different with you.”

  “I am glad.” She lays her head on my shoulder again, and her mouth curves into a little smile. “It is the same with me. I have not felt like anyone was safe before you.”

  “Even if I brought you here?”

  “Even if,” she agrees. Her fingers move to my jaw, and she touches me in a light caress, her fingertips stroking over my skin. “I have you, and I have the stars. I’m safe. I don’t need more than that.”

  I groan, wanting to bury myself inside her sweetness. This small female has my heart in her hands. I want to give her so much pleasure…but I will start with my own, so she knows it is nothing to worry over. I press my mouth to hers again and let my tongue graze over the seam of her lips. She gasps, and when I pause, she presses her mouth to mine again. It’s a silent request for more, and I am happy to do so for my mate. Our lips meet again, and I deepen the kiss, allowing my tongue to slide against hers. Her little whimper of pleasure makes my cock ache like never before.

  Kissing Claire was never like this. It felt uncomfortable, as if I was doing something wrong. But with Ell-ee, it becomes a sensual pleasure. I lick at her mouth, letting my tongue mate with her as my cock wishes to. Over and over, our mouths meld in a tangle of wet kisses, lips and tongue, and I am lost to the sensation. Her hand curls against my chest, and she brushes her teats against me as she knots her hands in my hair, deepening the kisses.

  By the time I pull away to catch my breath, I am panting. My mate looks dazed, her mouth pink, wet and swollen from my caresses. She’s crawled into my lap as we’ve kissed, her legs straddling my aching cock. And she no longer looks scared, just rosy with desire.

  The sight of her is so enticing I want to fling her to the floor and push into her, but I must go slow. I must show her what it is like. “I must take my loincloth off,” I tell her, my voice thick with need.

  “Oh.” She looks confused for a moment, as if just now realizing that she is sprawled in my lap. After a moment’s thought, she moves down my thighs and sits on my knees. “Is this okay?”

  Gazing at my naked mate as she straddles my legs? Enjoying the sight of her breasts and spread thighs as I stroke my cock? “Fine.”

  Her hands rest on my thighs, and she gives me an expectant look, waiting.

  I undo the laces on the sides of my loincloth, then tug the leather aside, revealing my erect cock and spur to her. She looks curious but not worried, studying me with a tilt of her head. Then she looks up and meets my eyes.

  “Does it feel soft like me?” she asks.

  I groan, because now I am thinking of the soft, wet feel of her cunt against my fingers. My khui is singing loudly, so strong that my chest feels as if it is shaking, and when I reach down to grip my cock, I can feel the pre-cum slicking down my skin. “Hard,” I tell her thickly.

  “Can I feel?”

  Was ever a male so tortured? I nod, holding my breath.

  Ell-ee puts her hand on me, encircling my cock with her fingers—or at least, trying to. They cannot go all the way around my shaft, and her hand looks small and pale in comparison to my thick length. She lets her hand move up and down in a light caress. “Hard and soft at the same time,” she tells me. “Your skin is soft, but underneath…like rock.”

  I am going to burst. I close my eyes and try to think of anything other than the mind-blowing pleasure of my mate touching my cock. I think about cages, instead, and that sobers me enough to regain my control. Ell-ee’s fingers trace the ridges going up the length of my shaft, and then she circles the head, letting her fingers play in the thick, wet pre-cum there. Since I have resonated, my seed has grown thicker, less clear, and I know it is so I can put a kit in my mate’s belly.

  She finally withdraws her exploring hand and gives me a shy look. “I would say thank you, but—”

  I growl at her.

  She giggles, and it is the sweetest thing I have ever heard. I grip my cock again and give it a hard stroke, pumping from the base of the shaft to the head. Her laughter turns into a gasp, and she gives me a fascinated look. I love that my mate is staring so intently at my cock, and I stroke it again for her. Over and over, I stroke my aching cock. I have used my hand to pleasure myself many times in the past, so I know how to do it quickly, and the resonance is making my need greater than ever. I want to last for a long time to show off for my mate, but it will not happen this time. Not with her straddling me, her face so close, her expression so focused and full of concentration. I continue to work my cock, flicking my wrist when I reach the head and tightening my grip as I do. I want to tell her all the things I imagine doing to her as I stroke it—picturing her teats rubbing up against my shaft, or her mouth dipping low to tongue the head. Or watching from above as I feed my length into the hot well of her cunt. Turning her over and spilling my seed down the pink curves of her bottom. All of these things ripple through my mind, but I keep them silent. There will be time for that later. For now, I perform for my mate.

  My breath hisses between my teeth, and I feel myself close to coming. I deliberately slow my movements, drawing it out, and when she leans in, it becomes too great to resist. “Back away or I will spray your face, my mate.”

  She looks startled and leans back. I fight back a surge of disappointment—there will be other days to paint her mouth with my seed—and work my cock harder. My strokes are rougher, more ragged, and I can feel my sac tightening. I graze my other hand over my spur, and then I come with a low growl, my seed shooting into the air and splattering on my stomach and thighs. Ell-ee gasps, and I continue to work my cock with hard strokes, working every bit of seed out of my body until I am finally spent. I pant, trying to catch my breath, and watch my mate.

  Ell-ee’s lips are parted, and she looks fascinated. “Did that feel good?”

  I nod, but it would feel better if I was deep inside her, her walls clenched tight around my cock. “It will feel good for you, too,” I tell her thickly.

  She licks her lips and gives me an uncertain look. “I don’t know.” Her hands slide between her thighs and she strokes herself then bites her lip again. “I want you to do it, I think.” She gives a little wriggle on my knees, and I see her nipples are erect, her skin prickled with bumps.

  It would give me great pleasure. I grab my loincloth and use it to clean myself up, then toss it aside. She immediately crawls back into my arms, her teats brushing against my skin in a deliberate manner. Even though I just came, my cock responds to her nearness. I ignore it, settling her against me until she is comfortable. She puts her arms around my neck and tilts her face up for a kiss, and I need no further urging to claim her mouth.

  As our mouths mate, I put my hand on her side and let it slide down to her hip. She moans against my tongue, pressing her teats against me again. “Tell me you wish me to touch you, Ell-ee.”

  She presses a tiny kiss to my mouth and nods, her eyes shining as bright as the stars she loves.

  I let my hand slide to the inside of her thigh and then stroke her folds. She’s wetter than before, so slick and juicy that it makes my mouth water. Her fingers tighten on my neck as I stroke her, and she moans. I avoid her sensitive little third nipple at first, because it makes her nervous. I want her to come, t
hough. I just need her to want it as badly as I do. So I continue to pet her, caressing her slippery folds and teasing the entrance to her core. My mouth claims hers in another fierce kiss, and our tongues continue to lock as I rub a finger against her core and slowly push it in. She whimpers, and I go still, but then she kisses me harder and rocks her hips, and I know she’s mine. When my finger is seated deep inside her warmth, I begin to stroke it slowly, like I want to use my cock.

  I press light kisses to her mouth and let her ride my hand, making my thrusts gentle and slow. She has never mated before, and her cunt is tight; I do not wish to harm her. I want her to enjoy this. Her noises become more urgent, her movements jerky. Her nails dig into my skin, as if she is desperate to hold on to me.

  “I have you,” I murmur, and slide my thumb through her folds, seeking the little nipple nestled there.

  Ell-ee cries out when I brush my thumb pad over it and buries her face against my neck. She clings to my arms, but she is not pushing me away, and so I continue to stroke her, loving every shudder and every little noise she makes. She whimpers, her hips moving faster, and then I feel her bite at my skin, her blunt teeth doing their best to dig into my shoulder.

  I groan, because it is one of the most erotic things I have ever experienced. “My mate. My sweet mate. I have you.” And I stroke her nipple again.

  She bites harder, making choked little sounds as she clutches my arm. “Bek,” she cries out when I let my thumb drift over it again. “I can’t—”

  “I have you,” I tell her firmly. “Let it happen.”

  Ell-ee makes a sound that’s half-cry, half-groan, and then I feel a hot rush of liquid between her thighs, soaking my hand as she comes. She holds on to me, panting against my neck, her khui thrumming furiously in time with mine.

  “You did well, my mate,” I tell her, and stroke her hair with my free hand. “Are you all right?”

  “I…ooh.” She slides off my hand and tumbles back into the furs, lying on her back. There’s a completely dazed expression on her face.

  “That is what happens when you come,” I tell her smugly, and cannot resist licking her taste off of my hand. No drop of this should be wasted.

  She watches me with a little shudder, her hands moving back between her thighs and she cups herself.

  “What are you thinking?” I ask her, curious.

  “That I should have done that years ago,” she says, a dreamy expression on her face.

  My bark of laughter echoes loud in the cave.

  13

  ELLY

  The next week that follows is the best week of my life.

  I love being with Bek. I love our quiet little life out in the cave together. Our days take on a routine, and instead of it being boring or dull, I find it comforting. I love that I know what to look forward to with each and every day.

  We no longer sleep apart. After that night of making each other come, I crawled into his furs and we kissed and petted each other until we both came, and then we went to sleep. I held his hand as I slept, and my nightmares didn’t come. After that, we decided we needed only one bed in the cave.

  Our routine is a good one, too. I’m a light sleeper, so I wake Bek up each morning before dawn with kisses and caresses. Now that it feels safe to touch him, I’m addicted to the feel of his hands on my skin. I think I grope him far more often than he gropes me. I know he’s trying to be careful and not scare me, but I know in my heart that he’s safe now. I know he would never hurt me, and so I constantly look for ways we can touch or fool around. And there are many of them.

  After our morning cuddle, Bek insists on feeding me. He carefully takes a bite of my food before handing it over for me to eat, and sips my tea before I drink it. I trust the food now because it comes from him, but I’m touched that he goes out of his way to make me comfortable. It’s like I don’t have to change who I am to please him—he’s perfectly fine with accommodating my quirks, and I adore that.

  Once we eat, we go out and watch the suns rise, hand in hand. It’s one of my favorite moments in a day that’s already full of good things, but I love to see the suns peek out over the purple mountains. Once the suns are up, we get our weapons and check our traps, or go hunting for the day. I enjoy fresh meat, and I love it raw, strangely enough. More than anything, I just like that I have my two favorite things—Bek and the outdoors—all day. I’m not very good with a spear, but my trap-work gets better by the day, and I hope to be able to pull my weight, given time. Sometimes we collect roots, but most hunted kills go toward one of the ice-caches that are so important for the brutal season—or so Bek tells me.

  When the suns start to go down, we return to the cave with our dinner. We make a fire, eat, and then move to the front of the cave to watch the stars come out. After it gets too cold to stay outside much longer, we move inside and under the furs.

  I…might be addicted to masturbating.

  Maybe it’s the cootie, or maybe I’m making up for lost time, but I love touching myself and having Bek touch me. I have a one-track mind, and as soon as I hear his cootie begin to hum for whatever reason, I want to drop everything and have him shove his hands down my pants. I’ve tackled him while hunting, during breakfast, and during bathing. I’ve flung my arms around his neck and kissed him until we’re both rubbing each other wildly. There’s no rhyme or reason to it—the moment I want Bek, I go for it, and he’s always willing to give me more.

  We don’t do more than touch each other, though. I touch him, he touches me, and we both always come, but we haven’t done more than that. We haven’t had sex, and so resonance is still unfulfilled. I haven’t minded that, because I love the touches we’ve been sharing.

  But I wonder if my cootie is getting impatient, because it seems to be extra horny today, and even pausing twice to make out on the trails today hasn’t satisfied it.

  In the evening, I sit by the fire. It’s not yet time to look at the stars, so I’m sharpening my knife like Bek showed me, and my girl parts ache with need. My cootie hums low and urgent, and no amount of squirming in my seat is making it better. I glance over at my alien, and he’s got his head down, working busily to plait a length of leather rope for one of the traps. His mouth is pulled into a frown, and he looks so irritated at the menial task that it makes me all hot and bothered. So grumpy. I know what will make him smile.

  I put my knife aside and think dirty thoughts, and my cootie goes from a low hum to a fierce, urgent one. Bek’s khui answers the call, and he looks up in surprise as I approach. His mouth curls up on one side, and he puts aside his cordage. “Now?”

  “Now,” I agree, stripping off my leather tunic and sliding into his arms.

  He chuckles, pulling me against him until I’m straddling his crossed legs and his cock is resting right against my most sensitive parts. “You grow insatiable, my mate.”

  I shrug. I don’t care as long as we’re both happy. I slide my hands down his chest, then push his vest open, exposing his pectorals. He’s fascinatingly hard here, not only with muscle but with the strange, thick plates that grow over his skin in certain spots. They always make me want to bite him, and today is no different. I put a hand on the back of his neck and lean in, letting my mouth drift over his neck in a soft caress before I nip him.

  I love the groan he makes. I rock my hips against his cock, encouraged. “Let’s go do this out in front of the stars.” I love being outdoors. Stars and my Bek together? Sounds perfect.

  “The fire might die—”

  “Then you will keep me warm,” I tell him, and rub my hand up and down his length. I’m not going to take no for an answer…but I know it won’t be no. It’s never no.

  He grins and gives me a kiss, then pulls me off his lap so he can get to his feet. I eagerly jump to mine, ready for another round of kisses and caresses. Bek pulls me against him a moment later, his hands on my breasts. “You have a ferocious khui, my mate. It—”

  “Ho,” calls a distant voice from outside the cave. />
  Bek’s expression changes from playful to startled, and he immediately grabs a fur from the floor and tugs it around my naked upper half. He grabs a second fur and pulls it around his waist, hiding his erection. “Come in, Rokan.”

  I slide behind him, all of my excitement disappearing. Everyone in the tribe is nice, but they’re not…safe. Not like my Bek. I don’t know them like I know him, and I sure don’t trust them. I hover behind my mate, and I can feel myself shrinking in, the words locking in my throat.

  As if he senses my unease, he puts an arm behind him, and I cling to it for reassurance. Touching him makes me feel better.

  A moment later, a tall hunter strides into the cave. He’s wearing a fur cloak tossed over his shoulders and a pack on his back. He raises a hand in greeting, his smile easy. “Bek, my friend.” He peers behind him and smiles at me. “And Ell-ee, though I scarce recognize you. Did I interrupt something?”

  “Yes,” Bek says. He sounds grumpy. I’m a little grumpy, too, because my cootie’s gone silent, and the wonderful throbbing feeling between my thighs has disappeared.

  Rokan just laughs. “Never change, my friend.”

  Bek grunts.

  I stare at Rokan, ignoring his smile. I hunch my shoulders, and I want to tilt my head forward to let my hair hide my face…but my hair is no longer stiff with dirt. It’s soft and smooth and shorter, and it doesn’t do much for hiding.

  “So you are talking to me now?” Bek says to Rokan. “Or does your shunning need work?”

  Rokan only grins, not put off by Bek’s unpleasant tone. “Would you prefer that I shun you?”

  “I would prefer that you leave.” At Rokan’s surprised look, he continues. “I am not sure my Ell-ee is ready to be around others just yet.”

  He can tell that? I feel a stab of guilt, sliding my hand into his. I don’t want him to choose between his friends and me, just because I’m not good with people. But Bek grips my fingers tightly and gives them a squeeze. He’s letting me know it’s okay. That he’s got me.