With trembling fingers, she parted the tear in her legging, but it wasn’t large enough for me to work. I let her discover this for herself as she tried to examine her flesh.
She would need to undress. I rubbed the growing knot of tension developing in my neck. My thoughts were clouded with mating hormones and hers weren’t. I had to keep repeating this. She would need time to grow accustomed to me. I didn’t want to take her against her will. In a perfect universe, I’d be able to communicate my growing predicament and increasing urges. As things were, my shy mate would only see a strange male bent on fucking her to utter satisfaction. I blew out a frustrated breath.
I didn’t have time to court her like a lover. I wish I did, but soon I’d be a ball of need, and she my only cure.
I pulled a sharp knife from my belt and set the tip by the tear, offering to cut her clothes instead.
She pushed it away with a sharp word.
Patiently, I moved her hands aside and went back to my original plan, undoing the fastener along her torso. She remained still, not meeting my uncomfortable gaze. Her clothes parted in a long opening down the center of her body. Blessings be to the mother tree, under her suit were tantalizing curves. It grew harder to breathe as more creamy skin was exposed. I was shocked anew as the spots on my arms grew darker and spread to my forearms. She was so very much mine.
I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to cover her body with mine and rub our flesh together.
She shrugged out of her sleeves and I noted she favored her right shoulder. The skin around that joint was a dark purple.
Unable to stop my gut reaction, I traced it with a fingertip. Whoever had done this would die.
A visible shiver traveled through her limbs. Thin material cloth covered her tits—she had the finest pair—and I had to force my stare away from them before the temptation proved too much. She shimmied her hips as she pushed the one-piece outfit below them, exposing the apex of her thighs, also covered in the matching thin material. She stopped undressing just below the wound. A bright shade of pink bloomed on her cheeks, reaching the tips of her curved ears. Maybe this was her mating sign? She wouldn’t meet my gaze as I examined her face closely. The only way I’d ever guess right was if she jumped me and tore my clothes off, which was what I’d practically done.
I sighed and yanked her outfit the rest of the way off her legs, leaving her exposed to my view.
She squeaked. How delightful.
I squeezed the absorbent leaf of excess water and wiped her firm thigh clean. The tear in her flesh was jagged but not deep. The bleeding had almost stopped. I cleaned the wound, ignoring her hiss of discomfort. We should keep it covered until it scabbed over, but I carried little supplies, choosing to travel light since I hadn’t expected to spend the night away from home.
Pulling off my vest, I was pleased to note her gaze darting for quick glances. I emptied my many pockets into the pack she had been carrying and paused to assess the strange metal things inside.
I shook my head in disbelief and tore my vest into strips. It had been my favorite. Thin yet durable, it had protected my skin from thorns and other sharp things that populated the jungle.
I could barter for another the next time a trading party traveled to our village. I couldn’t barter for a new mate.
Because my curiosity had the best of me, I ran a hand over her uninjured thigh, my dark color an alluring contrast to her flushed pink. She was so silken. Not like the women of my tribe. When-di was almost completely furless, save the soft main on her head. The overall sensation I had as I viewed her body was one of sensual suppleness. She’d be wonderful to touch.
Chapter Three
Wendy
I shoved Venturi’s caressing clawed hands off my leg and sat, but he was much stronger than me. The big alien gave me a stern look, set his hand between my breasts, and forced me onto my back. Again. I wish I could have said he struggled against my strength, but it took a simple flick of his wrist to send me down. I was beginning to feel like a yoyo.
He had removed his vest, baring a crazy amount of corded muscles, and ripped it. He wrapped those strips of cloth around my wound with sure moves. I couldn’t seem to keep my gaze from wandering over every inch of exposed alien sexiness—in scientific interest, of course. Arms, pectorals, and abs were staggering. Even though every instinct cried out for me to get the hell out of here, I didn’t try to move.
He ran his thumb along my hip before tying off my bandage. He seemed to really like stroking my skin. His hands were rough from use. Venturi obviously worked for a living. Life on this planet must be hard. It was painted on every particle of his body.
How the hell would any of us survive? We were marshmallows in comparison.
“When-di.” He mangled my name. I was sure I did likewise with his. He repeated it, then flipped his long braids back over his shoulder.
My heart skipped a beat. Wow…that was…nice to watch. Where was the rewind button because I wanted a replay?
“When-di Venturi.” He pointed to me then gestured at himself, a troubled expression on his handsome face.
This again? I thought we had covered the name thing. “I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me.” I rested my hand on his chest slowly, not to spook the incredibly strong and massive alien hovering over me. “Venturi.”
He eyes fluttered closed and he took a deep shuddering breath. Muscles flexed under my palm as if he strained against an invisible force.
Oh baby, that shouldn’t turn me on as much as it did.
Suddenly both of my hands rested against him. His skin had a thin layer of very fine fur. I couldn’t see it with my naked eye but felt it under my palm. The velvet covered his steel-like body. My, my so pretty and big.
If I had a day or three, we could spend them teaching each other about anatomy, but I had a mission and—
Those weird cat slit eyes opened, breaking my train of thought. His head dipped, our lips kissing close. He whispered something. Maybe my name? I couldn’t think. This was so surreal. Maybe I had died in the ship crash and this was my afterlife?
It was too strange, too fast, too beautiful.
He ran the flat of his hand along my stomach.
His touch made me shiver and I should have been screaming no or help or trying to run. Instead, I remained still on the bedding as he lay next to me.
Eyes hooded, he ran his nose over the line of my neck. How far would I let him go? I mean, we were alien to each other. For all I knew, he could be a she and we had our signals crossed. I could just grab his groin and find out, but I might be committing to more than I was willing to do. A girl had to have boundaries.
Apparently, mine included being seduced by alien men.
But I didn’t sleep with humans on the first date so why would I change this rule for Venturi? Even if he had just saved me from a dragon. Like that wasn’t the hottest thing a guy had ever done for me.
I ran my gaze over his long limbed form. None of my ex-lovers held a flame to Venturi’s sex appeal though. I was doomed.
The alien grazed his fangs over my collar bone, leaving no doubt of his intention. He wanted me. Little, compared to him, weak, filthy me. What could he find attractive in this hot mess?
He slowed as his teeth reached my injured shoulder, where he planted tender kisses over the bruises. Whoever thought kissing didn’t make things better was dead wrong. His whispered words sounded like promises between each.
I clamped my thighs together tightly to ease the growing ache in my pussy.
As if sensing my neediness, he slid his huge hand over my sports bra, taking his time to caress my breast before moving lower over my bare stomach and pausing at my bellybutton. He fingered the depression, his gaze questioning as he trailed tiny kisses over my bra.
I blinked as he fingered my navel deeper. I rose to my elbow, curious to see where this was going.
He nipped my abs, the tiny bites sharp yet teasing. Approaching where his fingers probed, he licked the edges of my
navel, his stare intent on my face as if watching for my reaction. The rough texture of his tongue tickled and a giggle bubbled from my lips. He raised an eyebrow and pointed to my bellybutton, asking me a question.
Then it dawned. He wanted to give me oral sex but he had the wrong hole.
Laughter swept through me, relieved and absurd all at the same time. I might have been a little hysterical. It didn’t matter. I was a dead woman walking and an alien wanted to eat me out.
I slid my panties off, lassoed them around my finger before tossing them to the other side of the tree tent. Oral on the first date was fine by me if I was the recipient. Out of all the worst case scenarios I’d imagined when embarking on this journey, being seduced hadn’t even made the list.
He grinned, showing me a mouthful of little shark teeth.
The giddy feeling in my stomach vanished.
I covered the tender bits of my pussy with one of my hands. “No biting.” I pointed to his sharp teeth to make him understand. This was the craziest thing I’d ever agreed to do, and I’d done some pretty stupid things. Those bandage strips wouldn’t do much for me if he bit my clit off. I had enough injuries to deal with already.
He snapped his choppers at my finger.
I yelped and jumped, but he grabbed my wrist with lightning reflexes, holding it fast as he sucked my finger into his mouth.
Playful. He was playful, like a tiger. I gave an uneasy laugh that evolved into a gasp as his long tongue wrapped around my digit with inhuman flexibility. Stroking and squeezing at the same time.
That was different. My tongue could barely manage one language.
One big hand pushed upon my thigh, urging me to spread my legs wider.
I did and watched as he parked himself between my thighs as if he planned to spend the rest of the evening in that position.
He slid my hips closer before resting my legs over his shoulders. He looked up at me as he did this, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he pried my hand off my pussy. With his fingertips, he spread my folds and studied me intently.
Mortification burned. I tried to close my legs but his big head blocked me.
He shuffled forward, shouldering my thighs farther apart. Gently, he pressed a finger at my entrance and asked me a question.
I could only assume he wanted to know if he had the right place this time. “Bingo,” I replied, breathless.
He slid his digit deeper into my slick entrance and moaned. At the way I felt? At the sensation? I couldn’t tell but it was sexy as hell and I wanted him to do it again.
To my amazement, I watched as the spots on his forearms spread up along his biceps.
The muscles of his arms flexed as his grip on me tightened. He lowered his head, stroking my inner thigh with a roughen palm. He licked me. Long, slow, delicious licks right down the slick folds of my pussy. Soft rumbling noises came from between my legs, the vibration traveling from Venturi’s chest and shoulders to my thighs.
He was eating me like a rock star. Nuzzling my bush while rumbling something I wished I could understand.
I pushed his head down, aiming his tongue where I wanted it. His braids felt coarse under my palms. It reminded me of the paint brushes made of horse hair my sister coveted. As I watched, his long dexterous tongue dragged over my pussy again.
I closed my eyes and moaned. “Oh yes…”
I arched my back, resting my head against the pallet, yet not releasing my hold on Venturi. He was really, really good at licking.
Something firm and textured invaded the entrance to my core, sliding inside me with one smooth stroke. An undignified cry erupted from me. I couldn’t help it—the sensation felt incredible.
I glanced down at my mostly naked body and watched as Venturi’s tongue stoked inside me in the most intimate of kisses. My hips bucked against him as he pushed deeper. I was going to come. My entire body quaked.
I came hard. Over and over as he tongue-fucked me. The orgasm rocked through me, my entire body locked and tense with the strain. I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.
Oh God.
I collapsed in a puddle, limbs floppy. I blinked my eyes clear. Had I been crying? I rubbed my face clean.
So I’d just done that. Orgasmed with an alien I’d met a few hours ago.
Venturi rested his head on my stomach and gazed at me, a smug smile on his lips. There was no mistaking the look of pride.
I closed my eyes and rested my forearm across them. “You want a medal?” He deserved one. That was incredible but I wasn’t about to tell him that. He wouldn’t understand me either way.
My limbs felt heavy. Like lead had been poured into my bones.
I’d never been so tired and for the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel in imminent danger.
Venturi crawled next to me gathering me in his arms.
I rested my face against his hard, velvety chest, listening to the weird thumps of what might be his heart—or hearts?—and fell asleep.
Chapter Four
Venturi
The morning sunlight played shadows over my mate’s sleeping face. Darkness still circled her eyes even though she rested through the evening and all night. Her body was a constant temptation but I sensed her exhaustion. We would have time to explore each other. My spots reached my upper arms now. Let her rest. She would need her strength in a day or two, once they reached my chest and ignited.
I traced her plump cheek, tucking her short hair behind her ear so I could better admire her face. She had to be prepared. She didn’t feel what I did. A vast emptiness opened within my hearts and they beat out of sync. I bared my teeth and resisted the urge crush her against me.
How was it that fate would choose a female who could not love me back? One who obviously did not hear the cry of nature as my kind did? My body sang to her but she didn’t hear its song.
Or maybe she did? I caressed her bare thigh, her dressing appeared clean, but she moaned as if it pained her. She had allowed me to taste her, to start the mating ritual. From her cries of passion and her hungry touch, I knew she desired me on some level. I needed to make her understand that yesterday was not a onetime interlude. That what I felt went deeper than flesh. She was my mate and I’d do whatever was necessary to keep her.
She stirred against my shoulder where she rested her head. Distressed noises rolled in her throat and her blunt claws buried into my skin. A nightmare?
I cupped her face. “Shh, little one, I will protect you.”
Her eyelids fluttered open. The blue was still shocking to see, not to mention the odd roundness of her eyes. They widened and she squawked before shoving me away. She retreated against the nest’s wall, gaze darting from me to our surroundings.
I sat up, hands raised in peace. “When-di.”
She rubbed her face and spoke a single command.
Her word was a mystery, but she sounded upset. She was unhappy to see me. I bit my tongue. No amount of explaining would make things easier for either of us. She woke in a strange place mid-nightmare to me—the person from whom she should seek assurances and refuge. My hearts ached and I rubbed my chest.
“Venturi?” She reached out to me.
I wasn’t sure what to do. Take her hand or not? Our inability to communicate was so frustrating. I knew there was a good chance she’d never encountered my race before. It wasn’t as uncommon as one would think on a world populated by so many different races, but we tended to keep to ourselves for obvious reasons.
I rose to my feet and paced the nest. How did one teach language?
A bioprocessor was inserted into our children soon after birth. The known languages were included in this implant as well as most of our history. I ran my fingers over the bump on my upper arm, evidence of my inoculation. Without it, all alien life died.
When-di crawled across the pallet and snatched her one-piece torn garment. I would provide her with the softest leathers when we reached home. Something not so bulky and hot.
She pulled
on her leggings and stood before sliding her arm in a sleeve.
I stopped her, running my thumb over the smooth skin of her upper arm. The other one was the same.
She stayed very still during my inspection, as if afraid to move. I released my hold, disgusted with the scent of her fear. I was doing this all wrong.
Clearly, she was a fresh crashlander. She would need a bioprocessor soon. I rubbed my chin. How long could she survive without one? How long had she been wandering the jungle before I found her? I had nothing to guide to me, but I would take no chances. We would leave straight away for my village.
When-di finished dressing, fastening the front of her suit with a metallic weaving contraption. She swung her pack onto her back, then held up my empty skin. “Water?”
“Water,” I repeated the odd-sounding word. This was how we’d learn. Slow and tortuous, word by word. She wanted something to drink.
I took the skin, fighting the urge to caress her pale cheek. She had many things to fear on this planet, but I wasn’t one of them. I would fill the skin, then we’d travel.
I dressed in my hunting straps; I was still wearing my pants, unable to trust myself yet to be nude while next to her in bed.
As I exited the nest, I heard the shuffle of her feet behind me. She was following. “No, stay here,” I said and pointed to the pallet. She’d be safer hidden in the nest.
She tapped her chest. “Wendy.” Then she rested her small hand on my chest and spoke a string of words that contained my name.
The ache in my hearts faded. Maybe I had under estimated her understanding. The gesture made it seem like she knew we belonged to each other.
“Yes.” I pressed my hand over hers. I had let my insecurities cloud my thoughts and shouldn’t be so quick to judge. “When-di’s Venturi.”
A beautiful smile spread her lush lips as she pulled loose of my hold, then brushed past me out of the nest.
I hung my head. Or I should actually listen to my instincts since I’d completely misinterpreted that exchange. “No, stay here.” I chased after her and pointed to the nest. Again.
Venturi, Complete Serial Parts 1-4: Alien SciFi Romance (Crashlander) Page 6
