Tammy set her bare melon rind aside. “So you’re both an item now? Can’t leave you alone for one day without picking up some alien.”
I chuckled. “Seems like it would increase my survival odds.” As soon as I said it, I didn’t feel right. My relationship with Venturi might have started that way, but now, that attraction had grown to more.
“How is he going to take it when the rescue comes?” The investor poured herself another cup of tea.
“About that, I never reach the beacon. The radiation poisoning had almost killed me and Venturi brought me to his village for a bioprocessor.” I showed the girls the bump on my arm. “It’s like some sort of organic computer. I even learned the language from it.”
Leah held out her arm. “I’m ready for mine. I’m tired of feeling like shit.”
“The bioprocessors are too delicate to travel with. We have to wait until we get to the village.”
“Once we’re better, can we fix the beacon?” asked the assistant. She picked at her fruit, as if afraid to eat.
I shook my head. “Remember how every ship that enters this system crashes on this planet? That’s because the radiation destroys technology.”
“That’s why our systems failed for no reason.” Tammy appeared even more tired. “The beacon is useless.”
I stared at the ground, unable to meet anyone’s sad stare. “Even if we manage to send a signal, whoever comes will crash as well.”
“Fuck.” The investor tossed her rind off the branch with venom. “What a shit show. Go on a test ride, they said. It will be fun, they said. I’ll be making history, they said. Nobody mentioned aliens.”
“Could be worse,” I replied. “Could be dead. But if we stay here, we’re agreeing to a whole different way of living.”
Chapter Seven
Venturi
I listen to my mate and her people talk in their strange language. Sometimes they spoke in hushed angry tones, other times they laughed. Just like my people did. The humans must have a lot of questions. I know I would in their position.
“Is all well?” I asked her, worried the females would refuse to travel home. I knew once they acquired a bioprocessor, the sickly humans would be well again and available for mating.
When-di leaned against me. “Yes, I told them everything.”
The hunters of our party sat separately but I noticed their furtive glances. Argeer had ordered them not to touch the women. Apparently, he’d had enough with my hormonal attitude. He didn’t need to deal with another crazy male.
Oddly, my chief hadn’t even yelled when I’d explained where Rog'ba Durab i Pallopa had gone. He seemed preoccupied with watching the crashed ship below us. Maybe he expected some danger from the tech?
The humans seemed drowsy. Two were already asleep.
“We should let them rest.” I climbed to my feet, dragging my mate along.
She quickly said a few things in human before I led her to a private spot I had prepared deep inside the foliage of the branch we camped on. Using the thick leaves, I had created a bed while she’d been explaining things to her people. I pulled her down next to me.
Snuggled within my arms, she rubbed her cheek against my chest. “I love the way your skin feels.”
“Truly?” I raised my head to see her better.
“It’s so smooth.” She ran her hand over my torso.
She wasn’t making her decision to not conceive a child easy on me. With one hand, I pulled the ties of my leggings tighter to keep my erection secret. “Tell me of your world.” I hope to distract her long enough to regain my control.
“I’ve never lived on a world. This is my first time on a planet.”
I scratched my forehead. “I don’t understand.” Maybe the translation was wrong. “How can you not be from a planet?” My people might not have tech but we were still taught the sciences of old. I knew space consisted of a nothingness. That living creatures could not exist within space without a ship.
So if not a planet, where did she come from?
“You come from a moon?” Surely not a star. I’d been told stars were distant suns and that nothing but the hottest fires existed on them.
“I was born and raised on a space station. It’s like a ship but bigger. Much, much bigger. It orbited a planet from my home system.”
“Orbited?” I repeated the unfamiliar word. There were still words she said that were in her native tongue. Sometimes she spoke them as if speaking my language.
“It hovered over the planet like a moon but was built like a ship.”
I pursed my lips in thought. “But your people must have come from somewhere. Space cannot give birth to life.”
Her smile turned sad. “Our home world is called Earth. I’ve never been there, but I’ve seen images. It’s covered mostly in water.”
“A water world?” How fascinating. The lagoon below our village was the largest body of water I had ever seen. I tried to picture a world covered with vast amounts of water and failed.
“There’s land. That’s where humans live but, yes, lots of water.”
“But you did not recognize fishing?” I couldn’t imagine that nothing lived within the water. The creatures below the surface probably could grow to great sizes.
“Nope.” She sighed. “The only fish I’ve ever seen were on my plate. Same for animals and plants. My existence was solely on a ship that spun around a world that we mined for Earth’s use.”
I understood why her smile was sad. Such an existence seemed empty. “This place must be strange for you.”
She touched the leaf hanging over our heads with reverence. “I’m learning to like it.”
I kissed the top of her head. “You are so very brave.”
She snorted. “For not screaming at everything that moved on this planet. No, wait, I did scream.”
“Not many would have left the safety of the familiar, like your ship, to explore an alien jungle alone.”
“I had no choice. Someone had to try to reach the beacon.”
“Someone had to and it was you. There were many choices you could have made, like hiding in the ship with your crew.”
She tangled our fingers together. “You’re braver. Saving some alien creature from balaur. Swinging across canyons and diving off trees.”
“We are well matched, my mate.” I kissed each of her fingertips. All ten of them.
She placed her small hand to my chest, right where one of my hearts beat. “Your spots still darken at my touch.”
If only she knew how my cock hardened at her touch as well. “The tell-sign is still young.”
“What does that mean?” She looked at me with her clear, blue round alien eyes, tilting her head back to accept my kiss. She tasted like sweet melon.
“My spots darken because I’m still fertile. Once I’m done with that phase, they will remain the same shade.”
She bit her bottom lip while tracing patterns among the dots. “That doesn’t mean you’re only fertile once, right?”
I laughed, the sound shocking in the quiet night. “No, I will darken at your touch again.”
“How often?” She melted against my body. I wasn’t sure if she understood what she did to me, asking these questions.
I would never force myself on When-di but the torture was making my cock ache against the ties of my leggings. If I tightened them anymore, I might cut off my circulation. “I don’t know. They are different for every male. My father became fertile five times. That is unusually often for my kind.”
She bolted upright. “Five times?”
“Only three of us survived. My other two siblings were stillbirths. Why does this seem shocking to you?” I ran my hand over her stomach, trying to picture it swollen with my child. Part-tassuone and part-human. I wanted them to have her eyes and my tail. “Five is a lot. I should be so lucky.”
Wendy
Shocked, yes, but I was also upset. Which was weird. They were only fertile a few times? I stared where my hand re
sted on his arm, the spots almost glowing.
Well, shit, I was wasting this one because of why?
Fear that I’d be a terrible mother. I’ve always taken care of my mother and sister so maybe I was being too hard on myself. As a test pilot, family life would have been too hard. But I wasn’t a test pilot anymore. I never let the fear of the unknown stop me before. Not having access to modern medicine or a real doctor wasn’t ever going to change.
I saw the longing in Venturi’s eyes as he caressed my stomach, and being the vessel that could bring him so much joy gave me a sweet sort of satisfaction.
Maybe I cared about him more than I wanted to admit. He was wonderful to me, and the sex? Mind blowing. If a ship landed right this minute to take us home, I’m not sure if I’d embark. I felt like if I were making an individual choice, I would forget calling home for help. Though the thought of never returning home was frightening, life with Venturi could be sweet and full of adventure. I looked forward to his smiles and the feel of his skin. I absolutely loved his laugh.
We could really make each other happy forever. This was my chance at a fairytale ending and I couldn’t deny that I more than cared for Venturi.
I unbuckled his knife belt. “Maybe we can manage more than five.”
“Maybe.” His voice husky and deep.
“You are one sexy man.” I rose to my knees and faced him, playing with the ties of my leather top.
“I am your sexy man.” He yanked at the tie in my fingers, undoing the knot, and setting my breasts free.
“You did that like a man who knows too well how to undress a woman.”
He palmed my right breast.” I have nothing to be ashamed of. All I know is that I belong to no other now.”
I moaned and slid my hands into the tight laces of his leggings. “I want all of you against me.”
A moment later, my hand caressed the head of his cock. A drop of pre-cum crowned his tip. I lifted it to my mouth and licked my finger clean, moaning at his flavor. It was like nothing I had ever tasted.
Before I could return for more, he sat up, his mouth capturing mine. His fangs scraped my teeth a moment before his tongue slipped against mine. The flexibility in length still surprised me as it twisted around my tongue in the most intimate of kisses. A spike of fierce desire stabbed through me. I couldn’t imagine life after Venturi. He was branded to my soul forever.
I pulled at his pants until his cock was freed from his lacings. Running my hands over his hot, hard length, I took pleasure at his heated groan.
He pulled away. “I can’t trust myself with you. I want you too much.” He gathered his lacings as if preparing to leave.
Hands on his massive shoulders, I climbed his body, preventing his escape. “I want you just as bad.”
“But you said—”
“Never mind what I said. I was afraid. I’m not anymore. When I chose you, I meant it. For better, or for worse, sickness and health, and all that other stuff. I’m yours forever.”
His gaze darted to my stomach. “Baby?”
“Babies too.” I’d never had a good family. It was time I started one of my own.
He rolled me onto my back, tugging on the laces like I was a birthday present needing unwrapping. Leggings and sandals were tossed to the side in a rush of leather. His hands caressed my inner thighs, spreading them wide. His gaze riveted to my pussy and he trailed a finger through my folds. “So wet for me.”
I squirmed, wanting more of him. “Always.”
Venturi gripped my hips and guided his cock to my entrance.
I felt so exposed with the cool night air licking over my bare skin. Who would have thought sex outside could feel so erotic?
He pushed his cock into me. So big. A gasp caught in my throat. “Oh my God,” I cried, grasping at the plants to anchor me to this world. I felt every inch pushed into me. In and out and deeper and deeper. “Fuck.” I lifted my hips, and arched back. “Don’t stop.”
I was so tight and he felt so good. I clawed at his arms and chest, trying to bring him closer, but he resisted to watch his cock drive into my pussy with each thrust.
The muscles of his neck corded as if he struggled for control. His spur rubbed inside me, hooking to my special spot under my cervix on his withdrawal. That sent an entirely new set of sensations shooting through me and I came undone. “Again,” I cried out when he went still. “Do that again.”
He thrust into me, dragging his spur over my G-spot. It was the only way I could describe what his spur was touching. He crouched over me, using his thick muscled arms and legs to support his body. The only places our bodies touched was his cock inside my pussy and my hands gripping his huge biceps. His whole body rolled as he moved. I could almost sense every little muscle in his body being used to fuck me senseless.
“Oh my God.” I dug my nails into his flesh.
His tail lashed, back and forth, in a predatory sway, beating against the leaves as his perfect ass clenched to stroke inside me. “Mine,” he growled out the word. His claws pierced the leaf bed he had built us, shredding it as he shifted his weight forward.
The move rolled my hips up, forcing my legs higher and wider. He pumped into me over and over, until my release howled through my very essence. It was swift and rough, just how Venturi was taking me.
His climax followed seconds behind mine. The sound of his grunts so loud I’m sure the healer in the ship below on the ground could hear him. The heat of Venturi’s seed spurted inside me and he arched back, mouth open in a silent cry. His sharp teeth glistened in the starlight, dark braids cascading over his shoulders. He was so beautiful and fierce. He shuddered and thrust one more time before collapsing over me, still using his arms so as not to crush me flat.
“Oh, my mate.” He pulled my hands to his mouth and pressed kisses to my palm. “You bring me so much joy.”
I stroked my free hand along his long spine. It was how I imagined petting one of Earth’s big cat predators. This one, though, was all mine. Right down to the tip of his tail.
I caught my breath, exhausted but still humming from my orgasm. “Mates are together forever, right?”
His spur relaxed, at last, and pulled free so he could gather me on his chest, and I could use him as a bed. “Always.”
Chapter Eight
Venturi
The first of the sun’s light was just touching the sky, turning the puffy white clouds a shade of pink that reminded me of my mate’s blushing cheeks.
She sat with the other humans, assessing their strength. Shaking the shoulder of the weakest looking of the bunch, she called out, “Leah?” There was a touch of panic in her voice. She twisted around. “She’s not waking, Venturi.”
Argeer brushed past me and gathered a little human and one arm. “Each hunter, take a woman. We will meet with Ne’flav at the ship.” He nodded to my When-di. “The healer can take a look at her there.”
Worry lined When-di’s face and I realized my human was not as familiar with death as I was. I did not offer her words of false hope but I pulled her against me so she understood that I was here to support her and give her strength.
I pointed to the female who weakly got to her feet next to my mate. “It is Tam-mi?”
She mumbled something to my mate.
“Close enough,” When-di said to me.
“I can carry both of you.” I started to adjust my slings around my torso to accommodate two people. My claws hadn’t had a chance to heal yet and I could only hope they could grip the tree bark under so much weight.
“Do you think that’s wise?” Benali sa’Andou asked. “Your mate might be with child and I don’t want you to drop her.”
When-di’s hands covered her flat stomach. “He won’t drop me.”
No, I wouldn’t. I would drop Tam-mi first or myself if it meant keeping her safe.
“I am stronger. Let me take two. It’s a short climb down.”
And Benali sa’Andou would have the chance to touch two of the humans an
d see if his tell-sign appeared. Who was I to deny him the joy I found in my human mate? “Very well.”
Not long after, hunters and humans paired off to descend to the ship. Argeer in the lead and me with Wendy in the rear. Her little hands gripped my shoulders in a fearful hold. Even her tiny knuckles were white with strain.
“I really won’t drop you.” I kept my pace slow and steady, avoiding any unnecessary leaps.
“I know.” She pressed her face against my back. “Remember, I’ve never seen a tree until a few days ago, let alone climbed. It might take me the rest of my life to get used to this.”
I reached behind and patted her bottom. “Would you ever let me have you the against the trunk of a mother tree?”
“How?” She sounded scandalized.
“I would pin you against the trunk with my body and—” I rolled my hips with a thrust. “I’ll show you when we get home.”
She squeaked, pulling my hair. The scent of her arousal was fresh.
I chuckled. “That is a yes.”
The other warriors were outside the ship. Humans still slung in their harnesses.
Ne’flav tended to the one called Leah. “It’s the poisoning. There is little I can do here.”
“So we run all the way home.” Argeer commanded as he exited the ship, rubbing his hands as if burned.
“Where is Cap-ton?” Ne’flav jumped to his feet. “You said you were gathering her.”
“She is sicker than Leah. You should carry her.” Argeer gathered the little human into his harness, then bared his teeth at the healer. “And take good care of Cap-ton. She needs to wake to…” His gaze darted to the rest of us as if suddenly realizing we were there. He cleared his throat. “So she can help care for her people.”
Ne’flav’s confused gaze met mine. He shook his head and return inside the ship. That was odd, even for our chief.
When-di rested her chin on my shoulder. “What was that all about?”
I scratched my ear. “Not sure.”
Wendy
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