“Yeah, well, she did say they didn’t get all of them. The trappers probably gave up and left once the Guardians finally figured out the danger. Dartula said another trader tipped them off about the Palorka connection, so I’m guessing at least some of them may have already been sold. We might end up being too late to save them.”
“No, we will not,” Brak interjected. “We will be there in less than forty-eight hours.”
Larry arched a brow. “Is that the real ETA or the inflated version?”
“The real ETA,” Brak replied. “I see no need to impress our new passengers.”
Althea smiled. Apparently, she rated much higher than the Statzeelians in Brak’s esteem. Granted, that wasn’t saying much, but it still gave her a case of the warm fuzzies.
Or was it Larry’s proximity and scent?
She leaned against the pilot’s console, wishing there’d been an unattached chair she could’ve pulled up beside him. This time, she saw no need to hide her feelings, and she allowed her desire to flow through her. As heat flooded her erogenous zones, her core liquefied, filling her with need and want and overwhelming passion.
Larry’s reaction was almost immediate. Beads of sweat popped out on his upper lip, and his hands trembled as he adjusted the controls. “Did you, um, want to fly the Stooge?”
She sucked in a deep breath and held it, letting it out slowly as she savored the intoxicating nature of the fabulous scent that was uniquely his own. “Not really.”
It’s now or never.
Marshaling her courage, she leaned close enough to rest her hand on his shoulder and whisper in his ear.
“I’d much rather fly you.”
Chapter 15
Larry’s heart stopped beating for a few seconds. He knew it had, because the pulsations in his cock were not only palpable, they were downright painful. When his heart resumed its normal function, he nearly cried out in agony.
He opened his mouth, but no words came out, only an inarticulate sound that quickly evolved into a purr.
“So you can purr.” Althea was still whispering, teasing him with that same sultry, enticing tone. “I was beginning to believe you’d forgotten how.”
Her mouth was a breath away from his neck, and the only thing he could think to do was tilt his head to allow her better access. The exquisite sensation of her fangs sinking into his flesh obliterated every other action—voluntary or autonomic. He even had to remind himself to breathe.
He’d imagined the chase, taking pleasure in pursuing her. She hadn’t given him the chance, pouncing on him like a jungle cat.
She drew back, licking her lips and running her tongue over the tips of her fangs. “Course all laid in and autopilot set?”
“Um, yeah.” Between his purring and the lust thickening his voice, he doubted anyone could understand him. He cleared his throat with an effort. “Brak,” he said hoarsely, “you have the con.”
“Aye, Captain.” Brak sounded positively cheerful. “We’ll be landing on Palorka before you know it.”
Larry frowned. Was Brak that oblivious? He had to realize what was happening not two meters away from him.
If he has a crush on me, he should be angry or at least disappointed.
He’d always acted as though he resented Celeste. On the other hand, he obviously liked Althea. Was he giving them his blessing?
Brak waved a pincer. “You two run along and enjoy yourselves. I’ll handle the ship—and the Statzeelians.” He snapped his pincers several times, presumably to demonstrate the manner in which he planned to keep them in line.
“Okay.” Larry didn’t even recognize his own voice; he sounded like a cat that had swallowed a bullfrog.
Althea’s pupils glowed like golden embers nestled in a bed of moss as she took his hand and pulled him to his feet. “I’ll race you to your quarters.” With a wicked grin, she added, “Or maybe I’ll make it all the way to mine.”
And then she was gone, running so lightly, he barely heard her footsteps. Seconds later, full understanding struck.
I get to chase her after all.
And he could have her whenever and wherever he caught her.
Holy Hektat!
The fire in his blood forced him to run faster than ever before. Yet even as he dashed through the door and down the corridor, he might as well have been running through hot, tenacious tar, scorching the soles of his feet while hindering his progress. Or was it time that had slowed? He’d been anticipating this moment since he first understood what it meant to take a mate, and after so many years, he was chasing Al, of all people. A girl he’d known all her life and most of his own.
Who’d have thunk it?
The door to his quarters was shut. Was she in there, or had she kept on going? He wanted to check inside, but he couldn’t make himself stop running. He passed his quarters and sped on toward her room.
When the door slid open behind him and her laughter echoed through the passageway, he realized his error.
Trust your instincts.
Where would she go in that direction aside from the bridge or the captain’s ready room? Granted, there was a cot in the ready room, but it was nowhere near big enough for two and wholly inadequate for the pounding it would undoubtedly receive.
Talk about a mood killer…
The way he felt, on the floor or up against a wall would’ve been perfectly acceptable, although Al might see it differently.
Note to self: put a larger bed in the ready room ASAP.
He ran after her, pausing only long enough to punch the button to open the ready room door. Unlike most of the other entryways on the ship, this one had no automatic functions. A manual trigger was required to open it, which could also be disabled from the inside, apparently to keep anyone from barging in on the captain unannounced. He’d never used that feature before—yet another thing that was about to change.
Thankfully, she hadn’t locked it. The door barely made a sound as it slid open. He stepped inside, scanning the room.
She wasn’t there.
He took two steps and turned just as she sprang up from the far side of the desk and whipped past him in a blur.
This time, however, she didn’t have much of a head start. She was fast, though; even his slightly longer legs didn’t give him much of an advantage. He knew he would catch her eventually, mainly because she so obviously wanted to be caught.
When she skidded to a halt about a meter shy of his quarters, he was ready for her. He didn’t even slow down, scooping her up in his arms on the fly. The door to his room slid open.
“Close it, Friday,” he shouted as he cleared the threshold. “And keep it that way.”
“As you wish,” the computer said.
Silence fell, broken only by Althea’s gasping breaths. Were they the result of her desire or only the exertion of the chase? When he opened his mouth to speak, she let out a snarl, twisted in his arms, and bit him on the neck.
“Mother of the gods,” he exclaimed. Somehow, “Holy Hektat” didn’t measure up to the old Zetithian standby. What the devil did you call that sort of thing anyway? A swear word? An oath? A curse?
None of those applied to the incredible surge of passion, exultation, and exhilaration that ignited when Althea sank her fangs into him once more. He never wanted her to stop, although the blood loss would’ve been considerable.
His knees trembled as she licked the wound she’d made, healing him with every swipe of her tongue.
“Been dying to do that for—” She drew back, a puzzled expression puckering her brow as a shaky laugh escaped her. “It’s only been a day or two. Why does it seem like forever?”
Larry had a theory, only he wasn’t sure how she would react to hearing it. “I believe it’s because we’re mated, Al. I think we always have been.” He held his breath, waiting for her anger to explode.
>
Except she didn’t appear to be angry. Nor did she laugh. “That explains quite a bit.”
It also explained why he was a freakin’ virgin when he could’ve had any number of women. Sure, he’d had erections before, but there were erections and then there were the granite-splitting variety. Like the one he had now. “You okay with that?”
“Oh yeah.” With a sigh, she draped her arms around his neck. “Sounds absolutely perfect.”
He kissed her cheek, holding himself in check when he was aching to kiss every last part of her delectable body. “Wanna do something about it?”
“I believe I’ve already said a few words to that effect, but yes. Positively and unequivocally, yes.”
What the devil do I do now?
Gazing at her lovely face and her smoldering eyes was nearly his undoing. When he finally convinced his feet to move, two swift strides brought him to his bed, and he lowered her gently onto the sheets. This was the first of many couplings they would enjoy throughout their lives together. It had to be both satisfying and memorable.
I’m thinking too much again. Don’t think. Just feel.
Nevertheless, the words left his lips despite his better judgment. “What exactly do you want to do about it?”
Her smile was a coy, catlike curl of her lips. “Everything. Starting with this.” Fisting her hands in his hair, she pulled him down. Deep, slow, and amazingly sensual, her kiss seemed to go on for the eternity it took for her to suck his soul out through his mouth. At least, that was what it felt like. His jumbled senses made it impossible to focus on the way she made him feel, her flavor, and her scent. Realignment ensued, and her scent took the lead, sweeping through his mind before racing onward to torment his body.
This wasn’t going to be slow and careful or thoughtful. Control slipped. He was purring so loud, she would probably be deafened by it.
Clothes. I have to take off her clothes.
Thankfully, she wasn’t wearing anything fancy or confining. Only a simple white tunic and loose-fitting trousers—perfect for exploring a desert planet. However, the ease with which he dispensed with them made him wonder if she hadn’t dressed with this particular moment in mind rather than the weather on JR-51.
And then she was naked in his arms. Purring, he began kissing her—all of her—clear down to her sexy little toes. Her aroma drove him mad. Had he ever inhaled such a fragrance before?
His T-shirt and khakis vanished, making him wonder what other powers she possessed. A glance to his right revealed them flying across the room. Had she thrown them or levitated them? Or had he taken them off himself?
Her hand gripped his cock. He’d never been touched in that manner—if indeed touch was the right word. Fluid began pouring from the scalloped edge of the corona.
“You can kiss me anywhere you like,” she said as she pushed him onto his back. “But right now, I’m sucking this puppy.”
He didn’t have to ask why. A Zetithian’s coronal fluid was supposed to trigger orgasms chemically. His brothers insisted that theirs worked. Larry had never tested his own.
He held his breath as she went down on him. Not a tentative lick or a tiny sip; she opened her mouth and damn near swallowed him whole. Lost in a sea of erotic delights, he forgot about everything but the exquisite sensation of her lips and tongue caressing his cock.
Moments later, his own pleasure was thrust aside as a high-pitched keening sound welled up from the depths of her throat, and she sucked even harder as though attempting to hold on while someone tried to pull her off him. Her body writhed and twisted, and her arms flailed about until she finally released him.
“I never dreamed…” she whispered as she drew back, her eyes wide with dismay. “How does anyone stand it?”
Larry gulped. “You—you mean you don’t like it?” Given all the hype about the sexual prowess of his species, this was a possibility he hadn’t considered.
She shook her head. “No. I mean how can anyone suck a Zetithian man long enough to make him come without going insane from all the orgasms?” She stared at his cock with a mixture of awe, fascination, and trepidation. “I thought I knew what to expect, but I don’t think I can do it.”
He didn’t need to debate his next words. “May I suggest another method?”
* * *
Althea knew exactly what that method was, but she was a little afraid to try it. Her clitoris was so hard it hurt, and she could scarcely think for all the emotions bombarding her mind. Almost as though…
Mother of the gods… Those were Larry’s emotions.
And not only his emotions. As if her own body hadn’t felt wild enough, his physical sensations had carried over as well. She’d never been able to read Larry before. Why did it have to happen now?
Should she tell him? Or would he be so weirded out he’d never touch her again?
She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.
I can handle this.
Months alone in the jungle had improved her control, as meeting Keplok and Dartula had already demonstrated. She’d been able to read their emotions with little or no effect on her own. She’d simply been unprepared for the onslaught that sex with Larry would initiate. Now that she truly knew what to expect, with a little practice, she should be able to deal with whatever he could dish out.
The most surprising part was that, if she’d read him correctly, this was his first time.
I can’t screw this up for him.
“Okay,” she said with a nod. “Whatever you think will work.” She attempted a smile. “Such as…?”
“How about we try it with me on top? That way, you’ll at least be lying down.”
“Makes perfect sense to me.” She only hoped she wouldn’t get too disoriented or distracted to enjoy the moment.
As he rolled over, his cock folded up neatly against his belly, demonstrating the degree of control he had over its movement—a talent she’d all but forgotten Zetithian men possessed.
He hesitated. “Would it help if I purred more?”
“I don’t know. I mean, you were purring. Not sure how much more purring would do. Might help but—” She swallowed hard, wishing she could stop babbling before she ruined the mood forever. “Sorry about all this. Guess that’s what I get for getting ahead of myself.”
Larry chuckled. “You don’t hear me complaining, do you? I’ve been waiting all my life for someone to—” His cheeks flushed with obvious embarrassment. “I probably shouldn’t have said that.”
She cupped his face in her hands, marveling at how adorable he was. “No need to blush, Larry. I haven’t had much experience myself, only a few failed attempts. And it’s a given we’ve never done this with each other.”
“Hadn’t thought about it that way.” Turning his head, he pressed his lips to her palm. “Trust you to come up with the best take on this. Or anything else, for that matter.”
As always, his smile had a positive effect on her mood. If she could see things in the best light, he could improve any situation simply by smiling. How could she have forgotten that?
He was still smiling when he lowered his head and kissed her. She’d never kissed Larry before today, but as the greater intimacy wove a bond between them, she wondered why she’d never done it before. Biting him was stimulating; kissing him was breathtakingly wonderful.
Gliding his tongue alongside hers, he continued the kiss as he eased up over her, nudging her legs apart to settle between her thighs. His cockhead slid over her sex, teasing her clitoris before finding its way to her entrance.
“There?” he whispered.
At least, that’s what she thought he’d said. Having made good on his promise to keep purring, he was a little hard to understand.
She nodded anyway.
A slow, steady push brought him inside. Feeling the pleasure of his penetration from both perspe
ctives threatened to break her mind apart. She gasped as her eyes rolled back in her head. Gripping the sheets with both hands, all she could do was hold on.
Perspective… It’s all about perspective.
She felt his fear, his desire, his overwhelming need to mate. Her slick inner walls held his cock like a warm glove, the inward push and outward pull on the ruffled corona stroking his sensitive flesh steadily toward even greater ecstasies.
She flipped back to her own feelings, blocking his in order to focus on her own. The glorious sensation of being filled by him. That amazing stretch when he reached the end of her passage. The mind-blowing burst of delight as her second orgasm detonated.
“Ahh…”
Tripling her enjoyment when he thrust in completely and stirred his cock inside her like a spoon in a bowl of stew.
“Ohh… Larry.”
The side-to-side movement when he found her sweet spot and another orgasm rippled through her.
“Ooh…”
Her cry of protest when it seemed he left her, only to plunge back in to even greater depths. The gradual increase in speed that forced her breaths to come and go at the same pace. His urgency piqued her curiosity.
What was he feeling now?
She shifted back into his emotions and was shocked by the desperate force of his passion as it spiraled upward toward ultimate fulfillment. Each thrust and withdrawal drove him higher until he finally reached the point of no return and contractions began, spilling jets of his snard inside her, driving her back into her own mind.
Her mouth opened in a soundless scream, and her eyes snapped shut as a different kind of orgasm struck, turning her focus so completely inward, the outside world might’ve ceased to exist. Orbs of brilliant orange light swam like fish through swirling streams of vibrant colors. When she inhaled, the colors pulsed and fused with the lights, morphing into a variety of different hues that flowed outward into nothingness as she exhaled.
With each breath, the orange lights diminished in number until they were finally gone. In the aftermath, her very existence felt lighter, like whatever had been weighing her down had been completely washed away. When she opened her eyes, her gaze landed on Larry’s face, making her feel lighter still.
Maverick Page 15
