“Harder than this?” She chuckled and dropped her head back to watch the sky. “Because this is fucking ridiculous.”
“This is the easiest level.”
She squeezed her eyelids shut, and a lone tear escaped.
“My ndebele—”
She glared at him. “I told you to stop calling me prey. I’ll not ask you again.”
“Ndebele doesn’t mean prey. Is that what the translator is translating it to?”
“It’s not translating it at all, just the crazy sounding clicks. But you told me it means treasure and I think this thing behind my ear is getting it wrong. Treasure in my language means something valuable or cherished. Prey has an entirely different meaning.”
“Treasure in my language means that as well. But in the context I use the saying, it means to be esteemed as rare or precious. I know the difference between prey and treasure. You are my treasure.”
She stared at him, lips parted.
“Payton, I can take you away from here.” He’d missed so many opportunities to free her. Every minute she stayed in The Hunt, her life was at risk. And that was because of his selfishness.
As soon as he freed her and they left Turolois, Melisizwe would be notified. Melisizwe would expect him to return for the bonding ceremony and he would never see Payton again.
Here he could forget about Chikondi and his duties. Here he could be with Payton. Here he could admit to himself she was his true lifemate. He knew he’d eventually have to give her up, but he wanted more time.
Time to what?
Love her.
But even so, he would push his selfishness aside and get her to freedom. Even if it meant never seeing her again.
Jack ran up to him for what was probably the hundredth time. Themba took the stick from Jack’s mouth and threw it. Jack raced off, bounding across the stretch of beach to retrieve it. Payton called this game, “fetch.” She’d said Jack would tire eventually, but so far Jack was going strong, and Themba’s arm was fatigued.
“I heard what happens to Level One prey when they’re captured. No, thank you.” She crouched to let the water wade up to her neck.
“I’ll take you somewhere nice and peaceful. I’ll take care of you.”
She shot him a glare. “I don’t want or need anyone taking care of me. Been there and done that. I’ll beat The Hunt. All I have to do is keep hiding. I’m lucky. I’ve been semi-training for this.”
“You had a good idea to throw hunters off your scent,” he noted.
“But it wasn’t good enough,” she said softly. She inclined her head toward him. “You still found me.”
“Next time, don’t throw up.”
“Easier said than done.” She disappeared under the water for a few breaths then came back up clean. She wiped the water from her eyes. “I have to do it.”
“Win?”
She nodded.
“There’s not many who beat The Hunt. I’m not discouraging you though. I just want you to know what you’re up against. Letting me take care of you isn’t a bad idea. It would be my honor.”
“I have to finish for personal reasons. I don’t intend to be your pet. The only other option is for me to win and go home.”
“Home? To Earth?”
“That’s where humans are from.” She stood and made her way to the shore. Her dark hair, once straight, now hung in loose curls. Water dripped from her body in rolling pellets. She was utterly perfect in every way and he wanted to spend eternity telling her just how beautiful she was.
“Earth is protected. There’s no returning. It’s against the Galactic Federation of Planet’s rules.”
She reached the shore. Holding her clothes in hand, she appeared so small and frail. “But...but, that’s what Xrez, the other hunter told Esme. If we made it past Level Three, we would be given money for our troubles, and we would be allowed to return home.”
“That’s not true.”
The look on her face was filled with disbelief. “He lied?”
“I’m sorry. You’ll be given credits to start a new life, but not on Earth. You would have to pick a new planet to call home.”
She pursed her lips and thrust into her wet clothes. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that we were lied to. I don’t know why I even bothered believing returning to Earth was an option.” Her expression became grim. “I mean, I had already decided that I wasn’t returning there anyway. But now...now I don’t really know what to do or where to go.” Her fierce expression crumbled as she slumped.
Themba crossed the short distance and took her in his arms. He thought her revulsion of his anatomy would make her cringe or stiffen. But when she melted in his arms and cried, he tightened his hold on her.
“We won’t be stuck on this planet, right?” she asked between cries. “I don’t want to stay here, Themba.”
“No. You’ll be granted your freedom.” And he would be the one to do it.
“I-I can beat this game. I know I can. But, Jesus, I’m so tired of running and hiding.”
“I can take you away, ndebele.”
She shook her head and sniffled. “I have to do this myself. I don’t want to depend on you. I want the money that comes from winning.” She wiped the tears rolling fast down her face. “I can take the winnings and buy a real camera. I-I always dreamed of becoming a famous photographer. I guess now that my slate will be wiped clean I can do that.”
Photographer. A person who takes photographs, for a job.
Payton unzipped her pouch and pulled out a device and held it up. “I have pictures on here. Damn good ones too. I d-don’t need you to take care of me. I can sell these and make a name for myself.”
“I have no doubt you’ll become a well-known photographer. But I can help you see this to fruition.”
She shook her head and stuffed her device in her pouch again. “No. I can do this on my own.”
He let out a hard breath. “If you don’t want me to claim you, then what do you want? How can I make this better for you?”
“For right now, I just want to sleep without having to worry about my safety.”
He picked her up, cradling her in his arms. She weighed next to nothing. “If it’s sleep you want, I can help you with that.”
“Please don’t get any bright ideas to feed me another plant.”
He chuckled. “I can help you without feeding you anything.”
She wiped her eyes but didn’t try to free herself. “Where are you taking me?”
“When I was looking for you, I found a cave. It’s not too far from here. You can sleep there.”
“But—”
“You’ll sleep, and I’ll watch over you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Themba carried her. Payton should’ve wiggled from his arms and used her two good legs to walk, but being carried felt...comforting. Themba holding her felt safe. In his arms, no other hunter would bother her. She didn’t have to run or hide. She could finally relax.
Thirty minutes into their walk, they came across a rock formation along the riverbank. There was a hole in the ground that part of the river dropped into. She thought he would steer clear, but to her surprise, Themba veered toward it. His boots splashed through the puddles.
When they reached the lip of the hole, Themba paused to glance down.
“What’s down there?”
“The place where you’ll rest.” Themba stepped over the edge.
Weightlessness made her stomach turn on itself. “Hey!” She clutched his neck and squeezed her eyes shut. If there’d been anything in her stomach, Themba would’ve been wearing it.
His feet hit the ground with a splash and a thump. Despite the impact, he held her tight. She’d never been in any danger at all.
Payton glanced around. They were in an underground cave. The ceiling was about a foot above Themba’s head. The cave was large with rock above them, and some rock formations mixed in with leafy bushes and vines crawled up the sides. There were plenty of areas to
stretch out and lay down as well. Themba stood in ankle deep water, and because water flowed through the hole they’d dropped through, Payton guessed the water they stood in most likely led out to someplace else, otherwise the water that fell into the cave would’ve quickly filled it up.
The colors were spectacular. The sky’s reflection made the water dropping from the ceiling appear dark purple, but when the light hit the water on the ground, it turned a luminescent green. Further down the cave where she thought it would appear darker, the water glowed yellow. There was most likely an exit down that way.
“This is beautiful.”
Jack trotted over to one of the flat rocks and hopped onto it. After circling a few times he laid down.
“I thought you would like it. It’s more comfortable than the places you’ve been hiding.”
“I’m on the run, Themba. I don’t have the luxury to pick and choose my accommodations. Sometimes I just have to settle. I’m not new to this.”
“I don’t understand. You’ve mentioned before you’re experienced in hiding. You weren’t safe on Earth?”
She released his neck and twisted from his grip. When he acted like he wouldn’t let her go, she wiggled until he finally did. “So you said I can sleep?”
He widened his stance and folded his arms over his chest. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“You said you would watch my back while I slept.” She raised her eyebrow. “Is that still on?”
After a pause, where he seemed to contemplate if he would press her or not, he nodded. “I will keep you safe.”
The fatigue was getting to her because she actually believed him. She yawned. “Good.” Payton kicked off her gym shoes and wet socks. She clutched the hemline of her shirt before she could pull it over her head. “Maybe you should turn away?”
“You bathed naked in front of me. You’re shy now?”
She sputtered. “I’m not shy. I’m just—”
“Exhausted. You can barely stand.” He moved closer, and her heart slammed against her ribs. “I’ll help you.”
She should’ve pushed him away, told him to stop. But her breath caught in her throat, and she couldn’t say a thing.
He lifted her wet shirt over her head and tossed it to a boulder. His fingertips brushed gently against her skin as he trailed them along the swell of her breast.
Themba followed the path of his fingers with his lips. Slow at first, then more aggressive. Kissing and licking around her breasts and teasing her nipples.
Screw it. There was no denying this. She was a grown woman. So what if she wanted a little strange alien lay? After everything she’d been through, hell, she deserved it. She shed the rest of her clothes.
Payton let him do as he pleased while her hands roamed down his chest and stomach to his cocks. When she pushed her hands under his waistband, he seemed to hold his breath.
She wrapped a cock in each hand. Then stroked. Themba’s knees almost gave way. Payton smiled to herself. Her soft hands had control of his firmness and of him.
Themba hissed when she tightened her grip. He leaned down and took her nipple between his teeth, biting down just enough to hear her sharp intake of breath.
“Jesus, Themba.”
“I can smell your desire. I’m trapped in the scent of you.” He moved one hand to cradle her butt and angle her toward him. The other slipped between her legs and found her wetness.
“So wet for me.” He slipped a finger inside her, and it was her turn for her knees to weaken. “Ancients you’re so tight.” He stroked her, slowly at first, then faster as she bucked against him.
She palmed him faster, meeting his rhythm. “Oh, God. Oh, God. Just a little more.” His finger hit the spot that made her insides tingle.
She pumped against him, unconcerned about what she was doing. She only cared how he made her feel. He slipped a second finger inside of her. Payton shuddered and threw her head back. He had the fingers of an expert. He stroked them in and out of her, pressing and teasing her G-spot. “Yes!”
She spread her legs apart, giving him the access he needed. He bent over her, cupping her butt with his free hand and helped to pump her against his hand. If she could patent his fingers, she would. She ran her nails against his lengths and he inhaled sharply. She smiled to herself.
“Playing dirty?”
She let out a throaty laugh.
He stuck another finger in her and her eyes rolled up. Instead of moving them in and out of her, he pressed them against her G-spot and moved them in a circular pattern. “Themba. Jesus.” She could barely stay on her feet her legs shook so bad.
“This spot right here makes your pulse quicken. I can play dirty too.”
His voice in her ear did it for her. Low, playful and sensual. Her orgasm shot through her.
When he kept going, she pushed his hand away.
He looked forlorn and held up his glistening fingers. “But I want to do this more. It gives you pleasure.”
“I want to do the same for you.”
“But you are. Your hands on my cocks are pleasing. You aren’t afraid of them anymore.”
“Afraid isn’t what I’m feeling at all.” Hot. Horny. Excited. Those are just some of the feelings twisting inside of her. Payton dropped. Her knees hit the water with a splash.
“You can’t. It’s wet.”
“Uh-huh.” She didn’t really pay attention to what he said. She tugged his pants down, letting his cocks spring free.
She couldn’t believe she was about to suck alien dick. Normally she would’ve thought this was a new low, but it didn’t feel like it. She wanted to taste him. She licked her lips.
Low? No. Curious? Yes.
He was glorious. Surprisingly his cocks didn’t look that different from a regular man, besides the fact there were two and they missed the traditional mushroomed head that humans had. They were like smooth rods from base to top with a slit at the top of the bigger one.
She took the small one in her mouth in one gulp. He hissed and thrust his fingers sharply through her hair. His claws scraped against her scalp.
“My ndebele.”
She didn’t like that name before. She wasn’t a treasure, least of all his. But to hear him whisper it in that tone made her feel powerful and sure.
She kept him in her mouth and sucked, using her tongue to lubricate and tease. She pumped up and down his length, engulfing him. Themba’s legs shook. He moaned deep and low and whispered her name over and over again. She couldn’t think of anywhere she would rather be.
With a growl, Themba’s powerful hands gripped a handful of her hair and plucked her from him only to lower her mouth over his larger cock.
And boy was it big.
She could hardly fit her mouth around it, but Themba pushed her head down, and her slick lips complied. She gripped the base of his cock to make up for the difference she couldn’t fit and wrapped her hand around the smaller one.
She stroked his cocks, pumping her lips up and down on his length. His hips pumped to meet her mouth. His cock hit the back of her throat. Payton ignored her gag reflex and accepted him. Her pussy engorged. Cum trickled down her legs. Spit pooled in her mouth. She brought her lips to the tip of him and opened her mouth, allowing the spit that accumulated in her mouth to dribble over and down his cock.
“Oh, Ancients!”
Themba thrust into her hungry mouth again. Payton closed her eyes and reveled in his cock, stroking past her lips and making them his.
“I need you now.”
He plucked her from his cock and lifted her. He wrapped his arm around her and picked her up, walking her to the flat rocks. She was glad that it was dry because God help her, she would’ve let him fuck her in the water. She’d just let him pound her face while kneeling in it. Her standards were not very high at the moment.
The feeling consuming her was ridiculous. She couldn’t explain it. She needed him, and she didn’t care how or where it happened.
There were no co
mplaints from her when he bent her over, hands flat on the rock, head down and ass up. He groaned and gripped her butt. She glanced at him over her shoulder. He stared appreciatively at her display. She spread her legs, and his gaze became hooded, darkening.
Themba raised his gaze to catch her eyes. God, she could get used to a man looking at her the way he did now. He watched her as though she were the most important person in the world, and he would do anything for her.
Payton wasn’t dumb. She knew he was probably just happy to be getting laid. But...for now...she would...pretend.
Pretend this feeling was real and pretend he cared for her.
Yes. She could do that.
And after this was over, she could return to reality.
She glanced down at his cocks. Both stood strong and proud and strained in her direction. He spread her cheeks and nudged her feet to open wider. He angled toward her, and with a hard thrust, he entered her.
Her mouth dropped open on a moan. It was only his smaller cock, but it was so thick that it took her breath away. He pumped in and out. His size, while not lengthy made up for it in width. Her pussy stretched and contracted around him. His cock jut against the most sensitive spot in her pussy, over and over again.
Payton scraped her nails against the rock. “Oh, God, yes.”
She adjusted her knee to rest on the edge of the rock, allowing him to touch that spot she needed, rubbing a little harder.
Yes. Right there. Oh, God. Right there.
Her eyes watered and legs trembled. The orgasm he coaxed from her came fast and hard. “Themba!”
She fell forward, and he caught her with an arm under her middle, holding her up. He wasn’t finished. And she was happy for it. She craved more of him.
Themba pulled his smaller cock from her, and before she could get beg and plead for him to put it back, he slammed the bigger one deep inside her pussy.
Her eyes fluttered. She arched her back. “Ah.” Without the smaller cock preparing her, she wouldn’t have been able to take all he had to give.
Themba’s arm held her up and pinned her to his hips. His heavy balls rested against her clit. His tail swished across her back, and the fur tip rested against her ear. His deep and ragged breaths were telling of how he struggled to keep still and allow her to adjust to his size. Her walls seemed stretched to the max. Her pussy was full.
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