by Leslie Chase
I gasped, shivered, groaned, my hands tightening. All my doubts vanished, washed away by the waves of desire he sent crashing through me. He filled my senses, left no space for anything other than him, the alien whose touch I craved.
“Door,” I groaned. The hatch slid shut at the command, leaving me alone in my cabin with Delkor. His fingers slid under the straps of my outfit, pulling and twisting as I wriggled against him.
His cock hardened and I bit my lip. It was massive, bigger and harder than anything I’d ever imagined a man might have. But then, he wasn’t just a man. He was a Caibar warrior, and that made all the difference.
“We shouldn’t…” I tried to object as his thumbs brushed my nipples through the smartcloth, but my words trailed off and Delkor chuckled.
“We should, and we will.” His absolute certainty made me shiver and moan again as he pulled at the straps.
The fabric snapped away from me, coiling into a tight ball which Delkor tossed casually aside. Suddenly I was naked, my skin bared for him to see, and I fought the urge to cover myself with my hands.
It wasn’t the first time he’d seen me naked, but somehow this was different. His eyes watched me in the mirror, the intensity both frightening and arousing.
I turned in his arms, pulling open his borrowed shirt and kissing his broad blue chest. Nuzzling it, nipping at the tough skin, feeling the powerful beat of his hearts as I kissed my way down his body. The buckles of his belt were unfamiliar and I had to fumble with them to get them undone, but at last I managed, unfastening his pants and freeing his cock.
“Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say as I looked at the hard alien shaft between his legs. My breath caught again as I imagined it inside me.
I’d seen it before, but now in better lighting it looked even more intimidating. Ribbed along its length, broad, striped almost like a tiger’s skin, it looked both frightening and wonderful.
Tentatively I reached out and ran a hand along it. The ridges pulsed under my touch, little vibrations running through it, and Delkor growled. A hungry, eager noise, the sound of a predator cornering his prey.
I looked up, met his eyes, bit my lip. He was a hunting beast, a monster, terrifying. And I was his prey.
As much as that image frightened me, it sent a wave of desire crashing through my body. I’d never wanted to be caught more.
Turning, I pulled free from his grip and sprang toward the door. I had no chance of reaching it — Delkor was on me before I’d gotten two steps, powerful hands lifting me and throwing me onto the bed.
The mattress creaked in protest as I hit it, and something failed with a sproing when Delkor landed on top of me. His metal hand grabbed my wrists, one swift motion pinning my arms above my head, and I panted for breath. Trapped under him, I squirmed and struggled helplessly.
Not that I wanted to escape. Pinned under Delkor, helpless, his, I felt more at peace than ever before. My heart raced, my body ached for his touch, my chest heaved as I panted for air.
And Delkor laughed, a deep rough sound of pure joy. His free hand caressed me, claws grazing my skin as I squirmed.
“You should not run,” he said, fingers closing on my nipple and tweaking. Not painfully, just enough to make me gasp and blush and squirm. “You are my mate, and you are mine.”
“I am not,” I protested, a smile tugging at my lips as I argued. “I don’t belong to anyone but myself.”
Delkor chuckled, and with a single easy motion flipped me over on the bed. Before I had a chance to respond, his hand came down on my ass with a stinging smack. I gasped, shuddered, tried to pull free, but the steel grip on my wrists was far too strong.
Another smack on the other cheek, and he paused. I groaned, wriggling at the sensation, the warmth spreading through me. Delkor raised his hand again.
“Okay, okay,” I whispered. “I’m yours.”
“And I am yours,” Delkor replied, voice resonating inside me. The hand came down, not in another swat but to stroke my hair gently. “We belong together, forever.”
He released my wrists, letting me roll over again, and his lips traced a trail of kisses down my body. I shuddered, my legs parting without hesitation as he moved lower, lower.
I’d expected him to take me, to slake his lust on my body. Braced for it. Hoped for it. But he had other ideas, and I was happy to let him take the lead.
Not that Delkor gave me any choice in the matter.
His fingers brushed across the lips of my sex and I moaned, throwing back my head as he teased me mercilessly. Kisses joined the fingers, and then his tongue danced across my pussy, parting my eager folds and tasting me.
A rumbling sound of delight filled the small cabin as Delkor licked and kissed and sucked. My body shook, hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer to me as I ground up against his mouth.
The fingers of his metal hand pressed to my pussy as his tongue circled my clit, and I cried out as he pushed two fingers into me. It felt so unbelievably good, the pleasure washing through me as he lapped, his rough tongue driving me wild.
Delkor’s tail curled around me, the tip pushing against me and replacing his fingers inside me. I shivered, shuddered, and then his tail vibrated. My eyes went wide and I let out a shout, my body arching in shock and pleasure. I thrashed under him, a powerful orgasm robbing me of all control, and he kept going, wringing more and more pleasure from me, his golden eyes sparkling.
When he finally stopped, I collapsed back on the bed, panting and shaking. Delkor looked down at me, a happy grin on his face, and I returned it, trembling.
“God, fuck, wow,” I said. Eloquence was a lost cause; I was grateful I managed words rather than meaningless noises.
“Sweet Khaa-Ree,” he answered, pulling himself up to kiss my neck. “I am not finished with you yet.”
My breath caught again, not sure I’d survive another orgasm like that. On the other hand, if I had to die — that would be a hell of a way to go!
Still unsteady, I stroked his body, my trembling fingers exploring his alien skin. Enjoying the strange sensations, unlike anything I’d felt before. The odd, rough, warm feel of his skin, the way his breath quickened when I stroked over his ribs.
His fangs dug into my shoulder and I arched again, body responding to the mix of pain and pleasure. My hand slid down between us, finding his iron-hard cock and stroking it, guiding him to my pussy.
Delkor growled, raised his eyes to look down at me, and thrust. One hard, powerful movement, slamming me down into the mattress and filling me.
The ridges on his cock felt weird, wonderful, delightful. It felt like he’d been made for me, he filled me so perfectly.
Strong thrusts slammed me down into the thin mattress again and again, each more forceful than the last. Clutching at him, I tried to control myself, but there was no fighting the waves of pleasure and I cried out again, my body arching and shaking, my throat raw from shouting.
Nothing existed but the two of us, the rest of the universe fading away. We clung to each other, our bodies moving as one, breathing in sync, hearts racing. Delkor swelled inside me, and he growled into my ear.
“Come,” he said, a command and a plea. “Come for me, my beloved.”
Even if I’d wanted to resist, the wave of pleasure that broke over me was overwhelming, unstoppable. My pussy clenched around him, and that was enough to pull him over the edge with me into an orgasm that rocked us both. Everything dissolved into white light as I let the endless explosions of pleasure carry me away.
14
Delkor
My mate curled up against me, our bodies entwining as we recovered. Stroking her hair, I looked down at her with wonder. Was I the first Caibar warrior to find a mate outside my species?
Probably. What did that possibility mean for the rest of my people? Would it splinter us, destroy our resolve to find Home and return? Were there even other Caibar out here anymore? In the long decades, all who weren’t in stasis or bound to a mate must hav
e died.
I can’t worry about that yet, I decided. It’s a miracle to savor and enjoy, but beyond that? Questions will wait while I unravel more urgent mysteries.
I still needed to find my way Home and make sure it survived. For all I knew it had suffered the same fate as Flower of the Empire, and my species’ homeworld burned eternally. All of this might be for nothing.
Even if Home survived, would I ever be able to find it? The Empire hid the source of their supersoldiers well, and for good reason — we Caibar had been the backbone of their military until we rebelled. Few of the Archives held the secret, and the ones I knew of had been destroyed.
I grimaced, trying to live in the moment, to enjoy the wonder of my mate’s body pressed against mine. But the dark thoughts forced their way in — what if I’d lost the only chance I’d ever have to go home?
Khaa-Ree grumbled in her sleep as I shifted uncomfortably, and reluctantly I pulled myself clear of her bed. It was too small for us both anyway, and while these thoughts consumed me I’d only disturb her rest.
“Be at peace, love,” I whispered, bending over her to kiss her forehead as she burrowed into the warm space I’d left. Khaa-Ree’s mumble sounded happier now, and I stood back to watch her sleep with a smile.
The cabin was small but now that I had a chance to look around it, I saw the effort my mate had put into making it her own. Posters stuck to one wall showed other humans, musicians I guessed, and she had a small shelf of books.
That made me smile. Electronic books were more convenient in so many ways, but still my love used some of her limited space for her favorites. They must mean a lot to her, I thought, picking one up and turning it over in my hands. The words were meaningless to me, of course — I’d need to learn the human alphabet to understand their writing. I didn’t need to be able to read it to admire the cover, which showed a fanciful spaceship and a woman in a brightly colored space suit.
The book was well-thumbed, pages fading. I put it back carefully, not wanting to risk damaging it. Someday I’d read it, I promised myself, and understand Khaa-Ree better for knowing the books she treasured.
A small closet area held her clothes, mostly practical jumpsuits. I didn’t search further, refusing to invade her privacy. Instead, I pulled on my pants and set out to meet her companions under better circumstances.
As soon as I opened the hatch, a bundle of fur and needle-sharp claws launched itself at me. I caught the small predator, lifted him up, enjoying the odd rumbling noise that seemed too large a sound for such a tiny creature to make.
“We meet again, small one,” I said, brushing the thing’s fur carefully. Whatever it was, I liked it. “Thank you for easing my way aboard the ship.”
I was reasonably sure he wasn’t sapient, but it did no harm to give my thanks anyway. The creature responded with a rasp-tongued lick at my thumb that made me chuckle. Cradling him in one hand, stroking him with the other, I followed the sounds of conversation, looking for Khaa-Ree’s crew.
Their voices quieted as I entered the living area, the five human females turning to look at me apprehensively. The one who’d tried to block my way onto the ship glared at me and I gave her a quiet nod.
She’d put herself in harm’s way for my mate. Foolish or brave, either way she deserved my respect.
“I see you and Munchkin are still getting along,” one of them said, shaking her head and looking a little jealous. “Don’t know how you manage that, he’ll bite and run away if I try to pet him. Is Carrie still sleeping? She looked exhausted even before… um.”
She trailed off, face reddening. Were these humans so prudish about sex that they would not speak of it? Foolishness.
“She will sleep awhile yet,” I agreed, not forcing the issue. No need to embarrass them. “I wanted to meet you properly. Khaa-Ree has told me of you, though I do not know which name goes with which face.”
“Carrie,” the angry one said. I frowned, raising an eyebrow questioningly, and she made a disgusted noise. “Carrie. That’s her name, not Kaaray or whatever it is you’re saying.”
“Ah. Khaarie?” I tried again, and another of the humans laughed and shook her head.
“No, no,” the blonde-haired female said. “Like a Vehn ‘carivh’ — try that?”
So one of them spoke the Imperial tongue. More than that, she had the skill to explain subtleties like this. My mate’s companions had more skills to offer than I’d realized. Good, if they were to become mates to my pack.
“Carrie?” The females nodded, the blonde grinning while the angry one scowled. “Carrie. I have it.”
Delighted, the blonde clapped her hands. “I’m Alice, and if you speak Vehn, I’d like to practice with you. No one on this station wants to just chat, and that’s the best way to get really familiar with a language.”
“Of course,” I said, then added in Vehn, “It would be an honor to assist your scholarship.”
She blushed, flustered, and I wondered if my formal offer had been too much. The Imperial language tended towards the flowery, and perhaps I ought to have kept things simpler.
“Well, ah,” Alice stammered, then gestured to her companions. “That’s Lily, our pilot, and Jen, the medic. Bella there, tinkering with the plasma exchanger, she’s our engineer.”
The grease-stained female pulled her head out of an open hatch long enough to wave hello and grab a part from the pile beside her.
“And you already met Michaela,” Alice finished with a wave at the brunette sitting with booted feet up on the table.
“I am honored to meet my mate’s companions,” I said, filing away the names. Alice had enunciated them clearly enough that I thought I had them right, but this would be a delicate time. I did not wish to provoke a fight — Carrie would be angered if I injured her friends.
Michaela sighed, leaned forward, offered a hand. “You brought Carrie back, and she’s not hurt. That’s something, I guess — you saved us the trouble of having to rescue her. The question is, what do we do with you now?”
“You don’t do anything with me,” I said, tail lashing for a moment before I controlled it. “I am with Carrie now, and she is my mate. You will not separate us. Do not try.”
The atmosphere in the compartment chilled. I’d felt warmer in the void between the stars where no sunlight reaches. The females stared at me, some flinching away, some freezing in place. Even the animal — Munchkin? — tensed, feeling the change in the room’s mood.
Before anyone broke the frozen silence, the hatch hissed open behind me.
“What’s going on?” Carrie asked, her voice sleepy and confused. We all turned to face her, our tension transforming by strange social alchemy into collective embarrassment.
“Nothing,” Alice said, recovering first. Even I could tell she was being too cheerful, and Carrie frowned suspiciously.
“You lot are up to something,” she said, crossing to my side and putting her arm around me. Munchkin hopped up onto her shoulder as she hugged me, and suddenly all my worries vanished and all was right with the universe. Anyone who bottled the effect a mate has on her Caibar would rule the universe, I thought, before remembering that was exactly what the Empire had done.
“Nothing important,” I said, pulling her down to sit on my lap and kissed the back of her neck. “I’m pleased to meet your companions.”
“And we’re getting to know your, ahem, new friend,” Bella added with a mischievous grin. “Didn’t know you liked ‘em alien, Carrie.”
The blush that spread across my mate’s face delighted me, made me want to drag her right back to her cabin and pull off the jumpsuit she’d put on. Bella laughed and more of the tension evaporated.
“Okay, aside from coming up with ways to tease me mercilessly, we need a plan,” Carrie said firmly. Her crew quieted down fast, I saw approvingly. This wasn’t the most disciplined ship, but the crew trusted each other and that made all the difference. “First, let’s lay out the situation.”
Michaela
took up that challenge. “We’re fucked. One, we owe the syndicate more than the Ladies’ Choice is worth. Two, when you tried to fix that, they tried to kill you and a bunch of them ended up dead. Three, the one bit of salvage that would have paid our debt turned out to be a sapient being—“
“Who you’re boinking,” Alice put in helpfully. Michaela glared at her.
“Yes, who Carrie is ‘boinking’, thank you Alice,” she finished. “Summary: we’ve pissed off a powerful gang and don’t have any way to pay off the debt we owe them.”
“When you put it like that it sounds like we’re in trouble,” Carrie said lightly, but the answering smiles were shaky. “Okay, next up is assets.”
Bella wiped her hands on a rag and sat up. “The Ladies’ Choice is in good condition, the engines are two-thirds charged, and the stores are about half full. We could take off any time and stay out in the black for two months, maybe three if we’re careful and ration supplies.”
She cast a look at me and tilted her head to the side. “Depending how much Delkor here eats and breathes, that is. Didn’t factor a guest into my calculations.”
Carrie sighed. “We also have three grand in coin. Not much money, but it’s something. Sorry, ladies, I can’t cash any of you out.”
“We aren’t running out on you,” Michaela said, her arms folded. “Spend the money on weapons and supplies.”
The rest of the crew nodded, though they didn’t look happy about it. Carrie didn’t show anything in her face, but I felt some tension leave her body.
“You don’t know how much that means to me,” she said. “Speaking of weapons—“
“Good news, we’ve got full charge on all your personal weapons,” Michaela cut in. “Bad news, that’s because none of you ever practice with them. So fighting’s not a good option.”
I rumbled, leaned forward. Everyone looked at me. “You also have me. A Caibar warrior who will not allow harm to come to my bond-mate. We will defeat this syndicate.”
Carrie tensed again on my lap, but this time I recognized it not as fear but excitement waking in her body. Under the table her hand found mine and squeezed.