by Lynnea Lee
Ashe was floored. She wanted to cry in happiness at his proclamation of love. He loved her! She melted into his embrace. It had only been two nights, but she missed him. He was slightly sweaty from his recent exertion, and the musky smell of him combined with the heat of his body overwhelmed her senses.
It felt so good to be in his arms again, so right. It felt as though the past two days, she had been walking around in a daze, not quite whole. Now, back in Zey’s arms, she was whole again. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Ashe knew Moira had set her up. But she wasn’t upset, and she was glad her new friend was forcing her to work things out with Zey.
“Zey—” But again, he cut her off.
“You are mine, Ashe.” And this time, his words had an air of finality. “You are my mate. And I am not above tying you to my bed and convincing you to stay through any means necessary. I can be very convincing when I have to be. I can—”
Realizing that Zey was not about to let her get a word in sideways, she did what she had to and planted a kiss right on his moving lips, effectively silencing his tirade.
“Now, are you ready to listen?” Ashe asked incredulously. “You don’t need to tie me up to convince me to stay. I want to stay. Although I have a feeling that I’ll enjoy whatever you had in mind very much. So feel free to do it anyway.” She winked at him.
He looked confused. “But you were avoiding me.”
Ashe avoided his gaze now. “I couldn’t face you after what happened. You had this look of disgust on your face when Ulrek, well, you know. You were livid. I was afraid that you would never be able to look at me again without feeling that disgust, that anger.”
Zey stood her down on her own two feet, wove a hand through her hair, and turned her head up to look at him. “That look of disgust and anger was aimed at Ulrek and at myself for failing my promise to keep you safe. I would never hold anything that happened against you. Against myself sure, but never against you.”
“I know that now, Zey. And it wasn’t your fault either. You did all you could to protect me. I slowed you down. If it weren’t for me, you would have been far away.” Ashe looked at the wall in front of her. “I was trying to get stronger, so I won’t be a burden in the future.”
“A burden? Never!” Zey looked towards the simulator for a moment, then at the climbing wall before he burst out with a hearty laugh.
“What’s so funny? Are you laughing at me trying to get stronger?” Ashe huffed.
“No, little one. You are plenty strong already. And brave. And intelligent too. I’m laughing because while I was in there trying to get better at protecting you, you were just outside the door, trying to get stronger for me. We are quite a team!” His brow furrowed as he continued. “Calix told me that you knew he was on his way with a team and that he was tracking the signal from the comm unit. I saw you hide the comm in the leaves. I knew you were trying to lead help to us. You are plenty strong, Ashe. You will never be a burden to me.”
“But I still want to be more. I want to improve. I need to learn the skills to stay alive in this world. I want to learn how to be a useful part of your crew.”
“I’ll make use of you, alright.” Zey’s gaze narrowed on her, and he licked his lips. Heat rose to her cheeks at the innuendo.
“That’s not how I meant it, and you know it, asshole!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll use that too.”
Ashe gasped and smacked the side of his arm. “You are incorrigible!”
“And again, you love it!” Then softer, without his usual bravado, “Don’t you?”
As if sensing his insecurity, Ashe didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I do. I love it. And I love you.”
He lifted her easily off her feet and carried her into the simulator. The door slammed none too gently behind them, and Zey made a series of quick choices on the selection screen. The bare metal walls and ceiling shimmered and was replaced by a lavishly decorated room with high palatial ceilings. In the center was an oversized bed outfitted in sumptuous sheets and blankets. In one corner, a small fountain filled the room with the calming sounds of water. The whole place screamed of luxury. Ashe looked around in awe.
“I know this mission well. Nothing happens until you leave the room. We won’t even leave the bed.” He explained as he deposited her on the bed and climbed in after her. “I can’t offer you a real palace. But I’m willing to give you everything I have. I love you more than the Stars themselves.”
He crawled over her body, nudging her legs open with his knees. Caging her body with his own, he looked down at her, admiring her unique beauty. She felt so protected, loved, and owned. Feeling his body so hot and close sent a rush of wetness between Ashe’s legs. Her breathing became fast and shallow.
“Right now, I want you. I missed you so much. I want everything you can give me,” Ashe whispered huskily. “Give it to me.”
Stars! How he’d missed her.
She arched up at him, eager for his touch, and he complied, bracing himself on one arm while exploring her body with the other hand. He shoved her tank top up over the swells of her breasts. He fondled at the soft lacy cups that caressed the rounded softness of her breasts, then he lowered his face between her mounds and inhaled her scent. The first time he had encountered the clasp of her bra, he had hated the garment, deeming it useless and a hindrance, but he had warmed to the idea of them through the course of their time together. Right now, though, he needed her naked and completely exposed to him.
He reached behind her to release the clasp, and she arched up to help him. Her bottoms came off next in one fluid motion. His clothes came next, and soon they were both naked on the monstrous bed, surrounded by satin sheets and pillows. She laid bare in front of him, a prize ready for the taking. The only prize he would ever covet.
“Don’t you worry, I’ll give you everything you need and more.” He rubbed his hard cock against her clit, mimicking the motion of what he planned to do. “I’m going to fuck you every way possible, and then I’m going to carry you back to my quarters and do it all over again.” His voice was gruff and growly, a low rumble of promise. He felt her shiver with anticipation.
He flipped her over onto her stomach with a deft motion and gripped her hips firmly to bring her hips up in the air. Keeping one arm wrapped around her midsection, he pushed her upper body down on the mattress. Ashe buried her face into one of the pillows and held on tight. He put one hand onto her buttocks and rubbed in small circles with his palm, feeling the soft skin of her cheeks. She wiggled her hips in invitation, and he gave her ass a solid squeeze, followed by a sharp crack on the cheek with the palm of his hand. She moaned into the pillow and pushed her hips back at him.
“I’m going to mount you, Ashe. I’m going to fuck you hard. Would you like that?”
“Yes! Please, I need you.”
Mmm, music to his ears. “Say it again!” The words were an order. He reached down to massage her clit, and she pressed into his hand, striving for more.
“Please,” she begged.
“Please what, little one?” He positioned the broad head of his cock at her entrance and held her still so she couldn’t push back.
“Please fuck me.”
Her voice was barely a hoarse whisper, but it was clear enough. Holding her hips steady, he pushed into her inviting wetness, letting the warmth envelop him. He held still, letting her get used to his length and girth, but she tried to push back against him frantically. He couldn’t hold back anymore. He pounded into her depths with abandon. He could feel himself hit the back of her channel with every thrust, and her breathy moans crescendoed as her pleasure built.
He landed a crack of his big palm on the cheek of her ass, the sound reverberating through the simulated room. He continued to ride her hard as he peppered her ass with the kiss of his palm. She pushed back against his body, and Zey could feel her climax build and spill over. Her channel tightened around him, but he continued his onslaught until she screamed
her release into the satin pillow at her head.
“Fuck!” he growled. He managed a few more hard thrusts before he lost himself in his own heaven, emptying deep in her body with a loud roar.
He collapsed on top of her for a second, then realizing that his weight was too much for her, he rolled them onto their side and pulled her close to nestle her in the hollow of his body. The sweat from their body, mostly his, made their body slide against each other. He wanted as much of himself on her and inside her as possible. He wanted to envelop her, make her a part of himself forever. After a few minutes, Ashe reached her arms and legs to stretch herself out.
“I still mean it about needing to be a useful contributor on the ship. I don’t want to be a freeloader.”
“You are my mate. I am bonded to you. It’s my job to care for you. You just being here will keep me happy. There’s no need to take on an extra job. My crew understands this. If any of them are lucky enough to take a mate who is willing to stay with them on the Defiant, their mates will stay here with them too. It is one reason the ship was modified to run with a smaller crew so that the life support system can accommodate the crew’s mates.”
“Maybe I’ll find something to do anyway. I’m not comfortable being a housewife, or in this case, a shipwife.”
“Maybe, but you just being here is enough for me.” Zey was completely honest. Some mates decide to stay in the safety and comfort of the compound. And while many males enjoyed knowing that their females were safe, it was hard to spend time away from them. Zey wanted Ashe here.
When they left the simulator, the two males who were dueling in the arena paused their fight to approach them. Arus and Vore were eager to meet the female their captain had brought aboard. Ashe’s face reddened with heat when she realized that his men must have heard everything that happened inside the simulator. It was cute. She wasn’t exactly quiet, and neither was he. This was his ship, after all, and he had no need to hide his activities from his crew. They each took turns placing a hand on her shoulder and gave her a nod as if they approved of Zey’s choice in female. Not that Zey needed their approval, but it was good to know his crew welcomed his female.
“Arus, you’re the chef! Your cooking is amazing, by the way.”
Zey exchanged a look with Vore and then cracked up laughing. Arus gave them both a disgusted look.
“Did I say something wrong?” Ashe asked.
“No, no, you didn’t say anything wrong at all,” Zey managed between guffaws.
“Arus hates to be called ‘the chef,’” Vore explained. “The whole ship calls him that just to annoy him. It seems like you’re already a part of the team, Ashe.”
Arus sighed in resignation. “I give up. I’m never going to rid myself of that moniker. At least I’m not the one caught jerking off to a gun catalog.”
Vore stopped laughing and punched him hard in the arm. Their friendly fight was back on, and Zey pulled Ashe away from the mock violence. He held out his arm, waiting for her to hook her arm in his, then they walked arm in arm to the med bay to let Moira know that she planned on staying aboard the Defiant.
Chapter 14
“Oh my!” Ashe’s jaw dropped to the floor. There, in front of her, was Moira pinned up against the wall of the infirmary by her mate. Sidas paused briefly when Zey and Ashe walked in, but then seeing as it wasn’t a medical emergency, continued thrusting into his mate. Moira didn’t seem to mind that they have an audience, and Zey didn’t seem nonplussed either. Ashe backed away towards the door, but Zey held her arm prisoner. He led her through the exam room and into Sid’s office and sat down on his chair, then pulled her into his lap.
“Sex is not hidden in our culture, especially among friends. The crew is very close, especially between Calix, Sidas, and myself,” he whispered quietly to her.
She fiddled with her hair, trying her best to ignore her friend with her mate in the next room. It was difficult, and she found herself sneaking peeks.
“Go ahead and look, I think Moira enjoys being watched.”
“You won’t make me do things in front of your crew, would you?”
“You agreed to be mine, I plan on fucking my mate anywhere I want.” He bent his head to nip at the side of her jaw possessively. “But I am aware that humans are more private with sexual matters, and I only want you where you are comfortable. I guess now is not the best time to tell you that everything in the simulator gets recorded.”
“What?” she shrieked. Then, not wanting to interrupt the couple, she lowered her voice. “Recorded? You mean there’s a video of us doing the horizontal tango?”
“No one can access it except for Calix, Tanith, and me. I’ll remove the video if you want.” Zey rubbed her back gently to relieve her fears. It was hard for her to adjust to the more sexually open Tallean culture. Since the two exchanges from the Second Chance came aboard, the lusty couple were told to limit their sexual escapades to private quarters or the med bay. But Ashe was staying on board, and she needed to get used to the difference in culture eventually. She understood the idea that any expression of love was nothing to be ashamed of, but she just didn’t think she could ever get used to walking in on her new friends doing the deed.
Ashe remembered the pretty female at the inn who had offered herself to Zey and how he had reacted as if it was commonplace.
“Do you get offers for sex often? Like at the inn.”
“I did, yes,” Zey said truthfully. “But after what happened with Selene, I preferred the pleasure houses. Keeping it strictly business also keeps it drama free.”
“You better not be going to those anymore!” After dealing with a cheating fiancé, she knew she would never settle for a whoring husband.
“Of course not, little one. I’m a mated male now, and I only have you on my mind or under my body.”
She wasn’t completely convinced. Mike had claimed to be faithful too. Hell, every man claimed to be, but it made not one iota of difference as to whether they were or not.
“As long as I have you, I am happy. I will never touch another female, or male for that matter, unless you wish it. You are all I need. I understand that in human culture, some males will cheat on their females. But that’s not how it is with Talleans. We spend our unmated years sampling the goods, so to speak, so that when we finally meet our mate, we know. It feels right, better than anyone before. We form a permanent bond. For me, that’s you, Ashe. I don’t want anyone else. I want you. If you left, it would destroy me.”
Ashe nodded. He said it with such conviction that she believed him. She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I should also warn you that other mated couples may offer to, ah, experiment with us.” He watched her eyes widen in a bit, both from panic and from curiosity. “Don’t be offended by it. We don’t have to accept the offer. However, watching and showing is commonplace, and you will get used to it.”
Ashe wasn’t so sure.
A sharp cry escaped Moira’s open lips, and Ashe turned her head instinctively towards the sound, then tore her gaze away and blushed furiously. She was watching her friend have sex against the wall. She thought of Zey taking her up against the wall of the shuttle during their escape to Vosthea and imagined if the roles were reversed and it was Moira and Sidas doing the watching. She blushed again and buried her red face against Zey’s chest as wetness soaked her core.
What is happening to me? I’ve become some kind of mega-slut! Zey’s nostrils flared, and he groaned. He can smell me! Does that mean that Moira and Sidas can as well? Oh no!
The other couple had finished their liaison, cleaned up, and was now approaching their guests. Ashe kept her eyes down, not sure how to face them. She was unaccustomed to sharing pleasure in front of others. Moira was the first to speak.
“I’m glad the two of you have worked things out. Would I be correct to assume that you will be staying on the Defiant?”
Moira didn’t seem embarrassed at all about
what just happened, and Ashe raised her eyes hesitantly to meet her gaze. Her lithe figure was wrapped in a sheer robe that barely left her covered, and her nipples jutted out against the fabric. But she acted as though it was the most natural thing in the world to talk to her friends in a state of undress after they just witnessed her having sex against a wall.
“Um, ah, yeah.”
“That’s great!” Moira threw herself at Ashe and gave her a big hug, the thin fabric hiding none of her contours. “I’ve missed female company so much. I was afraid that you would choose to stay at Reka 5.”
“Zey, Calix needs to speak to you once you get your female settled in your quarters.” It was Sidas who spoke. The man had pulled on some thin, loose-fitting trousers but remained topless. For a medic, he was extremely well built, and Ashe felt a bit bad for ogling her friend’s mate. Was there anyone on the ship that wasn’t a near-perfect specimen? “I’m glad to have my captain back.”
“What do you mean? I’ve been back for two cycles.”
“Forget it. Just remember to talk to Calix as soon as you can.”
Zey found Calix on the bridge after he was certain that Ashe was comfortable in his quarters.
“Sidas said you needed to see me.”
His second in command spun his chair around to face him.
“Welcome back, Zey.”
There it was again, what did they mean by welcome back? He had been back on board for almost two full cycles now.
“We’ve got a problem. There’s a Dominion ship tailing us. They aren’t close enough for visual contact, which means they are following us using a tracker. One of the ships is being tracked.”