It wasn’t just the sex, either. Now that the tension was broken between them, they talked constantly—finding they had more in common than Vorn ever would have believed possible when he first met the pretty, prickly little Earth female. They had the same interests, liked the same kinds of foods—Jodi had introduced him to Korean barbeque—which he loved, and Vorn had cooked her a version of Tch-pah, a specialty from his home world that was spicy and delicious—which Jodi had enjoyed immensely. They watched entertainment programs together, cuddled on the loveseat after “playtime” was over and generally really enjoyed each other’s company.
Considering all of that and how hot they continued to be for each other, it had seemed reasonable to assume that when James came back, Jodi might finally hand him his walking papers. But now she seemed to be saying just the opposite—it was Vorn she was planning on showing the door.
What he couldn’t figure out was, why?
“James is my fiancé. You and I…we never should have started playing like this in the first place,” Jodi said now, pacing across the room in a way that made her nearly-naked breasts sway and made Vorn’s shaft jump to attention, despite his irritation with her. Damn it to the Seven Hells, did she have to be so fucking gorgeous?
“This isn’t really ‘playing’ and you know it,” he growled. “What we’ve been doing here is serious business, little girl. We’ve been meeting each other’s needs. Is James gonna do that for you?”
Her cheeks got even redder but she lifted her chin.
“It’s none of your business what James and I do!”
“Well, is it going to be his business what you and I have been doing?” Vorn demanded. “You’ve basically been cheating on him, Jodi, and I’ve been helping you do it. But I never would have kept it up if I thought you were going to go back to him the minute he came back into town.”
For a moment she looked deeply ashamed.
“I know that—I know what we’ve been doing is wrong,” she whispered, looking down at her shoes. “Which is why we have to stop.”
“No, it’s why you need to tell James he’s not needed anymore,” Vorn growled. “You don’t belong with him, little girl—you belong with me. You know it and I know it. We understand each other—we have the same needs.”
“We have the same kinks, you mean,” Jodi said flatly. “You can’t build a relationship on kinky sex, Vorn.”
“Why not?” he demanded. “You can’t build a relationship on vanilla sex either—especially if that’s not what you’re craving. What are you going to do the next time you want to be spanked, little girl? Or tied up and talked dirty to? Is James going to let you be his ‘sex kitten’ and wear that little collar and put that long furry tail butt plug in your hot little ass while he rubs your pussy to make you purr or—”
“Stop—stop it!” Jodi held up a hand. “Vorn, please!”
“I’m just saying what we both know is true,” he growled. “James won’t be into any of that and you know it. He’s going to leave you wanting night after night. Hell, he wouldn’t even come home and meet your needs the night before he went out of town for almost a week!”
“He was busy,” Jodi said, making excuses for him as she always did. “He didn’t have time.”
“Damn it, baby—a male who cares about you will make time to meet your needs,” Vorn told her. “Not just your sexual needs, either—all of your needs. Can’t you see James is never going to do that for you?”
“You don’t know him.” There was a stubborn set to Jodi’s delicate jaw and a crease between her eyebrows that Vorn had learned meant he shouldn’t push her.
He pushed anyway.
“I know enough to know he’s not the right male for you,” he told Jodi. “Baby, you’ve got a sex drive that’s set to light speed and ol’ James is poking along in the slow lane. He’s never going to even want as much vanilla sex as you do, let alone be willing to get nasty with you.”
Jodi flushed.
“I am not nasty. I just enjoy exploring alternative sexualities. But I won’t need to do this anymore once you’re gone and I’m not constantly smelling your Mating Scent anymore.”
“Oh, no? You don’t think so?” Vorn arched an eyebrow at her. “You think you’re going to be able to put the naughty side of you back in the box? Just fold it away and forget it?”
“I don’t know what I think, okay?” Jodi burst out, her hand clenched into fists at her sides. She took a deep, trembling breath, as though trying to calm herself. “Vorn, try to understand, after my dad left my mom, I swore I’d never do that to a partner. I shouldn’t have cheated either, but at least we never, um…never actually had sex.”
“No, but we should have,” Vorn said bitterly. “If I’d shoved my own shaft inside you instead of always using all the fucking toys we’d be bonded by now and this whole thing would be a moot issue.”
“Well, you didn’t,” Jodi snapped. “And you’re not going to, either. Because you’re going to go back to the Mother Ship and I’m going to marry James like I’m supposed to and we’ll never see each other again!”
Vorn felt like she had stabbed him in the heart. He actually took a staggering step back and collapsed onto the loveseat.
“So that’s how you feel?” he asked hoarsely. “You just want me to get the fuck out of your life and never see you again?”
“I never said that!” Jodi was already backpedaling, looking miserable. “Vorn, meeting you has been amazing. But I just can’t…I can’t throw away such a long, committed relationship just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Just because you and I had a few kinky nights with each other. I mean, James and I have a life together. We have this apartment and our wedding is all booked and paid for and we know what names we’re going to give our kids when they come along and…and…and I just have everything all planned out,” she finished at last.
“Right.” Vorn rose to his feet and nodded heavily. “And I’m not part of the plan. I get it.”
“Vorn—” she started but he shook his head.
“Don’t. I don’t want to hear any more.” He went into the spare room and stood in the doorway, turning to face her. “I’ll be here if you need me. But only if the fucking Varians kick down the door—otherwise, I don’t think we have anything else to say to each other.”
Then he went into the room and closed the door behind him.
Jodi watched him go, feeling miserable. As she gathered the toys they’d been using with stiff, jerky motions, she tried to tell herself she was doing the right thing but somehow she couldn’t quite manage to believe it.
But I can’t just leave my fiancé to go off with a guy I just met a week ago! she told herself. A guy I couldn’t even stand at first. I can’t just run off on James the way Dad ran off on Mom—that isn’t right!
Of course the things she’d been doing with the big Kindred weren’t exactly right either, she knew that. And she also knew she was going to have to come clean to James eventually. But she couldn’t just leave him out of the blue with no warning—couldn’t just abandon him and the whole life they had built and planned together, could she?
“No, I definitely can’t,” Jodi told herself sternly. “If I do that, I’m no better than Dad. I can’t just give up on my relationship because I found somebody sexier.”
Someone who made her hot and bothered just being around him…someone who had let her call him “Master” and fulfilled her every sexual desire…well, almost—there were definite limits when they weren’t allowed to touch skin-to-skin. But still, Vorn had done a damn good job considering their restrictions. He had—
No, stop thinking about everything you and Vorn did together, Jodi told herself firmly. That’s over now—it has to be over. James is coming home tomorrow night and you have to be ready to see him. You love him, remember?
But try as she might, Jodi couldn’t seem to bring up any warm feelings for her fiancé—or any hot feelings either. She told herself it didn’t matter—the feelings were th
ere, they were just buried. They would come back eventually.
Maybe when the feelings she had somehow grown for Vorn started to fade…
Twenty-Nine
“You’re sure you’ll be okay alone while I go get the peace-ahh?” Liosh asked with concern.
Melli tried to stifle a grin. “It’s a pizza, not a ‘peace-ahh’ and yes, I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “Go on and go—I’ll find us something good to watch while you’re gone.”
“Well…” he frowned. “All right. But promise you’ll stay in the dorm while I’m gone. I don’t like leaving you alone—not even for a few minutes.”
“Liosh, I’ll be fine.” She put a hand on her hip. “Honestly, didn’t Commander Sylvan tell you just today over the Think-me that the security system around the Earth has been mended? Ships might be able to get out, but nothing new can get in. So unless there’s a Varian ship that’s been lying low down here on Earth for over a week…”
“Which is possible,” Liosh said, his frown deepening.
“But not likely,” Melli pointed out. “I mean, don’t you think they would have tried something by now if they were going to? They’re not exactly the most subtle guys, now are they?”
“Subtlety is not a Varian trait, no,” Liosh admitted.
“Look, if you don’t go soon our ‘peace-ahh’ is going to be cold,” Melli told him. “And I promise you, it’s never as good when you reheat it as it is piping hot.”
“Well…” He sighed. “All right. Just be safe while I’m gone.”
“I’ll stay right here in the dorm and not move a muscle,” Melli promised.
“All right.” He gave her a lingering kiss on the mouth and looked into her eyes. “I love you, Melinda.”
Melli felt her heart squeeze in her chest.
“I love you too, Liosh. Now go.” She pushed him gently towards the door. “If we start kissing, we’re never going to get dinner and I’m hungry. Don’t you want to try pizza for the first time?”
“I’d rather stay here and eat your pussy,” Liosh rumbled, giving her a half-lidded look.
Melli blushed.
“Later,” she told him, giving him another gentle shove. “I promise, all right?”
He nodded. “All right. I’m really going now.” He sighed. “I suppose we must have something a bit more substantial for Last Meal. Though I swear I could live on your sweet honey.”
Melli blushed even harder, laughing as she pushed him out the door. Since their first healing session the night before, Liosh seemed insatiable. He had woken her that morning with his tongue between her legs and Melli had skipped her last class so they could come home early and he could taste her yet again.
She was opening more easily to him now and this afternoon, the big Kindred had gotten two long fingers inside her and stroked her G-spot while he licked her clit until she had literally come all over his face.
It was the most intense orgasm Melli had been able to have without him biting her and it felt like real progress. She was certain that before too much longer she would be able to take Liosh’s long, thick shaft deep inside her pussy and they could finally bond.
She couldn’t wait for that moment. Liosh was the one male in the world who was exactly right for her—she was certain of it. He spoke often of how the Goddess had brought them together and how they were meant to be in each other’s lives. He had already promised to ask for a posting down on Earth so Melli could continue with college. Then, when she graduated, they would move up to the Mother Ship together to live with her mom.
It was going to be a beautiful life.
Melli was just settling down on the loveseat to find something good to watch and humming happily to herself when her cell phone chimed.
Thinking it must be Jodi, wanting to talk in a more traditional way this time, she picked it up to check. But to her surprise, it wasn’t her big sister’s name that popped up on her screen…
It was Amanda Brannigan’s.
Thirty
“Hey, Melli—hope you don’t mind me texting. I really wanted to apologize for last time we met,” the text read. Beside it was a sorry-face emoji and a little pink heart.
Melli blinked at it in surprise. The last time Amanda Brannigan had apologized for anything was…well, never. The other girl never apologized. What was going on? Maybe she was trying to turn over a new leaf?
Or maybe she just wants to be a bitch again and she’s trying to catch you off your guard, whispered a little voice in Melli’s head. Ignore it, Melli. Ghost her—you don’t need that kind of toxic person in your life!
She almost did what the little voice suggested but then another text popped up.
“I’m kind of going through something right now,” Amanda had sent. “Trying to make amends to all the peeps I’ve wronged. Please, can’t we just talk?”
“Well…” Melli stared at the screen doubtfully for a moment. Was Amanda going through some kind of twelve step program? If so, that was kind of sad. Melli hadn’t been aware that the other girl had any kind of substance abuse problem. Maybe she ought to give Amanda a chance. With a sigh, she texted back,
“Sure. We can talk next time I see you in class.”
“Has to be now,” Amanda texted back at once. “It’s the next step I have to take. Promise it’ll only take a min. I won’t even ask to come up—you can come down to the dorm lobby. Please?”
Melli frowned. She had absolutely promised Liosh she wouldn’t stir from the dorm room while he was gone. Still, it sounded like this was going to be quick—she doubted Amanda wanted to spend all night apologizing. Probably she would be able to get down and talk to the other girl and back up to the dorm room before Liosh even got back with the pizza.
Making a decision, she went to find her favorite pair of flip-flops. Despite the fact that it was March, here in Tampa summer was already breathing its heavy, humid breath over the landscape. The shorts and thin t-shirt Melli wore along with the flip-flops would be fine for a short excursion down to the dorm’s main lobby.
“Okay,” she texted Amanda. “On my way. See U in a min.”
“See you!” Pink hearts filled the screen of Melli’s phone and floated away like tiny balloons.
Before they were even finished, she was already out the door.
Thirty-One
“Oh, there you are!” Amanda threw her arms around Melli the minute the elevator doors dinged and she exited into the lobby.
It was a large space, filled with comfortably shabby furniture, battered tables, and vending machines where students lounged and studied and listened to music and played on their phones and laptops. Melli felt at home there, though the hug from Amanda was kind of surprising. The other girl had certainly never been so affectionate before.
“Hi, Amanda,” she said, trying on a smile. “It’s uh, nice to see you again.”
“No, it’s not!” Amanda exclaimed. “It can’t be nice for you to see me. I’ve been horrible to you, Melli—I realize that now. I was mean to you all through high school and then I was mean to you again when you introduced me to that gorgeous boyfriend of yours. I’m just so sorry.”
Her eyes filled with tears and she looked so sad that Melli actually felt bad for her.
“Aww, Amanda…” she said, squeezing the other girl’s hand. “It’s okay—don’t cry.”
“I can’t help it.” Amanda sniffed and stepped back, swiping at her eyes. “When I think of how mean I’ve been to you, Melli. And I’ve been trying so hard to do better!”
“Well, I forgive you if that helps any,” Melli said.
“You’re so sweet!” Amanda’s tragic face broke into a sunny smile. “You always were so sweet and kind and innocent, Melli! Several of us from high school got together recently and we were all saying how sweet and innocent you always were.”
Melli shifted uncomfortably.
“Well…thanks, I guess,” she murmured.
“And we were all saying how we needed to make amends to you,” Ama
nda went on. “Because we teased you so bad and were all so mean to you. In fact, I have someone else with me, out in my car, who wants to apologize too, only they were too ashamed to come in with me.” She put her hands together in a pleading gesture. “Please, won’t you come out and forgive them, too? It would mean so much!”
“Oh, I…I don’t know…” Melli stared out into the gathering darkness outside the dorm. “I’m kind of waiting for Liosh to get back. He just ran to get a pizza and he’ll be here any minute.”
“Well a minute is all it will take,” Amanda said brightly. “Please, Melli? We’re all just trying so hard to make amends.”
“Well…” Melli still wasn’t sure this was a good idea but Amanda seemed to take her hesitation as agreement.
“Oh goody—I knew you’d come. You were always so sweet and forgiving!” she exclaimed. Hooking her arm through Melli’s, she towed her out of the dorm’s lobby with surprising strength in her skinny body.
Wow, she must do strength training, Melli thought as Amanda pulled her out the door and into the night. The main exterior of the building was well lighted and so was the parking lot but there were places in between the two where shadows lurked. Melli stared at them uneasily as they walked.
“This way,” Amanda said and began to tug her into a darker section of the campus.
“But the parking lot is that way,” Melli protested, pointing.
“It’s a short cut,” Amanda promised. “Come on, it’ll only take a minute.”
Melli allowed herself to be led, rather unwillingly, the longer grass whispering in chilly little tendrils against her flip-flopped feet. She didn’t know what kind of short cut Amanda though she had taken, but she was glad there were two of them together. She wouldn’t have felt safe out at night on campus in the dark like this without someone else with her.
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