Barbarian's Touch: A SciFi Alien Romance (Ice Planet Barbarians Book 8)

by Ruby Dixon

  She is heading out to the ship tomorrow, she says, to get the language. She says it’s very clever of you to teach the computer. Says she’s working on a broken medical machine and if she gets it fixed, maybe she can have it look at your ears.

  “Thank you, but I’m good either way,” I say aloud to Harlow.

  You sure? She mouths, her brows going up.

  I shrug. “I’m fine either way.”

  She grins and gets up, and as she does, I catch a glimpse of a few people frolicking naked in the nearby pool located at the center of the cave. Okay, that’s a lot of nudity - both male and female, human and sa-khui. I blink rapidly and turn away.

  Yeah, Maddie signs. In addition to the singing? They are also not shy. But hey, bonus. There’s a bath.

  Might be a while before I get brave enough to do that, I tell her.

  You and me both. Gonna be a long time before I go native. Maddie nods her head over in the corner, where Rokan is now being fussed over by both his mother and the other woman. Did you meet the in-laws?

  I did, I tell her. Very briefly. I’d been expecting an old crone and instead was surprised to see that Rokan’s mother, Sevvah, has gray hair, but her face is youthful and her smile bright. She’s the same pale blue as Aehako, and Rokan’s the darker shade like his father. When the party first started, Sevvah hovered over me for a time, patting my stomach and then pinching my cheek, making it obvious that she’s super excited to get grandchildren. She got pulled away with Sessah, and right now she’s busy splitting her time between fussing over Rokan and dishing out food. Rokan’s dad is apparently the one in charge of the booze, and everyone keeps heading over to his corner of the cave. They seem like a nice family, though.

  As I look over to my mate, I watch as Sevvah pinches Rokan’s cheek, and I stifle a giggle. Imagine getting your cheek pinched at the age of forty. Mothers are mothers where-ever you go, I suppose. I look over at Maddie. Should we get something to eat?

  She makes a face. More stew? I’m so sick of it I could puke.

  Oh. I have some fruit. You want some? It doesn’t taste like regular fruit, but it’s still pretty good.

  Maddie’s eyes go wide. “You what?” She’s so startled that she speaks aloud, and two or three human girls also turn to look at us.

  “Um, I have fruit? It’s in my bag.” I glance around at the other women, curious. “Found a whole cave of it.”

  Two other humans immediately pile into the small group near the fire, and one, I think, is the chief’s wife. She says something to me, and I look over at Maddie.

  She wants to know if it’s real fruit.

  I nod slowly. “I ate a lot of it. Do you guys not have fruit?”

  Not that I’ve seen, Maddie signs, and talks to the woman for a moment. Georgie says that the plants they can eat consist of something like a potato. I’ve tried it, and it sucks. Where’s your bag?

  I think Sessah ran off with it?

  Maddie turns to Georgie and they speak, and then Georgie charges to her feet with a speed that astonishes me. A few other humans gather, and by the time Sessah returns with my pack, there are no less than ten eager humans crowded near me, most holding a baby.

  I open the bag and pull out one of the big reddish fruits, and every mouth rounds into a little ‘oh’. I can’t hear it, but it’s funny to watch. “This one is sour,” I say as I hand it over to the closest set of hands. “A bit like cherry. This one is kind of like spinach mixed with melon.” I pull out the next and hand it over. “And these sweet little berries taste, well, kind of like berries. They’re a little squished after being in my bag, I’m afraid.” I pull them out, passing the ‘little berries’ out to the others. They’re actually about golf-ball sized, but compared to the other fruits? They’re tiny. “I have a few more in the bag, too.”

  It looks like everyone starts talking at once, and it’s clear they’re excited. Maddie begins to sign. They want to know where you got these.

  “There’s a cave,” I say aloud. “In a little valley close to the Elders’ Cave. It’s about halfway up the cliffs and you can’t see it from the ground, but when you go inside, it’s full of all these plants and it’s warm like a sauna. It’s almost like a greenhouse.” As I watch, a pretty black girl claps her hands and says something to Maddie.

  She wants to know if you can take her. She’s their gardener.

  “I can, but give me a few days? In the meantime, you guys can have this stuff. I’m kind of fruited out at the moment.”

  The fruits are snatched up eagerly and a few girls come over to give me a hug, which is surprising. You’d think it was Christmas the way they’re acting.

  They’re super excited, Maddie says, an envious look on her face. You’re now the most popular girl in the cave.

  I am? It’s just fruit.

  You know they’re worried about food shortages, right? Everyone’s out hunting like crazy to try and have enough food for the winter.

  Wait, winter? It’s not winter right now?

  Maddie shakes her head slowly. This is summer.

  Oh God.

  So yeah, the fruit is great. They are going to love you even more. My sister gives me a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. And here you worried about fitting in.

  I shrug, feeling awkward. This isn’t like Maddie. She’s normally so assertive and right now she seems…lost? My poor sister. This has been hard on her. She hasn’t had a Rokan to lean on through all this. She’s been alone, except for me, and I haven’t even been here. I’ve been with Rokan.

  My body fills with warmth at the thought of him and I peek over at the corner, where he’s been ensconced with a few of his tribesmates for the last while.

  Our eyes meet from across the busy cave, and I feel an electric pulse race through me. It’s like he was thinking about me in the same moment, or his psychic sense told him I was thinking about him. And in that moment, I wish we were back in one of the other caves, alone. Everyone is nice, but I really just want to crawl into Rokan’s arms and kiss him until the suns come up.

  We stare at each other for a long moment, and then he gets to his feet. His movements are slow, sinuous, and I get all hot and bothered just watching the man freaking stand up. God, he’s sexy.

  He’s all mine, too. I feel the need to fan myself.

  Then, he starts walking toward me. He says something to his mother, hovering nearby, and she smiles and turns away. It feels as if the entire room is watching us as Rokan steadily approaches me across the crowded cavern. My breath catches in my throat, and my chest is purring like it’s got a motor in it.

  I get to my feet, drawn by his intense gaze.

  It is time, he signs as he comes to my side. And before I can ask exactly what he means - though I have my suspicions - he picks me up and tosses me over his shoulder like I’m a girl in one of those caveman movies.

  And okay, it’s hot as hell. I’m so aroused at that quick, decisive action that I’m practically squirming. Everyone’s going to know what we’re leaving the party to do and I kind of don’t care. I want my mate. I want my Rokan.

  Everything else can wait.

  ROKAN

  I have been a patient male. I have let my mother fuss over me. I have let the healer check over my wounds. I have watched as my mate has been handed every kit in the tribe and introduced to all of the humans. I have endured the envious looks Vaza and Taushen are sending in my direction. Hassen is not here, but his name is mentioned several times. It is a small tribe and gossip flows freely, but I will endure it all for my mate. I want her to enjoy her celebration.

  But when her eyes meet mine over the crowd and she has that soft look on her face that tells me her breast is resonating as hard as mine? I am no longer patient.

  It is time to claim what is mine.

  I get to my feet and push my way through the group to her side. I hear a few muffled chuckles from the gathered tribe as I scoop my mate up, but they are lost amongst the cheer that rises as I storm away with h

er over my shoulder. They are ready for us to consummate our resonance, just like I am. They want our happiness.

  I want that, too.

  My mother has told me about the cave she prepared for us. One of the new storage caves - a smaller one, but that does not matter to me - has been cleared out and readied for our return. I head down the long, winding passageway that was recently opened and there, off to one side, is our cave. A decorated screen leans against the entrance, waiting for us.

  I duck to enter the cave, a hand on my mate’s back to ensure she is not scraped by the low rocks. I set her down gently in the room and then move to the entrance. The screen fits perfectly over it. Now, we have privacy. Now, no one will disturb us. We will climb into bed and mate until we grow too hungry to stay in bed any longer.

  And then we will eat and return to bed. My cock aches with pleasure at the thought. I do not plan on letting Li-lah out of my furs for several days. Not until we are both utterly sated.

  “It’s dark,” Li-lah whispers. “I can’t see your hands.”

  I feel a stab of shame at her words. Of course I should build a fire. I touch her cheek to let her know I hear her words and then kneel beside the cold firepit. In a few moments, I have built a small blaze and there’s a relieved smile on my mate’s pretty face.

  “Is this our home?” she asks, glancing around the cave.

  I nod. Do you like it? The furs are mine, and if you need anything - pillows, blankets — I shall make it for you. Whatever you need, I will provide. I want her to be happy here, with me.

  She bites her lip and looks around. She gets to her feet and I watch as she explores the cave. There is not much to see, and I worry it will not be enough to please my mate. Her hands move over a covered basket, then she touches a decorative leather hanging my mother has thoughtfully put up. My weapons are stacked neatly in an alcove, and there are extra bowls, skins, and other items the tribe has donated to make our home. Li-lah turns and looks at me, and there is a soft smile on her face. “I like it.”

  It is enough for you?

  She moves to my side and puts her hands on me, stroking my chest. “I love it, because I am here with you. You are all I need.”

  A groan escapes me, because seeing her smile fills me with lightness. She is my happiness. My heart, I sign to her. You are my heart.

  I know, she signs back, and I’m keeping it. Then, she slides her hands down my arms and whispers, “Are we private here? Do we have to worry about being interrupted? Or someone hearing us?” She bites her lip and gives me an awkward look, all the while, her hand rubs my forearm.

  Just that small touch is making my cock ache unbearably.

  Do you see the screen? I point at it. Over the entrance to our cave?

  She nods.

  As long as it is in front of our cave, no one will interrupt us. Behind it, we do not exist.

  Her eyes widen in surprise and she peers at the entryway. Are you sure?

  It is a tradition honored by my people.

  Then, they will know what we’re doing in here?

  My heart, of course they know. I take her small hand and press it to my chest, where my khui sings loudly to hers. The moment we resonated, they knew we would be joining. No one denies resonance for long.

  So obvious. Her hands return to my chest after she signs. “I guess there’s no hiding it.”

  I shake my head slowly. I do not wish to hide it. I want everyone to know you are mine. I am the luckiest of my people.

  Her fingers fidget on my breast. So we should just do it?

  She is not sure? I would be amused if my body did not ache so badly for hers. That is my choice, yes.

  Her chuckle makes me ache. “I just, I’ve never done this before, you know?”

  I have not, as well. In that, we are both new.

  Li-lah makes a face. I almost wish that wasn’t the case.

  I go very still. You would wish another female has touched me?

  “No! God, no. I just wish I knew what I was doing right now. I feel like such a dork.” Her hands move over my shoulder and caress my arm. “I think I’d kill another woman if she tried to even look at you twice.”

  Her words fill me with pride. We do not need experience. I know what to do. My cock goes inside your cunt.

  Li-lah’s small hands cover mine and she giggles. “It’s so weird seeing you sign such dirty things to me. And yes, I know how babies are made, thanks for the lesson. I just mean I don’t know any of the nuances. How to make you feel amazing. How to get you to make me feel amazing.” She gazes up at me. “I want us to be really good at this so we can do it often.”

  We shall, I declare. I will not rest until you have come, even if it takes the entire evening. My cock shall wait until your cunt is dripping and ready.

  She makes a soft little noise and glances over at the entrance of our cave. Is she still shy about that? I kiss her forehead and move to one of the large baskets of dried fire-making materials and carry it across the cave, then shove it in behind the screen, further wedging it into place. There. Now no one will be able to come in even if they should attempt it. I look over at my mate for her approval.

  Sorry. I’m being weird, aren’t I? It’s just that I can’t hear if anyone walks in on us.

  No one will walk in, I assure her.

  I just don’t want anyone to see me, bare ass naked.

  They will see my bare ass, not yours, if we are doing things right.

  She giggles at that, and the sound is sweet. You do know there is more than one position, yes?

  I frown. How do you know?

  Because I’ve read books! And seen stuff on TV! Haven’t you seen other people do it?

  I shrug. My parents are always under their furs. I do not go look to see who is on top.

  Li-lah’s laughter peals through the cave. Thank goodness for that! We can go easy for now and learn the basics before we toss some weird stuff in, I guess. She grins and slides over to me, reaching for my tail. “That means you get to be on top.”

  Of course I will be on top. I want to ask how else it is done, but her fingers encircle the base of my tail and she strokes it gently. My body breaks out into shivers, and I bury my hands in her hair, losing myself in her scent and the feel of her body against mine.

  “I guess at some point I should get you naked, right?” Her voice is a soft whisper that feels like a caress of her hand down my skin. “Get things rolling?”

  I nod, rubbing my face against her mane. The thought of my mate pulling my leathers off fills me with pleasure, and I think of our touches before, when she slowly peeled back my clothing to gaze at my cock. It felt hard and aching then; today it throbs with even greater need.

  “Naked it is,” she murmurs, and then she pulls on my knife belt and unties the knot, letting it drop to the ground. Her hands go to the laces at my neck, and she loosens them and then pulls on the hem of my tunic, dragging it up my chest. She cannot reach the rest of the way, so I finish for her, yanking it over my head and horns and then dropping it onto the cave floor.

  Pants next? I suggest. My cock is aching to be free of its confines.

  “I’m deciding.” She studies me for a moment, as if choosing what to pull off next, and then drops to her knees, tugging on my boot. I am amused by her choice. Is she savoring her undressing of me? I shall do the same to her when it is my turn. She wears a great many more layers than I do, so it shall be an exercise in patience.

  I obediently lift one leg as she pulls my boot free, and then the other when she moves to that. Then I am in nothing but my leggings and breechcloth. My body feels tense with anticipation, and as I watch, she licks her lips and remains on her knees, gazing up at me.

  That small little flick of her tongue is nearly my undoing. It makes me think of the last time her mouth has gone over my cock, and I nearly come in my pants at the image. Resonance has filled my mind with nothing but thoughts of her, her mouth, her teats, her soft skin. I am useless until she is done with me, and gladly so. If the cave were to collapse around us, I would not leave my furs until she is done with me. That is how badly I want this, and how badly I want her.

  Her attention goes to the waist of my breechcloth. “I remember how to do this,” she whispers, and slides a hand up and down the hard length of my cock before undoing the next set of ties. Then, the leather falls down my legs and to the floor, and my leggings follow a moment later, pooling at my ankles.

  Li-lah sucks in a breath and her hands go to my hips, holding me there and just staring. “The sight of you always overwhelms me,” she murmurs. “In a good way, though. I scarcely know where to touch you first.”

  Then, her fingertips graze the head of my cock, and I nearly lose control. If I am going to last long enough to please my mate, I must take over. Before she can touch me again, I put my fingers to her chin and pull her attention away. My turn, I tell her.

  She nods, getting to her feet. I can tell she is feeling shy; her movements are fidgety and she cannot remain still. I do not understand why. Have I not kissed her most private spots? Have I not dipped my tongue into her cunt and tasted her sweetness before? There is no need to be bashful now.

  I shall simply have to kiss the shyness out of her.

  I step out of the last of my clothes and sit down on the large rock near the fire, then pat my knee, inviting her into my embrace. Li-lah slides into my arms and starts to put her hands on my shoulders. I stop her, clasping her smaller hands in my bigger one, and pull her against me for a kiss. Her lips part under mine in surprise, and then she moans against my tongue as I lick inside her mouth, tasting her honey. With her in my arms, I can feel the vibrations of her khui resonating in time to mine, and her thigh is very close to my erect cock. If she had no leggings on, I could prop her up on my thighs, pull her legs apart, and bury myself deep.

  I groan into the kiss, picturing that, slicking my tongue between those soft lips and thrusting deep, as my cock aches to do.

  She clings to me, her mouth greedily accepting my tongue, and as we kiss, I tug at her clothes. The home caves are warmer than out in the wild, and she is only wearing a tunic, a fur wrap, and leggings. All are easy enough to remove. My hands work on her clothing as I kiss her, removing the wrap first, and then loosening the ties on her tunic until I can slip it over her head. Li-lah is so lost in my kisses that she makes a small sound of regret when I break the kiss long enough to pull her tunic off her body. Underneath, she is wearing her leather band over her teats. More clothing. Always more clothing with her. I want to see her naked, to weigh her small teats in my hands and feel the tips harden against my touch.

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