She knew that he very much wanted to do what was morally and ethically right, not just legal. He was fascinated by animals. He babied a venomous predator and had endless patience with Stabs. For her, too. He tolerated her verbal jabs and almost seemed to enjoy them.
He was scary when he needed to be but always gentle. Kind. Never once had he raised his voice to her, despite his short temper.
She held up a finger. “You were married. Divorced? Widowed? Who knows?” She added another finger. “You have no clan. You’re an animal lover. Four,” she added another finger. “Nope. That’s all. Just those three things.”
“I had a mate,” he said. “No, that is not the beginning. My father is the warlord. No, that shifts blame.” He tugged at the end of his braid. The end tie had slipped and the hair unraveled. “My mother died when I was born.” He nodded. “Yes. I think that is the place. My father took a new mate almost immediately. His second wife was kind and cared for me, but the duties of a warlord kept my father busy.”
Thalia waited, letting Havik formulate the words. He paced and worried at his long hair, further unraveling the braid. She rather liked the disheveled look on him.
“I was young to be matched to a mate, just twenty years of age,” he said.
“How long ago was this?”
“Four years.”
“Oh, wow. You’re younger than me,” she said. Not too much younger but the fact surprised her.
“Is that a problem?”
“No, just doing the math to figure out my husband’s age.”
He visibly perked, and in a flash, he kneeled at her feet. His tail danced behind him. “Husband. I enjoy the way you say that.”
She nodded. Nothing he could confess, short of physically abusing his ex, would change her mind.
A wide grin broke across his face, all teeth and tusks at the corner of his mouth. She loved the way his smile transformed his face. He was always handsome in a jaw-of-granite sort of way, but when he smiled, his features softened. His smile was like a secret shared with just her.
“Tell me what happened,” she said.
“Vanessa is Terran. I was excited to finally have something for myself, that I did not share with the clan,” he said.
She noted the use of the word thing but also felt for the attention-starved young man.
“I was proud of the prestige of having a mate, but I did not know her. Vanessa was not my friend. We got along well enough, but we were strangers living together. Perhaps that may have changed in time, I do not know. Vanessa was pregnant with our son.” Havik paused, staring off into the distance. “My father told me I lost my mate and my son.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she replied automatically.
“He lied.” Havik spat the words. “The child was lost, that much is true, but Vanessa lived. My father, the warlord, told her that I rejected her and sent her back to Earth. She divorced—” He blinked several times. “We knew so little about each other that she believed such a poisonous lie.”
He sounded so calm and so reasonable. He had years to come to terms with this, but Thalia boiled over with indignation. For his father to lie to break up his marriage and to use the same method that killed his own mother—
“I really want to punch something,” she said. Specifically, someone.
Havik pressed his head to her knees. “It took me a year to learn the truth. I could not stay.”
“Your father betrayed you.”
“More than that. I did not value Vanessa as a person. I was selfish and I failed my mate. I know I am unworthy and without honor. The clan knows the worst of me. I fled.”
“Thank you for telling me but I don’t believe that at all.” She stroked his head. The braid had unraveled. She understood why he hadn’t dropped all that drama casually while they watched yet another nature documentary. “Why did Ren leave?”
“I honestly do not know. He keeps his own secrets.”
“Anything else I need to know?”
He lifted his head. “Is that not enough?”
“Well, this is a good chance to clear the air. So far, you’ve told me about a young guy who was starved for affection but wasn’t mature enough for a relationship. That’s not a crime.”
“Vanessa believed me to be cruel.”
“Because of a lie and a spiteful man.”
“No. My actions made the lie plausible.”
“So, you should be punished forever? Not allowed to learn and grow as a person? It’s all hairshirts and flagellation from here on out? What you told me doesn’t change my opinion of you.” Her fingers tangled in his hair. “You’re a good man.”
She tugged on the braid and the tattoos warmed from black to a silvery glow. Last night had been perfect as their bodies joined, but the dark hid her gorgeous husband. She wanted to explore. She wanted to appreciate every inch of him in the light. Plus, he had that tail. She wanted another taste.
“How long until we reach Rolo…our destination?” she asked.
“Six days,” he said.
“Hmm. That might be enough time.”
“For?”
“Come and find out.”
Taking him by the hand, she led him to the cockpit. She spun the chair around and pushed him down into the pilot’s seat. Without speaking a word, she spread his legs wide and knelt.
He looked good there, with his strong legs spread wide and surrounded by starlight.
She ran her hand up his thighs. Last night, while satisfying, had been cloaked in darkness. She wanted to explore. “Can I touch your tail?”
“Always.” He shifted and his tail landed in his lap with a heavy thunk.
She ran a hand down its length, feeling the strength in the corded muscles. The skin felt different from the rest of him, a bit rougher. Segmented, the tail looked like it would move in a jerking, disjointed manner, like links in a chain, but she had witnessed it swaying behind Havik plenty of times to know that was not true. It moved with grace. Now that she could feel the raw strength of it, she found it hard to believe that it was purely for sex and not a weapon.
“The barb is just to feel good?” She ran a finger along it but did not break the skin.
“Only for my mate. Only you.”
“Can you feel this?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Sensation is stronger at the base. When you grabbed it last night—”
“You liked it?”
“Yes. More than anything,” he breathed.
She glanced down to the floor, his earnestness turning her suddenly shy. Silly. “I like this,” she said. “Seeing you. Talking about what we like.”
“Agreed.” He caressed the side of her face; his tail thumped in his lap.
She licked her lips and suddenly needed to find something out. She stroked the length of his tail, relishing the feel of the rough skin under her hand. “Good?”
“Very.”
She licked his tail, his rough skin bumping and scraping against her tongue. He groaned and the tail twitched out of her grasp. “Not good?”
“Too good. I could not remain still,” he answered, his voice growing husky.
“What about here?” She held the end of his tail to her mouth, pressing the barb to her lips.
He watched her like she was the most fascinating creature in the universe, his pupils blown so wide his eyes looked black, and she loved the feeling of power that came with such desire. He was a monstrous man, huge and sullen. Strangers avoided him and scattered when he frowned. Yet here was the dangerous warrior melting under her touch. She loved the way he unabashedly showed his pleasure, reveling in it.
“I love you,” she whispered, then licked around the base of the barb. His taste was metallic here.
His hand tightened the grip in her hair. “Careful.”
“I thought you said the first prick was the strongest?”
“The skin of your mouth is thin. I do not want to hurt you.”
Carefully, she kissed the flat side of the barb. Her
hands dropped to his thighs, his muscles flexing underneath her touch. “May I? I want to see you.”
He nodded.
She mouthed over the cloth covering his groin. He fumbled, lifted his hips, and pushed his clothing down.
Thalia paused.
Huh.
The smooth red bulge was not what she expected. She had seen it, briefly, when he failed to lock the shower door but last night, he had a dick or something that felt like a dick.
“My cock is internal. It will protrude when I’m ready,” he said.
“Hmm.” She leaned to kiss the bulge. Havik’s anatomy was different but it was him. No part of him was too weird and evolution played out differently across the universe. His home world had a high level of radiation, so internal junk had to be an adaptation.
The head of his cock poked through a slit, dark purple and leaking. Thalia kissed the head and licked the length of the slit. Havik hissed, his hand on her head, guiding her. Emboldened, her tongue probed the slit. He was warm here, concentrated musk and heat. His flesh felt solid and firm.
“I’m—” he moaned, giving scant warning as his length suddenly increased. His cock stood thick and proud and…very alien. Short spines, a vivid purple clustered under the head. The base had slightly longer spines of a deeper purple. Given the girth and the spikes, his cock resembled a club and not in the fun, poundy way.
Thalia sat back on her heels. “Huh.”
Internal dick? Not even worth mentioning. Little jabby spikes? She should back away because his dick looked like a weapon, but she had already experienced it. She woke that morning wonderfully sore, parts of herself tender for the first time in ages.
“My anatomy is different from a Terran male’s,” he said.
“I like it,” she said, forcing her eyes away from his monster cock and looking him in the eyes. She wrapped a hand around the base, her fingers barely touching. In her hands, he looked even larger. Somehow, she was going to get that down her throat. Probably not immediately, but she was willing to put in the practice.
She stroked upward, the spines ticking under the palm. Yes. She could see the benefit to those.
“They're flexible. Is this what felt so amazing last night?” she asked, her hand twisting around the head and going down again.
Havik groaned, low and primal. “Yes. Rolusdreus females require stimulation.”
“I’m a big fan of stimulation. What do you call this?” Her hand brushed the short spines.
“That is my glans saab.”
“And this?” She stroked the longer spines at the bottom, eliciting another moan.
“Saab maxu.” He lifted off the chair.
A vein decorated the underside of his cock. She couldn’t resist a lick and traced the vein’s path. Emboldened, she kissed and licked the lower spines. The texture was…interesting. They would tickle too much if they were in her mouth, but his size prevented that from happening. The ones under the head, though—
Thalia opened wide and swirled her tongue around the head. The spines brushed against her tongue and lips. The sensation was different but enjoyable. Last night she had nothing but praise for the spines. She was a big fan of his giant purple alien dick.
Five stars. Would recommend.
A possessive need surged deep in her, because Havik was hers and she wasn’t inclined to share.
Havik tapped her head and gently pulled her off.
“Was I doing it wrong?” She licked her lips, the taste of him heavy and rich.
“The opposite. I won’t last.” His tail wrapped around her wrist and he pulled her to her feet. “I want to feel you.”
“Yes, please.” They quickly removed their remaining clothes. Grinning like he discovered a treasure, Havik pulled her into his lap. She straddled him, positioning herself for his cock to prod her entrance.
“Warning. Current usage is against the manufacturer's recommended guidelines,” the computer warned in a flat tone.
Havik paused, his tail tightening its grip on her wrist.
“That’s bad, right?”
“I do not want to break the pilot’s chair,” he said, then glanced at the navigator’s seat. He stood and lifted Thalia with ease. “I am willing to break Ren’s chair.”
“I am 100% behind this plan.”
He placed her with her knees on the seat and her hands gripped the back of the chair. His massive form caged her.
“Does this pain you?” He kissed the healing bite on her shoulder.
“A little tender but it’s fine.” She liked the ache. Love it, even.
“And here?” He cupped her pussy, rubbing softly.
She pushed back into him, seeking friction. “I’m a little sore but not in a bad way. I like it.” She looked over her shoulder, taking in his disheveled hair and the wild gleam in his dark eyes. “I want you.”
He growled, pushing two fingers into her core. Slick and throbbing, she rocked into his hand. His tail was everywhere, twining around her arms and then her waist. The barb scraped against her stomach, even piercing but the sensation heightened the heat of him against her. Her fingers gripped into the back of the chair; the poor thing wobbled at the base. They really would owe Ren a new chair after this.
He removed his fingers and she whimpered at the loss, but she only had to wait a moment before he pushed his thick member into her. She gasped at the burn and the stretch as her flesh adjusted. He paused, his breath hot on her neck. Brushing her hair to the side, he planted a kiss on the back of her neck. She felt the twin pricks of his tusks.
She pushed back into him, encouraging him to move.
Long black hair worked free from its braid and enveloped her. The chair squeaked and complained. Sweat made her knees slip on the faux leather fabric. The hand on her hip gripped tight enough to bruise and she wanted it, craving his mark on her.
His hand covered hers on the back of the chair, his fingers entwined with her own.
She burned with her need for him. Last night her desire flared hot and bright, enhanced by the venom in his barb. Perhaps a bit remained in her system, but she knew the fluttering, pulsing sensations were all Havik and her.
He pumped into her, each thrust reaching deeper. Her muscles clenched and pleasure, sharp and brilliant, curled inside. She neared her peak, gasping and moaning.
His lips brushed the shell of her ear. “Love you,” he breathed.
“Yes, so much,” she moaned, reaching climax. Warmth and pleasure broke over her, washing her in sensation.
Havik lost his rhythm, driving into her in uncontrolled jerks. Hot seed spilled deep in her, filling her. His arms wrapped around her, holding her still through the last jerks. He remained motionless above her, his weight pushing down. Her arms wobbled, unable to support both their weight in that position.
In a swift motion, he switched their positions. He collapsed into the chair, dragging Thalia into his lap. The metal joint gave an alarming whine. Without a word, he adjusted her glasses, then immediately knocked them askew again by nuzzling the side of her face.
When she finally caught her breath, she said, “I know you love this ship, but it is alarmingly flimsy. I think the chair is going to collapse.” She grabbed the back of the chair and rocked on his lap. The joints groaned in protest. “That’s no more stress than turbulence while entering the atmosphere.”
Havik pulled her arms down to stop the shaking. “Entering your atmosphere? Is that what you’re calling it? I heard no complaints.”
She rolled her eyes. “You get a point for the attempt. I know you’re new to this business of cracking jokes.”
“I do value this ship. It’s where I keep my treasures.” His long, black hair had worked its way free of the braid and hung about his shoulders like a cloak. “I want you by my side. In my bed. In the navigator’s chair.”
“Well, I haven’t steered you wrong yet.” She paused for a beat. “Come on, that was funny.” Much better than his crass sex joke.
“As you say, I am
new to jokes.” His eyes sparkled with mirth and good humor.
She pressed her hand to the inked palm print on his chest. She loved this side of him, the soft, affectionate side that teased and joked. No one else got to see it but her.
“Six days until we reach Rolusdreus?” she asked.
“Correct,” he said.
“Excellent, because there’s a few more chairs we need to wreck.”
Chapter 19
Havik
His mate—he enjoyed the sound of the words—insisted on accompanying him when he delivered Stabs and the kumakre egg to the rescue organization.
“I’m gonna miss his face,” she cooed, crouched on the floor. Stabs partially buried himself in the sand and curled around the egg. The kumakre lifted his head and twitched his mandibles.
“Come. Radiation levels on the planet are detrimental for a Terran. You must wear this.” He opened a locker and found the smallest set of flex armor, an older set belonging to Ren.
Thalia frowned. “I’m gonna look like a kid playing dress-up.”
“The material will adjust.”
She took the suit. “It’s not as heavy as I expected. I just put this on over my clothes?”
“If you like, but that is not strictly necessary.”
Thalia kicked off her shoes and stripped down to her undergarments. She paused, “Ohmigod, I just parsed what you said. You’re going commando, aren’t you? You’re naked under there, and during the raid—” She shook her head and stepped into the suit. “You naughty boy.”
He felt overly warm, not entirely understanding why Thalia commented on what he wore under the armor but enjoying the playful look she gave him. “You undressed me after the raid. This is not new information.”
She chuckled lightly. “Fair enough. I was just too excited about getting you naked to question it.”
Havik: Warlord Brides (Warriors of Sangrin Book 9) Page 18