"My female is wild." Viper thought to himself his grin broadening.
Viper got hard as he replayed Hope demanding him to 'Fuck it'. When he walked into his quarters to find her playing with herself he thought he'd stepped into a dream. Just the thought of gripping her hips and...
"None of that you horn dog. Don't we have to have breakfast with your parents?" Hope said groggily.
"We do." Viper grumbled
"Tell me we have time for a shower." Hope asked. "I don't want everyone giving me that 'I can smell you had sex' face."
"We don't do that!" Viper laughed.
"Uh huh, sure."
"We might think it but we don't say anything, it's one of those things you learn as a youth." Viper amended to himself but didn't dare say it out loud to his human subeo.
He didn't want her embarrassed, and he certainly didn't want her abstaining because she thought everyone was sniffing her. He liked the passionate perfume that clung to her luscious body. Then again the thought of other males smelling his mate had him instantly sitting up in bed.
"We better shower." Viper agreed.
Hope crawled out of bed, her ass bouncing seductively as she jaunted towards the bathroom. Viper was pretty sure it said 'come get me'. He hopped up and followed her.
"You want to try the sand bath?" Viper asked.
"Wallowing in sand and this," Hope waved her hand at her tufted mound. "they don't go together well."
"We probably don't want that all gritty." Viper realized the problem and replied.
The thought of sinking into her body with sand involved made him cringe. Hope's channel was always moist unlike Anguis females. Where Anguis females took a little more coaxing, and the serum from their male's bite, Hope was ready for him at all times.
Hope stepped into the shower and Viper followed, grabbed the soap and started to wash up. When he handed Hope the soap she grabbed his hand and looked at his fingers.
"What?" Viper asked seeing her curiosity.
"You have claws, where are they?"
"My ungue retract into my first knuckle." Viper flexed his digit so his claws extended out.
"Oh that's kind of like a cat." She marveled at them.
Viper retracted them so he didn't inadvertently gouge her with the protruding tips.
"And these?" Hope ran her hand along the outside of his forearm.
Viper flared the five clavum spikes from his hand up to his elbow. Relaxed they lay against his arm once extended they were stiff as daggers.
"A male's clavum is for defense, better than any knife in battle."
"I hope you don't mind me exploring."
"Never." Viper smiled.
Hope grinned as she got back to washing. Their species were different, but Viper found he liked their differences. He adored the silky texture of Hope's hair and loved running his face through her pale tresses as she slept in front of him. Hope's pale skin wasn't as expressive as the vibrant colors the Anguis wore. At first Viper wondered if he'd ever learn her emotions since Hope's dermis didn't change hue. But he'd quickly learned Hope's facial features were very expressive and if she was aroused her skin flushed a lovely pink shade.
Viper found himself mesmerized as Hope washed her breasts. When she started playing with her nipples and pushing them together, he looked up at her smiling face. Such gorgeous blue eyes.
Hope shook her head.
"Men everywhere are the same!" Hope said and Viper gave her a wide grin.
"You know my fascination." Viper teased.
He wasn't used to a female being so well endowed, and certainly not while she wasn't with child. Anguis females had lovely pert breasts, but Hope's breasts reminded him of full ripe fruit. Viper loved the way they filled his hands.
The sight of Hope's erect nipples on her full mounds sent a frisson of desire surging through him. Viper's shaft was painfully hard as it stood out from his hips and ground into Hope's soft stomach.
Hope looked down at Viper's cock.
"So I'm guessing you've never titty fucked then?" She asked seductively.
Viper's eyes widened in interest. He couldn't fathom how he might fuck her breasts.
Hope and Viper emerged from the shower half an hour later after surviving a minor mishap. Viper almost cracked his skull when he shuddered and spilled his seed on Hope's chest. Who knew that sliding between her breasts would be so pleasurable.
Viper wished he could say he was satiated, but that was a lie. He couldn't seem to get enough. Hope's sweet smell filled the bathroom as they dressed for first meal, making it difficult to put his clothes on.
"Are you going to be okay?" Hope asked as she reached up and dabbed at Viper's split brow.
"Don't fuss. I'll be fine." He nudged at her playfully.
"If I'm going to be your mate, then I get to fuss! It's part of the job description!" Hope pushed his hands away then stood up on her tiptoes, tugged his head down and kissed Viper's injured brow.
Viper was frozen in shock. Had Hope just agreed to be his mate. Maybe she had, but he didn't want to hope too much. Viper's hand rose to his brow.
"What was that for?" He asked.
"It's a tradition, human women tend to kiss their men and their baby's injuries. It makes it all better." Hope smiled.
Funny enough it did feel better, not that it really hurt much to begin with. It was a beautiful tradition that spoke volumes about how his female cared for others.
"Well I guess I'm ready." Hope said as she finished combing her long silken hair.
"Mother, Sire meet Hope. Hope this Hyla and Adder." Viper introduced his parents to his subeo, then also introduced her friends Tara and JP.
"It's an honor to meet you." Hope smiled as she bowed slightly. "Thank you for everything you've done for my people."
Viper pulled a seat out, across from his parents, for Hope then sat beside her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you and is an honor to be of service. We are just sorry that it was necessary." Adder smiled kindly.
His parents eyed Hope assessingly. His father's expression a bit more amused than the critical one Viper's mother wore. Hyla's eyes turned to Viper.
"What did you do to your head?" His mother asked.
Hope giggled till Hyla gave her a stern look. Hope covered her mouth suppressing her mirth.
"I slipped in the shower. Hope tended to it just fine." Viper smiled at Hope, remembering how she'd sweetly kissed his injury.
"I'm sure you'll survive." Adder looked at them suspiciously with a twinkle in his eye. "I was reviewing numbers and we are going to be short on temporary housing once the new group arrives in a few weeks."
"You know unless its medically impossible our people can help. It might be good for them to do something." Hope spoke up.
"Its a good idea. We generally do try to get the people we rescue involved. Help them form their own new governing body, set-up a viable economic structure. All the necessary thing." Viper explained.
"It's hard to fathom that you've done this before when this is my first planetary disaster." Hope shook her head. "Well Tara and JP are going to help with medical matters, but I've been thinking that perhaps I can help keep everyone organized. It will be just like working at the clinic back home."
Hope grinned as she stole a piece of fruit off Viper's plate. When Viper looked up, he noticed a funny look on his mother's face.
"Mother please don't get any bright ideas." He groaned inwardly.
"Hope it's admirable you wish to help settle your people." Hyla conceded.
"We greatly appreciate you and your friends assistance. It is a rare and difficult thing to cope with the loss of one's planet, not to mention all the other changes." Adder nodded.
"Well the only thing that's constant is change." Hope replied with a wistful glance out the domed window into starry space.
Tara rubbed a comforting hand along Hope's back. The three humans still got noticeably depressed, it was expected. But they were getting along rather well
considering.
"Very true." Adder put in.
"Speaking of change. What made you change your mind about our son?" Viper's mother asked.
"Ugh, there it is." Viper groaned.
Hope looked from Viper to his parents her mouth slightly agape.
"Great! Things were going so well, then my mother opens her mouth." Viper silently railed, not sure if he should intervene yet or what?
"Um well, I have no objection to Viper, I've grown rather fond of him. And I'm certainly not interested in hurting him. It's just that humans are different from the Anguis in more ways than what's visible. We choose mates based on emotional and social interaction, not just hormonal response." Hope appeared uncomfortable as she carefully chose her words.
"So you are saying at any point on a whim you could choose to abandon my son." Hyla replied.
"I suppose, but I would like to think that if Viper found out I was an evil shrew he'd leave me too." Hope reasoned.
"Among the Anguis if a mate is unsatisfactory the family takes care of the problem." Hyla threatened.
"Hyla!" Adder said sternly.
"Mother!" Viper said at the same time in response to the barely veiled threat.
Hope put her hand on his arm and smiled.
"I'm glad you are protective of Viper. Human families are similar. But I only know how to be who I am and in my world relationships progress differently." Hope replied diplomatically.
"It would seem to me that you have not changed your mind at all, you still reject the mating. My son deserves better than to be subjected to your whims." Hyla replied then turned to Adder. "We will need to cancel the mating ceremony!"
"I did not say that you should plan one." Viper told her with more than a little frustration.
"I assumed she'd come to her senses."
"We'll give them time. It is reasonable considering the upheaval Hope and her people have experienced." Viper's father ever the peacemaker replied.
"Thank you." Hope said to Adder then turned to Viper. "I'm not rejecting you, I just need time." She looked torn.
Viper looked over at Tara and JP's wide eyed expression, sorry that all of them had to witness this. His mother was out spoken, but never this out spoken. Then again he was her only living young.
"So it is decided we will not revisit this subject again for at least a moon." Adder declared and his mother shoved a piece of bread into her mouth looking peeved.
Viper really hadn't been ready to discuss this. He and Hope were just getting to a place where she was receptive to the idea of being his mate, and then Hyla goes and blows it out of the water.
Viper understood his mother's reaction. He too felt his relationship with Hope was tenuous, but he was also trying to see things from Hope's perspective. He certainly didn't want to push her. She had every right to be wary of him considering how things began. It would take time for her to trust him.
Yet still Viper didn't understand the intricacies of how humans mated. To him it seemed backwards. He agreed that one should get to know his subeo, but the Anguis did it after the bond where humans did it beforehand. Viper wondered how many human males and females courted only to find they never bonded.
The rest of the meal was slightly strained to stay the least.
Hope
Viper's mother raked her over the coals. Viper didn't pressure her but Hope felt like they expected a vow of undying love here and now that she just couldn't offer up. Viper was a proving to be good guy, romantic, sweet, and the sex was mind blowing. If she'd met a human version of him before all this craziness she would've dated him. Hope liked where things were going but she didn't hear wedding bells just yet, it was way too freaking soon. Thank god Adder didn't force the subject.
Hope listened politely to the various plans for their new colony. She tried to pay attention, so she'd be useful later but the whole mating thing had her distracted.
Everyone started to disperse and Hope was more than ready to escape Hyla's disapproving glances.
"Do you think there's time to lay down before we land?" Hope whispered to Viper.
They hadn't gotten much sleep the night before.
"Mother, sire if you'd excuse us." Viper told excused them as he got up and held her chair.
"Ophidian will notify you when we reach orbit." Adder nodded.
"I will send more appropriate clothing for the landing reception to your quarters. " Viper's mother added and Hope knew she was referring to how she was dressed.
"Thank you." Hope tried to say graciously.
Viper led her out of the arboretum and she was immediately relieved.
They arrived at Viper's quarters and Hope crawled onto the bed. Viper joined her and pulled her into his arms.
"Viper I don't think I'm in the mood to play."
"I can see that." Viper said into the back of her neck. "Hope don't feel pressured. I understand we come from two different worlds. Let's just enjoy being together today, we can worry about tomorrow when it comes." Viper whispered as he ran his nose through her hair breathing Hope in.
Her friends had said the same thing.
"I can do that." Hope snuggled into him.
Maybe their relationship was a diamond in the rough. Hope wondered if they had what it takes to chip away at the veneer to find what lies beneath? One day at a time was sound advice. If everyone would just gives them that chance and stop rushing things.
"I'm pretty sure your mother hates me." Hope moaned.
"She's just over protective of her only young." Viper attempted to reassure Hope.
"I know I'm trying to remember that."
"You were very diplomatic. My mother can be very vocal."
"I'm sure she has to be considering her position."
"I hope you weren't teasing about that nap, I'm exhausted." Viper hugged her close.
"Well who's fault was that?" Hope wiggled her hips playfully against his crotch. She felt better after talking with him, some of the weight lifting off her shoulders.
"Yours." Viper latched on to the crook of her neck with a growl.
Beep, beep. Beep, beep. Everything was so warm and cozy as the sound invaded Hope's mind.
"Oh where are those strong arms going?" Hope wondered as she stretched and reached out for Viper.
"Come in Acris." She heard Viper say as her eyes cracked open.
"I have some clothes for Uxorem Hope from the Regina." Acris entered their room.
"Yes my mother said she'd send something. Just place it on the table, please."
Had it already been a few hours? Acris put the pile down then nodded her head as she left. Viper turned towards Hope.
"Hello Lepus." Viper smiled as he looked down at her.
"What is that?" Hope yawned.
"Before I learned your name, I called you Lepus because you reminded me of the bouncy little creature on my home world. You have a cute bounce to your step."
"That's funny I did the same, but I named you after a sexy TV star."
Hope giggled when Viper puffed up his chest and struck a pose.
"Tell me more of this sexy character."
"You heard enough!" Hope grinned at the compliment seeking rogue. "What did your mom send?"
"Most likely something a bit more traditional. Don't be shocked when you see me in our traditional vestments. They are a bit different than what you've seen here on the ship."
"How about we take one of the smaller ships and make a break for it?"
Hope didn't dress up often, not for lack of wanting to, it just never turned out right. She was most comfortable in jeans or capris and a little t-shirt. The thought of meeting all his people on top of the expectations everyone had for her were daunting.
"I know of a small moon" Viper teased as he cracked a smile. He played along but clearly wasn't the fleeing type.
"Just remember I gave you the chance." Hope warned as she started to crawl out of bed.
Viper launched himself onto the bed making it wobble.
; "Where are you going?"
"We have to get ready." Hope whined.
"No, it's been just under an hour since you dozed off." Viper snagged Hope around the waist and tugged her back to the mattress.
"She ruined our quiet time!" Hope was certain Hyla intentionally interrupted them. "You know if your mom wants to see you happily mated she's certainly not helping!" She grumped. "I'm sorry I need to relax." She was as bad as a toddler when you ruined her naps.
"I might be able to help with that."
Viper shoved his face into her crotch and growled, then tickled Hope's ribs until she was laughing hysterically and tears eked from her eyes.
"Viper stop I'm gonna pee!"
11 Brave New World
Hope
A few hours later Hope stood staring aghast in the mirror. The outfit she wore was a glorified bikini. The band across her chest was so small and tight that her boobs pushed out the bottom and the top, worse than the usual tube top. It covered the swath in the middle but her nipples stood out clearly. Hope rubbed at the THO's hoping they would go away. The skirt was little more than a pair of skimpy panties with hundreds of tassels. It reminded her of a slutty hula skirt. To top it off the material was strange. It took on the color of Hope's skin, making her look entirely nude.
"I'm just going to the beach." Hope told herself as she pulled up her hair and pinned it with a clip Acris had found.
Hope couldn't help admiring the matching fang marks on each side where her neck curved into her shoulders. She blushed as she relived gaining those marks.
"Are you doing okay in there?" Viper called out.
"I was right she hates me!"
Hope walked out of the bathroom. Viper stared at her with intense lust burning in his green eyes. Hope liked how they looked luminescent when he was aroused.
"No I'm pretty sure she hates me." Viper half growled half groaned as he adjusted his crotch.
Hope looked him over. The man wore a pair of skin-tight pants. Like her clothes his took on the color of his skin. His chest was bare, but he wore two criss crossing bands covered in ornate symbols and weapons. Viper's forearms were covered in shining brassy armor that exposed and accentuated his spikes. His dreads were pulled almost into a ponytail. The ends fell like a halo around his head. By itself his outfit was sexy. Add to it the fact that she could clearly see his impressive bulge and Hope was smitten.
Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1) Page 15