Wynhod peered in the direction he indicated, his slitted pupils narrowing to a hairs-width in the scarlet glare of the setting sun. “I remember the bearing to get back to the ship from there. And if we get separated for any reason, the tallest of those peaks is where we’ll meet.”
Out of the dozens of long, thin structures, one stretched higher than the rest, seeming to poke the dimming sky. Dani studied it, thinking what a great point of reference it made. She wished it had been visible from the crash site. She wouldn’t have gotten so off course when she’d run from the Kalquorians.
The cries of nearby wildlife grew louder as night encroached. Dani shuddered, afraid of what might be out there, what might consider Earther a tasty snack. The growing shadows stole closer, ready to wrap their dark shrouds about her.
Trying not to sound as scared as she felt, she said, “It’s getting dark. Are we going to have a fire?”
Gelan gave her a pat on the head, but the shake of his braided head dispelled any comfort she took from his touch. “We’re not halting long enough to warrant building a shelter that would screen a fire from sight. The Tragooms are still no doubt following us, though wading for so many miles downstream will have confused them a bit. Their eyesight isn’t very good, but a fire in the open will be obvious nonetheless.”
Wynhod cocked an eyebrow at her. “I hope you have the good sense to not attempt escape, Dani. You do know if those gurlucks catch you, they’ll rape you then eat you alive?”
She scowled, ready to pout over the lack of a fire’s comforting light and his rebuke. “You’re just trying to scare me.”
He didn’t answer. Snorting, he stalked the perimeter of their copse of trees, having a good look around. Gelan bent over his handheld, muttering instructions to it in his incomprehensible language. Krijero remained at her side, sniffing the air like a watchdog scenting for danger.
Dani was left with her thoughts. She’d heard bad things about Tragooms, including the information Wynhod had shared. She had no reason to doubt what the Nobek said. She just resented his condescending tone, as if she didn’t have the sense to stick with their protection with peril snapping at her heels.
Big jerk. You’re not my father.
True. Her father wouldn’t have taken the time to caution her. Too busy with his own concerns, he would have left her to her own devices.
Krijero caught another one of the big peanut-buttery bugs. Once he divested it of its wings, he fed it to her. Then he unslung a small water flask from his belt and gave her a drink. He’d refilled it over and over with the clearest water he could find during their trek, but there was still a little grit. Dani didn’t complain. She felt continually thirsty, and the Imdiko fortunately had several anti-bacterial tabs left in a pouch from their hunt on Dantovon. She could drink to her heart’s content, and sludgy water was better than none.
Wynhod rejoined them and Gelan snapped his handheld off. The Dramok looked at his little group and said, “Clan, we’ll sleep in shifts, one hour for each of us. You first, Wynhod. Then we’ll start again.”
Dani’s stomach churned at his words. Her system had always been sensitive to sleep deprivation, and she knew even if the Kalquorians carried her the rest of the way, she wouldn’t rest well. Not walking in the pitch black of night with animals growling and screaming all around. “You don’t think the Tragooms will stop for the night?”
Wynhod’s eyes gleamed in the dying light. “Not for longer than a couple of hours. They follow their noses, and their sense of smell is acute. Once they pick our trail up again, they’ll be coming fast.”
He lay down on the ground, his long strip of dark hair spreading out to pillow his head. His arms crossed over his stomach, and he closed his eyes. Almost immediately, his chest rose and fell rhythmically.
Dani gaped. “No way he’s already asleep.”
The growing gloom made Krijero’s dark face almost impossible to see, but his white teeth flashed in a grin. “He’s trained to rest in a high-danger situation when he can. If anything happens, he’ll be on his feet and fighting before any of us who are still wide awake.”
Gelan’s voice rolled from the shadows. “Enjoy her if you like, Krijero. I have this watch covered. Just stay quiet, both of you.”
Dani sensed, rather than heard him creep away. She’d noticed how silent he and Wynhod could move. In comparison, she and Krijero clomped around like a herd of elephants wherever they went.
She waited for Krijero to manhandle her. She didn’t really want to have sex right now. She was sweaty, her head ached a little, and her stomach continued to voice small complaints. Eating bugs no doubt had her breath less than minty fresh too. But she had no choice, so she wished for the next best thing: that he’d hurry up and get it over with.
He stood right next to her, close enough that his arm brushed against hers. She could hear him breathing, and she had the feeling he watched her. Still, he made no move. She wondered if he found her as gross as she found herself.
The thought made her grumpy. She snapped, “Well, you heard the man. What are you waiting for?”
Instead of throwing her on the ground or walking away, Krijero’s voice cautiously asked, “Why did you run from us? Did you prefer the brothel?”
His unexpected question startled Dani enough that she admitted the truth. “Not really. The brothel was awful, and you – your clan treated me well back on Dantovon.”
She stopped there, hoping that would be enough for him. He didn’t prod her for more, just stood as if waiting. The silence spun out until Dani needed to fill it. “Look Krijero, it’s nothing personal against your clan. It’s just – you’re Kalquorians. You demolished my planet.”
Still he said nothing. His stillness stretched out, as if he had all night for her to answer his question to completion. Dani stared into the darkness, wishing she could see his face. Was he really that interested in what she had to say? It couldn’t be. Yet he remained quiet, his aura of patient curiosity enveloping her in warm regard.
Dani sighed. “I know my people had a lot to do with Earth’s destruction, what with setting up Armageddon rather than letting us be taken prisoner. But come on, you have to admit your race had a hand in that too.”
“To our eternal shame.” His gentle tone did hold a note of regret, the same repentant tenor which his clan had expressed for the Joshadans.
Dani’s heart resonated with sorrow, fed by Krijero’s remorse. “Billions died, including my family and friends. You may not have intended genocide, but that’s what your people did to mine. After that, do you really expect me to go skipping happily at your side? To say, ‘sure, I’d love to be your sex slave; jump on and ride me silly’?”
His fingers stroked through her hair. His hand was so warm, and Dani couldn’t help but lean her head into the comfort of his touch.
His pleasant, rumbling voice was just as consoling. “I suppose that’s reason enough to be unwilling to be our property. You didn’t anticipate ending up on a hostile world with Tragooms chasing you though.”
Dani snorted, a thoroughly unattractive sound. She winced, both at her lack of grace and her stupidity, which Krijero had pointed out. “That’s the trouble with me. I never anticipate anything.”
His fingers continued to comb her matted hair. The gentleness of Krijero’s touch and the kindness in his voice made her feel soft all over. “Do you have a history of not thinking things through before you do them?”
His tone’s lack of reprimand made it easy to confess her shortcomings. Dani shook her head at herself and edged closer to the dimly-seen shape. “Do I ever. I saw a movie as a child on Earth, a cartoon called ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The main character said something like ‘I often give myself very good advice, but I very rarely take it.’ That’s me in a nutshell.”
The fingers moved to stroke her arms. “Why do you do that, Dani?”
She suddenly wanted his arms around her, giving her the fantasy of a safe refuge. “I don’t know. It always seems l
ike a good idea when I do it, but it kicks me in the ass later.”
Then his arms did wrap around her and Dani sighed, resting her cheek against his chest. His voice rumbled soothingly against her ear. “We’ll have to work on that.”
“Are you doing your psychologist thing on me?”
“Does it upset you?”
She thought about it and couldn’t decide if being analyzed bothered her or not. “You sound like a parent, or at least what I always imagined one should sound like. Wynhod said you three were probably old enough to be my fathers. How old are you?”
“In Earther years? Let me think.” He was quiet for a few seconds. At last he answered, “Fifty-five. Gelan and Wynhod are just a couple years younger.”
“Wow.”
He chuckled. “That’s not so old for Kalquorians. We live an average of about 250 years.”
“No wonder you all treat me like a baby.” She sighed. “It would help if I didn’t act like one so much. You must think I’m stupid.”
His hold on her tightened, molding her against his very hard body. “Not stupid. Impetuous, perhaps. Maybe desperate for attention, even if it means getting into trouble?”
“Yeah well, I got into plenty of trouble with Gelan. My ass still hurts.” He’d wore her out all right. She’d probably have to sleep on her stomach.
“He didn’t enjoy that, you know. Punishing you upset him very much.”
“Do you think so?” Dani tried to peer into Krijero’s face, but she could discern only the slightest suggestion of it in the darkness.
“I know it. None of us wants to see you hurt in any way. You’re funny, smart, and very pretty.” The Imdiko’s voice took on a hesitant quality, as if he thought she might laugh at his compliments.
That defensive tone touched her. Dani reached up to stroke his face. She lightly rubbed her thumbs over his eyebrows and ran caressing fingertips over his nose, cheekbones and stubbled chin. Last she traced his lips, feeling the warmth of his shaky breath on her hands. He held absolutely still for her investigation, and she felt how strongly his heart drummed. His cocks had come to hard life inside his pants, pressing against the barrier. Yet the man who had spoken with such quiet confidence only moments before suddenly projected an aura of vulnerability.
I wonder who hurt him?
She didn’t want Krijero to act like this. She wanted him self-assured and strong. Did the man not realize how handsome he was, how mouthwatering desirable? Jeez, and she thought she had body issues.
Well, she knew a thing or two about making men, even the ones she found unattractive, feel wanted. At least with Krijero she wouldn’t have to pretend he got her hot. Despite her fatigue, hunger, and growing headache, mashing herself up against the chiseled body of the alien got her juices flowing, literally.
As tall as she was, Dani’s lips only reached to Krijero’s rough chin when she stood on her toes. She nibbled the scruffy flesh as her arms circled his neck. “You don’t have to be nice to me. You can just take what you want. I belong to you.”
He sounded strained. “Yes, but it’s not nearly as enjoyable to me that way. Do you like anything about me, Dani?”
She heard it again, that poignant wistfulness in his voice that seemed to ask, am I good enough? She couldn’t understand it, not having seen Gelan and Wynhod’s devotion to their clanmate.
But it was there, and she knew the kind of pain that made that sound. Putting every ounce of conviction in her voice she could muster, Dani stated, “You’re handsome, Krijero. Your body is gorgeous, and I love how it feels when you’re inside me. Honest to God, Earther men have nothing on you.”
He grew harder but didn’t speak. Maybe he needed more than just affirmation of physical attractiveness? Dani searched for the right words to shore up his seemingly shaky self esteem. “Our differences aside, you don’t seem like a bad person. I had fun when you and the others took me out for dinner. And—”
She stopped, afraid to say anymore. Who was she kidding? He was a Kalquorian, and the brute couldn’t possibly think like she did. If she didn’t watch herself, she’d get punished again.
His voice, soft and wondering, drifted on the night air. “What? I won’t get mad.”
Dani swallowed. The note of hope his voice held needed addressing. With a deep breath, she forced the words out. “There’s something sad about you. Like you’re afraid of being too vulnerable. Maybe someone hurt you who you trusted?”
A long silence reigned, long enough for Dani to think she’d better get ready to defend herself. But instead of angry blows, Krijero managed a shaky laugh.
“See?” he said. “You’re not stupid at all. You like that I’ve been hurt?”
She shook her head, relief making her almost dizzy. “Knowing you’re capable of that sorrow appeals to me, not the fact you actually feel it. Will you tell me about it?”
Another long silence ensued. At last Krijero sighed. “Maybe one day if we form a bond of trust. It won’t happen overnight.”
It probably won’t ever happen, she thought. All she said was, “That’s fair. I don’t trust you either.”
He chuckled ruefully and hugged her tight to his body. Knowing Krijero had experienced the same kind of pain she’d known made Dani want to be close to him despite her reservations. But she wasn’t about to bare her soul either. Her pain was her own, and she wouldn’t put it on display for a Kalquorian.
Still, his body called to her in a way different from his hurt, and she decided a romp would be nice. “If you want me, I won’t fight,” she told him.
His crotch stiffened harder against her belly. “I do want you” he said, his voice deepening to a growl. “But do you want me?”
Dani didn’t want to admit her attraction out loud, not when they’d bought her like a loaf of bread at the grocery store. So instead she moved sinuously against the big alien, nibbling at his chin once more. “What do you think?” she said in her breathiest voice.
His mouth tilted down to possess hers, his kiss deep yet somehow cautious. Dani responded to the tentative invasion with ardor she didn’t have to fake. Krijero really was delicious, and her body liked his quite well.
The Kalquorian drew back from their kiss and pushed her back just far enough to allow him to strip his boots and formsuit off. The darkness of his form crouched down to the ground, and his fingers tugged at hers. “Come down here with me.”
Dani went willingly, her urges in no way reluctant to serve the alien. She found he kneeled on the springy ground, and he arranged her so that she straddled his muscular thighs, sandwiching his cocks between their bellies. She squirmed eagerly against the hot, hard lengths.
“I’m so glad your libido wasn’t stunted by the repressive government that ruled you,” Krijero whispered.
“I bet you are,” she smarted off.
He chuckled at her sally and engulfed her in one of those stomach-warming kisses again. Dani ran her hands all over him, delighting in the lithe, well-defined physique while sucking on his rough textured tongue. She rubbed against his cocks, making him groan.
Krijero let her explore his smooth body for a few blissful minutes, his breathing growing louder and faster as she moved against him. Dani felt compelled to memorize him with tongue, hands, her entire body. The Imdiko’s thighs became wet with her juices as she slid over them.
He might have been the gentlest of his clan, but Krijero still had the Kalquorian alpha mindset, which he finally gave in to. Dani suddenly found her wrists pinned behind her back by one big hand, and he leaned back to separate their torsos, which she’d been trying to meld together.
“Krijero,” she whined. “What are you doing?”
He didn’t answer. Instead he spread his thighs a little. She straddled him, so his move opened her wide. She caught her breath when his fingers began stroking her nether lips. A low groan seemed to come from the depths of her soul.
“Remember we must be quiet,” Krijero warned. He then went to work tormenting her, his finge
rs dancing over her tender flesh. He spread her honey all over, wetting her anus and clit.
Dani writhed as he touched her, biting her lips against the pleased little cries that wanted to come out. His clever touch drew sparks from her body so bright she thought it might light up the night.
Much like how she’d mapped his body by touch, he did the same with her womanhood. As if committing her to memory, Krijero explored the folds of her sacred flesh, starting from her outer lips and working in until he circled the rim of her orifice. The almost ticklish sensations of his minute investigation had Dani squirming uncontrollably.
Two fingers entered her. Dani shuddered violently at the penetration. Krijero thrust in and out slowly, searching the walls of her sheath with gentle pressure as he worked her. Suddenly he found the nest of nerves that felt best. Quivering heat blasted through Dani’s belly, and her jaws snapped shut with an audible click to keep a cry from ringing into the night. Her body went rigid.
“That’s a good spot,” Krijero chuckled, his voice low with satisfaction. His fingers withdrew to the tips then thrust in again, pressing harder against that eager flesh.
Dani moaned deep in her throat as her sex swelled with pleasure. Her sheath flexed in a slow roll.
She whimpered a protest when the Imdiko pulled free of her clutching sleeve. He didn’t acknowledge her, his fingers slipping back to tease her anus instead.
Dani made herself relax so Krijero could easily penetrate the tight orifice. He was gentle with her, taking the time to stretch the reluctant flesh, readying her for his dual invasion. Truth be told, anal play with the Kalquorians felt good. The pleasure started as a quiet echo of the G-spot stimulation, building gradually as he spread her wider. Dani let the growing arousal take her over. She made little movements up and down over the questing digit, making it feel better and better. She thought she might actually be able to climax from anal penetration alone. The realization excited her.
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