We searched the viewing room, Susan’s quarters, then Clara’s. Nothing. My quarters were empty, and so were Nikkul’s.
“Where could they be?” Nikkul asked.
“Let’s check the dining hall.”
As we entered, I froze at the sight. My lip snarled. The sharp points of my fangs dropped low. A primal urge to kill swept over me.
Other males circled the table where the four humans sat. One male, Zudda, had his eyes glued on Amanda. A low growl started at the bottom of my throat before gaining volume. My hands clenched into fists as I stared at Zudda, stomping his way. No other males existed except the one after my mate.
I stood behind him, towered over him by six standard inches. Through gritted teeth I said, “Get. Away. From. My. Mate!”
Zudda jumped, spun around, and with fear in his eyes, he held up his hands in surrender. “Ah, Commander! Uh, I didn’t know she was your mate. She smelled unmated.”
With death shining in my eyes, I took a menacing step forward. Instead of fighting, Zudda took off in a hurry, knowing his life was about to end. When he was out of sight, I looked down at Amanda, who stared back at me. She appeared to have no fear of my ferocious look. No judgement in her eyes. I sniffed and smelled her desire. The anger changed quickly, and my desire matched her own before skyrocketing. She was in heat. It smelled faint, but she had definitely started her heat cycle.
“Kavvan?” she said when I scooped her up and stalked out of the dining hall toward my quarters.
Her smell was intoxicating.
All-consuming.
Mouth-wateringly delicious.
I had to have her! Taste her! Make her mine! Now! I needed her now!
The door closed behind us. Without letting go, she turned in my arms and wrapped her legs around my waist. I threaded my fingers and gripped the back of her hair, tilting her head back, exposing her neck. Her hands kneaded my shoulders while her hips took a needful rhythm of their own.
Letting my lips skim her delicate neck, I pressed my shaft into the V between her legs. It throbbed, wanting. My hands gripped her ass as I slammed her against the wall. “Sorry,” I whispered in her ear.
“For what?” It came out wanton and breathless.
Her hands gripped my upper arms before roaming my chest and then around to my back. The feel of her hands on my body sent sparks shooting to my shaft. As my hips ground into hers, my mouth skimmed the delicate flesh between her neck and shoulder. Soft and creamy. My tongue lapped at the area, tasting her scent on my tongue. I struck hard. The soft feel of her flesh as my teeth sunk deep. I tasted her blood on my lips, the sweet nectar on my tongue. Blinded by lust, my release jetted out, soaking my uniform.
I released her flesh and withdrew my teeth. Staring into her glazed-over, desired-filled eyes, I asked, “Are you all right?”
10
____________________
Reassurance
Amanda
Heavy breathing as intense sparks of pleasure slowly dissipated. I’d say I was more than all right. Several words popped into mind as my core still clenched.
Bliss.
Mindless.
Wet.
Wanton.
I wanted more. Needed more. Never had I felt this way about anyone, this much pleasure. I didn’t know it was possible.
“Amanda?”
My eyes shot to his.
“Are you all right?”
Why did he worry? Couldn’t he see that I was more than all right? I had just experienced mind-shattering pleasure.
“Yes,” I gulped out, trying to catch some much-needed air. “Oh,” I cried out in surprise when he quickly lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he carried me into the bathroom and set my feet on the floor.
With slow movements, he held my gaze as one of his fingers slipped my dress off one shoulder and then the other, just a hint of my breasts exposed to him. With a flash, he bent his head and let his tongue swirl around the tops then drop to the valley between my breasts.
I closed my eyes in pleasure. Anticipation. I was wet. Ready. I could feel the moisture wet my inner thighs.
Glancing down, I watched with hunger as he took my dress between his teeth, pulling the dress down even more, exposing my breasts completely.
Both of his hands held mine; only his mouth touched me. When it closed over the dark peak, I moaned. My legs trembled. Kavvan slowly moved to the other one, giving it the same attention. When his mouth left with a pop, he looked at me and licked his lips. “Beautiful.”
I never considered myself beautiful, but he made me feel that way.
He quickly turned on the spray of the shower before he turned back to me, giving me his undivided attention. “Let me help you out of the dress,” he said as he shoved it down lower, away from my hips.
“Are we really going to shower now?” I asked incredulously. Showering was the last thing on my mind.
He chuckled. “Patience. After what just happened in there, I need to get cleaned up.”
“Oh,” but I wasn’t really listening. I was staring at his bare chest, all tanned and muscled as he slid the jumpsuit from his shoulders.
As he pressed it down even more, I watched his muscled chest ripple with every movement. It led to rolling hard abs, then… I gasped then gulped as I stared at his long, thick, hard penis. My breathing grew heavy. The head was bigger, shaped oddly, which made it look a little different than a human man. My eyes slid over every inch of his body.
“Come on,” he said, pulling my attention back to his smiling face.
He took my hand and carefully led me into the shower. It was a tight fit, but he didn’t seem to care. Neither did I. Standing with my back to his front, his hand splayed across my abdomen. With a quick pull, he plastered me against him. Warm water cascaded over both of us as one hand massaged my breast. I could feel his hard penis pressing into my back. A small moan of pleasure escaped.
With his lips barely against my ear, he said with a deep, seductive voice. “I thought I could wait, but I need you now. Say yes.”
He had both arms wrapped around my middle as our bodies swayed to the sound of water. I dropped my head back between my shoulders, exposing my neck. “Yes.”
With my answer, he interlaced both hands with mine and held them above my head against the wall. Using one leg, he spread mine wider. Leaning down, he asked me one last time. “Are you sure?”
Spread-eagled with my hands above my head on the shower wall, I reaffirmed. “Yes, I’m sure. Now do something!”
I felt his long finger slid inside me first, slowly pumping in and out. I dropped my head forward and moaned just as he added a second one. “Oh…” It felt so good, my hips started moving on their own, urging him to go faster. The slow rhythm was driving me mad.
“Patience.” He lightly tapped my ass.
“Please…” I begged. I was so close, but I couldn’t get there. I needed more. Wanted more. Had to have more.
He didn’t make me wait. With one hard thrust, I felt him part my folds and press inside. I felt painfully full as I took deep breaths, trying to accommodate his massive size. Once I adjusted, I let out a deep breath and said, “I’m good.”
His hands splayed across my hips, holding me in place. He started a slow rhythm, increasing with speed and force. Having him inside me felt amazing, mind-shattering, but still, I needed… With one hand, I slid my fingers down to my clit, knowing what I needed to tip over the edge. As my fingers made tight circles, Kavvan surprised me by adding his own hand. “Let me,” he said, and started his own ministrations. That’s all it took. I threw my head back and screamed as waves of pleasure shot through me.
Kavvan
I tried to quell the urge to take her hard, savagely, as I parted her folds with my shaft. After feeling her soft, moist channel, I knew she was wet and ready for me. I took her to the hilt, relishing the tightness of her body. My legs trembled as I held back, giving her time to adjust. When she had, I tried to go
slow. But I couldn’t.
Lost in the feel of her body and my own desire, I almost missed her snaking her hand between her legs. Not happening. My hand took its place. With every circle I drew with my finger, I felt her clench and grip my shaft tighter until she screamed her release. Her body spasmed in ecstasy, gripping me so tight it almost felt painful. I pumped harder. Faster, until I followed right behind her with my own release. I still wasn’t finished.
Unbothered by the water still cascading down my back, I scooped Amanda up and carried her to the bed, dripping wet. A canvas splayed out before me, waiting for me to do whatever I wanted. A drop of water ran down the valley of her perfect breast. I caught it with my tongue, lapping up all the drops of water before heading to the prize covered by a patch of dark curls.
I parted her folds with my thumb and forefinger, revealing her sensitive area. I made tight circles with my thumb. Her eyes closed as her mouth formed a silent O. Her breathing increased, and before I knew it, she screamed. I had to use my other hand to hold her jerking body in place while I continued the tight little circles.
“I can’t take anymore!” She twisted and turned, trying to break the connection with my hand.
With my hands on her inner thighs, I opened her up to me. I shoved my shaft inside her quivering body, watching it disappear until I was fully inside her. “You feel so good.” I started out slowly, watching, incredibly fascinated that she could take the full length of my shaft. I pulled out and then plunged in hard, over and over until I felt the buildup. My thrusts increased until I was pounding into her, giving her everything. Her cries of pleasure sent me spiraling over the edge, and I jetted my release inside her.
I fell beside her and rolled onto my back. Never had anything felt so good. I turned my head and looked at her beautiful face. She stared back at me with half-lidded eyes. She was the one made just for me, my true mate.
“That was amazing,” Amanda said, still trying to catch her breath, “but I will be sore in the morning.”
“I can get you some medicine from Sora, some cream to ease the pain.”
She swatted my chest. “You will not. I don’t want him to know what we’ve been doing.”
Chuckling, I said, “He will know anyway, Amanda. He will smell it.”
She shook her head and smirked. “I plan on showering, Kavvan. All he will smell is soap.”
I couldn’t stop grinning as I rolled to my side to face her. Let her believe what she wanted, I was savoring the moment. Her beautiful, dark eyes stared back at me. I tried to memorize every little thing about her. The way her dark hair looked next to her alabaster skin. Her delicate nose, plump pink lips. When she smiled, she had one dimple on the right side of her cheek.
“You are a beautiful female.” A big smile stretched across her face, but she never said anything. “You don’t believe me?”
She lay with her head on the pillow, almost nose to nose with me, searching my eyes for… something. “I’m not. Susan is the beautiful one.”
I was already shaking my head, denying her statement. “That’s not true.” I wove my fingers through her damp hair. “Everything about you is beautiful. Your appearance, with those dark brooding eyes and luscious pink lips. Your loyalty to your friend. Your strength.”
“If you only knew me, you’d know I wasn’t good enough for you. You’re the commander of this ship. Everyone looks up to you. Respects you.” I watched as her tongue darted out, and she licked her lips. “I’m nobody special.”
I debated. Should I tell her about my talk with Susan? Would she feel like her friend betrayed her? Hmm…
“How did you get those scars?”
She averted her eyes briefly. They were watery, but none fell.
“My mom smoked cigarettes.” She must have noticed my confused look. I didn’t understand the word. She smiled slightly, understanding. “Long slender… Hmm, I don’t know how to describe them. They are about this long,” she measured with her fingers, “and you light the end and inhale, before blowing out a puff of smoke.”
“Sounds… interesting.”
“It’s not, believe me. If Mom wasn’t sending me to my room hungry, she was punishing me by putting her cigarette out on my skin.” The anger inside me bubbled up, even though I already knew this information.
“Where is your mother now?”
“I don’t know. Susan and I both took jobs at the local gas station down by the corner next to where we lived. We saved our money, and as soon as we graduated high school, we left and never looked back.”
“She didn’t miss you at all?”
Amanda scoffed, “Hell, no. My entire life she told me what a mistake I was and that she should’ve taken care of me when she had the chance.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, she should have aborted me when she was pregnant. But she didn’t. Some people are just not suited to be parents.”
I reeled at the information. Children on Azziar were cherished. “If I thought she still lived, I’d find her and kill her myself.”
Amanda burst out laughing. “Thank you, but you don’t have to do that for me. I’ve moved on, forgotten about her. And really, isn’t that the best revenge? Never thinking about her and being happy?”
Lost in the abyss of her dark eyes, I saw her strength shining through. Susan was right, I could never mistake Amanda as weak. She’d endured so much growing up and then gotten her revenge by being happy. “I suppose it is.” I pulled her close, needing the contact. As long as I had breath in my body, Amanda would be loved, protected, and happy.
“Tell me about Azziar. What’s it like?”
“Let’s see…” I twirled the strands of her hair between my fingers. “There are lots of trees, and flowers, a marketplace to buy needed items.”
“That sounds… vague.”
I chuckled. “I guess it does. How about I show you when we get there?”
She smiled and changed the questions. “What about your parents? Are they still alive? Do you get along with them?”
“Yes.” I smiled just thinking about them. They are alive and well. They live some ways away from the castle, but I try to visit them every chance I get.”
“Castle?”
“Yes. There’s a castle. King Mallik rules Azziar. Jakke, my friend, is his eldest son and next in line to rule. He’s mated to Sydney, another human female.”
“Really? Everyone is okay with the next ruler being mated to a human?”
“Most everyone. It’s a true mating so there’s really nothing anyone can say about it.”
“A true mating…” she mused. “You said I was your mate. Is that the same thing?”
“It is.”
“And you know by smell?”
“Yes.”
“But what if you don’t like me? We don’t really know each other, and I may be the worst person you’ve ever met.”
I chuckled before I reassured her. “It’s not like that. Finding a true mate is celebrated. It’s fate’s way of telling me that you are my true match. I’m sure we’ll have arguments, but I will never think you’re the worst person I’ve ever met.”
In a small, insecure voice, she asked, “But what happens when you leave?”
I leaned back, stared into her eyes and asked with confusion, “What do you mean?”
“Everyone always leaves.”
I hugged her close. “Not me. You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.”
I leaned down to her upturned face and kissed her luscious lips. A fire ignited once again. Just as I was about to have her again, my comm unit beeped, alarms blasted, and the ship rocked following the sound of an explosion.
I jumped out of bed and quickly dressed. After grabbing a phaser, I looked back at Amanda and ordered, “Stay here. I’ll be back.”
I raced to the bridge. “Report!”
“Commander, a Turei vessel appeared out of nowhere. It fired on us before we had time to react.”
“Damages?”
“None, the shields held.”
The ship rocked again. “Return fire!”
“Direct hit.”
“Again!” If they thought they could attack the Victory without repercussion, they could think again. I would destroy them!
11
____________________
The Attack
Amanda
Kavvan stormed out of his quarters. What was happening? I paced, worried about him, my friends, everyone I cared about. I couldn’t lose any of them!
A lifetime passed before worry turned to anger. “Forget this shit,” I fussed as I threw open his closet door. I needed something besides a damn dress to wear.
As I searched his closet, I scoffed. “Jumpsuit it is.” Kavvan really needed to expand his wardrobe. I threw on a jumpsuit, which shrank to fit my body. How weird, I thought as I headed out in search of Susan.
As I hastily walked toward her quarters, Azziarins ran past me heading the opposite direction. Something terrible must be happening.
When I made it Susan’s quarters, I found her pacing. “Oh, Mandy, I’m so glad you’re here!” She threw her arms around me briefly. After letting go, she asked, “Do you know what’s going on?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea.”
“Let’s go find Jane and Clara.”
She started out the door, but I grabbed her wrist. “Do you think that’s smart?” It felt like déjà vu.
Instead of running headlong into the corridor, Susan smiled sadly and answered, “Probably not. But if something happens to them and I sat here on my ass, I’ll never forgive myself.”
Yeah, me either. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”
Susan and I headed out in search of our friends. We rounded one corner, and then another. Just as we neared Jane and Nikkul’s quarters, we spotted a red-haired Turei walking the opposite direction with Jane draped over his shoulder. Nikkul lay unmoving on the floor, half inside, half outside the door to their quarters.
Kavvan (The Azziarin Series Book 7) Page 10