by Nikki Clarke
“Wow, that looks amazing.” Niya peeks into the bowl, and her face lights with anticipation. She has been so brave in her acceptance of my culture. It makes me feel proud.
“Please, try it. I performed a cross analysis, and it has, I believe, a taste similar to an Earth drunken noodle dish.”
Niya’s eye widen with excitement, and she wastes no time lifting her utensil and spearing one of the long, leafy florets drenched in the thick, red sauce. She holds it up to her lips to blow some of the heat away, and as I watch her full, soft mouth purse, my mind fills with ideas of other things her beautiful lips can do.
Kwarq snorts and shifts uncomfortably beside me.
“Your thoughts are showing, brother.” I tear my gaze away to look at him, and he gives me a pointed look that makes me immediately aware of the tightening in my crotch. I shift closer to the table to hide my growing erection, and my brother snorts again.
When she decides it is cool enough, Niya bites into the spear. Her eyes drift closed as she begins to chew, and a soft sound of appreciation hums in her chest. “That’s so good! This is the best food I’ve ever had. Now I see where Ah’dan gets his cooking skills from.”
As I expect, everyone’s eyes turn to me. I am known for many things, but having the patience to prepare meals is not one of them. Bati’s eyebrows raise in surprise, and Kwarq nearly chokes on a laugh. My mother appears most shocked. She gapes open-mouthed at me from across the table.
“You prepared a meal for her?”
My cheeks pulse. “I did, Amha.”
“What did you cook?” She sounds disbelieving, and I chuckle.
“Amha, it was nothing extravagant. I merely used the vegetables available and did my best to replicate our flavors.”
My mother’s mouth turns down, and she nods her head. “I am impressed, dahni, and any woman who can encourage you to overcome your aversion to the kitchen is a woman worth keeping.”
“Would you mind sharing with us information about your family?”
The table has been cleared, and we are each sipping a post-meal tonic to aid in digestion. Niya looks up at my mother’s softly spoken question and smiles somewhat awkwardly.
“Uh, sure. There’s four of us—me, my brother and mother and father. I’m the baby; my brother is older by four years. He and I don't really talk anymore,” she smells uncomfortable when she says this last part. “My dad is a retired electrician, and mom was a school teacher. I think you all may have seen her when she brought KJ home before.”
“Yes. I believe we frightened her quite a bit. If I remember, she smelled very suspicious,” my mother laughs good-naturedly.
“That sounds about right. That’s how I ended up at the house looking for Tee. She was sure something was up and wouldn't let it go until I checked to make sure there wasn't anything fishy going on.”
My mother frowns, and Amina rushes to interject. “The expression ‘fishy’ is another word for suspicious.”
“Ah,” my mother returns. “Well, she was not completely unfounded in her unease, so I understand how as a mother she would worry. I hope you were able to assure her that all as well with her grandson. We love KJ dearly and are so happy to have him as part of our family.”
“You know, funny thing,” Niya’s mouth pulls straight on one side. “I thought she'd be more suspicious about me suddenly leaving the country, but apparently if I'm going with a man, it's no problem."
"Mothers tend to worry less when they know their children are taken care of. I trust that our son has done his duty as your saeh'ti and been sure to maintain your residence while you are here?"
Niya smiles at my father and dips her head. "He's been great. You two raised an awesome guy."
"I am glad. Still, you should not go too long without contacting your mother."
"Oh, I’ve been sure to call her everyday with the special phone Ah’dan gave me. I’m a bit of a loner, anyway, so it’s not completely unusual for me to go off.”
“Well, then, I am glad that she has been put at ease," my mother adds. "Do you know how long you will stay?”
I give my mother a look, but she ignores it. As mothers will do, she is determined to obtain as much information as she can.
“Um,” Niya looks over to me with a small smile. “I’m thinking I might stay for a while if that’s okay.”
My chest lightens, and I forget everyone else at the table and shift my body toward Niya.
“You will stay?”
Her smile grows until it is full and bright. “Yeah, if you really want me to. I—I love you. I love your family; my best friend is here. I don't think I’ve been as happy in my entire life as I have in the last week. It feels really right to be with you.”
“Saeh’ti, you have made me the happiest Lyqa.” I pull her close, stroking into her mouth when she opens for me. She sighs between our lips and grips the front of my tunic. A sharp clap startles us apart to find my mother beaming.
“This is perfect. Each of my sons finding love and happiness. She turns to my father, and her expression gets excited. “We should do kal sai!” She takes my father’s hand and gives him a look I remember well from my youth. It is a look I recognize now as the one a female gives to her partner when she expects to receive whatever it is she is asking for. As predicted, my father’s eyes soften, and he pats their joined hands.
“If our sons are amenable to this, then I am glad to arrange it.”
“What’s kal sai?” Amina leans forward with a small frown. “If it’s anything like Leht Sai, I had enough trouble the last time. I’ll pass.”
Kwarq laughs and pulls her against his side to drop a kiss to her temple. “Do not worry, my lehti. It is not a celebration of love in that sense. It is more a celebration of family. Our extended relatives come together for several turns of entertainment and activities. It is an opportunity to visit with those family members we have not seen in some time.”
“It’s a family reunion?” Tiani’s eyes brighten with excitement.
Kwarq nods. “It is a reunion of family, yes. We used to do this every few rotations, but have not for many years. I think it would be nice, do you not?”
“I’m totally down for a family reunion," Amina returns with excitement. "I can't believe you guys do that, too. Let’s do it!”
My father nods then. “It is settled. I will speak to my brother and arrange the event for next week. Is that enough time for you to prepare?” He gives me a pointed look, and I know what he is asking. I dip my head.
***
“So, family reunion. That sounds fun. When is the last time you had one?”
I turn away from where Niya stands at the balcony door so she does not see my cheeks pulse. The last time my family arranged kal sai was just after I was leht. I was so excited to introduce Ze’lah, so excited to share my love for her. Sadness settles across my shoulders, and I shake it off, telling myself that I have new reasons to be excited. I have a new love to share. It may not be the love of the leht, but it is a different love and a love just as worthy.
“You okay? You seem a little off.” Niya appears at my side and rubs up my arm to my shoulder, chasing away the sadness. She is so caring, so in tune to my feelings, and while I still cannot bring myself to tell her about the leht, I know I should at least prepare her.
“I am well. Can we speak for a moment? There is something I would explain to you.”
“Sure,” she answers readily, but her scent tinges with anxiety. I take her hand and lead her to the couch. When we sit, I turn to face her, taking her other hand as well.
“I would first say that I love you, and I am overjoyed that you have decided to stay with me for a time.”
“I love you, too,” she returns without hesitation, and my chest warms.
“I do not want you to be surprised when my family meets you,” I continue. I should just say it, but I am finding it difficult to collect the appropriate words.
“Well, in case you don't realize, I know they are alie
ns, too.” She winks, and I chuckle lightly.
“It is not that, and yes, aside from LaShay’s husband and his family, the majority of those present will be Lyqa, but that is not what I wish to speak about.”
“Okay.” The teasing falls from her expression, and she waits for me to continue, so I do.
“The last time we had kal sai, I was with another, a Lyqa female.”
She tilts her head. “The person from the paintings.”
It is not a question, but I confirm with a nod.
“She was someone who was very important to me, and much of my family will be surprised to see that I am with another. Do not worry that they will be unkind to you out of some loyalty to my previous partner, but there will be some surprise. I would just like for you to know.”
As I speak, Niya’s expression eases, and the tension is replaced by a gentle smile. “You think I’m going to be upset if your family sees me and tries to figure out what happened to your old boo?”
“I would not have you hurt,” I tell her, even as I feel like this may be inevitable.
She sighs and slaps a hand onto my shoulder as she peers intently on me. “I hate to break it to you, baby, but you’re not my first boyfriend. I didn't imagine that I was your first girlfriend or saeh’ti, or whatever, either. We’re together now, and that’s all that matters. If anyone wants to know where Keisha is, I’ll just let them know that Niya is the new boo in town.”
“I do not know who Keisha is, but you are my only boo,” I confirm.
Her mouth quirks, and I cannot stop myself from leaning forward to taste her.
“Your mouth is so beautiful,” I murmur against the soft pillows of her lips. “I nearly embarrassed myself at our meal watching you cool your food. When you tempt me in these ways, it is hard to keep from spending the entire day between your thighs. All I could think of was how your lips feel when we kiss, and the many things I could do with your mouth.”
Her irises flare as she looks up at me. “What things?”
In answer, I swoop down and claim her mouth fully, stroking through the soft insides to tangle with her tongue. I suck at her lips and give her as much of my tongue as she can take. I push deep. When the tip tickles the back of her throat, and she still does not pull away, I groan and break the kiss.
“Come to your knees.” As I issue my instruction, I rise to stand in front of her. Her eyes widen, and her nostrils flare as I pull down the waistband of my pants and release my cock. “Do you know what we are about to do?”
Her eyes remain transfixed on mine as she nods slowly. She breathes hard, and I can tell from her scent that it is from anticipation. I am glad. I reach out and brush my thumb along her bottom lip, and her mouth parts with a soft sigh making my cock harden painfully.
“I want every bit of me to disappear between these beautiful lips—the entire span,” I tell her, and she swallows causing my middle to finch. “Unless you do not wish to, take me to completion.”
She nods again, and I can't wait any longer. I grip my cock at the base and guide it forward until it is aimed at her mouth.
“Open.”
She drops her lower jaw, pulling her mouth wide. Slowly I ease the head of my cock past her lips, watching the swollen tip slide into the waiting warmth. I tremble when her teeth scrap the underside.
“Hu'l.” I feed her more, moving my free hand to the back of her head where I gently urge her forward onto my cock. It feels incredibly—silky. When she hollows her cheeks just enough to apply pressure along my length, I groan. “You are amazing.”
She still has more to go. I near the back of her mouth, and she drops down, angling her head up and making room for me to slide into the restrictions of her throat.
“Aaaahhh!” I hold myself deep, loving the look of her on her knees, her mouth stretched as wide as I stretch her pussy when I take her. I release her head and relax my hips. Immediately, she slides off, easing me out of her mouth. When she gets to the tip, she slurps loudly, and the sound has me clenching my hands at my sides, before she takes me back in one smooth motion. I cannot think.
My mind blanks as Niya sets up a rhythmic pace of sucking me deep and lapping her way off of my cock. I am large and there is too much for me to take completely, but she does her best, eagerly working me into her throat. The sounds of her pleasuring me are wet, and I can barely take it. My cock starts to weep, and I know it won't be long.
I take hold of her head again and begin to thrust my hips forward. She matches my movement, moaning when I glide from her mouth before slurping back down enthusiastically. It is a beautiful sight. She lifts a hand from her lap and grips the base of my cock, squeezing firmly before stroking in alternating movements as her mouth. It is too much, too good. I increase the pace of my hips causing my cock to hit the back of her throat with a loud sound of suction. I caress her cheek so her eyes find mine.
“Swallow as much as you can.”
Her pupils dilate, but her head dips enough to let me know she understands. She closes her eyes and angles her head further back before reaching up with one hand to cup my sac. I explode.
My cock jerks and begins to spurt into the back of her throat. She works her esophagus, swallowing stream after stream until finally she inhales deeply through her nose and pulls off. I am not nearly spent, I take hold of the base of my cock and jerk, directing my seed at her face and chest.
***
“I don't want to bring too much.” Niya lifts another bag and piles it onto the stack that sits near the door to my apartments.
“Mm hm,” I murmur as I stare at her from the couch. It has been nearly a week since she was on her knees tasting my cock, and I still cannot get the image from my mind. It has been a constant distraction.
“Baby, you gotta stop thinking about it, or we’ll never finish packing in time to meet your family.” She stands with one round hip jutted to the side and a hand at her waist. “We barely made it out of bed this week.”
This is true. While we were forced to join my family for meals and to go to the market, and I also relented so that Niya could visit with Tee and Amina, I have been greedy in my insistence on staying buried in her body. Only moments ago, I had her bent over the arm of the couch as I watched my cock disappear into the silken passage of her pussy over and over. She had been quiet as I instructed, until I instructed otherwise, and then she had made my ears ring. I can smell our mingled scents from where I sit.
“Ah’dan, for real. We don't have time for whatever you’re thinking. I don't want to be the reason we’re late. I’m not even really family.”
This snaps me from my reverie, and I push off the couch and stalk over to where she stands. She falters as I get close, and I scowl at the movement and pull her up against me.
“First, never run from me. Second, you are every bit a part of this family. Do not say otherwise again. Now, I will resist the urge to do what I was thinking and take our bags to the pod. Are you sure this is all you wish to bring?” I survey the half dozen bags filled with the various items I purchased for Niya for the trip. It was fun to take her to our shops and have her outfitted in the flowing garb of my people. For the travel to the camp where our kal sai will occur, she is dressed in a bright blue single strap gown that molds to her body before flowing out loosely from her knees.
“I’m pretty sure I packed enough. All you’re bringing is that one bag?” She points to my pack which sits to the side of her luggage. I press a smacking kiss to her mouth and step away to grab the largest of the bags.
“I have everything I need,” I return with a pointed look, and her brown skin warms as she smiles.
“Auntie Ni Ni, we’re going to cow side!” KJ runs to his aunt and jumps up and down excitedly.
“Kal sai, my dahni. We must really work on your Lyqa pronunciation,” Bati says with an indulgent roll of his eyes as he ruffles a hand over KJ’s head.
“What’s pornuncination?”
“Pro-nun-ci-a-tion, baby. It means how you say
words,” Tiani offers as she attempts to lift a large bag to the side of the hall. Bati makes a face and takes the bag from her, dropping it to the side with little effort.
“Oh, I got it,” KJ murmurs before skipping out to the waiting pod.
“Will you ride with us, brother?” Bati directs at me, and I glance at Niya to see her nodding her head enthusiastically.
“We will.”
Tiani and Niya exchange a conspiratorial glance, and it makes me glad that she has been reunited with her friend. We send Tiani and Niya along and begin to carry our bags to the pod. Like Niya, Tee has brought nearly double the bags she should need, and like me, Bati is happy to take whatever she desires.
“This was a good idea. I believe that our family will take well to our women, and I have wanted to introduce Tiani to them for some time. KJ needs cousins his own age to play with.”
I nod although there is still a lingering unease in my gut. “I hope that you are correct.”
Bati’s expression softens. “Have you told her?”
“About the leht? I have not. I explained that I was previously attached to another and there may be some surprise when we arrive. I did not want her to feel embarrassed or out of place.”
“You were good to do that.”
I snort. “I was a coward. I should tell her about Ze’lah and allow her to find someone who can give her what she deserves. I am sure she could spend one day alone on Lyqa, and every sleeping First heart within a span would be fighting to awaken for her. It is selfish that I am holding on to her.”
Bati frowns. “You are holding onto each other. She loves you as much as you love her. You used to trust love, and I believe you should again.”
If only Bati knew how much I wish I could, how much I want to. If only the love that was supposed to be forever hadn't betrayed me.