by R. E. Butler
“We can’t,” Kate answered before Paoli could. “We don’t have room for him and it’s not fair to keep him cooped up. Plus, I wouldn’t want to take him from you.”
“You’ll come visit him a lot, though, won’t you? And us, too?” Reli asked, hope shining in her big, brown eyes.
“Of course.”
They stayed for another hour. Before they left, at Kate’s urging he transferred two hundred deenars into Krea’s account so she could pay for Milo and Hana to go back to school. Although the school was technically free, families had to pay for the hover-machen that took them back and forth to school, and also for their midday meal. Kate promised they would return soon.
Paoli pulled Milo aside. “I want you to clean up the trash outside. It’s shameful.”
“There’s no place to put it. Mother stopped paying for trash pickup. I bag the trash up and put it outside, but the night vermin tear the bags open and make a mess.”
Paoli closed his eyes with a groan. “I’ll figure something out. We’ll be back in a few days to visit.”
“Kate’s really your soul mate, isn’t she? Even though you didn’t go on the soul-walk and just happened to meet her at the Bordelayz?”
He nodded. “I really believe so. How else can you explain us coming together? She’s perfect for me, and I can’t imagine not having her in my life.”
“I’m glad you found someone to love you. You deserve to be happy.” Milo blinked and tears rolled down his cheeks. “I didn’t ever say thank you for what you did.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do. Thank you for everything. I don’t know what it cost you to sell yourself, but we’d all be in that same place if you hadn’t. I hope I can be half the honorable male you are.”
“Just take care of our sisters.”
He scrubbed at his cheeks with his hands. “I will.”
Paoli and Kate said goodbye to his family and when they walked out the front door, Boreo howled mournfully.
“Where do you think your mother went?” she asked after they were both settled in the vehicle and on their way to the workshop.
“I don’t know. Hana said that in the beginning, mother was so depressed because dad was gone that she didn’t do anything but stay in her room. She eventually started to go out with friends, and then the money started disappearing. When the girls questioned her, or asked her for money for things they needed, she threatened them with slavery. They did the best they could with what little she gave them.” He sighed heavily. “Things went from bad to worse when I called and told her that I had used up all my money to set us both free. She told them that I didn’t love them anymore and that she was going to have to find someone else to support them. I don’t really know what she meant by that, though, but she is hardly home.”
“Maybe she’s trying to find a new mate?”
“She’s completely sterile now, though. After Milo was born, she couldn’t conceive for several years and she was tested and found sterile.”
“What caused the sterility?”
“No one knows.”
“Do you think that people like me will become sterile eventually, too?”
“The scientists don’t think so.” The idea of Kate carrying his child caused a strange mixture of pride and arousal to shoot through him. For the remainder of the drive home, they talked about the funds needed to help his family. It embarrassed him that there was one more thing standing in the way of their leaving the workshop. He wanted so many things for her – a place of their own, the serum so his hair would change color, the mating necklace and bracelet that would announce their relationship, and a ceremony to mate them. He couldn’t do any of that while he was funneling money to his siblings, but at the same time he couldn’t leave them floundering.
Kate’s fingers threaded through his hair and she tugged him down to her lips. All thought fled as her tongue swept along the seam of his lips and the sweet taste of her filled him. He’d think about their future tomorrow, when his mate wasn’t pressed tightly to his side, driving him crazy.
Chapter 6
The lights were on inside Eden and Ashleigh’s home when the hover-machen pulled into the driveway. The garage opened silently and the vehicle entered. Paoli turned it off and the doors opened. They parted long enough to get out of the vehicle, meeting at the back and holding hands as they walked out of the garage, which Paoli then carefully secured by entering a combination into a keypad at the side of the garage.
In his free hand, he gripped a sack from a roadside stand, which they’d stopped at after leaving his family. The owner, a rotund female with a long braid of hair down to the ground, had remembered Paoli from when he was younger, and gave them two meals and desserts for a discount.
Kate was hungry, but she was more interested in her plans for the rest of their night. As Paoli unlocked the workshop and held the door open for her, she chewed on her bottom lip and wondered how to start the ball rolling in the direction of the bed. She wasn’t used to being the one to propose anything like this, but Paoli had said he’d wait for her to let him know when she was ready to move forward. Now that she was, she had no idea how to do that without sounding like a total lunatic.
A hundred cheesy pickup lines slid through her mind and she grimaced as she followed him through the workshop and waited while he unlocked their room. Aside from making her feel skeevy, she didn’t think he’d understand her phrasing if she said he had a nice body and would he hold it against her. He held the door open for her and she walked into the dark room, and in that moment she knew that words wouldn’t help her, but actions could.
She turned as he stepped into the room and the door shut. She pressed herself close to him. There wasn’t any light in the room, but the soft glow of the twin moons shone through the window coverings and as her eyes adjusted, she looked up and saw his confused expression.
She went up on her toes, closing the distance between them and their lips met. Their tongues slid together, stroking and tasting, making her mind spin with arousal and her body flush. He dropped the bag and wrapped both arms around her, drawing her even closer until she could feel the ridge of his erection against her stomach. Her hands slid under his tunic and she stroked her palms up his warm back, scratching her nails lightly against him as she went. He shivered, a soft growl coming from his throat, and he slid his hands up her arms, tickled her throat, and cupped her face. Pulling away from their drugging kiss he said, “Stars, I want you, Kate.”
Relief filled her and she smiled. “I want you, too.” She took a deep breath. “I know it doesn’t change anything, but I don’t want to wait until we can be officially mated.”
He shook his head and rubbed his thumb along the swell of her bottom lip. “It changes everything. I don’t care what color my hair is, I don’t care about a government ceremony, I only care about you.”
She blinked as tears stung her eyes. “I love you.”
He inhaled sharply and for a moment that felt like an eternity, he said nothing. When he opened his mouth, his tone was reverent and filled with emotion. “I love you, too, Kate, my beloved soul mate.”
He kissed her tenderly, and she could feel them connecting on a deeper level. Their kiss ended and he swung her up into his arms, carrying her the short distance to the bed. He laid her down and straightened.
“Lights dim,” he said, pulling his tunic over his head and dropping it to the floor. The lights turned on, allowing just enough light for them to see each other clearly.
She’d seen him without a shirt on before, but knowing that she was going to get to touch him made her gaze at him with new appreciation. He was lean and muscular and she longed to familiarize herself with every inch of him.
His hands rested on the waistband of his trousers and she licked her lips as his fingertips played along the fabric.
“You, too.”
Rolling to her knees, she pulled her top over her head. Norlanian females didn’t wear bras, they wore camis,
and Kate had chosen a delicate one made of silky, white fabric. Easing the cami over her head, she tugged her hair free and tossed the cami aside. When they’d been in the Bordelayz and the community home, they’d shared close quarters, but he’d always given her privacy and she’d done the same, never sneaking a peek even though she’d been curious. Since they’d been in the workshop, though, he’d taken to sleeping without a shirt on and she’d enjoyed the times she woke early and could look her fill without feeling embarrassed.
She placed her hands on his smooth chest and stroked his firm pecs. There were places on his chest and back that were scarred from mistreatment when he’d been a slave. She looked up at him and saw a little bit of worry on his face, and she knew he must harbor some shame at what he’d endured. She didn’t think there was anything shameful about a male who gave years of his life to protect his family. He was strong and honorable, two qualities she wouldn’t trade for all the smooth, unmarked skin in the universe.
Leaning forward, she kissed the scars on his chest and stomach, knowing that at one time they must have been painful, but now she hoped he knew that was all in the past.
He sucked in a breath and then exhaled softly, almost like a growl. She kissed each one and then she tilted her head up to kiss his lips. She loved the way his lips felt against hers, the way he pulled her close every time they kissed. This was no different, except there was a possessive edge to the kiss tonight. He stroked his tongue boldly into her mouth as one hand slid into her hair to angle her head and the other stroked down her side with the slowest of caresses.
Sliding upward, he cupped her breast, his thumb circling her nipple slowly. He closed his finger and thumb over her nipple and tugged lightly, making a shiver race down her spine. His hand stroked across her chest firmly, before he captured her other nipple in his fingers again, tugging the bud to new, sensitive heights.
He eased away from their kiss, nibbling on her lower lip, and laid her down on the bed. His fingers curled around the waistband of her slacks and he drew them down her legs, along with her panties, dropping them to the floor.
“Stars, Kate, you’re so beautiful.”
It meant the world to her that he thought she was beautiful.
He dropped to his knees on the floor and pulled her body to the edge of the bed, lifting her knees over his shoulders. She lifted her head enough to meet his gaze as he looked lovingly up the length of her body, and then he brushed his lips over the soft curls covering her sex.
Her skin goosebumped. His tongue touched her clit and she closed her eyes, pressing back into the bed. His hands slipped under her butt and lifted her lower body from the bed. Her legs parted further and he pushed his tongue inside her, stroking slowly, pulling her close to his mouth with an eager groan. Her body creamed around his tongue, her pussy clenching at the amazing feeling. One of his hands slipped around her body and he spread her pussy lips and licked her clit. Arching her back, she gripped the covers and moaned.
“That makes my mate purr,” he growled the words with a sultry voice.
“Oh, yes,” she cried as he licked her clit again, circling the bud that was exposed by his fingers.
The hand supporting her butt slid forward and his thumb pierced her pussy as he closed his lips around her clit and suckled the bud. Her stomach clenched as heat flooded her. His tongue flicked over her clit rapidly, his thumb stroking into her, and she reached a hand blindly to him, fisting it in his thick hair and holding on as he took her over the edge into pleasure. Her climax swept through her and she cried out his name as he eased the suction on her clit and pressed a light kiss to the sensitive bud.
He straightened slowly and shoved his slacks down his legs, his cock hard and thick, jutting from his hips. The plump head was glossy with pre-come and she sat up, reaching for him. He remained still while she closed her hand around his length, feeling the hot skin that seemed to throb in her hand. She stroked him from root to tip and rubbed her thumb over the top, gathering the arousal and bringing the fluid to her lips. She licked the drop from her thumb, smiling at the sweet and salty taste of him.
When she reached for him again, he stopped her hand, grinning as he kissed her fingertips. She scooted back on the bed and laid back, holding her arms out to him.
“Make love to me, Paoli. I want to be yours.”
He crawled between her legs and she wrapped them around his hips. “You’re already mine, Kate, and I’m yours.”
He leaned over, kissing her as the head of his cock pressed into her pussy. They both groaned as he pushed inside slowly. He stretched her, but she loved the feeling of being completely possessed. She pressed her hands into his back and urged him forward with her legs, hooking her ankles in the small of his back.
He slid fully inside and looked down at her. There was so much love and affection in his gaze that she could have cried. Something clicked for her at that moment. She knew that no matter the strange road that had brought her here, she was meant to be with Paoli.
Her fingertips dug into his back and she lifted her hips, letting him slide a fraction deeper. He groaned and kissed her. He pulled away from her body slowly and pushed back in, and she could feel each delicious inch of him as he withdrew and then pressed forward. He curled his arms under her back and kissed her hard, stroking his tongue into her mouth every time his cock pushed into her. She squeezed her legs around his waist, lifting her hips to meet his as their pace quickened.
He pounded into her, their bodies meeting again and again. She cupped his cheek, moaning as she sucked on his tongue. Pulling from her body, he rolled her to her stomach, lifted her onto her knees and slammed into her again. She rose up on her hands, pushing back against him.
His fingers slid down her stomach and touched her, rubbing her clit.
“Fuck, yes,” she shouted. Sensation spiraled quickly as he drove inside her, pleasure heating her veins and tightening her stomach. His fingers circled her bud, driving her crazy.
He leaned into her, kissing her shoulder and panting in her ear. “Come with me, Kate.”
His voice, husky and raw, slipped over her like a caress. She screamed his name as she climaxed. She felt his cock thicken and he groaned loudly, chanting her name as he held her tight against him.
He eased them to their sides, curling around her back and holding her close.
“I love you,” he whispered with a rough voice.
“I love you, too.”
“I wasn’t too rough?”
“You were perfect,” she promised, breathing deeply and reveling in the sweet ache of being well loved.
“What does ‘fuck’ mean?”
She chuckled. “In this case, it means blin.”
He nuzzled her neck and kissed her there. “Where have you been all my life? I only feel whole when we’re together and I don’t know how I ever lived without you.”
“I was too far away, but that won’t happen again. I’m here now, and I’m yours.”
“I’m yours, too.”
“I know you are. I feel like we’re connected now, soul deep.”
“You’re my soul mate.”
The words were simple but she knew that somehow they were true. Even though they were from different worlds, they were meant to be. She couldn’t explain it, and maybe it really defied explanation. Soul mates – whoever they may be – were just simply meant to be. However it had happened, she was glad to be in this place, with Paoli. Given the choice, she wouldn’t be anywhere else.
Chapter 7
Paoli woke slowly, savoring the feeling of Kate naked and in his arms. Their night together had been incredible in so many ways. He’d never made love to anyone before. He was glad that Kate was his first. They’d made love for hours, talking quietly as they rested between lovemaking, and he’d never felt more connected to another being.
He wanted to let her rest, so he lay as still as possible and considered what they’d do with the day. Judging from the light through the window, he guessed it was
almost midday meal.
Kate wiggled and yawned, stretching against him.
“Hi,” he said, stroking her hair.
She lifted her head and smiled, and then she looked puzzled and frowned.
“Is something wrong?” He asked.
“Your hair.”
“What about it?”
“It’s turning brown.”
He sat up and climbed off the bed, hurrying to the bathing room and ordering the lights on. His mouth fell open when he saw his reflection. It was true. His hair was turning brown, as if a bucket of colored ink had been upturned over his head. Less than half his hair was brown, but it was definitely changing, the blue color slowly being taken over by the brown.
Kate leaned against the doorjamb. “Why did this happen? I thought that your hair would only change color if you took the serum.”
He pulled a lock of hair forward and wrapped the blue ends around his fingers until he was staring at the brown strands further up. “I don’t know, it’s not supposed to happen without the serum.”
“Are you okay?”
He looked at her and she seemed worried. Releasing his hair, he held out his hand to her and she quickly joined him and looked at their combined reflection in the mirror. “I’m a little freaked out, but I’m fine.”
“Should we call someone, like Sloan?”
He shook his head. “Not right now.”
She ran her fingers through his hair, holding her hand up so he could see the dark strands as they fell. “The color is all the way through to your scalp, about eight inches or so are brown already. Can I tell you what I think?”
“Of course.”
She leaned forward and kissed him. “I’m kinda sorry to see the blue go because I love the colors of your hair so much, but this totally rocks.”
“Rocks?” He raised a brow. She was always saying something that the translator couldn’t figure out.
“It’s blin. Like the blinest thing to ever happen since you saved my life in the Bordelayz.”