by Tate, Pearl
Pulling myself to my knees, I shake my head and try to orientate myself. It takes a few minutes as I cough and spit, clearing my lungs and throat of the fine dust. I need a drink and to get cleaned up. I don’t want to scare my mate with my appearance.
It takes longer than I expected to reach one of the streams. They come off the mountain and joins with the river that goes under the dome. The sun has set and I’m hungry and more tired than I assumed I would be. The idea of having to spend the night out in the wilds is depressing. I don’t want my Rachel to worry about me all night but I’m naked and exhausted.
I’m still trying to scrub the soot and dirt off me when I spot a shuttle heading straight for me. I consider running. But they will take me back into the dome, closer to my mate. Selas says he has control of the prison so now we will see.
The vehicle has barely stopped before all the doors open, and I brace for an attack.
“Amari! Are you alright?” Selas runs up walking right through the stream to reach me. “We’ve been searching the area for you. I’m so relieved!”
“Yes. I’m alive. How is Rachel?” I don’t even get up. I’m just too tired.
“She’s fine. Worried about you and afraid you are dead, but fine. Everyone is. Cordon, get over here. Let’s check you out.”
A young medic drops next to me and pulls out his equipment. “I’m mostly hungry.”
Selas hands me a protein bar. I haven’t had one since I was an inmate and rip into it thankfully.
“What happened?” Another male throws a blanket around me and I peer up at him gratefully.
“I only made it through the main section gate. The bomb went off fast. It was bright then dark. I kept running. I got out the first exit, I believe.” I try to stand and as I struggle, Selas reaches out a hand and clasps forearms to help me up.
“You didn’t get out the initial exit. We had patrols at the first three exit points. You are really far out here. You must have run a lot further than you thought. We’ve been worried sick, and you look exhausted—and black.” He laughs as he rubs his fingers over my skin, scrubbing at the soot and ash. “Will this come off?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure. I thought maybe I needed soap, but I suspect the explosion charred my skin. Nothing on me was left. No shoes or clothes or anything.” I drop my voice, warily. “I mostly was concerned about making sure my mating marks were there. I was worried about Rachel. She’s really unharmed?”
Selas claps my back and pulls me into his side. “She’s a fighter. We waited outside the building for half the day to make sure you wouldn’t come out. I didn’t tell her about the patrols on this side. We finally talked her into cleaning up.” He hesitates a bit as we walk back through the water, heading for the shuttle. “We gave her a relaxer.”
I stare at him incredulous. This seems to be his answer for everything he doesn't want to deal with!
“She didn’t want to leave and was crying. Her body was in shock and she wasn’t dealing well. It’s a major trauma. Between the kidnapping and then the rescue, we wanted her to relax. She cleaned up, and we put it in her meal, so she would sleep.” Opening the door for me, he adds, “She’s resting now. You have time to get cleaned up and then you can join her.”
My poor mate. She hasn’t had it easy since getting here. I don’t agree with what they have done but I understand why they did.
Everyone gets in and the vehicle turns around to head back into the dome. Selas turns around from where he is sitting in front of me.
“Once you’ve both rested, I’ll get you moved into something more permanent. Then we can talk about your new position here in the prison dome.” I open my mouth to argue and he cuts me off. “I can see you don’t consider that the best idea, but it’s clear you don’t deserve to be here. Let me talk to the Discovery’s captain Bren and make you an offer you can’t refuse, alright? Don’t say no yet.”
He turns around, ending the conversation. I’m too tired to argue. I just need my mate.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
- Rachel
The minute I wake up, I’m pissed! They drugged me—again. I’m so tired of everyone controlling my life like this. I need to have a serious talk with Selas about consent.
As I wound down with eating my dinner, I knew I didn’t feel right. Sure, it was later in the afternoon by then and my crying had made my eyes gritty. But I shouldn’t have just passed out.
Wiggling a bit, I realize I’m not alone under the covers. It’s too dark to see anything! I scramble for the edge of the bed.
A strong arm traps me before I can get away and I screech loudly.
“Rachel, it’s me. Amari.”
“Mother fucker! You scared the shit out of me.” I’m pounding on his chest with each word, but he ignores me and drags me tighter into his body. Yanking my arms from between us, I throw them around his neck, squeezing tightly. “You’re okay… I was so worried!”
He pulls me in tighter and I snuggle into his warmth. I feel like all is right with the world. Finally. “Why didn’t you wake me up when you got here?”
“You were sleeping so soundly when I came in, I didn’t want to interrupt you. And I was exhausted.” His words are muffled in my ear. It’s so strange to communicate, but I’d recognize his voice anywhere.
I wiggle a little. I’d like to turn the light on, so I can look at him. Just to reassure myself he’s there and whole. But he doesn’t let me go. “Where are you going?”
“I want to see you.”
“Lights on low.” A lamp flickers on next to us. That would have been nice to learn before now!
Gasping, I get a look at his face for the first time. His skin is a dark, almost black with an orange tint. Like he fell into a vat of self tanner. “Are you hurt? Your skin…”
“It looks worse than it is. I scrubbed, but this is the best I can do.” He laughs but I don’t consider it funny. What the hell happened?
Running my fingers over his face, his hair floats down and caresses me. It has a burnt orange highlight too. Pulling it towards me, I kiss it gently, never breaking eye contact.
“Poor baby. What did this?”
His mouth is hanging open, and he gazes at me hungrily. Snapping it shut, he runs his hand up my back, and tugs me tight against him. He’s definitely not tired now if the bar of steel against my hip means anything.
“The explosive had a chemical reaction that discolored my skin when it was set off. I was entirely black when they picked me up afterwards. But Selas suspects it will fade over time.”
“Like a tan?” He looks puzzled, so I explain. “Our skin will darken from the sun and it wears off over time. It burns the top layers of our skin, darkening them. But as we slough off those layers of skin, we go back to our normal color—if we aren’t in the sun regularly. Like that?”
“Maybe so. I’m not too worried about it if you aren’t. My mating marks still show and to me that’s the most important thing.” Pulling back, I run my hand down his chest and arm. Sure enough, they’re still there, flickering and shifting under my touch. All the colors seem darker now but they’re beautiful.
“Do you suppose mine will get deeper and more colorful over time?” I know I’m being somewhat presumptuous, assuming he will want to stay together. But Selas seemed to be under the impression that wasn’t even a question. That Amari cared about me and I know I care about him. Thinking he was dead… was hell.
“They will match when we complete the mating.” His voice has deepened, and I know he’s imagining the same thing I am.
I’m ready. I’ve been ready. I’ve had plenty of time to ponder us together and I don’t want to leave this bed without being one hundred percent his.
“Then let’s do it!” I’m more than ready. Just being close to him has me wet. His arms are an aphrodisiac.
“Right now?” He’s surprised, and I can’t help smirking.
“Yes, please.” Leaning in, I capture his lips with my own and press my tongue into his mouth,
searching for his. I need this. The connection with him.
His needy moan makes my nipples tighten as our tongues slide against each other. Yes! I’m so turned on.
Rolling me onto my back, he pulls away and my eyes pop open to his grin. I can’t help smiling back. We have a lot to talk about, but it can wait.
My body’s craving for him has never settled and now that he’s here, I need him desperately. My heart races as his gaze lowers to my breasts. One of his hands brushes over my side so lightly it almost tickles.
His warm hand slides higher until he’s cupping one of my breasts and a shot of lust spikes through my body. That’s all it takes.
“You’re so soft, Rachel. And perfect. These are perfect. Perfect for me.” Lowering his head, his breath fans across my chest.
I moan as his wet mouth latches onto one of my breasts. I can feel his teeth sliding against my sensitive skin as he flicks his textured tongue over the peak. Jerking as the sensation explodes through me, my eyes close, lost in the experience.
Pleasure shoots from my nipple right to my clit and I need more. I bite my lip, shocked that I react so strongly to such a simple touch. He sucks harder, the strong tugging sends continuous jolts through my entire body.
His hair fans out around us both, framing our heads as it touches me where it can. Liquid gushes from me, wetting my thighs and I spread my legs further to wrap them around him. I’m happy I went to bed naked and that he followed the same plan. There's nothing between us as I wrap my legs around him.
Kissing his way across my chest, he cups my other breast from the side. He subjects my other nipple to the same stomach-clenching treatment. My clit pulses with every tug. The pleasure is almost painful, and I cry helplessly below him, urging him on.
It’s the most incredibly erotic thing I’ve ever experienced. My hands run wantonly over his back and shoulders before burying themselves in his hair. It loves it too. Winding up my arms and feathering over my breasts, it caresses me back.
He pulls off slowly, drawing my nipple taut until he lets it go. Swallowing hard, I open my eyes to gaze into his mismatched eyes. The intense brown and blue study me intently as a feral growl rumbles from the back of his throat. It makes more liquid flow from me and I wonder if he realizes the way my body reacts to his.
“See Rachel?” His raspy, sexy voice whispers between us. “We belong together. I can smell your arousal. I love being in control of your body this way.” He glances down between us before locking gazes again. “Despite everything I’ve been through to get here, you make it all worthwhile. You make my cock harden just by looking at you or thinking about you. The scent of your arousal makes my mouth water and my body ache with need.”
I stare into his eyes as his words sink into my heart. I trust this is his way of declaring he loves me. His seduction leaves me speechless, but I know that he’s been alone for a long time. It’s not exactly what I’ve been hoping for, but we have the rest of our lives for me to teach him what love is. I want that time with him.
Relaxing under him, I blink back tears. “I love you too Amari. I want to be here with you, forever.” I hate the way my voice breaks on a breathless whisper.
He growls again softly. “I wish we could be here forever too, but a few hours until we meet with Selas will have to do.”
I want to question him about what he means, but he scoots lower and my brain shuts off. His hands encircle my thighs and shove them wide apart. His arms slide under my legs and wrap around them, pinning them open with his shoulders.
Tearing his attention from my face, he looks down at my pussy openly displayed to him. Taking a deep breath, his exhale feathers over me and I try to relax. The anticipation is killing me. The passion burning in his beautiful eyes is incredibly sexy as he glances up at me.
“Oh, Rachel. I want you so badly.” I nod back to him speechless. I’ve lost the ability to communicate properly. But his expression of relief validates my agreement.
I gasp when his tongue flickers over my most sensitive spot. He uses his tongue to apply just the right amount of pressure, teasing up and down my sensitive slit.
Freezing and tensing, the sensation of his suckling mouth spread throughout my body. “Oh god! That's perfect... so good, Amari.”
The slight texture on his tongue draws a response from me with each lick and suck. It’s almost so intense it hurts but, in the best, most pleasurable way. He keeps the pressure on and doesn’t pause. I can’t stop the loud moans that escalate and fill the room. Throwing back my head, my fingers still grip his hair. It tightens on my wrists, as if it knows I need something to hang on to.
He will kill me after all! It won’t be from kidnapping, competing males or bombs blowing me into a thousand pieces. He will lick me to death and make me hurt in the most delicious way. My body tenses, the ache to come—right there.
He growls, sending vibrations against my swollen bud and my thoughts scatter. I can only feel him, Amari and his mouth that makes me quiver and burn with need. More and more, I tighten.
My climax his me brutally. An explosion of ecstasy that makes me cry out loudly as it ripples through my shaking body. My muscles tremble and shake as my mind struggles to catch up. I’ve lost all ability to think or communicate. I’m only able to accept the fire-hot haze of pleasure until his mouth releases me.
Catching my breath, my oversensitive body shivers when his hands release me. Kissing up my body, his warm skin brushes against my mound and stomach. He settles over my chest and we’re face to face again. If I died now, I’d be dying a happy woman.
Boneless, I force my eyes open and smile at his tense face above me. He doesn’t look quite as relaxed as I feel.
“I want you Rachel. All of you. You’re ready for me now, may I take you and make you mine?”
CHAPTER THIRTY
- Amari
I wait breathlessly for Rachel to answer me. To give me the go ahead, once more, that she wants to stay with me—forever.
I don’t care anymore that I’ll be tied to the prison society. I lick my lips and the sweet taste of her passion spurs my need to possess all of her completely in every way I can. It’s an unbearable ache. She’s so delicious, so responsive. So mine.
I no longer identify her as a female, similar to the females of my planet Quasar. She’s nothing like them. I now realize she’s entirely different. She’ll never try to dominate me or force me into anything. I’ve lost my mind over a small, soft human.
I swore to never allow anyone to get too close. But here I am, laying on a bed with a female—my female. I not only have lost my freedom but the tight control I keep over my body. I’ve also surrendered my heart to her. She’s a female and shouldn’t be trusted, yet I not only want her, I sense the need for her in every cell of my soul.
“Please take me and make me yours.” Her confident request makes any lingering doubts evaporate like smoke. I’ve never craved anything more than her, right now.
“I can’t wait to experience what it’s like to be inside you. To know what it feels like when you are wrapped around me. I’ve never wanted anything more than you, Rachel.” The look in her eyes as her mouth drops open slightly, is even more arousing. I see so many emotions there. The same desire and longing I feel and raw passion as her small tongue comes out to wet her lips suggestively.
I growl softly before capturing her lips, plunging my tongue into her mouth. Her arms clasp my neck again. I realize she wants me as much as I have wanted her—from the very first moment I saw her in my daily reflections.
Her legs tighten around my hips and she shifts her wet cunt against my throbbing cock. I notice her bare, warm skin on the back of my thighs and I reach a hand down to position her, so I’m pressed against her pussy. I can feel the very tip of my cock at her opening. She is wet with need as I nudge her opening.
Pressing forward against her entrance, I slowly arch into her. I easily slide through her silky folds but miss the mark to enter her. Frustration tightens my musc
les as I brace my arms on the bed, suspending my upper body weight. Reaching between us to grip my shaft, I hold it steady and line it up perfectly. I pause again, hovering.
“You’re so much smaller than me. I’ll try not to hurt you.” She smiles brightly and pulls me forward with her calves on my ass.
“I’m aware of our size differences but I’m willing to take a chance.” She winks as I lower my weight, allowing gravity to work in my favor.
Her eyes widen slightly as my thick, hard cock presses inside her opening. Breeching her channel, I study her closely for any signs of distress. A few seconds later, she stops me by jerking.
“You’re so big!” Her gasp has me hesitating. “One second… okay.” She tilts her pelvis towards me, inviting me to slide in further.
I lower more over her body, sinking into her as her muscles stretch to accommodate me. My shaft endures her squeezing as I continue to penetrate her. Her body has no choice but to take me as I seat myself fully inside her wet, tight channel. I pause, allowing her to give me a sign. She’s breathing hard but is still watching me as I am her.
She feels incredible and I can’t help pulling back slightly, withdrawing a bit to push slowly back inside. A loud moan tears from her lips as I press against her sensitive nerve endings. My body enjoys the tight fit of us together. I can’t help groaning in response as we stay locked together tightly.
“I knew this would be incredible with you. You are amazing.” Her tight features soften at my words.
Groans come from both our lips as I move again. Withdrawing slightly, before I slide deep inside her pussy again. The end of her channel is rubbing the sensitive area around the head of my cock. I’ve never felt anything like it. The slick pull and suction as her muscles flexing and gripping me, makes me want to pound into her in abandon.