Rena bristled and her lips tightened.
“I’m not trying to upset you,” Beren said. “I just want you to accept that maybe things weren’t as perfect as you think they were. We’ve already established there’s no way you were the Vaaden’s biological child, which meant you were taken from your home world and given to him. I just don’t understand why, and that bothers me.”
“I guess we’ll never know unless I get to talk to him,” Rena said.
“Even if I have to escort you to Vaaden myself, with an entire fleet to accompany us, I’ll make sure you get to see your father and ask him any questions you might have. I know you need closure before you can truly begin living your life. I want you to be happy, Rena.”
She cuddled a little closer. “Being with you does make me happy.”
“It’s going to be a long two days before we reach my world.”
“Why? I admit your quarters are much smaller than the home we were using on Lero Prime, but nothing else has changed. Except we’re no longer sleeping in separate beds.”
Beren glanced at the door before lowering his voice. “Because the doors and walls on this ship aren’t very soundproof. You get rather vocal when we’re intimate and I’d just as soon my shipmates not hear your cries of passion.”
Rena’s cheeks flushed. “While I would rather keep that private, I don’t want to wait two days. Would they really hear us? I can barely speak so I can’t be all that loud even during… you know.”
“If someone were standing outside the door right now, they’d be able to pick up parts of our conversation. So you screaming my name, even in your softer voice, would likely be heard very clearly.”
Rena grinned a little. “Maybe it would make them all run for cover. Would they really want to listen to that? Or would they take off to the furthest parts of the ship?”
“Trust me. There are some who would press their ears to the door.”
“The ship can’t travel any faster? Isn’t there like a turbo boost or something?”
“Turbo boost?” he asked, trying not to laugh. “Where did you get that from?”
“Books?”
Beren snorted. “I think we need raise the caliber of books you read. Obviously, your father’s library was lacking if he had something that ridiculous in there. Next you’ll be asking if there’s a big red button of destruction in the command center.”
“Is there?”
Beren couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer. Rena smiled at him, and he knew she’d been teasing him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d smiled or laughed before Rena came into his life. She was good for him, and he hoped that he was good for her. The more time he spent with her, the more it felt like his heart was thawing. He’d spent so much time at first trying to find acceptance, and later, he’d avoided females as much as possible. Rena had shown him that not all females were alike. If he didn’t know better, he’d think he was falling in love with her, but Beren wasn’t certain he was capable of such an emotion.
Rena looked from him to the bathroom, then looked back him with a sly look on her face. “You know… the cleansing unit is pretty loud. Maybe loud enough to drown out my… how did you put it? My cries of passion?”
“Is that your way of asking me to take a shower with you?” Beren asked.
“Do you have anything better to do right now?” Rena asked.
“I’ll never have anything that’s more important than spending time with you.” He rose and helped her off the bed.
In the small bathroom, he started the cleansing unit, then helped Rena undress. She stepped under the spray, and Beren began removing his clothes. His cock was already hard, just from Beren looking at Rena’s soft curves. He knew her body as well as his own by now, and yet every time they were intimate, it was just as good, if not better than the first time. He felt the same sense of wonderment he’d felt that first time. And he was humbled and honored that she’d accepted him as her mate.
Rena reached for him, then jerked Beren into the unit. He laughed until her hand closed around his hard shaft. Sucking in a breath, he stared down at her, curious what she would do next. She’d pleasured him once with her mouth, but he had to wonder if it would trigger a bad memory. She’d seemed fine before, but what if she wasn’t this time? While she’d told him a lot of what had happened to her, he had no doubt that there were some things she still kept to herself. He’d wondered if a male had ever forced their cock into her mouth, and it wasn’t something he wasn’t brave enough to ask.
She slowly stroked him with her hand, and he loved seeing her pale skin against his purple shaft. Her fingers were so slender and delicate. She was so very different from him. Not just her smaller size, but his hair was an inky black and hers was the color of sunshine. Her blue eyes reminded him of the sky on Earth, while his were a dark purple. In so many ways they didn’t make any sense as a couple, and yet they fit together perfectly in all ways. If he ever believed in soul mates, then he would say for certain that Rena was his.
Her touch was light, but it was powerful enough to bring him to his knees. Rena moved closer, pressing her breasts against him. She released his cock and used both hands to explore the expanse of his chest. Despite his deep scars, she seemed fascinated with his body. Every time he removed his clothes, Rena couldn’t seem to keep her hands off him. It felt good knowing that she desired him, that finally there was a female who wasn’t disgusted by the marks on his body.
“You’ve been patient with me,” Rena said. “Careful. Tender. But I can’t help wondering if you’re getting everything you need from me.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
“The males I’ve met before, and the ones I’ve witnessed with other females…” She trailed off and seemed hesitant to speak her mind.
“You can tell me anything, Rena. You know I won’t judge you.”
“They seemed to like taking control, and were a little rough at times. If you’re holding back because you don’t think I can handle it, then you’re not getting everything you need from this relationship.”
He had been holding back a little, but it didn’t bother him. He liked taking his time with her. And if she wanted it faster and harder, then he was happy to comply, but he wasn’t about to tie her up or pin her down and lose control of himself. In his younger days, before he’d been badly scarred, he’d been far from tender during the few couplings he’d experienced. He didn’t want that with Rena, though. She wasn’t some random whore at a brothel, but his mate.
“Beren, how can I be your mate if you feel like you can’t be yourself?” she asked. “I know that you would never hurt me. Is that what you’re worried about? Hurting me?”
“Maybe,” he said. “And I don’t want to frighten you. The last thing I want is to bring back bad memories.”
“When we’re together, it’s just you and me,” she said. “I’m not thinking of the past or anyone but us. Those first few times… I had a few flashbacks, but I could handle it. I want to be with you, in every way possible. If there’s something you need that I’m not giving you, then I need you to tell me.”
Beren just watched her but didn’t speak.
“Is there something?” she asked. “Something you want to try with me?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to asked if she’d take him into her mouth, but he refrained. She’d done it once, but it had been her choice. He wanted it, had dreamed of it. He’d even jerked off to the thought of her hot, wet mouth before he’d claimed her as his mate. But he had no doubt that if she got on her knees and opened those sweet lips, he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
Rena’s cheeks flushed and she bit her lip. “The males I’ve seen with other slaves. Sometimes they liked putting their cock elsewhere. Is that what you want?”
Elsewhere? That left too many possibilities.
“Do you want my mouth on you?” she asked. “I like the way you taste.”
“Rena, I…” He groane
d.
She gave him a sexy smile and dropped to her knees at his feet. She slid her hands up his thighs, then licked her lips before taking the head of his cock into her mouth. Beren clenched his hands at his sides, fighting for control as her tongue wrapped around his shaft and she swallowed him down. It felt like his cock was wrapped in wet silk, every stroke bringing him closer to the edge.
Her tongue swirled around his cock before she licked the slit at the tip. It was the final thing that snapped his iron control, and Beren gripped her hair. He tilted her head back a little and began to fuck her mouth with slow, deep strokes. Rena dug her nails into his thighs, but she wasn’t in distress, and if anything, seemed to be enjoying it. Her eyes were dark with passion as he took what he wanted, what he needed.
His cock jerked and the next time he slid deep, he started coming. Spurt after spurt of hot cum filled her mouth, and even after every last drop had been wrung from him, Beren didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. It felt too damn good. His cock was still hard as steel and he knew the only thing that would satisfy him fully was being inside her. Beren pulled free of her lips and helped her to her feet. Then he spun Rena to face the wall and placed her hands against the surface.
“You want me to take what I want?” he asked, his voice a near growl.
“Yes,” she said.
“You tell me to stop, to slow down, and I will,” he said. “It might not feel like it, but you’re in control, Rena. I’ll never do something you don’t want. Understand?”
She nodded.
Beren reached down and spread her thighs, then gripped her hips as he plunged deep. Rena cried out as he filled her, stretching her wide. As his hips flexed and he powered into her, he slid his hand down between her legs and rubbed her clit. It was already hard and begging for attention. As he circled the little bud, Rena began whimpering and pressing back against him, meeting him stroke for stroke. It didn’t take long before she was coming, but he wasn’t done with her.
Beren fucked her hard and deep, not stopping until she’d come at least three more times. As her release gushed over him, he let loose. His cock swelled and he kept thrusting as jets of cum spilled out of him. He could smell their mingled release and it just made him want her even more. With his cock buried inside her, Beren wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight. Rena leaned into him and sighed in contentment.
“Is that what you were keeping from me?” she asked. “I won’t break, Beren.”
“You deserve more than a rough fucking,” he said. “You’re my mate.”
“Yes, I am,” she said. “And that means you’re supposed to share all of yourself with me. Even the parts you think I might not like or understand.”
“I’m sorry. I was worried I’d frighten you, possibly hurt you. I never want to do that, Rena. I’d sooner cut off my arm than cause you pain of any kind.”
“And that’s why I love you,” she said.
Beren froze, thinking he’d misheard her. His heart hammered in his chest as he wondered if it was just something that had slipped out or if she’d meant the words. And if she did love him, could he say it back to her? And mean it? He knew that he cared about her, deeply, but was it the same thing?
“You love me?” he finally asked.
Rena squirmed against him, and he withdrew from her body, allowing her to turn to face him.
“Yes,” she said. “I love you. I know it’s too soon, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about each other. But I know that I’ve never felt like this about anyone before, and I don’t know what else to call it.”
“You mean more to me than anyone,” he told her. “But I don’t know that I’m capable of love, Rena. If that’s what you’re expecting from me, you might be disappointed. I care for you, and I never want to live without you. Maybe that’s love. I don’t know.”
“It sounds like love to me,” Rena said. “Does your heart hurt when you think of losing me?”
“Yes.”
“Is there a warmth inside you when you look at me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“When you look into my eyes, do you see forever?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She smiled a little. “Then it sounds like what I’m calling love, because I feel the same for you. You’re the most important person to me, Beren, even more important than the male who raised me. I would choose you over him without hesitation.”
“I love you, Rena,” he said, trying out the words. They felt right, and he smiled down at her.
“I love you too.”
Beren kissed her, long and deep, curving his arms around her back to pull her closer. He craved her, and if that was love, then he was… what was the human expression? Head over heels? Yes, he was head over heels for his Rena, and he would tear apart any male who thought to take her from him. He’d defy his council, turn his back on his people, if that’s what it took to keep her with him. He just hoped it didn’t come to that.
“Make love to me again?” Rena asked in her whisper-soft voice.
“I would make love to you all day every day if I could. And this time, I’ll be gentler,” he said as he lifted her. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and he took his time as he sank into her. “My mate. My heart.”
He loved her slowly, and thoroughly, until both were breathless and their legs were shaking. And then they retired to the bed and started all over again, not caring who heard them.
Beren had found something he’d thought he’d never experience… love. And that was all that mattered to him. His love for Rena and her love for him. Nothing else was important. As long as they had each other, then they had everything they needed.
Chapter Seven
The Pryxus shook and vibrated as it touched down on Zelthrane-3 and Rena thought she might throw up at any moment. What if Beren’s council forbade them from being together? What if the people of his world didn’t like her? What if her father showed up and demanded that she return to Vaaden? What if… what if… that’s all that circled Rena’s mind as the engines shut off and everyone prepared to depart.
Beren smoothed her hair back, kissed her softly, then took her by the hand. All the males gathered in the small space didn’t even bother her. She was too focused on all the things that could go wrong once they left the ship. Rena tried to brace herself for the unknown as the ship’s doors opened and they descended down the metal plank to the ground below. A group of males had gathered and they didn’t look overly happy. Would they punish her? It was her fault that Beren had mated her. If she’d refused, if she’d walked to the main city on Lero Prime, then he wouldn’t have been forced to claim her. Even if he did say that he’d wanted her.
Beren squeezed her hand as they approached the group of males waiting below, and she was grateful that he hadn’t let go. One was dressed different from the others, his white flowing garments standing out amongst all the black leather. Rena wondered if that was the Chief Councilor they’d spoken of, the one who wanted her to mate with a councilman. It was him she feared the most. Did he hold the same kind of power the Prime Minister did on Vaaden? She knew nothing of the government on Zelthrane-3, or anything else about the place for that matter.
“So this is the female I’ve heard so much about,” the male in white said.
“Borgoz,” Ryx said, coming up beside them. “May I present Rena, Beren’s mate.”
Borgoz stared at her long and hard, and Rena began to squirm. What was he thinking? Now that he’d seen her, was he thankful one of his councilman wouldn’t be stuck with her? She knew she wasn’t pretty or beautiful, and likely wouldn’t have been a good fit for a high-ranking male. Her whisper-soft voice would have been a handicap at fancy dinners or banquets, where no one would have been able to hear her over the crowd. But then, she hadn’t yet spoken, so he didn’t know about the damage done to her vocal cords.
“I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused,” Rena said.
Borgoz’s gaze softened. “You’re no trouble, Ren
a. I’m glad that Ryx was able to save you from slavery. Was Beren your choice? Or was it a forced mating?”
“My choice,” Rena said.
“Most find him frightening. If you would prefer a different male, it could be arranged.”
Rena clung to Beren’s hand tighter. “He’s not scary. I think he’s beautiful.”
One of the other males coughed and looked away. Rena looked up at Beren and found him flushing in embarrassment, and she hated that she’d caused it. Perhaps she shouldn’t have said such a thing in front of his council. But she didn’t want them thinking that she was ashamed to be with him. Beren was so strong, so handsome, so… hers. There wasn’t another male anywhere who was better suited to her, of that Rena had no doubts.
Borgoz focused on Beren again. “You’ll need to take her to the clinic. Banchek is currently on duty and is expecting you.”
“Clinic?” Rena asked. “But I’m not sick.”
“It’s just a precaution,” Borgoz said. “After everything you’ve been through, we want to make sure you’re in perfect health. And if there is anything wrong, then it can be addressed and our medical staff can heal you.”
Rena wasn’t fond of the idea of seeing a doctor, but she understood the reasoning behind the request. Although, if they were worried she might carry some sort of disease, she’d already been intimate with Beren for about a week, assuming the calendar and hours on Zeltrane-3 were anything like Vaaden. She should probably stop assuming that anything was the same. Almost everywhere she’d lived since being sold into slavery had worked off a different system.
Borgoz stared at Beren thoughtfully. “If it were anyone else, I would be upset that my orders had been ignored. But I know how much you’ve wanted a mate, Beren, and I can understand the temptation of finding a female who accepts you as you are. I hope the two of you will be happy together. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. I would send Charlotte to welcome your mate, but with Charlotte’s hearing problem, and your mate barely able to speak, I’m uncertain how they would communicate until your female learns sign language.”
Rena and the Alien Warrior (Intergalactic Brides Book 16) Page 9