Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance)

by C. J. Scarlett

  Elaine followed along behind her youngest child, picking up her clothing. Emily was convinced that she would find an insect of some type amongst all the foliage. That turned out to be her all-consuming passion, while Elaine joined Amie in the pool.

  Koal showed up within moments. The two-year-old scampered over and crawled into her lap, clearly fearful. Smiling, she motioned Koal over. He sat outside the pool as they conversed back and forth quietly about the flower garden. He told her about how a type that was particularly long lived when cut. She pointed out how nice it would be to reserve them for diplomatic functions. Elaine was also convinced that the seeds might make a good trade item.

  Amie calmed down long enough to peep over her shoulder to look at the man. As he spoke, one hand came out and patted her on the back. His gentle understated interaction elicited a smile from the little girl. They spent time getting to know each other. Even Emily joined them in the pool, complaining roundly about the poor selection of insects aboard the vessel. Spending time together felt nice, but deep down inside, Elaine was torn. Did she begin with a family date to ensure he was a good fit with the girls? Or was it because she wanted to avoid spending one-on-one time with him? He was nothing if not a gentleman, so she couldn’t wrap her mind about what caused her anxiety.

  CHAPTER 8

  Elaine looked up from dead-heading her flowers to see Koal enter their sanctuary. He looked fantastic in his crisp dark purple uniform. Today, he wore a flowing robe over his uniform. It reminded her of the one worn by ambassadors, only his was rougher, similar to a coat. One glance at his face told her something was wrong.

  They’d been meeting every morning for days and even progressed to the kissing stage, which for Candorians was the rubbing faces stage. She knew most of his looks. The one on his handsome face today suggested there was trouble afoot.

  “Is everything all right, Koal?”

  Sitting beside her, he took her hands. “I have some news of your daughter Selene. She was taken in battle by Shardon raiders. After speaking with her newly betrothed mate and the raider who has taken her, I believe she is in no danger. Her prince claims she was taken. He is furious, but has agreed to meet them at a spot designated as neutral near Earth. The raider who took her insists that she came voluntarily. For my part, I believe they both tell only their own side. I have advocated for your daughter to be returned forthwith to her mate. The Shardon are close allies and I have no doubt arrangements can be made for her safe return.”

  “That’s a lot to take in. Are you sure she hasn’t been hurt?”

  “Not by reports from either side. The Shardon are allowing the prince access to their security feeds so he can monitor her. Few species would harm an innocent, least of all the Shardon. Their primary focus has always been on medical technology rather than war, and we would come swiftly to their doorstep if they were to harm the intended of an imperial prince.”

  “Why are they so focused on medical stuff?”

  “The Shardon people are dying out. They no longer have females at all and rely upon cloning technology to extend their days. Miss Selene has agreed to provide them with biological samples that they might diversify their stock. It is a generous offer, so I must assume she is sympathetic regarding their situation.”

  “They sound desperate.”

  “They are, but that does not mean they are not worthy of life.”

  “Agreed. What I can do to help resolve the situation?”

  “Your daughter has requested that you join her aboard the Shardon raider to await the arrival of the prince.”

  “I can see her? That would be wonderful. I would prefer that she come aboard your freighter, though. I feel safe here.”

  Wrapping an arm protectively around her, he suggested soothingly. “Perhaps we should meet her aboard the raider and you can see for yourself how safe she is. I gladly offer my ship as a safe haven for your daughter if she is willing.”

  “Why is nothing in our life ever easy?” She was only half joking.

  “Where’s the challenge in that, little mother?” His softly spoken words and face gently skimming across her forehead did the trick. She cuddled on his chest, thinking about her options.

  “How far away are we?”

  “We must go back to the meeting spot and wait on them. They should arrive three of your Earth days later and the prince two days after that.”

  “I wish to speak with her. If it isn’t too much trouble, I would like to meet with the raider.”

  Standing, he brought her to her feet as well. They used the com in his quarters for the sake of privacy. Sitting on his opulent wraparound settee, she noticed her fingers were dirty from digging in the flower beds. No sooner did she realize it than Koal squatted in front of her with a warm wet cloth. He gently cleaned each hand before stepping aside to com Selene.

  The moment Selene’s face came up, Elaine jumped to her feet. “Selene, you look well.”

  “All things considered, I’m doing just fine.”

  Elaine frowned at the computerized voice. “I hate that we no longer speak the same language.”

  Selene pressed her lips together in a thin line. “As do I. It’s more convenient to speak a bunch of languages though.”

  “All the Candorians speak English, so that hasn’t been a problem. They got a neural download or something. I was thinking of taking the Candorian download.”

  “That won’t be very useful where you’re going.”

  “And just where am I going?” For some reason, it really got her back up that her oldest daughter just assumed Elaine and girls would tag along wherever she went. It felt like Selene thought of her as someone who needed sorting into an appropriate living situation as opposed to a grown woman, capable of making decisions for herself.

  “I thought you were coming to the Sylon home world with me. Korban offered you a home, remember?”

  “I remember us discussing meeting to consider our options. I don’t remember agreeing to live on the planet Korban rules with you.”

  Selene face turned pink. “That was our deal, wasn’t it? I guess that I forgot to tell you the good news. Korban asked me to be his mate and I agreed.”

  “If you are happy, then I am happy for you. I’m a little concerned that he couldn’t keep you safe. Now, you are on a Shardon raider?”

  “Yes, they caught us by surprise. I kind of volunteered to save a fight.”

  “I have been briefed on the plight of the Shardon. They do seem like a desperate people. For that, they have my sympathy. Still, to attack another ship is wrong. I believe that I raised you to know right from wrong, did I not?”

  “You better believe it. The problem is, life out in the verse is always a lot more complicated that you ever think it’s going to be. Sometimes up is down and down is up, if you know what I mean.”

  “I really don’t. The gentleman escorting us has been polite, solicitous of our needs, and I feel perfectly safe aboard his vessel. Everyone here is wonderful and the girls are happy here. I am therefore hesitant to remove them from this ship to visit a raider fresh from battle.”

  “I understand. If your captain meets us, I will come aboard the Candorian vessel and stay with you.”

  “Thank you. The little ones will be thrilled to see you again. Our captain has promised to extend to you every hospitality.”

  “I look forward to seeing you.”

  After the screen went dark, Elaine turned to find Koal. He had shed his clothing and sat in the corner of his refreshing pool.

  “You handled a difficult situation well, little mother. Come, sit with me.”

  Approaching the pool, she noticed his thin undergarment had also been removed.”

  “You’re a naughty, naughty male.”

  “I am a male who wishes to enjoy my destined mate before she slips from my grasp for all times. It only remains to be seen what you wish.”

  Slowly taking her clothing off a piece at a time, she stood before him totally naked.

  �
��You are breathtakingly beautiful. Come.”

  Blooming under his overtly appreciative gaze, she walked down the steps. Somewhere along the way, discovering the water was only chest high. He reached for her as she approached. She slid into his lap, planting one knee brazenly on either side of his hips. Elaine wasn’t some timid young girl. She was a woman with adult needs.

  Looking down at her, he traced one hand reverently over the marks left by her pregnancies. “You even have the marks of a mother. Never have seen your like.”

  “Sorry about that. It kind of comes with the territory.”

  “You apologize for being beautiful? Human females are unusual creatures.”

  He thought the ugly marks were attractive? Heck, who was she to object. Elaine had always thought of them as service stripes herself.

  When he pulled her closer, she felt his manhood bump against her clit. It sent a jolt right through her body. Rather than kissing, he rubbed his face and the edges of his fin over her shoulder and neck. It was surprisingly erotic. When his face slid lower, his tongue finally joined the action. He painted a trail from one shoulder over her right breast down to her left ribcage, then mirrored it on the other side. Then both his hands came up to cup her breasts and he took turns teasing her nipples. She couldn’t help but to arch her body against him, wordlessly offering herself to him.

  Taking her at her unspoken word, he lifted her from the pool and carried her to his bed.

  CHAPTER 9

  Strangely enough, the bedding seemed to literally draw the excess moisture from her body. It happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to think about what might be causing it. The momentary thought flew through her mind—how helpful this would be to an aquatic species who spent time in and out of the water all day.

  Coming down on top of her, he stopped just sort of covering her body with his own. The question in his eyes was so plain, he didn’t need to speak the words.

  She whispered, her voice coming out more breathless than she intended. “Everything. All that I am, I offer to you.”

  “Think carefully about what you say.”

  “Take whatever you like. I want it all with you.” She was so dizzy with need, she could hardly think of what he might be cautioning her against.

  Without a moment of hesitation, he lowered himself. This time his exploring touch had a possessive edge to it. He rubbed his face against her skin before using light playful nips and licks, making it clear he was on a downward trajectory to the apex of her thighs. He touched her like she was his and he had every right to her. It showed in the way he pulled her legs apart, baring her to his appreciative gaze then to his mouth. Slowly, all coherent thought ebbed from her mind as he stoked the fires of their passion.

  Her fingers landed on the fin sticking up in the middle of his head and she fingered it as his mouth worked pure magic between her legs. The fin looked translucent and almost fragile but felt like pure muscle beneath her hand. She tenderly ran her fingers along the scalloped top. Then she worked her fingers down the base in long, delicious strokes, paced to match the way he tongued her clit. When he tensed beneath her touch, she knew it was a hot spot for him. The more she did it, the more frantic he licked her. There was a direct cause-and-effect relationship there and enjoyed the power it gave her. It had been a very long time since she had been pleasured by a man. The fact that she could reciprocate in some small fashion made the experience even more exquisite.

  It was amazing how effortlessly the man could tip her over into orgasm after orgasm with that talented tongue. Slow and sensual one moment, then picking up his pace to push her into a moaning orgasm the next. The man definitely had her number. When it got to be a little much, she pulled him up over her and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Now Elaine was fully aware that she should be more curious about what the man was packing, but eagerness momentarily overrode even safety concerns. In her mind, it was a little like the water in his strange pool. Best not look too closely and just see how it felt.

  He didn’t waste a hot minute trying to get inside her either. It felt more like he bullied his way inside her and his careful handling of her made it all feel so good. The man was seriously well endowed, she knew that from all their cuddling and face rubbing over the last week or so. Even though she was soaked, it still took a minute of delicious back and forth to get himself fully seated inside her.

  Once he was all the way in, he stopped and brought both hands up to touch her face. “I honestly didn’t think you could take all of me. Are you well, my beloved?”

  Tugging him slightly closer with her legs, she teased. “Better than good. I’m having the time of my life.”

  He flipped his head in one swift movement. “May you forever think so. I am going to move now.”

  “Start slow and then you can build up to what you need.”

  “All I need is you, precious woman. Fast or slow, you are a treasure.”

  She was getting used to him saying things like that. Things that made her melt inside. When he moved, it lit everything up, causing her to toss her head back. “Yes, just like that.” The words sounded almost hissed.

  Looking into his eyes as he rode her was nothing short of thrilling. His expression was tantalizingly smug with an overlay of sheer possessiveness, or maybe it was lust. The two looks were very similar on the face of her sexy captain. He was her captain, whether she wanted to admit it or not. All in the world she wanted was to live every spare moment in his arms.

  That was the last coherent thought before everything began to unravel again. Losing her stream of thought while getting fucked should be a sign that she was with the right person. Riding wave after wave of pleasure as she looked into his dark soulful eyes bonded him to her. She ran her nails gently up his back and was rewarded with a hiss of approval. His beautiful teal body blushed a slightly darker shade when he was in the throes of passion.

  Suddenly, he shifted slightly, dragging his long rod against her clit each time he moved in and out. Within three strokes, she detonated in a blinding white light. Reality fractured and he stilled deep inside as her channel clamped mercilessly at him. He made a deep guttural sound that reminded her of a growl before coming inside her. The moment hung in the air between them as they both struggled to catch their breath.

  “That was kind of over the top.”

  “You mean good?”

  “Fantastic, life altering, unbelievably pleasurable. You choose the word that describes it best.”

  “Our word is one you would not understand. Kalorna. It means family, love, the place you belong. The place you’re free to simply be who you are.”

  “Home. We sometimes call it home sweet home on Earth. It evokes images of being warm, cozy, and safe with the ones you love the most.”

  “Yes. Exactly as you have said.”

  Elaine tested the word. “Kalorna. I like the sound of that word.”

  “Will you stay with me today? I wish to continue our joining.”

  “Candorian males have more stamina than human females.”

  “My water refreshes and invigorates.”

  Shifting slightly, she gazed up at him. “You mean we could simply take a dip and do that all over again?”

  “As often as we like.” He sounded certain. It was too good an offer to pass up.

  Biting her bottom lip, she responded. “I’d love to stay with you and enjoy your body as much as possible.”

  One quick head flip and he carried her to his refreshing pool. The man was not even joking. A short soak later and she was completely ready for round two. It worked for round three and four as well. After that, they curled up in each other’s arms and simply slept the day away.

  Waking with a start, she looked around the dimly lit room for Koal. Not finding him and not knowing the time sent her into a panic. She grabbed her clothing, which was neatly folded on a nearby table and headed out to the sitting area. She found Koal and the girls splashing around in the water. She joined them, but
the girls ignored her in favor of playing some type of hovering disk game in the water.

  Koal left them to it and approached her with a self-satisfied look on his handsome face. “I have had all your things relocated to my suite. The girls love their new room because it has a huge portal and places for them to create secret hiding places along the ceiling. What are secret hiding places? Why are they necessary for children on your world?”

  Elaine rubbed her eyes, still trying to wrap her mind around how they came to live together. She vaguely remembered offering him everything. Jeez, what had she been thinking? He apparently took that to mean they were mated.

  Objecting after the time they shared would seem kind of ridiculous, since it was so apparent they were highly compatible. Maybe she should stay. She couldn’t very well be Selene’s third wheel forever and the girls deserved a real father. Plus, she didn’t want to be without him.

  “Don’t panic. You can still back out. We have not accepted our vows or mingled our waters publicly.”

  Elaine wasn’t sure she wanted to know what that even meant. “I’m not panicking. I really do adore you, but this is just moving a little quicker than I anticipated. Perhaps, living together like this is a good idea. It will give you a chance to see the girls in action and make sure you’re ready to sign up for that kind of grief.”

  Giving his happy head shake, he responded sincerely. “I have taken the liberty of speaking to them.”

  Growing still, she asked quietly. “What did you say to my girls?”

  Tilting his head slightly in confusion. “Only what was decent and right. I told them that you are in my heart and asked them to consider me for inclusion in their family. I told them that if they chose to accept me as their father, they will become the daughters of my heart. My water will be their water.”