by Abella Ward
Gemma slipped a negligee over her head, checking out her reflection in the mirror to make sure it fit right. It felt strange to have lost so much weight so quickly, like she no longer fit in her own skin. She had to say, she didn't like it. She preferred being a little curvier. To hell with people telling her she weighed too much, she had felt like herself before.
She slipped from the bedroom into the living room of her and Shay's apartment. Ishoel was down for a nap, giving them a couple of hours for a spicy dessert.
Her dragon sat on the sofa, watching a holographic simulation of something that looked like DNA. Now that Ishoel had been born, Gemma felt comfortable giving small amounts of blood to him for his research. It was really helping him out.
Shay suddenly jumped from the sofa and clapped his hands. The holographic projection flickered off. The dragon began doing some weird sort of jig. Gemma had to stifle a giggle. He looked so ridiculous with his robes flapping around him.
"Good news?"
"Great news!" He turned, scooping her into his arms. He swung her around before setting her back on the floor and looking at her ensemble. "Wow."
Gemma pushed back her shoulders, making her chest pop. "What's the good news?"
"Ummm…" Shay looked back at her eyes. "I've been working on an infusion of human DNA into Stlozyn DNA to try to vaccinate against the disease."
"And it works?"
"Better. It's actually reversing the effects of the disease. Simulated DNA works just as well, so it's not like we have to go and harvest human DNA from Earth."
A grin blossomed over Gemma's face. "I knew you'd do it. You cured your people."
"I'm going to accept the position on the Science Board. I've earned it now." Shay seized her and pulled her to his lips. He kissed her hard, making sparks erupt in her brain. "And I never could have done it without you."
Gemma moaned and slung her arms around her dragon's neck, thrusting her tongue into his mouth. Shay responded with the same fervor, hands sliding down her back to grip her buttocks. With one quick motion, she tugged on the ties of his robe, loosening it, and pushed it off his shoulders. His flesh was so warm, so perfect. The tiny scales that glittered over his body were as smooth as skin but had a slightly different texture, a little harder. They didn't give under her touch.
"You are so beautiful," she whispered, exploring the contours of his chest and abs with her hands. He was so strong, so solid. What had life been before they were together? It seemed a distant dream, too far away to be bothered with.
"You are beautiful." Shay ran his fingers through her hair, moaning.
"Are you ready for something spicy?"
In response, Shay lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist. He moved her to the wall, propping her up in their favorite position. Gemma's whole body felt warm, almost as if the fire inside of her dragon was moving from him to her. She gripped his short hair, using her legs around his waist as leverage. Their mouths met, tongues clashed. Gemma giggled when Shay ground against her.
"I love how ready we both are right now." She moaned as he ground harder.
"Me too. I love you. More than you can know."
"And I love you more than you can know," Gemma shot back, not about to be beaten.
She kissed her dragon's neck, suckling gently on the sensitive patch right at the base of his throat. That undid him, and somehow without releasing her, he removed the barriers between them and was inside her. He fit so perfectly, just like he had before Ishoel was born. Gemma groaned in pleasure, arching her back to his movement, her eyes sliding closed in bliss.
This was all she wanted, all she needed. She was home in his arms, it was where she belonged. And right now, with his strength filling her, she couldn't imagine why she had ever wanted anything else.
***
"Gemma."
Gemma opened a sleepy eye. She propped herself up on an elbow, suppressing a yawn. "Did I fall asleep?"
Shay brushed her hair from her face, smiling. "It's been a while since we did this, it's no surprise that it wore you out a little. I promise to be less… enthusiastic next time."
"No!" Gemma shook her head, glaring at him. "You will do no such thing, you hear me? That was amazing."
Shay laughed. "I only meant that I'll try not to wear you out so badly."
"I'm not worn out. I'm ready for round three. Or four."
She tried to think how many times they had made love, but couldn't. They had had to stop a couple of times to take care of the baby, but other than that they had been going at it for hours. Those hours felt good. Gemma couldn't even remember the last time she had felt so relaxed, so at peace. And so satisfied.
"You always went easy on me back when we were on Earth," she accused. "Why?"
"The shimmer cloak is only good if it isn't overtaxed. But I want to tell you something."
Gemma pressed herself to her elbows, stretching her lips to his. "What's that?"
Shay indulged her kisses for a moment before he pulled back, laughing. "Stop that. This is important to me."
"I'll behave," Gemma promised, folding her hands into her lap to prove it.
Her eyes went to Shay's lips, wanting even more of the taste he left on her lips. He was delicious. Like Applewood smoked bacon. Only even better. Like chocolate ice cream. Bacon and ice-cream together. Delicious. Utter perfection.
"Stop," Shay warned.
Gemma pulled her eyes to his with difficulty. The blood-red ruby eyes twinkled and a smile played about his lips. From the way he moved closer to her, she wasn't the only one fighting some serious hunger pangs.
"I told you once that Stlozyn have real names and then public names."
"Ummm…" She vaguely remembered something about that, so nodded.
"Well… I have been waiting a very long time to find somebody I could share this with." His smile actually became a little nervous as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not to be used, not even in private. Real names are only spoken when one individual tells another, and then at their funeral. It's one of those silly superstitions—"
"It's not silly." Gemma forced herself to remain still, though her heart was pounding. She could tell by her dragon's nervousness that this meant a great deal to him. It touched her that he would trust her with this, even if she didn't understand the full importance–or perhaps because of that.
"My true name is Isthæshlyn."
"That's beautiful." Gemma stroked his face, repeating it in her mind. Isthæshlyn. "What does it mean?"
"It's the name of a hero in an old folk tale. I always admired him, and when it was time to find my true name, that is what came to me." Shay pulled her closer.
Gemma hummed as she snuggled into his arms. "Thank you."
"I should be thanking you. You don't know how long I've waited to be able to tell somebody that… I love you."
"I love you, too."
They held each other, eyes closed, revelling in the warmth of being together. Of being home.
*****
THE END
About Abella Ward
Abella Ward has always dreamed of visiting other planets and being swept off her feet by a hot, bluish alien warlord. When that warlord didn’t come, she started taking pleasure in writing books about her fantasies instead.
Abella loves to write sexy stories about ruthless alpha males. Her books contain three things: hot aliens, steamy romance and lots of action. Nothing else. Oh, and happy endings, of course.
She likes stargazing on her rooftop, treating herself and her curves to the occasional box of ice cream and visiting rock concerts. She lives with her husband (who may not be an alien but could be described as a warlord in his own way) and dog in Arizona.
Please check the author page of Abella Ward for the latest news and releases.
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