They all watched as the female left. For the first time she looked old, her shoulders bent and her steps uncertain, but by the time she reached the door, she straightened, and her steps firmed.
“She is also a courageous female,” T’chok said.
“She is. And I believe she may be wise as well. I will accede to her wishes. For now.” His instincts still urged him to purse his original course, but he did not want to cause M’lee any anxiety. The doctor’s words echoed in his head; he must keep her content. He turned to his junior officer. “T’renan, once you have removed the words, place a shield over the vehicle to repel foreign substances. I will not allow this to happen again. Perhaps it would be best to do that with both vehicles. Add trackers as well.”
“Yes, Commander,” T’renan growled, equally enraged at the insult.
“T’chok, you will investigate. This does not sound like an encounter with the resistance but, if nothing else, it may attract their attention.” Resistance activities occurred on every planet they occupied. To a limited extent, they allowed it. As long as Yehrin warriors or property were not injured, they tolerated the rhetoric and protests as a mechanism for releasing tension. Their scans had not shown any such activities within Elmwood but if it had crept in, it would be promptly terminated. His tolerance ended with the possibility of a potential threat, no matter how ineffective, against his L’chka.
“Yes, Commander.” T’chok looked as grim as T’lan felt. “I will use my cloaking device so that I can observe their conversations before I confront them.”
“Make it so.”
Chapter Thirteen
Emily stretched slowly and languorously. For once, her stomach wasn’t churning. But something was missing, or rather someone. T’lan was no longer wrapped around her, although his delicious musky scent remained. She tried not to feel hurt that he hadn’t stayed in her bed all night, but perhaps that was the Yehrin way. Make a woman melt into a puddle and then disappear. Sam hadn’t stayed, either, and look how that had turned out. Despite her lack of memories of that night, she doubted that Sam had made her feel anything close to what T’lan had. Blushing a little at the thought of the previous night, she searched for her nightgown. As she did so, she saw a small plate of crackers on her nightstand, along with a glass of ginger ale. Okay, that certainly helped to make up for him abandoning her. She knew the thought was unfair. She wasn’t normally a clingy person but given the current situation, she craved the feeling of safety he provided.
Her stomach protested mildly when she sat up, so she sat on the edge of the bed and sipped soda and nibbled on a cracker until it subsided. Rising to her feet, she was glad when it remained calm. Just as she slipped her nightgown over her head, a deep voice came from the doorway. The tension inside her relaxed, even as the sight of his massive body looming at the entrance to her room sent a thrill of excitement through her veins.
“Good day, my L’chka. How is the child?” T’lan asked.
“The child is fine.” Her feelings weren’t hurt that he hadn’t asked about her health, not at all. “And so am I. Thanks for asking.”
“Do not be offended, little one. I wish only to make sure that she is not disturbing you. Your stomach is calm?”
“Yes. Thank you for the soda and crackers.”
“You are most welcome. Is it time to bathe you?”
She choked. “What?”
“The Elder Female said you would wish to bathe to start the day.”
“She did, did she?” Actually, she did want a shower. The thought of T’lan bathing her was not unappealing but despite the activities of the previous night, a rush of shyness overwhelmed her. Besides, she was not a child; she didn’t need to be bathed. “I’m quite capable of taking a shower by myself.”
“But I wish to bathe you.” He stepped closer, stroking her arm with three long alien fingers. His voice dropped to an intimate rumble. “The bathing place will be wet and slick. You might fall.”
The bathing place was not the only thing that was wet and slick. She could feel the moisture gathering between her thighs.
“I don’t think you will fit in the bathroom,” she said weakly, her resolve crumbling.
“But we have already established that I am quite good at making things fit, have we not. Do you need a reminder?”
“N-no.” Yes, screamed her traitorous body. “I guess we can see if this will work.”
As on the previous day, she made him wait outside while she peed and brushed her teeth. He obviously still did not understand her shyness, but he acquiesced. However, as soon as she finished, he ducked his head and stepped inside. The bathroom was tucked into a gable, so the roof sloped down on each side. T’lan could only stand upright in the absolute center and even then, his horns brushed the ceiling. He didn’t seem to notice—his eyes were focused on her. She wanted to back away but there was nowhere to go in the small space. When he knelt in front of her, she jumped.
“Let us remove this barrier. I do not like how it conceals your beauty.” He gathered the hem of her nightgown and began lifting it slowly, allowing his warm fingers to caress her skin as he tugged it upwards. “Now I can see these smooth curvy legs.” He stopped to press a kiss against each knee, following the rising hem with lips as well as hands. “This delicious little cunt.” He paused again and she waited expectantly but he only blew a soft breath of air across her folds. “The soft flesh that carries our child.” More kisses and her knees wobbled when he circled her belly button with his tongue. “These ripe breasts.” Again, just a soft exhalation over each stiff peak before he moved on.
She could have cried in frustration as he finally pulled the gown over her head and stepped back a fraction to take her in, eyes smoldering. “Yes. This is much improved.”
Resisting the impulse to shrink from his gaze, she turned to start the shower. Because she had to bend down to turn on the taps, she tried to angle her body sideways rather than give him a full-on view of her bottom. The evasive action didn’t deter T’lan. She jumped as a large hand cupped her ass. He squeezed it firmly before one long finger teased delicately between her cheeks.
“Ah, yes. Another of my favorite sights.” His finger probed a little further, just circling the puckered entrance to her bottom. She shivered, not at all sure how she felt about the sensation, but she still felt the wetness between her legs increase. When she tried to jerk away, he tightened his hand and kept her in place for a brief second. She felt not threatened, but controlled, and it disturbed her how much she liked it.
Forcing her attention back to the shower, she adjusted the temperature. Once it was warm, she stepped in at the far end of the tub. It was obvious that he would not be able to join her. The shower unit hung from the ceiling over the original clawfoot tub. T’lan’s head already reached the ceiling; the additional six inches caused by the raised tub would force him to bow his head uncomfortably.
“I don’t think you’ll fit.”
“You keep saying that and it has yet to be true,” he said with a wicked smile. To her surprise, she was getting used to his smile and the frightening display of white pointed teeth. His lips were full, oddly sensual against the hard lines of the rest of his face, and she already knew that they were soft when they traced over her skin. A sudden impulse to kiss him sent flutters through her belly, but although he had used his mouth on most of her body, he had never paid any special attention to her mouth.
“T’lan, do the Yehrin kiss?”
His eyes flickered briefly, a sign she had come to realize meant that he was translating the word. “No.”
“Oh.” Oddly disappointed, she started to move under the stream of water.
“But based on the description, it seems enjoyable.” Before she could respond, he had an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Her feet slipped slightly on the wet tub, but she already knew he would never let her fall. The added inches put her closer to his height, but he still had to bend down to press his lips against hers. Firm but soft,
they brushed gently across her mouth, teasing her. She tried to get closer, to increase the pressure, but instead he lifted his head.
“Yes, that was most pleasant.” He noticed her bewildered look. “Did I do it incorrectly?”
“No, not at all.” She gathered her courage and continued. “But there’s more. This time, open your mouth a little.”
He leaned back down willingly, his lips parted. Now she could see his teeth and her nervousness increased. “Don’t bite me, ok?”
“I will never harm you, little one.”
Cupping his face with her hands, she pressed her mouth against his, harder this time. She moved a little, just enjoying the pressure, before she let her tongue caress his bottom lip. Mm. He tasted slightly spicy, like nothing she recognized, but delectable. Feeling more confident, she explored deeper, still cautious of his teeth. The sharp points prickled her tongue pleasantly. Growing bolder, she found his tongue, both harder and rougher than she had expected. She had a brief moment to wonder if that’s why it felt so good when he licked her before he took control of the kiss.
He took over completely, holding her head so that he could plunder her mouth. He dominated her mouth, exploring every inch of it, until she was drowning in him. Her hands flailed, searching for an anchor, and ended up grasping the base of his horns. He groaned and dove deeper. Her body stretched back over his arms, close enough to the shower that she could feel the warm water cascading over her left side. The two of them were isolated in steamy warmth, the drumming of the water echoing the drumming of her pulse. Her breasts throbbed, nipples diamond hard and aching. She tried to move, to rub them against his chest but the silky uniform didn’t provide the friction she needed. He growled and the sound vibrated in her open mouth and against her breasts. His cock was an iron bar against her belly but too high to provide relief. She tried to wiggle higher.
With an impatient sound, he lifted her, setting her pussy directly over his cock. Gasping, she wrapped her legs around his hips. The textured fabric covering his groin rubbed against her wet open folds, adding to the sensation of the long hard shaft beneath it.
Still delving into her open mouth, he began to slide her body up and down, spreading her even wider so that her clit was completely exposed and helpless against the onslaught of pleasure. She began to keen as the tension increased. He grew impossibly harder, moving her faster, almost frantically. One last thrust and a sudden bite of pain pushed her over and the world exploded in a flash of white light. He throbbed, pulsating against her clit and keeping the orgasm rolling over her, sending aftershocks shivering up her spine.
He finally released her mouth, giving a last sweep across her lips before raising his head. He looked as shocked as she felt. Shocked and… embarrassed? Before she could decide, his face hardened.
“I apologize, my L’chka. I did not keep my word.” He lifted her away from him, scraping her oversensitive clit against him in the process and she almost came again. He didn’t react, simply setting her back down in the tub. When he started to step back, he apparently realized that her legs were shaking too much for her to stand on her own and remained in place. Even though his hand still grasped her arm, she felt his withdrawal.
“What’s the matter?” She suddenly realized that the shower had begun to cool, and she was cold, naked, and embarrassed. The kiss had gone from zero to sixty in way less than ten seconds. She couldn’t believe she had acted like that. Her face flamed at the way she had climbed him and rubbed against him like a cat in heat.
After a brief pause, he swiped a finger across the corner of her mouth. When he displayed it to her, she saw the blood, bright against his grey skin. Her tongue traced her bottom lip. As the endorphins faded, she realized that it was a little sore but no worse than if she had bitten her lip. She remembered the brief pain that triggered her orgasm and realized that he had in fact bitten her.
“T’lan, it’s fine. You didn’t hurt me. In fact, it was kind of hot,” she admitted.
At his frown, she clarified. “Exciting.”
“It is not just that I damaged you; I did not remain in control.”
Now, it was her turn to frown. With a start she realized what he meant. That delicious massage she had felt against her clit at the end had been the result of his own orgasm. “Oh. You mean you, you…”
“I spilled my seed. It is unacceptable. I begin to doubt that I am worthy of you.”
He released her arm and started to back away. She grabbed for his hand and started to slip. Immediately, he clasped her securely around her waist.
“Of course you’re worthy.” Wait, what was she saying? Pushing it aside, she gave him a small smile. “Look. I’m wet, I’m cold, and I still need to wash. Can we postpone this discussion?”
“The water is cold?” He frowned and tested the water with a curious hand.
“That’s what happens when you use up all the hot water in the tank.”
“I forgot how primitive your planet can be. I will take care of it. You must get out at once before you are chilled.”
“I’m already wet. I’ll just make it quick.” At least it was summer, and the water was only cool rather than freezing.
She reached for her soap but T’lan beat her to it. He moved her further from the stream of cool water before washing her quickly but thoroughly, only lingering a fraction of a second longer than strictly necessary as he gently soaped between her legs. His warm hands helped to fight off the chill, as did the heat emanating from his big body. She tried to take over and wash her own hair, but to no avail. His claws scratched lightly and pleasantly across her scalp as he shampooed. The final cool rinse made her shiver but as soon as she was done, he lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel, drying her with the same gentle thoroughness. Once she was dry, his hands fell away.
Dry and warm, she looked up at him. His face was set in a hard mask and his body rigid. His pupils had contracted to narrow slits.
“T’lan, why are you so upset?”
“My honor has been compromised.”
“Look, I’m not upset about my lip. I know you didn’t hurt me on purpose.”
“I am not as sure. This kissing…” He actually shuddered and Emily frowned. Had it been that unpleasant? He certainly seemed to have been into it.
“I’m sorry you didn’t like it.”
“Not like it? I liked it too much.” His eyes focused on her mouth and his pupils began to dilate. “So much that I wanted to lose myself in the depths of your mouth. To possess that succulence. But I tried too hard and injured you.”
“It’s not like you did any permanent damage. And when you did it, it actually felt kind of good.”
“You enjoyed the pain?” he frowned.
“No, I don’t enjoy pain,” she said hastily. “Normally, I would never want you to bite me. But under the circumstances, I didn’t mind.”
His body relaxed slightly although his face was still rigid.
“Is there something else? Are you still worried about—” Her face turned hot and she couldn’t think of the right words. Instead, she reached out a tentative finger and lightly touched between his legs. Whatever magical material comprised his uniform had already dried, but the difference in the fabric that covered his groin was readily apparent. The texture was rough and slightly ridged, and she had the impulse to linger, especially when his cock jumped at her light touch. Good lord, how could she even be considering another round?
“A warrior is in control of his body at all times.” He growled and grabbed her finger. “At least, he should be. You damage my control, M’lee.”
“Mm. I kind of like that.”
“You do?” She definitely saw the shock on his face, and she smiled.
“Well, you certainly damage my control. It’s nice to know it’s mutual.” Feeling unexpectedly playful, she stepped closer and ran her hands up the stacked ridges of his abdomen. “Maybe we just need to practice. We could try kissing again.”
Grabbing her hand
s, he held them away from him.
“Are you willing to mate now?” he asked, his voice tight.
She wanted to, she desperately wanted to. She actually felt her pussy give a little throb of encouragement. Instead she forced herself to think of the consequences.
“If we mate, that means I accept your claim?”
“Yes, my L’chka.” Her hands were still cradled in his, tucked against that massive chest. The warmth of his big body and that delicious musky scent, stronger now, surrounded her. His head lowered and she licked her lips, already anxious for another taste. But…
Biting her lip, she turned her head. “I’m not ready.”
“I am a patient warrior. I will wait.” Relieved that he didn’t sound upset, she looked back up at him. “But there will be no kissing while we wait.”
Unable to suppress a wave of disappointment, she could feel herself pout. But he only smiled at her.
“You drive a hard bargain, big guy.”
Chapter Fourteen
Emily banished T’lan from her bedroom while she dressed. She knew he didn’t understand her shyness, but she wasn’t ready to have him hovering over her while she dressed. Of course, based on their encounters to date, it was quite likely she would just end up naked again. Her cheeks pinked as she thought about their bathroom interlude, but she was no longer as embarrassed as she had been. The knowledge that he had wanted her enough to come completely undone was heady stuff. A wicked little smile played across her face as she considered other ways she might make him lose control.
A night’s sleep had helped. While she was still conflicted over her growing feelings for the big alien, right now, he was a great comfort. She believed him when he said that he would protect her and her baby. Perhaps it was because she had no one else to turn to that she felt that way. She had heard whispers of a resistance, but she couldn’t imagine that they would treat her with any sympathy—they would be more likely to hang her from a lamppost as an example. And if there was any part of the government that was not under Yehrin control, her best guess is that they would want to put her in a lab and experiment on her and the baby. Her practical reasoning aside, she knew that she was coming to care for T’lan. Aside from the magic combination of sweet and sexy, he was just so big. She felt safe.
Alien Conquest Page 11