by Reagan Woods
“What happens with us now? With you and me, I mean?” She found her voice and asked the question that had been on her mind since their anti-climactic bonding.
“I thought we might take a quick shower and then retire for the evening,” he pulled her onto his lap. “I know this isn’t easy for you, Arianna. Corians choose mates based upon social standing and political impact. I’m aware that Earthers aren’t the same. Let’s not push things, we’ll find a steady footing.”
“Alright.” It was a reasonable request, if not the most romantic start to their life together.
“Now, we’ve had a very eventful last few weeks. We need our rest. We should shower,” a wicked gleam sparkled in his copper eyes, his ill temper all but forgotten.
“I am feeling a bit…dirty,” she flirted, fluttering her eyelashes at him. “But I don’t want to take a shower. You’ll have to catch me…,” she hopped off of his lap and flipped her hair over her shoulder, shooting him a sultry look. “And make me,” she danced away from him.
Taking the bait, he rose and gave chase. She darted into the sitting room, careful to keep the large chairs between them as he circled and she avoided him. They both knew he could catch her at any time with his superior speed and reach, but her predatory Corian liked this game.
He herded her towards the sleeping room making a grab for her. She slid out of his reach just in time to dart through the door and make a run for the sleeping platform. Her intent was to lure him close and then pounce on him, hopefully surprising him and giving her the tactical advantage so she could unbalance him onto the neatly made sleeping surface. But the carnal intent in his eyes was her undoing. Cornering her, he scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bathing room.
Stripping her in hurried, economic movements, he caught and held her gaze while he shucked his uniform. He moved quickly to pull her into the center of the empty sunken tub.
“Shower on,” he commanded, his voice thick with lust. Water fell like rain from somewhere above them into the tub. Arianna watched as the drops pelted his chiseled body, gathering to run off in rivulets over hard plains and ridges. She traced the lines of water over his heated skin reveling in the tactile pleasure of his body.
He poured shampoo into his hand and began massaging her scalp with his strong fingers.
“Ohhhh….” Arianna breathed, feeling a smile pull the corners of her mouth. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had washed her hair.
“Like that?” he smiled down into her face, eyes still smoldering.
“It’s amazing,” she sighed, letting her eyes drift shut.
She lay her hands flat against the hard muscles of his abdomen for balance. He tilted her head back so he could rinse the suds from her hair. One large, capable hand chased the soap from her scalp while the other pulled her body tight against his own. His slick erection nudged her upper abdomen.
Leaning away from him slightly, she trailed a hand up his muscular chest to rest momentarily over the strong beat of his heart. Continuing her quest, she playfully tweaked a nipple before sliding her hand down his washboard abs. She brought her hand to rest at the hard ridge of muscle on his hip.
His hand at her low back massaged in lazy circles. He made no move to stop her exploration.
Finally, she gathered her courage. Looking up into his eyes to gauge his reaction, she shyly moved her hand to stroke the backs of her fingers against his hard shaft. His eyes blazed copper fire and he bit his lower lip, watching her intently. He was so still that she wasn’t even certain he was breathing.
Emboldened by his passive acceptance of her exploratory touch, she turned her hand and grasped his steely length. Stroking slowly up and down, she couldn’t help but wonder what he tasted like. He definitely needed some work in the communication department, but he was always generous in the bedroom. One good turn deserved another…
Her eyes were pulled to the tight, shiny skin drawn like wet satin over his iron hardness. She wanted to give him the kind of pleasure he always seemed eager to give her. Silently, she grasped his hand and pulled him to stand near the side of the sunken tub. She sat on the edge and found herself at eye-level with his very aroused penis.
Gathering her courage, she leaned forward and ran her tongue around the crest of his erection, collecting the salty pre-come that leaked freely from the tip. His harshly indrawn breath sent bolts of sensation to her core. He tangled a hand in her hair, holding gently, but making no effort to direct or stop her.
Mouth poised over the very impressive length of him, she looked up and held his heavy lidded gaze, “I need you to hold very still.”
He had to clear his throat before he could respond. “I won’t move,” his voice was low and gruff.
Rimming the broad head with her tongue again, she lathed a generous amount of slick saliva over and around his girth. Her inner wanton rejoiced in each shuddery breath he drew. Opening her mouth wide, she took as much of his pulsing shaft into her mouth as she dared. Bringing her hands up, she grasped and gently stroked the several inches that wouldn’t fit in her mouth. Massaging the thick veins that traversed the length of his arousal with her tongue, she suckled lightly as she drew her mouth back to the weeping tip.
“What are you doing?” his whisper was reverent, awed.
“Has no one ever done this for you?” She drew back to study his face.
“Never. I’m trusting you not to hurt me with your sharp little teeth,” the intensity on his features was enough to make her very conscious of the building ache between her legs.
“I wouldn’t ever hurt you. Do you want me to continue?” His naked need for her glittered in his copper eyes.
“So much,” he whispered. “Please don’t stop,” he gently directed her head back to his erection, widening his stance so that it was easier for her to reach.
His panting breaths quickly became low groans as she, encouraged by his response, set a hard, driving pace. She suctioned and massaged rhythmically and his girth expanded under her ministrations. His breaths came heavier and faster, signaling his impending orgasm.
Hands busily moving over his length, she tongued the sensitive head of his cock and thrust her tongue against his slit. She hummed her approval when he started to come in her mouth. Then, afraid he’d choke her with his release, she stroked him to completion over her breasts. She continued to gently stroke him until the spasms of his peak stilled.
Eyes closed and breathing heavily, he brought his hands up and grasped her face between them. “What…” he stopped, panting. “What was that?” he finally got the question out.
“You give me oral sex. I was returning the favor.”
He said nothing, head bent, still cradling her face between his hands for long minutes.
“Was it ok?” she asked tentatively.
“I will always treasure this gift. Thank you,” he opened his eyes and tenderly wiped her face clean of his seed with his hands.
“Anytime,” she flashed him a relieved smile, thankful that he seemed to enjoy her unpracticed technique.
“What do you mean?” he shot her a puzzled frown as he drew her to her feet and pulled her underneath the flash dryer.
“What do you mean, what do I mean?” he’d lost her completely.
“I thanked you and you said ‘anytime’,” he reminded her, a worried look on his face. “Did you forget that already? Does your head hurt, Arianna?”
“I’m tired but I’m fine. I’m confused because you’re confused. I said anytime and I meant anytime. Obviously, within reason,” she walked ahead of him into the sleeping room.
Grabbing her by the hand, he swung her round to face him. “You will do that whenever I want?” he asked incredulously.
She laughed out loud at his rounded eyes and gaping mouth. “I won’t follow you around all day doing it, no. But we are bonded. I think I can reasonably expect to give as good as I get.”
“Really?” he smiled broadly as if he’d won the lottery or whatever t
he alien version of the lottery was.
“Yes, really.”
“I guess I’ll have to make sure you get plenty of incentive.” He tossed her onto the sleeping platform, following her down to cage her in with his big body. Keeping his weight off of her, he kissed her breathless.
“I love the taste of my seed on your tongue,” he panted into her ear before planting open-mouthed kisses down the column of her throat. “I love the way we fit together.”
He knew how to rev up her libido. She loved it when he spoke of such intimate things to her, loved it even more when his words were accompanied by sensual actions.
He kissed his way to her aching breasts, drawing one budded nipple into his warm, wet mouth and then the other. With each moment that passed, his suckling became more forceful. Her breasts ached and throbbed deliciously, coming to life beneath his rough ministrations.
“I love the way your body responds to me,” he growled, sliding a thick digit through the moisture that gathered between her nether lips. He brought the finger, shiny with her juices, to his lips. Holding her gaze, he slowly licked and sucked the moisture from his fingertip.
When he sat back on his heels between her spread legs, Arianna couldn’t miss the hard evidence of his approval. He picked her right leg up and hooked it around his waist. Then he speared into her body with his thick length. In spite of the extremely active morning they’d spent in bed, it was still a tight fit. She relaxed and tried to be as open as possible beneath the stretching burn of his invasion.
“You are so tight,” sweat beaded on his brow with the effort to move slowly. “It’s like a warm, slick, velvet glove made just for me.” He sank into her welcoming heat inch by straining inch.
Finally fully seated, he gave her time to adjust to the throbbing invasion. He ran a soothing hand up and down her side before sliding that hand down to where their bodies locked together.
“Relax,” he urged gently thrumming his thumb across her clit. “That’s it. Relax. Trust me to take care of you. I will always take care of you, Arianna.”
Her world narrowed down to his thumb and his pulsing shaft and the wicked things they were making her feel. He plunged in and out of her, forging deep and slipping nearly all the way out before he thrust in to fill her past capacity once more. The line between pain and pleasure blurred when he loved her so thoroughly.
He described, in great detail, his plan to fuck her so well that she woke him each morning wanting to suck on his cock. The vivid description turned to all out X-rated pornography recitation that had her nearing the pinnacle of pleasure in a shockingly short amount of time.
“Oh, God. I’m coming,” she cried, spasm after spasm rocking through her body, clutching him closer to her.
“Yesssss,” he hissed spilling himself inside of her.
When they’d both calmed, he shot her a look from beneath his thick black lashes and pulled his spent cock from her body, setting off another round of clenching in her pussy. It felt empty and wrong without his thickness to squeeze and work.
He leaned forward and planted a solid kiss on her lips before working his way down her body. When he came to the juncture of her thighs, he didn’t hesitate. He swept his tongue through their mixed juices, moaning.
“Ummmm?” she pulled ineffectively at his hair.
“What?” he growled, using his tongue to trace her intimate folds.
“I don’t think you want to do that.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I just don’t think that’s something men, I mean males, enjoy after...”
“There is nothing like the taste of your passion mixed with mine,” he smiled wickedly up at her, sliding two thick fingers into her empty channel.
He tortured and teased until she thought she’d go mad. Finally, he allowed her to come. With a keening cry, she was flung out into the colorful abyss of pleasure, body clenching, soul taking flight.
She barely registered his movements when he flung himself down next to her. He gathered her close and she closed her eyes, completely blissed out.
Chapter Thirty-One
Arianna discretely wiped her sweaty palms on her tunic. She had no reason to be nervous. She hadn’t done anything wrong. At least, not of her own volition. Her racing heart didn’t get the memo. Breathing slowly in through her nose and out through her mouth, she tried to focus on what was being said.
They were in Darvan’s office. He stood inside a translucent box that faintly glowed. He’d told her it was a holographic communication device. There was a door on the back of the box that would make up the fourth side, but he’d left it standing open. She assumed he’d done it so she could hear the Council in session. They couldn’t hear or see her unless she stepped into the box, but she could hear every word they said. And, clearly, the Councilors were not happy with Darvan right now.
Taking an Earther as a bond mate was scandalous enough. The fact that he’d taken one who was suspected of aiding and abetting an enemy was, to say the least, unpopular. To his credit, he was standing firm in his decision, not giving any indication that he regretted his actions. Just the opposite, the more the Councilors protested, the more arrogantly committed he seemed.
“Honored Council Members, I understand that some of you have strong feelings about my actions. However, this decision was mine to make. I’ve made it. My mate is here, awaiting your questioning. I would not have her inconvenienced any further. May we proceed?”
He bowed slightly from the waist and joined her outside the box, “When you step into the holoprojector, you will be introduced around. After that, they have the right to question you. If the question is not directly related to Jorkan’s escape, it is at your discretion to answer or not.”
“Let’s just get this over with,” she squared her shoulders, prepared to face the unknown. She’d spoken with Darvan at length, these question and answer sessions were known to turn into marathons. The Council Speakers were known for allowing each inquisitor a period of unchecked conjecture interspersed with questions engineered to wear the person being questioned down. Arianna didn’t have that kind of time to give these people.
Darvan dropped a quick kiss on her mouth and ushered her into the light box, by all appearances completely unconcerned. She wished she could say the same but she knew she looked nervous. None of these people knew her but they already believed she was a criminal.
She found herself standing under a spotlight on an intricately pieced stone mosaic floor. A mechanical voice announced her in both Corian and Doraneese as “Arianna of Earth, Mate to the Honorable CORANOS Galactic General Darvan D’Corian”. Nearly fifty council members, seated at a solid table ringing the stone floor, scrutinized her closely.
Turning in a slow circle, she studied each and every face leisurely, feigning confidence. They appeared to be divided by race. Half of the councilors were Doranos and the other half were Corian. Very few of the Council members were female. Two males sat next to one another, above the others. They were the Council Speakers and who she would address her comments and answers to.
“Esteemed Members of the High Council, thank you for extending your session in order to meet with me today,” she further scandalized them by breaking protocol and speaking before either Speaker could address her.
She’d dealt with enough politicians and diplomats to know that the first person to speak held the power in such a situation. She was not here today to play games with them so she would seize control and hope they were too bamboozled to recover from the unexpected move. She wanted this question and answer session over and done.
“I know that you each have other matters to attend to so I’ll be brief. I move that we forego your traditional introductions in the round. I am willing to grant each Council Member a question alternating between Corian and Doranos, starting behind me, ending with your respective Speakers. Be forewarned that I will not answer any questions today that do not pertain directly to my interactions with Doranos Attaché Jorkan. If you dete
rmine to ask an unrelated question, I will move on to the next Councilor.” She spun to face those seated furthest from the seat of power. “Please begin, but understand that I have not yet mastered Doraneese. My learning opportunity was cut short. Please state your name and question,” she gestured to the lowest-ranking Doranos politician.
To her surprise, they played along with her proposal. She walked the Council through her version of events and assured them that she couldn’t actively remember sending the codes. Yes, she was certain the video footage was real. No, she still didn’t remember sending the codes and wouldn’t change her story. On and on it went in exhausting iteration after exhausting iteration of the same tired questions.
Finally, after two solid hours of questioning, she reached Councilor Tegas. Gauging the coldly cruel look in his pale lavender eyes, she intuitively braced for the worst.
Even her imagined worst hadn’t been bad enough.
“You seem to have an answer for everything,” he said.
“If you’ve no further questions, let us move on to Councilor Darkan,” she could feel her energy waning. There were certain hours of every day that she could just kiss goodbye since she’d incurred her brain injury. She really didn’t want to show the Council her stumbling, tired, nearly drunken act. They needed to get this show on the road so she wouldn’t embarrass herself.
“Oh I definitely have a question,” Tegas drew her attention back to himself, the Doranos half of the council chamber collectively drew in a breath. “Did you know that General Darvan deliberately put you where Jorkan could abduct you in hopes of capturing him? That you were, essentially, the bait for the General’s trap for Jorkan? If it’s true the General suspected Jorkan of treachery, why do you think he allowed him to oversee your conditioning? Did you know that, in essence, you’ve been a tool for your mate to wield since the day he met you?” He hurled the vitriolic questions non-stop, his pale face flushed, eyes taking on a maniacal sheen.