Errol makes a sharp turn.

"Hold on!" he calls out.

I tense, trying my best to maintain my position next to Melchior rather than ending on top of him, but I can't quite manage it.

"Sorry," I mutter as my body presses into his side, the hard muscle of his arm pushing against me.

"It is no problem," he returns in that deep voice.

I straighten as soon as I am able to, my heart beating faster, my face most assuredly flushed. Damn it. I have to sit closer to Melchior in the rover than I'm currently comfortable with. I glance at him from the corner of my eye, taking in his handsome profile, his strong jaw, the thick column of his neck. My eyes drop down to his big hands, corded with strength and sporting faint scars.

I bite my lip, looking away again. Everything about him is just so masculine. It makes me feel so damn feminine, in a way I didn't even realize would affect me so much. I want all that maleness, all that strength, on top of me, wrapped around me.

I shift in my seat at the thought, one that I've been having more and more frequently, if I'm honest. All this enforced closeness is wearing on the little restraint I have around him. I just don't trust myself when it comes to Melchior. We got in the stupid rover while I was already hot and bothered from the training session, and you know what? Spending time pressed up against him like this really hasn't helped me calm down. What a shocker.

The heat from Tajss' blazing suns isn't helping much either. Predictably, I find myself looking over at Melchior again. At the luxurious mane of dark hair. At the small horns he sports. At the curve of his wings. The glitter of his bronze scales, the sunlight doing him all the favors in the world.

And his lips. My eyes zero in on that mouth, with the slightly bigger bottom lip...shit.

I jerk my attention forward once more, almost glaring at Errol in the driver's seat. His peacock blue-green scales glow brightly in the sunlight as well, matching his blue-green eyes. I feel exactly nothing when I stare at his handsome face. Which is good considering he's Kate's mate, the woman who's the only reason our group got out from under that tyrant Annabelle's thumb. But also annoying because it confirms I really don't have eyes for anyone else. If this attraction was just because of looks, someone else should have been able to catch my eye too. But nobody pulls my gaze like Melchior.

I shift my eyes away from Errol, who's all business in the driver's seat, to Kate riding shotgun next to him. Her shock stick is sitting directly in front of her.

"Do you think the shock sticks will help, Kate?" I ask, really just trying to get my mind off of Melchior next to me.

She shrugs, turning in her seat to look at me. As a natural redhead, her skin is even paler than mine, meaning the flush of heat is even more apparent on her. I don't envy her that extra sensitivity to the sun either, not with the suns here. She wipes at her sweaty face with a grimace.

"I figure it's worth training with it even if it's only useful enough to fend off beasts and invaders long enough to run for cover. If it helps us live another day..." She trails off, shrugging again.

"True." We've been too vulnerable for too long here on Tajss.

The truth is, a lot of us are willing to grasp at anything that will help us better defend ourselves, grant us some more independence. I know I was never used to being as dependent on men as I am here. It was something that took a good amount of adjusting to.

Of course, not all the women are on board with trying to become quite so independent, which I understand. The Zmaj keep us insulated from a lot of the danger here.

Heading out with the sharpened poles or shock sticks isn't safe. There is risk involved, a reality all of us understand. I don't blame the ones who aren't fully on board with things like the shock stick. I know, for myself, I'm all for anything that makes me feel more in charge. More in control of my own safety, my own life.

Errol drives the rover over a rocky patch, jostling all of us inside. I bump into Melchior again, and his hand comes out to steady me, gripping my thigh firmly. He lets go as soon as we're back on smooth ground, but the damage is already done. I want to cry out with sexual frustration at that point. I'm only a woman! How am I supposed to take this sustained torture?

Ugh!

From then on, I spend much of the ride skating that edge of sexual frustration. Every time I come down even a little, I get thrown into Melchior again. I grip the seat underneath myself and grit my teeth, trying to focus on the positive and only partially succeeding. At least we haven't encountered any of the many dangerous beasts Tajss has to offer, which is great.

Unfortunately, as soon as I try to focus on that positive, we're derailed by another natural phenomenon. Teach me to be optimistic.

The first clue something is wrong is when Errol jerks the wheel to the side so abruptly even Kate cries out in the front.

"Shit!" she yells, bracing herself against the door. "Meteor shower, guys!"

Oh no. I look out the window and see the burning rocks falling down from the sky, leaving those distinctive and now-familiar trails. Needless to say, they can do some real damage.

We're safer in the rover than we would be out in the open, but it also isn't built to withstand a pounding forever. One of the meteorites hits the ground right next to us, spraying sand at the rover. I instinctively flinch, even though it doesn't hit us.

"Hold on," Errol says grimly, the sound of meteors hitting the sand around us punctuating his words. The rover rocks as one hits us directly, the boom of it hitting the metal reverberating through the vehicle. "There is a ridge over to the right that we can take cover in."

He floors the accelerator, and we jerk forward.

There's no avoiding bumping into Melchior now. In fact, he deliberately presses me back against the seat with one muscled arm, holding me in place as Errol drives hard and fast towards the ridge. This is what I get for praying for some distance from Melchior. That's not what I meant, Tajss!

I grip his forearm, squeezing my eyes shut at the dizzying speed and the blur of the landscape through the window. The meteors continue to pelt us, the banging loud enough that I worry they're doing real damage to the rover.

"Almost there!" Errol calls back, his voice grim.

The rover jerks and then skids. I squeeze my eyes shut even tighter, bracing for impact...but it never comes. After a moment, I also realize meteorites are no longer hitting the rover.

I open my eyes cautiously and look around. We're under the ridge that Errol must have been talking about. The rover's side is a few yards away from a wall of reddish rock that continues up to form a wide overhang, wide enough to cover the entire rover. The sound of the meteorites hitting the sand out in the open desert is still clear, but a lot more muted now that we're not directly under them.

When I look back out into the desert, it looks almost apocalyptic, the sky literally raining fire down on Tajss. I suppress a shiver at the thought.

The sound of our harsh breathing echoes inside the confines of the vehicle.

"Okay," Kate mutters, breaking the silence. "Looks like we're going to be waiting this out here."

The pragmatic words bring me back down to earth. Or Tajss.

Errol lets out a huff of breath. "Yes," he agrees. Leaning forward, he cranes his neck to look around. "There are caverns we can move to. Depending on the length of the shower, we may be forced to camp here for the night."

Great. This is so not what I meant when I was praying about being able to get some space between Melchior and me. But there you go—that's life.

Within short order, we're all loaded down with supplies and pallets, standing outside the rover, careful to stay under the overhang. The last thing we need is to accidentally poke an elbow out there right now.

When we step into the first cavern, the space that can be occupied comfortably is quite small, the ceiling angling down in the back.

"Perhaps you and Kate can take this one, and Addison and I can settle into the other," Melchior suggests. "We will all be more comfortable."

I don't know about that. But I can't argue that we'll all at least have more space.

"All right," Kate murmurs, looking around as she drops her bundle onto the ground. "I guess we'll all meet up again when the meteor shower is over. Or in the morning if we end up having to stay the night."

Errol looks out of the cave opening, nodding.

"Yes. For now, it is best we take this opportunity to rest."

With a promise to see them soon, Melchior and I head out of their cavern and into the one next door. It's about the same size, with the ceiling above just tall enough for Melchior to stand in, at least in the front. It tapers lower in the back as well, creating a more confined space. We stick to the front.

Melchior stakes out his area, a couple yards in from the cave opening.

"I think it is best if you set your pallet directly behind my own," he says, eyeing the opening and the cave itself.

I nod. I know why he wants to set things up like this. This way he can be between any danger and me, and he wants me close in case he has to grab me. I have the shock stick, but I definitely feel a lot safer with him between me and the rest of Tajss. It's probably unrealistic to feel like he can take on an army by himself, but that's how I feel. Along with a glow of warmth in my chest at the fact that he cares, that his first thought is to ensure I'm safe. Then again, maybe he would do the same for everyone and I'm reading too much into it?

I'm sick of my own thoughts at this point. Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy with this back-and-forth in my head when it comes to us. I roll out my pallet, brooding about that.

When I look up, my eye goes to Melchior. He sets up his area efficiently, his pallet much larger to accommodate his height, his muscled frame...

Great, I'm eyeing him again, and now it's worse because we're actually alone, with nowhere else to be, and nothing else to do. I rub my hands on my thighs, feeling nerves and desire mix inside me. This is actually way worse than being in the car. I don't know if I'm going to be able to sleep if we do end up having to stay the night.

"Addison?"

"Hmm?"

I look up from where I've been hyper focused on smoothing out one of the corners of the pallet. Anything to try to get my mind off of him. It wasn't really helping.

When I look up, it's to find Melchior has closed the distance between us. When he crouches down to be more level with me, my heart gives a hard thud. This close up, I can see every eyelash, can see just how ridiculously green his eyes are. How soft his hair looks. My eyes drop to his mouth, but I yank them up again almost immediately. Only to find his eyes focused on my mouth.

I swallow, feeling myself start to sweat for an entirely different reason than the heat of Tajss' suns. When his eyes move back up to meet mine, I can almost feel the banked heat in them.

"I cannot continue to avoid how I feel," he says bluntly.

Thump, thump, thump. My heart is beating so hard at this point I'm almost surprised I'm still upright. I have to form a coherent answer now, his expectant air forcing me to strong some words together somehow.

I clear my throat.

"How...do you feel?" I ask, my voice slightly hoarse.

I need this to be clear. I don't think I'm reading the signals wrong, but...

"There is something between us, some connection that I cannot explain away. Even before the dream..." He shakes his head. "I want you, Addison." The words, in that husky, deep voice, send a shiver through me. "Do you want me?"

His eyes are direct, his gaze clear. Vulnerable. He's willing to put himself out there like this, willing to be hurt. I know how much courage that takes. Honestly...in that moment, I can't remember why I ever thought this wasn't a good idea.

There is a connection between us. One that I can't explain completely deny. I want him. Want him so much now that it actually hurts.

"Yes," I murmur.

Yes. And that's it. That one small word seals the deal.

Melchior reaches out for me and I go willingly into his arms.

He stands up with me in them, carries me back to his pallet, and sets me down on it gently. His eyes are focused, intense, as he reaches for my shirt, stripping it off me in economical motions. Then my pants, my shoes. My bra and underwear follow suit.

His eyes devour me, glittering and hot while he works on his own clothes, stripping them off even faster than my own, his hands much less careful.

I resist the urge to cover myself. It helps that I have him to focus on.

And I have to say...wow.

There's no hiding the strength, the raw power in that body. The breadth of his shoulders, those biceps, the heaviness of his chest and the hard stomach. His thighs and calves are likewise thick with muscle, his body framed by his folded wings.

I don't have a lot of time to admire the masterpiece that is his body. As soon as he's completely stripped down, he layers his body over mine, making room for himself between my legs, propping himself up on his forearms so he doesn't crush me.

The first time we kiss is with full body contact. Full, naked body contact.

It's almost too much after all the waiting, all the lost sleep, all the questioning of what's between us. It's straight from zero to a hundred.

I moan as his lips settle over mine, soft and firm and commanding. His hands cup my head, angling me so he can kiss me deeper, his tongue slipping into my mouth. My hands slide up those hard arms, up to grip his shoulders as I kiss him back.

I feel like I've been thrown right into the deep end, but I don't want to be saved. I want to sink in. My hands slide down his flanks, down to cup the hard curve of his butt. Yeah, I want to stay right here, thanks.

I shift under him, my rock-hard nipples scraping against him, sending a sizzle of sensation through me. We're just kissing, but I feel that hot, wet contact everywhere.

Melchior tilts his head, biting gently at my lower lip, making teasing forays before deepening the kiss once more. He settles into it like he loves the act of kissing, like he's in no rush to go anywhere else just yet.

Until my legs are moving restlessly underneath him, my hips arching to rub up against the erection I can feel pressed against me. I want to see it. Want to hold it. Want him to touch me...everywhere.

When he finally breaks the kiss, I'm almost whimpering in need, my fingernails digging into his hips.

"Melchior..."

"Shh. I need to touch you, taste you," he growls, sliding his face down my neck to kiss my shoulder, suck on this skin there. I arch up at the hot suction, wanting that sensation in a few more key places.

It's like he hears that request.

He kisses his way down to my collar bones, taking his time to trail gentle, suckling kisses along them. Who knew collarbones could be such a source of pleasure? I certainly had no idea.

He rises up to look down at me.

Well, my breasts, more specifically.

“Mmm,” escapes my mouth as he brings his large calloused hands up to cup them, kneading and squeezing, his gaze fascinated.

I gasp when one of his thumbs grazes my nipples. He looks up at my face for a moment before turning his attention back down and lowering his head to take one stiff peak into his warm mouth. I arch up into the firm suction he applies, feeling the tug almost as strongly between my legs as I do at my nipple.

My hands slide into his hair as he licks at me, suckles at me, then switches over to the other breast, his hands still cupping and squeezing them as though he can't get enough.

I am so fine with that.

He stays there, switching between my breasts, alternating those long hard sucks with gentle kisses and light nibbles. Until I don't know if I want him to stop or go on forever.

My hands clench tightly in his hair when he finally rubs his face against them, my body almost trembling with anticipation, a slick sheen of sweat covering all of me.

He kisses his way down my stomach, moving as slowly as ever, as if he's savoring every moment, committing it to memory. While I go completely crazy under him. Not that I'm complaining.

His hands slide under my thighs and lift them up, setting them over his shoulders.

I look down.

His eyes are completely focused on the most intimate part of me, his mouth red and swollen from working my body over already. His thumbs grip me and pull me apart, the fire in his eyes so hot now I almost wonder at the fact that I don't burn under his regard.

"You are...so beautiful," he murmurs, his eyes coming up to meet mine. "I have to..."

My breath catches in my throat when he leans down.

And licks me. A long, slow, thorough taste that has my toes curling and my head dropping back down to the soft pallet in self-defense. I can't watch while he does that. The visual coupled with the sensation is just...yeah. I shut my eyes tight while he licks at me. Every inch of me down there, his hands gripping my thighs and keeping them wide when I start to close them, the feelings so sharp I almost can't handle them.

Then he finds my clit.

I jump when he flicks his tongue over it and I can feel him pause. Assess. Then he places his mouth there and stays there. I cry out as he sucks at me, his tongue lapping against me. My hands clench, my thighs try to close again...

And the orgasm hits me like a freight train.

My body arches, the waves of pleasure hitting me one after the other. Melchior stays glued to me, his mouth stays exactly where it needs to be to keep the climax going, way longer than I thought it could. Until I finally fall limp, my breath coming in gasps. I feel like I've been taken apart and put back together, just slightly differently than before.

I slowly open my eyes when Melchior kisses my inner thigh and rises up, my legs falling to either side of his hips.

My eyes scan down his body...to his erection.

And I freeze.

That is...large. I blink. Thick and long and trembling with his pulse, the head is already wet with arousal.

Melchior stills when I sit up and reach out to grip it, the thickness and heft of it sending a thrill of awareness through me, and some trepidation.

He's huge, which I guess is expected given his size, but knowing that and seeing it are so not the same thing. When I run my thumb along the top, I also feel the ridges and that last bump at the base that I've heard rumors of—rumors that have all been complimentary, but I have to say, seeing the size now...

"Addison," Melchior growls. "I do not want to release in your hand."

I start, realizing the whole time I've been thinking, I've also been sliding my hand up and down his length, rubbing my thumb over his leaking head.

Oops.

Pushing me gently back down onto the pallet, he reaches down to grip his erection in his own hand. That looks...nice.

I lick my lips, my hands gripping his forearms.

"Go slow, Melchior," I warn.

His face softens at the request. He leans down to kiss me.

"Do not worry," he reassures me, his tip just kissing me lower down on my body. "I will be careful."

I nod, taking a deep breath as he starts to push into me. It's tight—very tight. But I'm so wet and he's so careful, that I only feel that distinct pressure, that feeling of being stretched.

He watches me as he slowly works his way into me, gentle thrusts in and out. Making room for himself inside. I take a deep breath, trying to relax underneath him to help.

He reaches between us, and his fingers get to work, rubbing, drawing circles. I sigh, closing my eyes as he finally pushes all the way inside, his hips pressing against mine. I'm so full I feel like I can feel him in my throat, but I'm adjusting to him. I love the feeling of his heartbeat inside me, love having him above me and around me like this.

"Good?" he murmurs, his hand cupping my face.

I nod, sighing.

"Yes." I open my eyes, smiling at him as I raise my legs to wrap around his hips. "But I think you should move."

Concern gives way to that now-familiar fire, and he gives me exactly what I ask for. Pulling out slowly, he pushes back in just as leisurely, and I get a good feel of just what those ridges can do. Watching me, gauging my reactions, he angles my hips so every single one hits me just right. All the way up until the one at his base that grinds against me...oh...so...good.

I feel the pleasure start to build again, which is honestly a surprise. I didn't think I could go again. But it builds as I feel him move inside me, his body shifting in a wave of rippling muscle, his eyes scanning my body, the desire in them calling my own.

His eyes lock on where our bodies meet, watching as he pistons in and out of me, faster now that I've relaxed around him. Then his attention turns to my breasts, swaying with each inward thrust.

Sliding his hands up, he cups them, thumbing the nipples. And then leans down to take a tip in his mouth. I push my hips back up against him, wrapping my arms around him and holding on tight as he builds up the force of his thrusts, his body sliding along the front of mine.

I feel so completely taken over in the most delicious way possible. He lets go of my breast and brings his mouth down on mine, his hips still moving as we kiss. He pushes into me hard, grinding against me.

I cry out into his mouth at the unexpected force of the sensation, pushing back against him, my body as tight as a bow as I come again. He shudders above me as I clench down on him, squeezing him rhythmically as the pleasure rides me once more. His hoarse moan clues me in before he jerks inside me, following me over that delicious edge, his muscled body trembling above my own.

I hold him tight, kissing his jaw, his neck, his shoulders as he slowly comes back down. With a sigh, I fall back on the pallet again. I'm so...relaxed. I rub my face against the side of Melchior's neck, my legs falling off of his hips.

But then I feel something else stir, poke at my thigh. I freeze as Melchior rises up once more. I know exactly what I'm going to see when I look down. His second penis, the one that stays tucked under his tail until the first is...done I guess. I know about it, but I still stare.

"I don't know Melchior," I murmur. "I'm wrung out."

He smiles at me, reaching out to flip me over onto my stomach. Is it weird that I find his strength so hot?

"Do not worry," he reassures me, lifting my hips up. "I will do all the work."

And then he slides into me. I cry out at the harsh pleasure, my body already sensitive from the two earlier orgasms. It feels...amazing.

I rest the side of my face on the pallet, bracing myself as Melchior thrusts into me, using a measured, slow pace. I feel like I'm having a continuous, low-grade orgasm the whole time, all of my nerve endings firing at once. As Melchior thrusts carefully into me, I luxuriate in the sensations, even as I wonder why the heck I waited so long to feel this. The ride is slower, gentler this time, both of us having taken the edge off, but it's no less mind melting. By the time Melchior comes again, I'm twisting in pleasure under him, the orgasm deep and almost gradual in its onset.

This time, both of us fall limply onto the pallet afterwards. I don't think I could lift my pinkie if my life depended on it. I vaguely feel Melchior gather me close and kiss my forehead, but my body decides it's had enough. It's lights out for me between one breath and the next.

I'm sure there's a ridiculous smile on my face as I drift off.