8 Dark Side of the Moon

 

Abby

“This is so wild.”

Abby held onto Ash and stared out the window as they descended toward the moon’s craggy surface and slipped into the large spaceship. They stepped off the cruiser into a bay the size of a football field, filled with several other similar ships. She stared at the strange equipment, seamless blue walls and radiant light illuminating everything with a soft glow. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to find herself on the freaking moon in a spaceship.

Or with a horde of aliens!

She gaped at the group of aliens waiting in the loading bay. There were a handful of red, bare-chested Cadi wearing leather kilts, and bony characters, like Aculus. They all were so tall; they made the average human look downright puny. Her gaze swung toward two creatures covered in fur, like Chewbacca the Wookiee. At least that’s what she assumed since they wore long shorts. One Wookiee’s hair was nearly as red as hers and the other was blond.

“There’s so many different people.” She couldn’t help the high pitch of her voice.

“I don’t think I can handle much more,” Hope voiced a similar sentiment, and hid her face in Aculus’ shoulder.

The rogue had the audacity to smile.

“It’ll be all right. These people are my friends,” Ash encouraged them.

“I get that, but a few days ago humans were all I knew. I was just getting used to you and now this.” Abby waved at the menagerie. She prided herself on being accepting of others, but this adventure was stretching even her tolerance to its limit.

“We’re going to get Vintor back,” one Cadi said and it was instantly translated through Ash’s communicator. Hearing the voice she associated with her big guy added another bizarre layer to the situation. The man eyed her critically, then slammed his fist against his chest and bowed to Ash. “What are your orders?”

“Let me get Providence’s sisters settled, Payim. This is Abby and that is Hope.”

“Welcome.” Payim bowed to her. He then stared, his eyes going wide. “Ashtoret, does she bear your conjugo mark?”

“She does,” Ash replied proudly and pulled her close.

“Congratulations.” Payim grinned.

“Uh, thanks,” she replied, confused by what they were talking about, her eyes ping-ponging between the two giant red men. With everything going on she was having a hard time following the conversation.

“Peanut, this here is Payim, and that’s Cerdic, Faktil and Terentius.” Ash pointed to the other Cadi. “Those hairy warriors are our Toufik brethren.” She instantly recalled the story about them being slaves. “Fire and Thunder.” He gestured to the red then the blond-haired Toufik.

Both Toufik made a gesture she assumed was hello.

She overheard Aculus making similar introductions to her frazzled sister as they exited the large bay and headed down a corridor. They entered another cockpit straight out of a sci-fi movie. Aculus set Hope in one of the seats near the large screen at the front of the room, then started fiddling with the console. Ash set Abby in the next chair. He kissed her forehead then stood to his towering height.

“I’m connecting us to Cadi now,” Aculus said.

“We need to report what’s happened, then you can talk to Providence.”

She nodded to Ash and eagerly watched the flickering image on the wide screen. Even though Ash alluded to other humans living on Cadi besides her sister, it was still a shock when a woman of Indian descent appeared.

“Ashtoret, Aculus, we didn’t expect you to contact us.” The dark-haired woman then focused on her. “Wow, you look a lot like Providence.”

Abby nodded, her eyes misting again.

“You’re correct, June. These are her sisters, Abby and Hope,” Ash introduced them. “We need to speak with the Daimio. It’s urgent.”

“Crap, okay. Let me hail him and connect you to the manor living room. Tytus is actually there now. It was nice to meet you.” June waved before the image shifted to a blank flickering screen again.

It seemed like forever before a giant, rugged Cadi man appeared.

“Ashtoret.” The man nodded.

“Daimio, we’ve hit a snare,” Ash reported. “Vintor and Providence’s sire were captured by the Earth authorities.”

The man onscreen growled, his face twisting with a grim frown. “What are your plans to liberate them?” The large man briefly glanced at Abby and Hope then focused again on Ash.

“His tracker has gone off line. These are Providence’s sisters and they have a contact who may be able to aid us.”

“I’m also working to boost the signal to get past whatever the humans have that’s blocking the tracker,” Aculus added.

“We can’t cause undue stress among the humans, but I want you to do what you can to get our brother back and complete the mission.” The man ran a hand through his long black hair in frustration. “I wish I had better advice.”

“Understood. Can you reach out to Providence, please?”

“She’s with Giselle and Graca upstairs. I’ll go get her.”

Abby anxiously glanced at Hope. “This is too good to be true,” she mouthed and pinched her arm. This all had to be a dream, it just had to be.

“You’re kidding me, Kagan. You better not be messing with me.” Abby heard Pro before she saw her. She leaned forward in her seat, tears blurring her eyes. She scrubbed them away as the recognizable silhouette appeared onscreen. “Peanut! Hope!” Providence screamed and rushed the image.

“Pro,” Hope sobbed.

“Hey, sis,” Abby choked.

“You talk with your sister. We’re going to discuss plans back here,” Ash said and walked away.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Pro cried.

“We have, too. Dad never gave up looking for you,” she said past the lump in her throat.

“God, we love you, sis,” Hope rasped. “What’s this business about you being married to an alien and knocked up? Is that even possible?”

“Yeah, it is.” Providence smiled and cupped her belly. She wasn’t far along, but there was a bit of a pooch. “You wanna see what my baby might look like?”

“Yes!” Abby and Hope said at once.

A blonde human who was also crying passed a pink baby off to Providence. Abby was floored by how cute the little girl was. She had the sweetest little tail that wrapped around Pro’s arm.

“This is Graca.” Pro rubbed the cooing bundle’s little head. The baby had the oddest dark hair with frosted blonde tips. “Say hello to my sisters, Graca.” She bounced the baby. Graca had the most amazing dark blue eyes.

“Wow, she’s gorgeous. Do you know if you’re having a boy or girl?” Hope beamed.

“Nope. Madhava, Dagaa and I want to be surprised.”

“Wait. You weren’t kidding when you said she was married to two guys?” Hope eyed Abby.

“Nope.” Although hearing it from Pro was still surprising.

“Are you humping the whole planet, you dirty whore?” Hope barked out a laugh.

“No! I’m just married to two men, bitch.”

“Just two,” Hope giggled.

Abby snorted, happy to see her sisters carrying on like old times. Hope and Providence were really close, and Hope had taken Pro’s loss very hard.

“You’re just jealous cause they keep me more than satisfied,” Providence countered with a snotty wag of her head.

Abby choked. She had an inkling just how satisfied Pro was.

“What are you turning bright red about, Peanut?” Pro demanded.

“Our baby sister’s got something going on with one of the red guys. I think Ash is his name.”

“Oh, you rotten tattletale.” Abby scowled at Hope.

“Abigail Murray, what have you been doing?” Providence eyed her.

“We are not alone, thank you very much.” She stuck her tongue out at her sisters.

“Ashtoret,” Providence hollered, her voice echoing through the speaker, making Abby cringe.

“What?” Ash stepped forward.

She couldn’t believe Pro dragged him away from important business to get to the bottom of her sex life.

“What are you doing with my sister?”

“Oh my gawd,” Abby groaned under her breath. She was hardly a baby, but her family still treated her like one.

“Your sister is my bonded,” Ash replied without batting an eye.

She turned to him, wondering what he meant.

“You mated my sister! He bit you!” Providence screeched.

Abby’s eyes widened. “Wait. What?” Her hand rose to the bite marks on her neck.

Ash’s head swung toward her, a look of horror transforming his face. “Abby, I said I would make you mine and you agreed.”

She replayed their evening together. She’d been so turned on she would’ve agreed to anything. His declaration hadn’t and still didn’t strike her as a binding proposal.

“I didn’t realize you meant you were marrying me. I thought it was a figure of speech, like you were gonna own it,” she explained but it sounded so stupid coming out of her mouth. Her heart broke seeing the devastation on Ash’s face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand.” She teared up.

“Did you use protection?” Hope demanded, adding insult to injury.

“We were naked in a swamp for a day, running from Spec-ops, then holed up in a motel room. No, we didn’t use protection.”

“I am sorry for the misunderstanding. I will assure you are not carrying my young and return you along with Hope.” Ash bowed stiffly to her and walked back the rear of the room. “Let’s give them some privacy,” he growled to the others.

“Ash?” she called out, but Ash refused to look back at her as he left the control room. Abby bit her fist to repress a sob as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Abby, I’m sorry.” Hope was stricken.

“Peanut, do you like Ashtoret?” Pro asked.

Abby nodded. She liked him a lot. Up to this point she’d been dreading when they said goodbye, but never imagined their night of passion equated being married. It was so hard to wrap her head around, and not only because Ash came from another planet. They just met, and she had plans for herself; to go to graduate school, visit Europe... She didn’t picture herself being married till years from now.

“He’s a good guy. You could come live here with me,” Providence offered. “I’d love that.” Her sister smiled.

“I can’t think.” She shook her head. Ash was a good guy. Actually, he was a great guy. Funny. Intelligent. Sexy. And now she’d broken his heart. “He wouldn’t even look at me,” she mumbled past her tears.

She sat numbly listening as Hope and Providence discussed a myriad of things. She hadn’t heard from Pro in nearly a year. Her sister was miraculously alive yet she couldn’t get it together enough to participate in the conversation, and it added to her misery.

“Peanut,” Pro pulled her from her thoughts. “Think about what I said. I love you guys so much.” Providence broke down in tears as she said goodbye.

“I love you, too.” Hope reached out to the screen.

“Love you, sis,” Abby choked. The screen went black and she lost it completely.

“Abby!” Hope rushed over and wrapped her arms around her.

“Please. I just want to be alone and lay down.” Abby felt numb. She didn’t mean to shrug Hope off, but she couldn’t handle anymore. The last few days had been too much, and now this.

“I can have one of my crew show you to a room.” Aculus gestured to a bony crewman.

“I, um, I guess I’ll stay here,” Hope said with a worried frown.

Abby nodded then followed the crewman out of the room, through the winding passages to a room with a bunk.

“Thank you.”

She didn’t understand the armor-plated guy’s reply, but he didn’t seem to mind and left her alone. Abby flopped onto the bed and curled into a ball.

Her thoughts swirled around the drastic shift her life had taken. There was no going back in time, and she wouldn’t want to unmeet Ash if she could. The thought of never seeing him or Pro again was crippling. But that meant leaving everything and everyone she knew behind. Fate was so cruel. It felt like her world was being ripped apart all over again.

“What am I going to do?”

 

Ashtoret de Origa

Creating a plan of action took longer than expected. Hope proved helpful, giving them the communicator code to contact Frank. After talking with Providence, she was coping better with her surroundings. Hope even got the language implant so she could understand everyone more easily.

He laughed bitterly as he recalled Aculus eagerly jumping to soothe Hope’s headache after she received the implant. It wasn’t long ago he foolishly chuckled at the Osivoire for refusing to be daunted by Hope’s rebuff. He thought himself so much luckier than his bony friend.

Now I’m the one who has been cast aside.

He stood outside the room where Abby was resting, debating if going in was wise considering how frustrated he was. He berated himself for falling prey to the intense situation they found themselves in while running, but he also couldn’t dismiss the connection he discovered with Abby. He thought he made his intentions clear, but obviously he was wrong, dead wrong. Ashtoret rubbed the spot on his chest where he felt a very real ache.

He summoned his courage and entered the room. Abby roused and looked up at him. He frowned, seeing her eyes were red and puffy from crying.

“What is that?” She pointed to the language implant injector he brought in case she was amenable.

“It’s an injector,” he started to explain.

“To make me abort if I’m pregnant,” Abby interrupted.

“No,” he snarled as shock and horror filled him. “Is that what you want? Is the thought of carrying my young so abhorrent you wish to kill it?” I shouldn’t have come. He turned to leave.

“No! That’s not what I want,” Abby screamed. She got up and ran in front of him, blocking his path.

“Well, what do you want?” he countered, tossing his hands up.

“I don’t want to leave my home.”

Ashtoret nodded and hung his head. He’d convinced himself Abby was okay with going back to Cadi since Providence was there, except that was never her plan. They were from worlds apart, and some rifts were too wide to span, no matter how much he wanted it.

Abby peered up at him. “But I don’t want to lose you either, Ash. I don’t know what to do. Please, I’m scared,” she pleaded with him.

He studied Abby as her words sank in. She looked as devastated as he felt. He assumed she thought of their bond as a passing tryst, but that wasn’t the case. Abby cared for him, like he cared for her. And just like him, she was blindsided by all of this. He swung her into his arms and sat on the bed.

“I know.” He rocked Abby back and forth while kissing the top of her head. “I never expected to find you, Peanut. I came on this mission to help your people and let you know Providence was safe, but my purpose changed the instant I met you. The thought of losing you scares me. If I could stay on your planet I would.” And he would, even as hard as it would be to leave his home.

“But you can’t, my people would kill you,” Abby choked, her hands fluttering over his bare chest. “I could never let that happen. What are we going to do?”

She quietly cried as he held her. The despondent sound shattered his heart. It pained him not being able to control or fix this.

Eventually, Abby stopped trembling. He thought she’d fallen asleep, till she glanced up at him.

“Ash,” she said quietly. Her blue-green eyes weren’t as turbulent. She’d come to a decision.

“Yes.”

“I guess my purpose has changed, too.” Her soft hands cupped his cheeks. “Can you lie to me and tell me we’ll come back to visit often?” She cast him a watery smile.

Ashtoret let out the breath he was holding as elation filled him. He crushed Abby to his chest.

“Ash,” Abby laughed against his neck. “You’re smothering me.”

“I’m sorry, Peanut.” He released his tight hold. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to resent me.” He frowned, worry creasing his brow.

“I wanted to tour Europe. I guess touring another planet is a pretty outstanding substitute. Not a lot of people get to say that.”

“I’ll show you where I grew up and introduce you to my siblings and parents. They’ll adore you.”

“Do you live near Pro?”

“Yes. You can see her every day if you want.” He had a hard time holding in his happiness as he squeezed her. He kept having to remind himself not to hold on too tight.

Abby started shaking and he worried she was crying again. He pulled her back and was instantly relieved to see her laughing. She saw the look on his face and giggled harder.

“What?” he asked with a grin.

“Well, I guess this counts as our first fight.”

“I don’t understand.” Ashtoret frowned, not knowing why that would be so funny. He hated feeling the rift between them.

“Are you telling me Cadi don’t know about make-up sex?” she asked in a sultry voice, her bright eyes drifting to half-mast. He was instantly hard.

“No,” he husked.

“If I recall, I made a promise, something about licking a certain big, brave man all over.” Abby straddled his lap. She placed one small palm on his bare chest and shoved him back on the bunk. “I like this shirtless kilt ensemble. You’ve got the sexy gladiator thing nailed,” she purred.

Abby attacked his mouth with a fierceness that took his breath away. One hand tangled in her long curly hair, while the other gripped her hip. He groaned into Abby’s mouth as she ground atop his stomach. He could feel the heat of her through her blue pants.

“Mmm,” Abby moaned, her tongue stroking one fang. Ashtoret was shocked by how sensitive his canines were.

Her teeth locked gently on his lip, giving it a tug as she pulled away. She traced his jaw with little kisses, making a path to his ear. He sucked in a breath as Abby licked the shell of his ear. Her hot, wet mouth nibbled and sucked his earlobe before moving to the side of his neck. She bit down harder, her blunt teeth stinging slightly.

“Abby,” Ashtoret groaned, his hips flexing of their own free will.

He’d never had a female mount him or bite him like this. For such a petite female, his bonded was subjecting him to a very dominant act. The contradiction made it all that more erotic, igniting a flame that was quickly burning out of control. Ashtoret felt a deep primal stirring. He wanted to toss Abby onto the bed, tear her clothes off and mount her till she screamed his name. The only thing that kept him from acting out his prurient need was the equally driving desire to see what she’d do next.

Abby licked a slow, agonizing path down his chest. Her tongue laved the lines of his warrior’s ink as she traveled ever lower. Her hands massaged his tense muscles, teasing the skin at the waistband of his vestments. His stomach trembled from her alternating gentle and insistent caresses. His head was spinning by the time her hot mouth kissed the muscles flanking his pelvis where they disappeared beneath his vestment.

Abby paused and looked up at him. Her pupils were dilated with desire, nearly drowning out the blue-green. She was just as turned on as he was. It was hard for him to fathom, since it was a male’s job to pleasure his female. He was so focused on the lustful expression transforming Abby’s gorgeous face that her next move took him by surprise. He jumped when her hand grazed the inside of his thigh. Her long, delicate fingers wrapped around his turgid shaft, gripping him hard.

“Do you know how good you feel sliding inside of me with these knots? It makes me wet just thinking about you thrusting between my thighs.” Abby licked her lips.

Ashtoret groaned. He couldn’t believe the things he was hearing fall from her full red lips, as she leisurely stroked his shaft. Her hands felt so damn good as she explored his arousal. He cupped Abby’s flushed cheeks, his thumb grazing her swollen lips. She smiled as she pulled back from his grasp. His brow furrowed. He wanted to tug her up his chest, roll over and cage her beneath him.

He gaped in shock when Abby ducked beneath his vestment. Her soft cheek grazed his stiff arousal, making his shaft kick. A choking breath heaved out when a warm puff of air hit his sensitive flesh. She couldn’t possibly…

“Abby!” he barked when her wet mouth enveloped his crown.

His hands flew to her head and he started panting as his scandalous mate licked the ridge circling his crown. She sucked him in deep and a growl burst from his chest. The pleasure was unimaginable. His hips bucked uncontrollably, his shaft pulsing with each strong pull.

Her tongue…goddess, her tongue, Ashtoret reeled.

He now understood what Abby was alluding to when she said make-up sex. Being with her was always intense, emotionally and physically. He’d felt lower than low when he walked into the room, but now she’d catapulted him to the height of ecstasy doing the most salacious, unspeakable thing he’d ever experienced.

She moaned around his stiff member. The vibrations sent a spike of sweet agony coursing up his spine. Ashtoret’s stomach muscles quaked uncontrollably. His fingers flexed in her hair. Abby sucked him harder, faster and deeper, her hot body grinding on his outstretched legs. The torrent of ecstasy swirled, gripping him tighter. The bliss was all-consuming.

Abby released the hold she had on his flexing thighs. With one hand she cupped his tight balls, massaging gently. The other rapidly stroked the base of his shaft, now slick with her saliva. Combined with the maddening things her mouth did, he could no longer hold it together.

 

Abby

There was something obscenely erotic about the way Ash shook all over as he came undone. The knots ringing Ash’s silky smooth cock slid across her stroking palms and questing tongue. The contrast of velvety skin over hardened steel made her shiver. The sensation of his pulsing cock and his heady masculine scent had her pussy cramping with need. Pleasuring Ash and seeing the way he responded to her touch almost turned her on more than when he lavished her with attention.

“Abby,” Ash roared as his back arched and the orgasm shot through him in crippling waves.

He bucked, gagging her, but she held on.

“Mmm,” she moaned, lapping at him as his seed erupted in halting spurts.

“Goddess, Abby.” Ash shuddered. He pulled her off his trembling shaft and drew in several ragged breaths.

“You taste very good.” She licked her lips, and gave him a wicked grin. He was surprisingly candy sweet. It made the whole experience twice as nice. She could see herself cornering Ash any time she got a chance to subject him to this delicious torment.

“Apparently,” Aculus chuckled.

“Abigail Murray,” Hope gasped as she stood in the doorway with the bony warrior.

Her gaze flew to the door in shock. “What the fuck are you doing there?” she squealed, quickly shielding Ash’s crotch from view.

“I was worried. I was checking on you,” Hope declared, her cheeks bright red.

“We are fine. You can go,” she informed Hope, equally embarrassed.

She’d been so overwhelmed she never heard the door open. Being caught with Ash didn’t bother her as much as the fact he was exposed.

I’m the only one who gets the privilege of seeing his hot as hell body.

“Fine. Unbelievable,” Hope huffed as she turned to leave.

Worry and censure filled Hope’s eyes as she backed out of the room. Considering the way they parted hours ago, it was understandable. Guilt flooded her for snapping at her sister. They had a lot they needed to discuss.

“Are you hungry, Nadzia? I’ll make us both something, and you can tell me about the tantalizing human custom we just walked in on.” Aculus winked at them before he followed Hope.

“I’m not explaining a blow job to you, you randy bonehead,” Hope grumbled as the door slid shut.

“Christ on a cracker,” Abby snorted in agitation and disbelief at what just happened.

Ash stroked her back and the tension instantly melted.

“Despite that little incident, that was…” Ash finished with a sexy growl.

“You liked that, did you?” She grinned at him.

“Yes,” he husked. “I never imagined you’d do that. The warriors with human mates hinted at such a thing, but I never…” Ash shook his head.

“So, you’ve never…? Like the kissing.”

“No,” he rumbled.

That was a shock to learn, but considering how Ash responded to having his cock sucked she shouldn’t have been surprised.

“Mmm, well, I think we’ll have to do that again real soon then,” she purred.

Ash rumbled again, and his cock jumped. His recovery time was impressive. She wanted nothing more than to take advantage of that but...

“I should go talk to Hope,” she whined.

“Wait.” Ash grabbed her wrist when she tried to roll off his lap.

“What did you have in mind?” Abby perked up.

He could suggest anything at the moment and she’d eagerly agree. She didn’t relish the conversation she was about to have with Hope. It was going to be beyond hard telling her sister she was leaving home.