Two long, torturous days had passed since Faron reunited with Kendra.

He’d kept to his usual routine of getting up early, completing his work, and then returning home. Once he was home, he’d spent his evenings preparing for his dance for Kendra. His room had been transformed from a sparse, practical environment into a place of passion. He’d hunted for the most luxurious bedding, placed scented candles around the room, and purchased enough food so they could stay locked in here for days. He planned to give Kendra his undivided attention. There would be no distractions.

Faron had arranged with his boss to have three days off and had done the same with Kendra’s boss, Vegas, making sure she didn’t tell Kendra what was going on.

Vegas had been surprised and had grilled him about his intentions toward Kendra, but from the way she was smiling as he’d left her office, Faron believed he’d convinced her his mating ambitions with Kendra were genuine.

His body paint and dance thong were laid out ready, but before the dance, he’d arranged to meet Kendra at a private bath on the station. Nobody else would be there. It would be the two of them alone. It was another part of the mating ritual. It was one he hoped Kendra would enjoy.

He scrubbed a hand down his face. He was uncharacteristically nervous. This mating would be unique. This would be his female for the rest of his life. He had limited experience with females, and what he did have was with Tolong females. That had been short, clinical, and not particularly helpful. From his conversation with Sala, he knew Kendra would not expect a swift, hard mating. Yet, he had no experience doing anything but that. He would not disappoint her. He would figure out how to please her.

Faron did one final check of his room and gave a satisfied nod before striding to the bath.

Pleasure slid through him as he saw Kendra waiting outside. Her hair was clipped off her face, revealing her beautiful neck. She appeared nervous, her hands clasped in front of her.

She looked up and smiled as she heard him approach. “What are we doing here?”

Faron took her hand and kissed the palm. “It is a part of our courtship ritual. This way.” He led her to the bath he had hired and looked around. As requested, candles lit the room, and the steam smelled of musky essential oils.

Kendra gasped and dropped his hand. “This is for us?”

“It happens before the dance. On my planet, this is a symbol of purity, both physical and mental. We use this time to focus on the two of us and our upcoming joining.”

Kendra turned and pressed a hand against his chest. “Our joining? Is that a subtle way of saying you plan to get me naked?”

“There is nothing subtle about this. I will have you naked.”

She sucked in a breath. “I can’t wait. Are we both getting in the bath?”

“Only if you wish to. It’s an enjoyable experience.”

“I’ve used these baths before. I’ve just never shared one.”

“We can take our time. There’s no need to rush.” Although, he was more than ready to see Kendra naked. It was something he’d fantasized about ever since she’d agreed to this.

Kendra was already pulling down the zipper of her jumpsuit. “I’m good. I want in.”

Faron placed his hand over hers. “Allow me.” He kneeled before Kendra and unlaced her boots before sliding them off her feet. He ran his hands up her calves and over the curves of her hips, hearing her take a deep breath as he did so. He stood slowly and bent to kiss her. He took his time with her mouth, exploring and tasting, not wanting to hurtle into this and miss a second. He needed her to know she was loved.

Faron inched down the zipper of her jumpsuit until it was to her navel. He slid the fabric over her shoulders and kissed the exposed flesh.

Kendra’s sigh sounded shaky. “This is not exactly getting me clean and ridding my mind of impure thoughts.”

“Who said I wanted your thoughts to be pure? I am the one who needs to focus on your pleasure.” He covered her mouth with his and kissed her until she was groaning.

Faron walked behind her and pulled her jumpsuit to her feet.

She stepped out of the fabric. “If I’d have known we were doing this, I’d have worn nicer underwear.”

He shook his head. “You are beautiful. You do not need to adorn yourself with pretty silks to please me.” Faron’s hands brushed the plain black fabric of her underwear. It was what was beneath that most intrigued him.

Kendra turned and looked up at him. “If I’m getting naked, so are you.”

He nodded and began to take off his own jumpsuit.

Kendra shook her head and waggled a finger at him. “Oh no. It’s my turn to have fun.” She walked around him slowly, tracing her hand over his muscles. She tapped his butt lightly with the flat of her hand, and his cock twitched in response.

She stroked a hand down his chest, opening the zipper as she did so, before pressing her lips to his bare skin. Faron groaned with pleasure as her tongue flicked across the hot flesh.

His hands reached for her, but she stepped out of his grasp and shook her head. “You can take it off now.”

Faron swiftly kicked off his boots and pulled off his jumpsuit. He wore no underwear and felt a surge of satisfaction as Kendra’s gaze rested on his rock-hard cock. He longed to take her now, but it wasn’t the right time. First the bathing, then the oils, then the dance. Only then, when she was satisfied with him, could they be joined.

“Would you like to enter the water?” he asked her.

“Are you coming with me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then I’m getting in.” Kendra turned her back, slid out of her bra and panties, and strode into the water.

Faron was right behind her, reveling in her delicious nakedness, the shape of her butt, and the shiver of her flesh as she moved. It was more enchanting than he could have hoped for.

“This feels amazing.” Kendra turned to face him. “What’s in the water?”

“Cleansing salts and oil of the dansak tree. It’s unique to my planet. It’s very stimulating. It focuses the mind and clears the body of toxins. We will stay here for thirty minutes.”

Kendra arched an eyebrow. “And after that?”

“After that, I will dry you and cover you in oil.”

“Oil!”

“As is the custom. It’s a demonstration of the care I will take of you when we are joined.”

“You’re going to rub me down with oil.” Kendra blew out a breath. “How much care can one woman take?”

Faron swam closer and wrapped her in his arms. “I will give you as much as you desire. I will never tire of taking care of you. When you are officially my mate, you will want for nothing.”

“There is one thing I want.” She curled a hand around the back of his neck and drew his lips closer.

“Whatever you desire.” His mouth covered hers, and their tongues met, hungry for each other.

Kendra lifted herself up using his shoulders as a support and wrapped her legs around his waist, molding herself to his chest.

He backed her up until she was pressed against the wall of the bath and stroked his hands through her damp hair as he continued to drink her in.

Faron had never imagined a woman as incredible as Kendra would desire him. Here they were, in the middle of his courtship ritual to win her. It was more than he could ever have dreamt of.

Kendra pulled back from their kiss. “I want you.”

“As I do you.”

“I’ve never made love in water.” Kendra glanced around. “We’re all alone. It might be fun to try.”

“Neither have I, but we won’t be making love in here.” He suppressed a smile as he saw the disappointment on her face.

“What are we going to do then?”

“I’m going to cleanse you.” Faron reluctantly stepped away from Kendra’s embrace, already missing the feel of her legs wrapped around him. He pushed through the water and grabbed a bar of creamy soap from the side.

Kendra’s eyes widened as he approached her. “Are you serious? You really want to wash me?”

“There are a lot of things I really want to do to you, and washing is one of them.”

She twisted her mouth to the side. “I can handle a bar of soap on my own.”

“Not like I can.” He licked his lips and gazed at her bare breasts.

Kendra gulped and nodded. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

Faron filled his palms with creamy lather before sliding them over Kendra’s shoulders and arms.

“I’m guessing your cybernetic arm is waterproof.” Kendra’s words came out shaky.

He slowed his cleansing routine. “It is. It does not offend you?” He’d never asked her directly about his arm and if it bothered her.

She shrugged. “Why would it? It’s a part of you.”

He nodded. Of course, that was what he loved about Kendra. She accepted him as he was. His hands slid down to her breasts, and he found himself lost in the softness of her skin and her hard nipples.

She groaned and thumped him on the shoulder. “Stop teasing me. My breasts are not that dirty.”

He chuckled, soaped up his hands, and turned Kendra so her back faced him. He slid his hands down her spine and across the swell of her hips.

She sighed and leaned into his touch.

He shifted closer and lowered his mouth to her ear. “I am not experienced with a human. You must tell me if I do something inappropriate.”

“It all feels inappropriate but in a good way.”

“Tolong females do not find this pleasurable. They partake to examine our commitment to them.”

“How can someone not find this enjoyable?” Kendra gasped as his hand skimmed between her legs.

“Sex is a means to an end.”

“To get your female pregnant?”

“Correct.”

Kendra shifted and turned to face him. Her pupils were dilated, and her lips parted. “You don’t find this pleasurable?”

He pulled her to him. “You are my pleasure. This is something I never imagined could be for me.”

She grinned up at him. “A simple yes would have done.” Kendra took a step back. “Keep soaping me up, gorgeous.”

He smiled as he lathered Kendra from head to toe. He repeated the process three times, covering her in velvet soft bubbles, rinsing them off, then starting again.

Each time his hands stroked her breasts or dipped between her legs, she shivered. By the time he had covered her in bubbles for the third time, Kendra’s head was tipped back, and she moaned softly, pressing her hips forward every time his fingers slid along her thighs and across the delicious warmth between her legs.

Faron took this as an excellent sign. He dropped the soap on the side and scooped Kendra into his arms.

She yelped. “Hey, I was getting off on that. What’s happening now?”

“The oil.”

She thumped her head against his damp shoulder. “I’m not sure I can take it.”

He lowered her onto clean, soft towels on a wide wooden bench. “You don’t like to be rubbed?”

“Yes! But you’ve been rubbing me for ages, and I’m about to explode.” Her gaze went to his hard cock. “We could skip the oil.”

He shook his head and eased her onto her back. “That is not appropriate.”

Kendra huffed out a breath. “Then you need to give me a hand.”

“To do what?”

“Help me explode!”

Faron’s brow wrinkled as Kendra squirmed on the towels. “Ah! I see your meaning. You wish to orgasm?”

“Way to take the sexiness down a notch.” Kendra raised her head. “Stand behind me, give me your hand, and enjoy the view.”

Puzzled, he did as instructed. It was a magnificent view as Kendra flipped onto her front, grabbed his hand, lifted her butt, and nestled her warm, damp center of pleasure on his upturned palm. Her legs were splayed, and she was open for him.

Faron shifted closer, uncertain of his next move. He rested his free hand on Kendra’s hip as she thrust against his palm and moaned. He could take her now. She was willing and ready for him. It would be so easy to enter her. He just needed to get closer.

“Oh, yes!” Kendra’s back arched, and he ran his hand across her skin.

She shivered under his touch. “Please, I want you inside me.”

Desire hit Faron, and he inched nearer to her inviting opening. All he had to do was nudge inside, and they would be joined.

“Faron, I’m begging you. I’m yours.” Kendra looked over her shoulder at him, the desire clear on her face.

Longing filled him. He wanted her so badly, but it wasn’t right. He hadn’t performed the rituals. Faron eased her back down and focused on thrusting her hips into his hand, feeling her tense and shake beneath his firm grip.

With a cry of pleasure, Kendra’s thighs shook, and her movement slowed. She lay still for a moment.

“Did that help?” Faron’s balls ached with the need to have Kendra, but he backed away and grabbed a bottle of oil instead.

She groaned and rolled onto her back. “A little.” Her gaze went to the bottle, and she bit her bottom lip.

He smiled. “Now the pleasure really begins.”