CHAPTER 9
Strangely enough, the bedding seemed to literally draw the excess moisture from her body. It happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to think about what might be causing it. The momentary thought flew through her mind—how helpful this would be to an aquatic species who spent time in and out of the water all day.
Coming down on top of her, he stopped just sort of covering her body with his own. The question in his eyes was so plain, he didn’t need to speak the words.
She whispered, her voice coming out more breathless than she intended. “Everything. All that I am, I offer to you.”
“Think carefully about what you say.”
“Take whatever you like. I want it all with you.” She was so dizzy with need, she could hardly think of what he might be cautioning her against.
Without a moment of hesitation, he lowered himself. This time his exploring touch had a possessive edge to it. He rubbed his face against her skin before using light playful nips and licks, making it clear he was on a downward trajectory to the apex of her thighs. He touched her like she was his and he had every right to her. It showed in the way he pulled her legs apart, baring her to his appreciative gaze then to his mouth. Slowly, all coherent thought ebbed from her mind as he stoked the fires of their passion.
Her fingers landed on the fin sticking up in the middle of his head and she fingered it as his mouth worked pure magic between her legs. The fin looked translucent and almost fragile but felt like pure muscle beneath her hand. She tenderly ran her fingers along the scalloped top. Then she worked her fingers down the base in long, delicious strokes, paced to match the way he tongued her clit. When he tensed beneath her touch, she knew it was a hot spot for him. The more she did it, the more frantic he licked her. There was a direct cause-and-effect relationship there and enjoyed the power it gave her. It had been a very long time since she had been pleasured by a man. The fact that she could reciprocate in some small fashion made the experience even more exquisite.
It was amazing how effortlessly the man could tip her over into orgasm after orgasm with that talented tongue. Slow and sensual one moment, then picking up his pace to push her into a moaning orgasm the next. The man definitely had her number. When it got to be a little much, she pulled him up over her and wrapped her legs around his waist.
Now Elaine was fully aware that she should be more curious about what the man was packing, but eagerness momentarily overrode even safety concerns. In her mind, it was a little like the water in his strange pool. Best not look too closely and just see how it felt.
He didn’t waste a hot minute trying to get inside her either. It felt more like he bullied his way inside her and his careful handling of her made it all feel so good. The man was seriously well endowed, she knew that from all their cuddling and face rubbing over the last week or so. Even though she was soaked, it still took a minute of delicious back and forth to get himself fully seated inside her.
Once he was all the way in, he stopped and brought both hands up to touch her face. “I honestly didn’t think you could take all of me. Are you well, my beloved?”
Tugging him slightly closer with her legs, she teased. “Better than good. I’m having the time of my life.”
He flipped his head in one swift movement. “May you forever think so. I am going to move now.”
“Start slow and then you can build up to what you need.”
“All I need is you, precious woman. Fast or slow, you are a treasure.”
She was getting used to him saying things like that. Things that made her melt inside. When he moved, it lit everything up, causing her to toss her head back. “Yes, just like that.” The words sounded almost hissed.
Looking into his eyes as he rode her was nothing short of thrilling. His expression was tantalizingly smug with an overlay of sheer possessiveness, or maybe it was lust. The two looks were very similar on the face of her sexy captain. He was her captain, whether she wanted to admit it or not. All in the world she wanted was to live every spare moment in his arms.
That was the last coherent thought before everything began to unravel again. Losing her stream of thought while getting fucked should be a sign that she was with the right person. Riding wave after wave of pleasure as she looked into his dark soulful eyes bonded him to her. She ran her nails gently up his back and was rewarded with a hiss of approval. His beautiful teal body blushed a slightly darker shade when he was in the throes of passion.
Suddenly, he shifted slightly, dragging his long rod against her clit each time he moved in and out. Within three strokes, she detonated in a blinding white light. Reality fractured and he stilled deep inside as her channel clamped mercilessly at him. He made a deep guttural sound that reminded her of a growl before coming inside her. The moment hung in the air between them as they both struggled to catch their breath.
“That was kind of over the top.”
“You mean good?”
“Fantastic, life altering, unbelievably pleasurable. You choose the word that describes it best.”
“Our word is one you would not understand. Kalorna. It means family, love, the place you belong. The place you’re free to simply be who you are.”
“Home. We sometimes call it home sweet home on Earth. It evokes images of being warm, cozy, and safe with the ones you love the most.”
“Yes. Exactly as you have said.”
Elaine tested the word. “Kalorna. I like the sound of that word.”
“Will you stay with me today? I wish to continue our joining.”
“Candorian males have more stamina than human females.”
“My water refreshes and invigorates.”
Shifting slightly, she gazed up at him. “You mean we could simply take a dip and do that all over again?”
“As often as we like.” He sounded certain. It was too good an offer to pass up.
Biting her bottom lip, she responded. “I’d love to stay with you and enjoy your body as much as possible.”
One quick head flip and he carried her to his refreshing pool. The man was not even joking. A short soak later and she was completely ready for round two. It worked for round three and four as well. After that, they curled up in each other’s arms and simply slept the day away.
Waking with a start, she looked around the dimly lit room for Koal. Not finding him and not knowing the time sent her into a panic. She grabbed her clothing, which was neatly folded on a nearby table and headed out to the sitting area. She found Koal and the girls splashing around in the water. She joined them, but the girls ignored her in favor of playing some type of hovering disk game in the water.
Koal left them to it and approached her with a self-satisfied look on his handsome face. “I have had all your things relocated to my suite. The girls love their new room because it has a huge portal and places for them to create secret hiding places along the ceiling. What are secret hiding places? Why are they necessary for children on your world?”
Elaine rubbed her eyes, still trying to wrap her mind around how they came to live together. She vaguely remembered offering him everything. Jeez, what had she been thinking? He apparently took that to mean they were mated.
Objecting after the time they shared would seem kind of ridiculous, since it was so apparent they were highly compatible. Maybe she should stay. She couldn’t very well be Selene’s third wheel forever and the girls deserved a real father. Plus, she didn’t want to be without him.
“Don’t panic. You can still back out. We have not accepted our vows or mingled our waters publicly.”
Elaine wasn’t sure she wanted to know what that even meant. “I’m not panicking. I really do adore you, but this is just moving a little quicker than I anticipated. Perhaps, living together like this is a good idea. It will give you a chance to see the girls in action and make sure you’re ready to sign up for that kind of grief.”
Giving his happy head shake, he responded sincerely. “I have taken the liberty of speaking to them.”
Growing still, she asked quietly. “What did you say to my girls?”
Tilting his head slightly in confusion. “Only what was decent and right. I told them that you are in my heart and asked them to consider me for inclusion in their family. I told them that if they chose to accept me as their father, they will become the daughters of my heart. My water will be their water.”
“What did they have to say about that?”
“Surprisingly, not a lot. The small one sat on my lap and called me Daddy. The older one tried to negotiate father privileges to get more insects for the entomology lab. Since she is destined to live among traders, I thought it best to encourage her negotiation. She drove a hard bargain. I agreed to three hundred new specimens, all with exoskeletons. She was quite pleased, as am I. I almost forgot. I have one lunar to come up with the new specimens or she will revoke my father privileges.”
Elaine palm smacked herself in the forehead, before sighing. “I’m so embarrassed. You shouldn’t have to negotiate to be her father. I’ll talk to her.”
“If you would like, however it is not necessary from my point of view. Among our people, she would be well thought of for such behavior. In fact, Candorians mark the joining of families with the giving of gifts. I have purchased a small token of my affection for each of you. Will you allow me to present them?”
“You’ve done so much for us already.”
His gaze turned momentarily heated, as his hand landed on her stomach. “You have done much for me as well.”
Her mouth dropped open as she realized that she could very well be carrying his child. It’s not like either of them thought to address the issue of birth control. For some reason, the thought a little Koal playing with the girls really thrilled her. “Yes. Give them your gifts.”
Koal left the room and Elaine got the girls out of the pool and helped them get dressed. They waited in the seating area when he returned a short time later with three boxes.
The first one he bestowed upon Amie. She started to shake it, but he made a clicking sound and she immediately stopped. They’d all learned that was the please stop signal among the Candorians. Putting it on the table in front of her, she gently lifted the lid off. There was some rustling of the paper and a tiny lavender nose poked out. Quickly lifting the shredded paper away, the little girl peered into the box. Koal reached in and pulled out a tiny creature, sitting it on the table. It looked a like a cross between a hedgehog and a marsupial, but made a chirping sound like a bird. Reaching back in the box, he handed her a dainty lavender harness and leash. It was clearly a pet and little Amie was in love at first sight. She gently sat it on the floor and scampered around the room after it giggling.
The second box, he handed to Emily. The little girl chewed her lip nervously. “I hope it’s not another animal. I can’t keep up with that thing.”
Koal smiled politely. “I would never think of giving you such a gift. This pet will be more to your liking. I am a thoughtful gift giver. Open and you will see.”
Elaine watched the back and forth between the two of them. Koal’s manner of interaction was so perfect for her daughter. He listened to her and responded to her concerns with respect. He was not only perfect for her, but for her children as well.
Pulling the lid off, Emily’s eyes lit up when she looked into the box. “It’s a beetle bug with an exoskeleton and pinchers, and he’s huge.” The awe-struck girl carefully grabbed the over-sized bug out of the box by gripping where the pinchers couldn’t get her. Sure enough, it had a shiny red shell and was roughly the size of a dinner plate. Looking into the box again, she pulled out a small data chip on the care and treatment of the creature. Her face beamed when she looked at her new stepfather. “Thanks, Koal. You really do give thoughtful gifts.”
“This one you may keep in your room. I have a large habitat for him that will hang on your wall.”
“You’re the best. Thanks again.”
“You are quite welcome. It gives me great pleasure to see you happy.”
The nine-year-old dropped a kiss on his cheek before strutting off with her new pet.
“This last box is for you, my beloved. I would not have my female walk around the ship with a naked neck.”
“I noticed that most women ware elaborate neck cuffs.”
“They were originally worn to protect the most vulnerable spot on a female’s body from attack by predators in an underwater habitat.”
“They’re so delicate.”
“The tradition has evolved to be more ornamental than functional out of concern for the female’s comfort. I hope you like yours; it has the sign of my house upon it.”
Taking it from the box, she held it up. “It’s absolutely breathtaking. Do I really get to wear this around for every day?”
One masculine toss of his head told her he was pleased with her response. “Today, you have made all my dreams come true. If ever you leave me, I will have had these precious few weeks with you at my side. Wear my collar with pride, knowing it will never touch another’s neck.”
Trying not to tear up, she whispered. “Will you put it on me?”
Standing, he draped the lightweight collar around her throat. It slid down her throat just a touch because her neck wasn’t quite as long as the average Candorian. She touched the intricate punched-out designs running around the bottom. It appeared to be made of some type of super flexible leather. The fit was snug but so comfortable, she could hardly tell she wore it.
“This is by far the most beautiful cuff of any I have seen. It has the same design as your tattoo.”
“The House of Koal. Each male chooses his own design when he comes of age. Mine is of the long-forgotten underwater seascapes of my home world. I always long for my home under the sea, though it was destroyed long ago.”
“You chose well. I was always drawn to your tattoo.”
“What else were you drawn to, my beloved?” The gentle teasing brought a smile to her face.”
“Well, your water freaked me out at first. After being in it the first time, I really loved it.”
His expression turned more emotional than she’d ever seen on him. Moving close, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her close to his chest. Taking her hands in his own, he cuddled them close to his body. It was an intimate pose and one that bespoke his growing love for her. He looked down at her, seeming to enjoy the sight of her in his neck cuff.
“Aren’t you going to kiss her?”
Two heads turned to look at Emily.
The tween balanced the huge beetle on her head.
“Careful you don’t get pinched.” Koal’s words of warning went totally unheeded.
“Kiss her already. You’re all hugged up. You are supposed to kiss, but you’re letting the perfect moment slip right by you. You do know what kisses are, don’t you?”
Elaine shrugged. “Children are God’s little awkward moment makers, don’t you agree?”
Turning his attention back the Emily, Koal spoke. “I am uncertain what you are referring to, daughter of my heart.”
The girl began making kissy noises with her lips. “Kissing. I can’t believe you’re getting married but you aren’t kissing.”
“That’s enough, Emily. Put your beetle away and help your sister find her pet.”
With a slight humph, she did as she was told.
Koal turned his curious eyes back on her and Elaine bit her lip as she tried to figure out how to explain romance-style kissing to him without ending up right back in the sack again.