Voice strained, Rydak asked, “One last time, Lissi. You want this?”

“Yes, oh yes.” Lips wet and eyes at half-mast, she was a vision.

Rydak undid his pants and pulled out his aching length. He groaned from every brush of contact and laid on his back on the bed. “I want to watch you when I come.”

Before she could deny him, Rydak grasped her at the waist and pulled her over him. Lissi’s legs clamped his cloth covered hips and once more he wished he could feel her all over.

Confusion flickered across her face. “Rydak, I’m not sure what to do.”

Pushing back his need, he helped guide her to his throbbing shaft. “I’ll help.”

Wet heat sheathed him when he eased her down his shaft. Rydak pressed his head back onto the pillows with a groan. Tight but slick she welcomed him and it took everything in Rydak not to beg for mercy. Instead, he let himself enjoy the sensations as he taught Lissi how to move. How to take the most enjoyment from sliding up and down his straining erection.

Air puffed from her mouth as she rode him. He wanted to deny the hitch of excitement knowing she felt even a sliver of what he felt for her. Rydak kept his gloved hands at her waist helping her work over his cock as his breath drew short.

The next groan ripped from his throat and the subsequent hoarse shout left him raw. Needing. So much need for this diminutive blonde in his arms who rocked sensuously and without artifice in his arms.

Touching Lissi and being in her arms at last was almost more than Rydak could bear. He tried to relax and slow down but each stroke brought him closer to climaxing.

“You feel good.” He dragged in a shuddering breath. “Keep moving.”

He didn’t want this to end but pleasure rolled up his back and threatened to take him over the edge too soon.

***

Rydak slid slowly into her body then out, the plump head of his erection rasping against her soft inner tissue. Back and forth he demonstrated until the gentle moves became familiar. Lissi soon found herself no longer needing his guidance to continue the motions.

“You feel good. Keep moving.”

She sucked in a deep breath when Rydak leaned up and lipped her taut nipple. Shivers racked her body and her flesh pebbled from the sensations. Lissi rocked faster, his hard length sliding through her slickness, his fingers working her small button at the same time. She felt odd. Discomfited. But full and swollen with pleasure.

“I’m going to come again, Rydak. Need it,” she gasped in between pants as she fell forward, her hands planted firmly on his chest. The material of his shirt bunched beneath her touch and slid up to reveal the tanned flesh of his flexing abdomen.

Rydak’s eyes fluttered open. His lips twisted into a partial grimace as he thrust up with his hips and urged her back down with his hands at her waist. Over and over, he repeated the action until she was one giant ache. “Then come, Lissi. Take your release from me.”

She whimpered. She cried. And when the sensations bubbled up and ripped from her control, Lissi screamed. Nothing in her life had ever felt this way. Rydak shouted behind her as Lissi collapsed on his chest, body too weak to hold her up any longer.

Their heavy breathing filled the room as they lay slumped together. Humor tickled her thoughts. “Rydak Jaard in my bed at last.”

He shifted about and dragged her up his body until he cradled her in his arms. The small beginnings of a grin tugged at his lips as he stared down at her. “You’ve chased and chased, Lissi Alonson. Now that you have caught me, what are you going to do?”

The look Rydak directed her way made Lissi’s knees shake. Her fingers twitched with the desire to touch the flowing blond hair about his shoulders but she held on to her restraint.

“I’m going to keep you, Rydak,” she whispered so low she wasn’t sure he heard.

He must have though, because Rydak hiked a blond brow in her direction. Resting an elbow on the mattress beside her, he lowered his head slow and steady, giving Lissi time to move or change her mind. He paused when only a sliver of space separated their lips.

Lissi exhaled, nerves tingling. The brush of his hand against her neck as he swept her hair over her shoulder left shivers to dance down her spine. The cool touch of leather when he caressed her cheek enflamed Lissi along with the gentleness in the gesture but the way his eyes suddenly darkened worried her.

He was tempted to back off and retreat. She knew it, read it in the way his gaze darted to the side. Lissi gripped his firm jaw and forced his face back toward hers. “No regrets, Rydak. I will not let you.”

He stiffened, paying attention to her with an intensity she found unnerving. Lissi kept her voice firm so he in no way could doubt her sincerity. “I’ve marked you. Every touch, every kiss will be with you long after this night. The memory of how I touched you will not fade. I won’t let it. I touched you, Rydak.”

He breathed out, his words containing a husky note she couldn’t define. “You think you are stronger than a Jutak?”

She refused to let him intimidate her. “I am not stronger than a Jutak but I am strong enough for one.”

Silence reined between them, neither saying anything more. Lissi knew the moment it happened and her heart almost burst free from her chest when he next spoke.

“You win. I am yours.”

Tears sprang to her eyes and Lissi was close to blubbering but held it back. “Are you in pain? How do you feel?”

***

“How do you feel?”

It meant a lot that she thought of him. Chest heaving, Rydak was almost afraid to admit what was at the forefront of his mind after such an explosive union but he needed to know. Was almost scared to know. “I’m not sure but I think...I think it doesn’t hurt to touch you.”

There were definite moments of skin to skin contact. Beyond the kisses, the accidental touches when her hands trailed through his hair to his nape. Not to mention the kisses they’d exchanged prior to tonight.

Rydak needed to test if his lack of pain was real. If it was, he’d finally lose his mind. “I need to know.”

Fingers trembling, he slowly peeled each glove off and tossed them to the side of the bed.

Lissi stared. “Are you sure about this? What if—I know you said you’d experience some discomfort by our intimacy but please don’t do this if it hurts you more.”

He slid his hand into hers, their bare skin brushing. Rydak tempted fate by letting her touch him, risking his very sanity for a brief caress from her slender fingers which curled about his own.

Backlash from his empathy ranged from mild headaches and nausea to blistering pain and loss of consciousness. Holding his breath, Rydak stroked his hand up her arm, her shoulder then cupped her face and waited.

Silence. No pain, no thoughts other than his own. His heart jumped in his chest. Rydak remained with one hand on the curve of Lissi’s jaw and the other clenched tight in the sheets. Not possible. As much as he tried to control it, joy burst through him. Everything he ever wanted and it was right here. 

Rydak released Lissi’s face and instantly curled around her, his grip bordering on too tight. Her scent filled his being as he lowered his head to her hair. Satisfaction soaked into his soul.

“Rydak?” Her tentative voice wisped along his throat. He tore away from her arms, his breath increasing as the reality of what this meant slammed into him. Lissi’s face fell, leaving her looking lost. “It hurts doesn’t it and you’re trying to hide it?”

“No!”

He hadn’t wanted to move. Having her close filled him in a way he never thought he’d experience but the shock left him stunned.

“Rydak, what is it? Tell me.” She shoved at him, scrambling into a sitting position her hips against his thigh.

He still had on his uniform and made haste to tear his shirt from his body. The pants soon followed. Naked, he lay back and the wonder washed over him again. “Touch me. Please.”

He didn’t care how he looked or that he was practically begging. Lissi placed a hand on his bare chest, a tentative grin creasing her face. “It really doesn’t hurt?”

Contact. Touch. Physical pleasure from being skin to skin with another. He shook his head, words failing him. Lissi lay beside him and cuddled close. “Can you tell what I am thinking.”

“Nothing,” he breathed as he lifted and turned to enfold her in his arms. “I can sense nothing.”

“Good.”

It didn’t come close. It was better.

Entwined in one another’s arms, Rydak let her rest, careful to keep one hand on her at all times. Disbelief prevented him from joining Lissi in sleep. When she awakened, Rydak sat up in bed, back braced against the wall, his gaze on her.

Lissi glanced up, worry glinting in her eye. She nibbled well kissed lips and it was enough to spark a renewed need to put his own mouth there again. “Rydak is everything—”

“Fine,” he murmured, interrupting her. “Everything is fine.” 

Lissi pushed upright, her brows crinkled and her eyes heavy with sleep. Cute and adorable. “Why are you up?”

He cupped her face. With his bare hands. Excitement left tremors. “We can be together. I can touch you.”

She smiled but a yawn ruined the effect as she nudged his hands away and curled closer into him. “Mmm. Of course, you can. You’re meant to be mine.”

Lissi. All of his dreams curled in his embrace and all Rydak had to do was accept her. So he did. He accepted Lissi as the only woman he’d love and the claim filled him with an overwhelming wave of satisfaction and relief.

His.

Once she was asleep again, Rydak eased carefully from the bed. He dressed in his wrinkled clothes but couldn’t stop from looking at Lissi every minute.

She opened her eyes before he could leave. “Where are you going?”

“I have to go back. And I don’t think it a good idea for your parents to return and find out I slept in their daughter’s bed all night.”

Muffled laughter, the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. Then she hummed under her breath and her lids lost the battle to stay open but he heard her mumbled words. “I love you, Rydak Jaard.”

He loved her too but preferred to tell her when she was awake.

As soon as Rydak returned to his room at the base there was only one person he wanted to reach out to. It was early but he knew he wouldn’t disturb sleep or rest.

“Greetings, Rydakichi.” His nonja’s calm tones eased over the call, soothing the nerves and anxiety crawling up his back.

“I can’t sense her, Nonja.” Rydak gripped the nape of his neck, unsure how to feel as he made the announcement.

“I cannot feel her nor sense her thoughts.” Amazement had him saying the words again for his own assurance. It was unexpected and a gift he hoped didn’t fade.

His nonja didn’t question who. “So Lissi Alonson is the one.”

There was no missing her happiness. It would be just like her to withhold the secret close to her chest. “Did you know, Nonja?”

Her tinkling laugh filled his ears. “Of course not. But an old woman can hope. All I’ve ever wanted is your happiness.”

Rydak breathed out a rough sigh, the burn behind his eyelids causing him to blink. He needed to say more. There was so much he wanted to express but the words bottled in his throat prevented him from speaking.

He still found it hard to believe. He considered this a delay. A bad dream because it was what he wanted most. But pain from touch was never this prolonged in coming. If he separated the instances in his mind, he saw clearly the times he’d touched Lissi and it wasn’t her who caused him pain.

Ever wise and all knowing, his nonja continued to speak allowing him a chance to get himself together. “And will there be a presentation?”

Rydak swallowed. “I haven’t thought that far. Never considered it a possibility.”

Now that it was an option, he wanted it more than anything. His nonja hummed under breath. “I will think on this. My wish has always been for you to find love and acceptance.”

“Lissi loves me Nonja.” There was no doubt left in his mind and he loved her.

Nabella’s voice softened. “I know. She glowed with it when you brought her by.”

Rydak didn’t ask his nonja how she saw Lissi glowing. Her voice cracked with emotion as she continued. “Knowing you will have a Chosen makes up for not finding a love to cherish my heart. You bring her back to see me again. I like her as much as Jaronoto.”

A rough chuckle escaped. “Yes, Nonja. When we have time, I will bring Lissi to you.”