Page 27 of An Alien for the Farm

This is more than mouths brushing against each other. This is a dance of desire. I’m suddenly aware of her…completely. The fact her entire being seems perfect for the most carnal of acts. She’s so soft against me, like something that should always be protected, and still something in me wants to flip her around and pound into her with thinly controlled thrusts. My cock hardens almost painfully, pressing into her and I hear when her breath hitches the moment she becomes aware of it. But there’s only a momentary pause before the movement of her tongue against mine continues.

This…is bliss. The world fades away. Hudo III ceases to exist, leaving only the two of us in this perfect, suspended moment. It’s only me and this Liora. This Little Bird. My Liora. Because after this, I know I want her even more. I want this sweet, enticing female to be mine.

The emotions, the thoughts, everything rises within me all at once.

It’s probably why I don’t hear the sound of the intruder. Probably why I don’t realize we’re not alone until something shifts in my periphery.

A voice sounds and Eleanor freezes, breaking the contact of our lips. I growl, eyes flashing as I turn my attention in the direction of the door. There stands a Saffion, his ears immediately folding back the moment his gaze lands on us. On me.

“Oh dear,” he mutters.

My Liora is hot but she grows even warmer the moment her gaze focuses on the Saffion in our presence. “Xarion?”

“I did not mean to intrude on your…mating act.” He adjusts the cuff of his garment, gaze dropping away from us. “I attempted to contact you via your comms, but there was no reply. I ventured out here in case you were in some form of trouble but—” His gaze slides back to us and I glare at him. His ears fold back even flatter against his head. “—But it appears you were…otherwise occupied.”

Eleanor slips from my grasp and I curse the gods. First Varek and now this Saffion. Her cheeks flushed, Eleanor straightens her tunic as she steps away from the tool on the ground and, in extension, away from me. “Xarion, this isn’t—”

Ah, so this is the male she’d mentioned before. The one that brought her here. What does he want? Is he, perhaps, interested in Eleanor? The thought only makes my core-beat become unsettled. Just like last sol when I couldn’t figure out what I’d been supposed to do and everything felt threatened, so it does again.

“This isn’t…” Eleanor glances back at me, cheeks still that beautiful color, and I catch the uncertainty in her gaze.

“—necessary to explain,” I cut in, my voice a low growl. Stepping closer to Eleanor, I ache to pull her against me once more, my protective instincts flaring. “Are you here on business, Saffion?”

Xarion’s ears twitch nervously. “I was concerned for Eleanor’s safety. But I see she is well…attended to. Is that correct, human? Or do I need to contact the guards on your behalf?” He adjusts his cuff again, gaze shifting from me to Eleanor and back. I don’t miss the way his feet are planted despite the flattening of his ears. Saffion aren’t a confrontational species, but this one looks prepared to come to Eleanor’s rescue if she even suggests she’s in trouble.

My respect for the male goes up a notch even though he’s just threatened to get me arrested.

Eleanor blanches before taking a step closer to the male. “No, Xarion, I’m perfectly fine.” She gestures to me. “This is the male you advised me to hire.”

The Saffion’s ears perk, gaze shifting to me and then back to Eleanor. “I advised a Raki, not a Kari. Raki are much better suited for the repairs you need here.”

Eleanor releases a breath. “Yea, well, I mixed up the names. The computer told me that the Kari are skilled laborers and Zynar here has been quite efficient. The roof is halfway done.”

The Saffion’s big eyes narrow only slightly. “Yes. I did notice that.”

Eleanor beams at him. “Right. We were just…” She clears her throat. “Did you need something? Is there something I forgot to sign?” There’s an almost unnoticeable tightening of her shoulders. “Is everything alright? With New Horizons, I mean? They haven’t changed their mind, have they?”

I stand taller, her words making me pull my gaze away from her to the male before us. Changed their mind? Is she worried they will take away the home they’ve given her?

The one called Xarion shakes his head. “Nothing of the sort. I just wished to inform you that a Raki has agreed to assist you in your repairs of this estate.” He gestures wildly at nothing in particular. “Since you’re the first settler of the initiative, we hope for everything to go smoothly. New Horizons will cover the cost of the repairs.”

The air stills, my world slowly peeling back like old plaster stuck on a wall.

“If you accept, the Raki will be here on the next sol. He will also tend to the farm and make it ready for basic crops.”

“What? Really?” Eleanor’s surprise can be heard in her voice.

No, Little Bird. Reject the offer.

“Affirmative,” the Saffion continues. “I must apologize for the delay on this. We are still refining our processes on the Initiative.”

Eleanor turns to look at me. “I guess I won’t have to bother you with all my monotonous tasks.” She gives what sounds to me like a nervous laugh.

“No.” I’ve never before wanted to stay longer than needed on any job. But in this, I am resolute. Something is telling me I need to stay here. Near to this Little Bird. “I’ll do it for free,” I growl.

In my periphery, Eleanor’s eyes grow large and before me, the Saffion tilts his head in confusion.

“I don’t understand,” he says.

---