Page 13 of Treasured By the Hunter

She tilted her head, and I could see the cogs in her brain working. “I guess that would be okay. As long as everything stays PG-13.”

I knew what that meant. I’d lived with humans long enough and watched enough movies to have asked about this phrase. This amused me.

“I accept.”

I stretched my long body out diagonally on the bed, glad this was one of those male-ruler-sized ones. I had also learned that king-sized beds were not only for kings. It was, however, one of the only beds that fit a Xarc’n warrior, even if we had to tuck our legs in so our feet didn’t hang off the end.

I didn’t miss Zoey’s eyes as they trailed over my body appreciatively. The moonlight must be bright enough for her to see. Her eyes lingered on my abs before skating over my loincloth quickly, then slowed at my giant thighs and muscular calves. Before she could take too detailed a look at my feet, which, unlike my hands, did not have retractable claws but permanently exposed ones, I moved, grabbing her and tucking her neatly against my body.

“Hey!”

Before she could voice her protest, I said, “I agree to PG-13. Lying on a bed with our clothes on is PG-13. You even have your shoes.”

She rolled her eyes. “All you have is a loincloth on. I wouldn’t exactly call that clothed. And I keep my shoes on so I can run at a moment’s notice.”

“This is fully clothed for me.”

“Fine. But nothing else comes off. What about your shuttle? Aren’t you worried someone will find it?”

“My shuttle is safe.”

“Okay, then.” She turned in my arms to face me, which was just as well because her proximity meant my body was reacting again, and I wouldn’t be able to hide it if her ass was pressed up against my crotch.

“Works for me.” She started to turn around again, but I held her in place.

“I wish for a goodnight kiss. Kissing is PG 13,” I said, reaching to cup her cheek gently in one giant palm.

I wasn’t completely new to this human courting ritual. I experienced kisses during the dates I’d been on. They had been pleasurable, but I hadn’t wanted to kiss those females the way I wanted to kiss Zoey now.

I did not smell any fear from her; if anything, there was the slightest scent of arousal. Even if she didn’t approve of me, the warrior, she approved of my body. Human bodies were similar enough, though much less muscular, and I was a Xarc’n hunter in my prime. She’d noticed.

Since she did not object to my closeness, I leaned in and covered her mouth with mine.

Chapter 6: Zoey

I was kissing a Xarc’n hunter!

Sometime between the first instant I saw him and now, I’d lost any wariness of him. Maybe it was when he’d so valiantly announced he’d slay the scuttlers for me and keep me safe, or perhaps it was when he’d shared his very delicious cookie with me. Either way, he wasn’t some terrifying alien warrior anymore. He was… Harb’k.

Harb’k of the perfectly sculpted body and masculine, forest-like scent. Harb’k, with the low, rumbly voice that turned my knees to jelly. Harb’k, who loved bacon and wanted meat cookies.

Now addHarb’k, the ridiculously damned good kisserto that list! I didn’t know these aliens kissed.

Strong hands pulled me close, and I was instantly surrounded by the heat of his body. Firm lips pressed against mine, plundering my mouth. I could feel the points of his fangs on my lips, but he was careful not to nick me. Lust filled my belly and bubbled up to where we met.

A questing tongue parted my lips, seeking entry. With a shaky breath, I opened my mouth to him. I clung to him, my fingertips digging into the strong muscles of his shoulders.

God! There was so much of him. So much muscle. So much masculinity. Everything was so intense, fierce.

He thrust a thick tongue into my mouth, and the movement had me imagining him thrusting somewhere else. Wetness dampened between my legs, and I moaned, surprised at my body’s reaction. It had been years since I’d reacted to anyone like that. It had been constant survival, and I couldn’t trust anyone outside my little group, not even when we visited Sanctuary or the small settlement that was what was left of Las Vegas.

My moan was drowned out by his purring, which was no longer the soft drone it had been before but an insistent, needy rumble that I felt right through to the tips of my toes.

The world spun around me, and I was suddenly dizzy with desire. I felt weak like I couldn’t hold myself up even though I was laying down. But Harb’k was there, his strong arms supporting me. I clung to him as the world threatened to spin away.

A hand slid up my back, the fingertips skating up my spine. They slid into my hair and pulled my head back, exposing my throat. I didn’t feel any claws, even though I swear I’d seen them on him earlier. Harb’k gave my bottom lip a final nibble before trailing a line of kisses down my jaw.

Was this still PG-13? At this point? I decided I didn’t care.

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