My face flushes slightly, noticing I have my hand against my chest. I can’t deny the attraction I feel for him. There is also a noble, caring side to him. During the attack, he showed such impressive leadership. I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration for him. He took control of the situation with ease, his voice calm yet firm as he gave orders and made decisions that saved all our lives. And now he is teaching others with passion and patience as he corrects their technique, pivoting their feet into a more solid stance.

I can’t wait any longer. I need to speak to him. Excitement and worry both wash over me as I make my way to the centerof the room.I need to convince him to take me home.Krogoth looks up, noticing me approaching, and instantly stops what he is doing, a massive smile blooming on his face, his pretty purple eyes sparkling in the dim room. He jogs over to me with his arms spread wide. “Pebbles. It is good to see you!”

“Oof,” I squeak as Krogoth engulfs me in his massive, muscular arms, lifting me off the ground and twirling me around in circles. The world around me becomes a blur, and I feel the rush of wind in my hair. My stomach churns, and I can’t help but laugh. “Put me down, Krogoth. I’m going to be sick!” I manage to squeak out between laughs.

He sets me down, drinking me in with his eyes. “You look good. Really good.” Still smiling, he taps my new wrist console. “Good. Astraxius got you set up.” I can’t help but notice the two younger warriors move hastily to leave the room now that Krogoth’s attention is on me.

It’s hard to think with this great hulking giant gazing down so intensely at me. “It’s great to see you, too. I… I was worried about those terrible machines that… How could you face them?”Is it weird I’m concerned for the well-being of the very person who abducted me?

As Krogoth strokes my hair gently, a sense of comfort and protection washes over me. “You ask this of me, you who killed scores of the enemy, you who stood where many would have broken?” he says, his deep voice filled with disbelief.

I’m overwhelmed by his words and touch, and tears well up in my eyes.He doesn’t know the terror I feel, but I am broken.“I wanted to impress you, Krogoth… If I had known then what I know now… I can’t face them again.” My voice trembles with sobs, and I plead with him. “Please take me back to Earth. I can’t deal with this!”

I can see the concern etched on Krogoth’s face before he lets out a deep sigh. “No more tears, Pebbles. I will take you back toEarth once the ship is repaired,” he promises with a gentle smile. I feel my heart race with relief, like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Finally, after all the fear and uncertainty, I can relax.

His large fingers brush away my tears, and I feel an overwhelming sense of safety in his presence. “I thought my heart would burst with pride when I saw you spitting in the eyes of the hated Scythians. It was at that moment I knew, truly knew, you are the one for me,” he says, pulling me closer and resting his head next to mine.

“And that is why I… I must let you go. I could never forgive myself if any harm came to you,” he whispers gently into my ear, his words like a soft caress. The scent of his skin fills my nostrils, a mix of sweat and something else I can’t quite place. I look up into his intense eyes, and my breath quickens with a mixture of sadness and longing.

His hot breath tingles against my neck, sending shivers down my spine like jolts of electricity. “I’m not the person you think I am,” I murmur, feeling shame wash over me.

He places a gentle hand under my chin, tilting my face towards him. His head inches closer, his stunning purple eyes brimming with intensity. My heart pounds wildly in my chest as I close my eyes, hoping he continues.

“My perfect female,” he whispers. His nose brushes against mine, causing my skin to tingle with anticipation as I eagerly open my mouth, enveloping his lips with mine.

Chapter 8

Krogoth

Healing

Excitement builds inside me;it’s almost too much to handle. My beautiful Pebbles is finally letting herself go, melting into my arms. Our noses touch so sensitively, so long overdue. Until her wet tongue probes my lips. “Pfft! What are you doing?” My head pulls away in surprise.

“Wha… What do you mean, what am I doing? I thought we were kissing?” Pebbles exclaims as she pulls back, wide eyed.

I wipe my lips with the back of my hand, removing her tongue juices. “We were kissing! Until you started sucking my face and licking my lips.”Who would do such a curious thing?

Pebbles exhales loudly, “That is kissing, KROGOTH!” saying my name much louder than the rest of the words. “Rubbingnoses is called Eskimo kissing on Earth. But it’s not the real thing.”

“Humans suck each other’s mouth juices as a sign of affection? Very… eh… bold.”No wonder why there’s so many humans on Earth,such a frisky species.

She steps closer, smiling. “You make it sound so charming, Krogoth.” She glances at my lips, then to my eyes, oddly pleasingly. “It’s fun though, let me show you.” She melts into me again; her eyes and mouth look so inviting.

Eagerly, I wrap her in my arms again, moving my head down to meet hers. I’m now prepared for this ‘human kissing.’I will not falter!She feels so soft and warm, like lying on a new fur on a warm day. The Rush builds as our noses touch. Her soft lips press against mine. I open my lips, letting my tongue slip into her sweet mouth. Our tongues collide beautifully. She feels so wet and intimate. It spurs me on, to probe more greedily as our tongues caress each other. She moans softly, submissively. I can feel my cock becoming engorged.By the Gods, I want this female. If I don’t stop now, she’ll be in danger.

I pull back, gazing at her, my eyes full of lust. She smiles so sweetly and innocently it nearly drives me to take her right here, right now. “Your way is much better,” I say with euphoric laughter.

“I know.” She smiles cheekily. “I told you it would be fun.” She steps back, running a hand through her attractive wild wavy hair as she looks about the room for a moment. “I saw you training the other two earlier. You know I used to train in Judo.”

My mind is still reeling from the stunning kiss. “Judo, is this a wrestling style on Earth?”

“Yeah, kind of.” She walks to the center of the wrestling ring, a look of mischief on her face.

I laugh abruptly. “You want to wrestle me, tiny little Pebbles?” I circle to the opposite side of the ring.

“Stop calling me tiny. I’m average size!” she says, putting a hand on her hip.

“Average of tiny is still tiny. Tiny Pebbles.” I smirk at her.