He must’ve felt some kind of change in me because his limbs gently relaxed until I found myself being cradled in his arms and their touch shifted to a slow massage. “Your submission has retreated slightly, my Colby.”
Nodding against his torso, I made sure to stay relaxed so he knew I didn’t want to move. “Enough for me to think. Kinda. You’ve got to keep me here, though. Yeah. Right here.”
There was a good chance that I had a little nap because when everything got clearer again, I’d shifted slightly and one limb was holding the water bottle the human helper had made sure to drop off.
“Your body requires hydration.” Saint shifted me around so I was sitting up enough to drink, even though he didn’t release me. “Restaurant food contains high concentrations of salt and submission exerts considerable force on a human body.”
I knew he was right because at the moment it felt like I’d just run a marathon.
“Thank you, Sir.” Drinking my fill, I drained the bottle before I went back to relaxing against him again. “Thank you.”
I might’ve already said that, but I wasn’t sure enough to take a chance.
“You are welcome, my Colby.” Saint’s limbs caressed over me until thinking finally got easier. He must’ve sensed that too because I could feel his body tense. “Human social conventions in domination-based relationships say I am required to ask about your physical and mental well-being even if I am confident about your bodily status.”
He knew I was fine but he had to ask.
He was so cute.
“You’re right, Sir. I’m wonderful.” There was no point in downplaying it since he wasn’t a human Dom and my being clingy wouldn’t bother him. “You were amazing and a good Dom during aftercare.”
Hmm.
“Do you need to put me down? You don’t seem to think I’m too heavy but I don’t want to wear you out or injure you.” He didn’t seem to be winded at all, but I wasn’t sure enough about how their bodies worked to bet on it.
“Thank you for worrying about my care. However, I could hold you for one of your Earth days before my body could no longer provide structure for you.” He chuckled when I made a confused sound. “Our evolutionary process started under water. Our scientists theorized that we had needed to grip to keep our body in one place.”
“Had to hold on to something so you didn’t float away. Makes sense.” And probably why I’d heard they didn’t need as much sleep as us. “Thank you for explaining it.”
“I will always do my best to explain our differences. Although, I have to admit to not always understanding human behavior. I will research and expand my knowledge, however.” He sounded confident in that but I wasn’t worried.
“Is that why you read a lot? Wait. Why haven’t you been here as long as everyone else?” That would’ve hit me earlier if he hadn’t been so distracting. “Wait. Did we already talk about that?”
My head felt like reality was a thousand miles away.
“Yes. Reading helps me understand human thought. I do understand the concept of fiction versus nonfiction. Do not worry.” Patting my head, Saint did a very human sigh that I had a feeling he’d been practicing. “I also understand the difference betweenfluffanddarkromance.”
What had he been reading?
“Let’s focus on you reading happy stuff for now…or maybe just solving murders? The dark romance section is kind of scary.” Fun. But not for everyone. “I like fluff. I’ve read a few of the books on your shelf.”
That got me a tight hug and an excited sound that was definitely not anything I’d heard from a human. “Readers are wonderful humans. I have found a reader outside of your social media.”
Oh.
“Did you find the online book groups and stuff?” Maybe that was where he’d found the dark romance books?
“Yes. I am highly appreciated in what is calledmonster fuckergroups.” He was really proud of that and seemed to be bragging, so I managed not to laugh but there was no way he couldn’t feel my reaction. “I am pleased you understand the importance and excitement of that.”
Adorable.
I’d never met a Dom who was so cute, but I loved it.
“I’m glad you found things that make you happy.” I was counting me in that mental list, so I wiggled and turned my head toward his torso to make him hold me tighter.
Amazing.
And I really needed to go back to social media if I’d missed out on aliens in the monster fucker book groups.