Page 24 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

No matter the dim firelight, it is obvious that Sage’s face changes to the same color it had when she spoke of attraction. It gives me hope.

“There’s a good chance,” she finally admits. “I’m not saying this very instant. We still don’t know each other, and there are so many uncertainties. But there is definitely a possibility.”

I will take possibility. With far more confidence than I would normally display, I lean forward and brush my lips across hers. Once. Twice. There is a light flicker of a wet touch against my mouth, and I draw back. “What is that?”

Sage glances away and ducks her head slightly. “Did you hate it?”

I graze the side of her head and gently turn it so I can see her face. “I do not know whatitis. Tavikhi do not mouth touch, so you will need to guide me. It was not hated, but if there is more to our mouth touching than just bringing our lips together, then I would like to know so I can please you.”

She swallows. “Usually kissing, at least with your mate, involves tongues.”

Tongues? “Will you show me?”

Far too slowly Sage closes the distance between us again. She moves to her knees, so we are more equal in height, and lays her hands on my shoulders. Heat sears through me and my mating marks tingle with awareness. From just that simple touch, my cock grows hard. Uncomfortably so, but I do not dare shift. I do not want my mate to think I do not want this new mouth touching we are going to do.

Sage leans forward and caresses my lips with hers. Lightly at first and with more pressure. That wet, fleeting sensation happens again, only it becomes more insistent.

“You’re supposed to open your mouth. Just a little,” she instructs quietly against my lips.

When our mouths touch again, I do as she says and part them. Her tongue slips in and glides alongside mine. Her taste is like the sweetest shurup nectar. I slick my own against hers and she presses closer, opening a bit more and deepening the connection between us.

I grip her hips, wanting to feel more of her body. Her large chest mounds rub against me and I finally have my answer of how they feel. They are soft and pliable. My fingers itch to discover more about them. Are they sensitive? Will touching them cause my mate more pleasure? Calling on all the patience I have, I continue to let Sage guide us to wherever this desire leads.

As though reading my thoughts, she pulls back. “You can touch me.”

“Where?” I try to contain my eagerness.

Sage reaches for one of my hands and raises it to her chest mound. “Here. Gently, though.”

I will treat her with more gentleness than I have ever shown before. With great care, I mold the flesh beneath my palm and take her lips with mine again, only this time, I sweep my tongue into her mouth. A pebble forms in the center of her mound, and through her chest covering, I roll it between my fingertips. Sage arches her back and moans. I breathe in the sound.

My cock is as rigid as one of my sparring staffs. It strains against my leg coverings and leaks the mating fluid that is said to enhance our mate’s pleasure. I rock my hips trying to soothe the ache and brush against her. It is me who groans with desire this time.

I want to lie with Sage in my furs and remove her chest covering so I can explore more, but I must remain patient and let her lead. It takes me a moment to realize that my skin burns and tingles in a good way. But only in the places where my mating marks line it. There’s a sharp painalong my left hip where the marks are broken and disconnected. It is almost as though they are reminding me of the defect.

Sage pulls away. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you did I? You flinched.”

My grip on her hip tightens slightly. “No. You did not hurt me.”

She studies me as though she does not believe my words and sits back on her heels causing me to release her. It would appear as though our mouth touching is over.

“Thank you for showing me your drawings,” Sage says. “They really are incredible.”

“It is I who thanks you. Perhaps tomorrow we could go down to the river and look for stones. I would like to find the perfect one if you agree to letting me…draw you.”

She smiles widely. “That sounds nice.”

“If we have time, I could take you to the elders’ tents to meet my nene and baba as well.”

“All right.” Sage’s smile dims slightly, but she quickly recovers. “I should probably get going.”

Disappointment fills me, but I do not let it show. “Perhaps we can meet for the morning meal? I am going to head to the training arena right after that to do some light sparring.”

A flash of concern crosses her face. “Are you sure you should be practicing so soon after your injury? I don’t want you to have a setback.”

I place my hand on Sage’s cheek. “I promise I will take great care and not overexert myself. It is important though for me to keep my skills up for when I can return to hunting.”

She lays her hand over mine. “Just be careful. Please.”

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