Page 35 of Space for More

Mezli looks expectantly at Eden, who opens and closes her mouth a few times, a hand coming up protectively to her chest like she’s preparing to defend herself from my response to whatever she’s going to say.

Mezli rolls her eyes. “Ugh, it’s not that big of a deal, she’s just never?—”

“Fuck, fine! I’m a virgin,” Eden blurts out in a high-pitched squeak.

There must be some alternate human meaning to the term that’s getting lost in translation, but after a moment I put the pieces together. We spoke at length when I was assisting her with hermedipod, and talk turned to her isolation and lack of life experience. By innocent and untouched, she means she’s never had sex.

A flush rises on my cheek. Why are they telling me this?

“It means she’s never fucked,” Mezli adds crassly, mistaking my surprise as confusion.

“Ah.” My voice stays calm, but inside I’m vibrating. “And this has relevance to me because…?” I take a swig from my drink to mask any reaction I might have to what she says next.

Mezli reaches out to toy with one of Eden’s short curls, then slides her hand down to rest on her shoulder as the human’s breathing speeds up. “Well, you see, our lovely Eden here was hoping to change that tonight. And you appeared to be searching for some companionship for the night cycle until I so rudely interrupted.”

I almost choke on my drink, and it burns as I force it down. She can’t possibly… Is Mezli seriously saying she wantsmeto sleep with Eden? “W-what?!” I stare at the two of them, slack-jawed as all the blood in my body rushes to my cocks.

Eden winces at my reaction. “I’m so sorry, Phelix! This was a ridiculous idea. It’s just that you’ve been so kind to me since we met and I’ve been waiting so long to do this and it could be my only chance while I’m here… I would never have even presumed, but Mezli said it was okay and that you seemed interested in me. Just forget it!”

My stunned excitement vanishes, replaced by cold realism and anger. “You want me to fuck you because I’m nice, an easy option, and my mate doesn’t want me?” I can’t keep the bite out of my tone. I’d thought maybe Eden was different, but someone who’s legitimately interested in me wouldn’t ask for sex because I’m convenient.

“N-no! Not at all.” Eden shakes her head emphatically, browfurrowing. “I’m very attracted to you! When you sent me that message earlier, I couldn’t stop imagining what it would be like. What being with you would be like.”

“When he messaged you earlier?” Mezli’s mouth downturns, but I detect more curiosity than jealousy in her tone. Why would she be jealous? From what Eden said, Mezli doesn’t have any interest in me. This all is some amusing game for her, pushing us together like dolls.

I hate myself for even considering it. Only afool would agree to such an arrangement. And yet, something inside my chest swells at Eden’s confession. It’s the fragile and pathetic urge to be wanted I’ve forced down for my entire life.

Goddess, no wonder I craved it—even this miniscule taste of genuine interest feelsamazing. With my ex, Ristan, I always sensed that she was settling for me. Mutual respect and affection bonded us, but I wasn’t her type physically. What would it feel like to fuck someone who genuinely finds me appealing? What would it be like to experience release from the touch of someone enthusiastic about my body? That’s never happened, even when I’m alone.

Father’s order to be reckless bubbles up in my mind, swirling together with my yearning and arousal.

Fuck it. I’m not going to refuse a gift like Eden. I’ll deal with the consequences later.

“I’m honored that someone as beautiful and intelligent as you would choose me for this, Eden,” I say, my voice husky with the strain of my desperate need now that I’ve surrendered to it.

She blinks back at me rapidly, obviously not expecting that answer. “Honored as in, ‘thanks but I just see you as a peer’ or as in ‘it would be my honor to do this with you’?”

Mezli answers for me. “Oh, he wants to.” Her eyes fall pointedlyto the bulge in my far too tight pants with a grin, then return to my face, assessing me.

None of this makes sense. Even if this is just a game to her, her mating hormones should make her furious that I’m considering sex with someone other than her. So why does Mezli look so damn excited?

Mezli scoffs, like she can read my thoughts. “Ugh, but he’s worried he shouldn’t, because I’m his mate. You don’t have to worry about that. I’m fine with it. I’ll come too.”

I let out a choked sound of surprise, that Eden echoes. “What?!”

“I’m not letting Eden go off alone with you, even if you seem trustworthy. So I’m going to come with you and make sure she’s okay,” Mezli says, placing a protective hand on Eden’s shoulder.

“Absolutely not.” I reply immediately. It doesn’t stop the image of Mezli sitting in my suite’s bedroom chair, her legs swung over the arms to splay herself wide as she watches me pound into Eden.

“Mezli…” Eden’s pulse ticks in her neck, her breathing rapid and her pupils dilated. Oh Goddess, she’s aroused by the idea too.

“Calm down,” Mezli says with a breathy chuckle. She’s not as unaffected by the thought as she pretends. Shelikesit. “I don’t mean watch you fuck. I’ll be in the other room to make sure nothing goes awry.”

“Oh.” Eden worries her lower lip between her teeth. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you watched. Or joined us,” she confesses, her cheeks turning bright red.

Mezli’s eyes widen and dart between me and Eden, her breath coming rapidly and her nipples peaked against her tight bodysuit.

My head spins, but for the first time since running into my mate, I’ve found a way to gain some control. If I’m making myselfvulnerable, so is she.

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