Page 39 of Space for More

The pulse in Eden’s neck quickens and a long moment passes as her eyes dart between me and Mezli. I’m about to step back and give her space when she murmurs, “Oh, fuck it,” and slams her mouth against mine.

21

My mind is reeling from Phelix’s apology and my own confession, but I push that into the corner reserved for shit I don’t want to deal with. It’s an overcrowded part of my mind that will probably explode at some point and cause a huge emotional mess, but for now, I’m able to shove it in.

Luckily, ignoring my feelings in favor of momentary pleasure is one of my greatest strengths. With Eden on offer tonight, how could I think of anything but her? I promised to help her out and while that didn’t initially involve sex with me, I won’t say no to the chance to be with her.

I’m not surprised that Phelix is able to put our conversation to the side, either. He’s a smartxalar, and knows this may be hisonly chance to be with Eden, or with me, for that matter. I’m still not sure if I have it in me to forgive him. Even if I could, I doubt he’ll want anything to do with me if he finds out I’m spying on him and thwarting his black market deals.

Eden melts into Phelix as he returns her kiss, and I slip behind her to join in on the fun. She gasps as I press my lips to her elegant neck and give her a gentle nip before soothing the sting with my tongue. She tastes like sunshine—like the feeling when the clouds part after a heavy storm. Pushing my body against her back, I bring my upper hands to tease her sides, fingertips grazing just the sides of her breasts. Phelix pulls her closer, wrapping a hand in her hair and snaking an arm around her waist. His hand accidentally connects with mine, and we both tense for a second. I don’t have time to linger in the awkwardness, because he takes my hand and guides it to cup Eden’s breast.

She pulls back from the kiss, and I wish I could see the expression on her face. “What do you want us to do, Eden?” I whisper in her ear.

“Th-that’s nice…” She whimpers as Phelix directs our hands to toy with her nipple, the bud straining against the fabric of her dress.

“Just nice?” Phelix cocks a brow and we lock eyes over her shoulder. It would be so easy to turn tonight into a competition. Each of us seeing who could coax the most pleasure from Eden until she declared one of us the victor. But that wasn’t what we all agreed to. Eden’s comfort and enjoyment matters more than a petty contest.

“I, uh, I…” Eden’s breathing comes faster like she’s starting to get overwhelmed.

Phelix releases our hands and takes a step back at her hesitance. I move around so I’m standing next to him, allowingus both to see her face. She looks nervous, her skin flushed and her eyes wide, but there’s more than that going on.

“Eden, it’s okay if you don’t want to do this,” Phelix murmurs, stroking her arm in reassurance. He’s so gentle and patient with her it creates a hairline fracture in the hard shell around my heart erected just for him.

She shakes her head adamantly. “No! I want this. It’s just…I’m not sure how this is supposed to work with two people, let alone three.”

“You don’t know how sex works?” I ask, keeping my tone as non-judgemental as possible. If I’d known she was that naive, I wouldn’t have suggested we switch roles for Operation Honey Pot.

She laughs weakly. “I know how sex works. At least I think I do—most of the same elements seem involved for both humans and nexxit. The thing is…I know you’re trying to help make my first time as comfortable as possible by letting me call the shots, but I’m not even sure what shots to call. It’s messing with my head.”

I fight every instinct in me to offer a bunch of suggestions for what we could do. I don’t want to overwhelm her.

Phelix nods. “Understandable. Why don’t we try something as a warm up, then? You’re not the only one that’s a little nervous about doing this right.” He shocks me when he winks at her, and when he notices my mouth fall open, he shrugs. “What? I have two incrediblexalasin my suite. Of course I’m nervous.”

Eden giggles. “You don’t have to be nervous about me. You’ll be the best I’ve had!”

We all laugh, and the tension in her body eases. A little voice inside me nags for me to share some form of vulnerability too, and though I try to tamp it down to maintain my carefree persona, it comes bubbling out. “You’ll be the best I’ve had, too.”

Phelix frowns slightly in disbelief. “Don’t get your hopes up. It’s been a while.”

Ugh, he’s going to make me say it. “No, I mean Eden will be the best human I’ve been with and you’ll be the best nexxit.”

Eden grins at the sentiment, but Phelix lets out a dismissive huff. “I don’t require your flattery.”

I cross my arms defensively. “It’s true!”

“Wait…” Eden furrows her brow. “Oh! I think she’s saying she’s never been with a nexxit before.” Her eyes widen. “Whoa, really?”

“Impossible.” Phelix searches my face for any sign of deception, but he won’t find any there. I’ve gotten freaky with plenty of aliens since moving to Spire, but being with a nexxit felt…wrong. I tried a few times, hoping it would clear away any cobwebs left still clinging to the hope of being with a true mate, but backed out each time before things went anywhere.

“Quit staring at me like that! It’s not a big deal.”

A slow smile spreads across Phelix’s face that contains far too much canny recognition of my emotions. I want to smack it off his face, but I settle for changing the subject. “Okay, now that we’ve all shared, what was your idea, oh wise and noble Lord Nafar?”

“Right,” Phelix says, turning back to Eden. “I don’t know if humans enjoy massage, but I’m proficient at them. It might be a way to ease you into being touched in a way that’s intimate but without a sexual goal in mind.”

It’s a decent plan, but I’m not sure where I fit in. I’m unable to hold back my frown, and Phelix catches it immediately. “Or you could do the massaging, Mezli. Whatever Eden feels most comfortable with.”

Eden’s cheeks have turned a lovely shade of pink at his suggestion, and she bites her lip as she considers. “Would it be too hard for you both to massage me at the same time?”

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