Page 64 of Across The Stars
I let my orgasm take me and rode that high, exhilarated by the feeling of Vahko doing the same. I felt him go rigid as he surrendered to his release. I felt his heat spill into me and shuddered as the last traces of pleasure shivered from my body and dissipated. But even then, the way my limbs went lax was a pleasure in itself. I felt so content and sated and not an ounce of regret taunted that serenity. I thought there might be, but there was nothing. I still wanted Vahko and I held onto him as he shook, not wanting to let go.
We were both a bit slick with sweat when we finally became conscious of things again. Vahko slowly pulled away from me and looked into my eyes for a moment, but his stare was unreadable.
Ok, I didn’t regret things, but did he? I was dying to know once my mind cleared a little.
Then he gently slid out of me, leaving me empty and cold, and lowered me to my feet. He steadied me like he knew my legs would need a moment to balance, and then moved back a step. His face took on that conflicted look again and my spirit dropped when the lovely colors in his skin became muted.
So, he did regret it. I mean, I was a human. A lying one, too. Nothing special. Nothing spectacular. But apparently, I was good enough for a fuck. Unfortunately, that wasallI was good for.
I pressed my lips together, trying not to show how much pain that caused me. I waited as Vahko regained his composure and straightened, lifting his chin. But he couldn’t keep that up for long. In just a few seconds, he turned and headed for the door. When it slid shut behind him, the pieces of my soul that were hanging on just shattered and fell to the floor at my feet. I stood there, puzzled and silent.
I’d just fucked an alien and now it looked like he was upset about it. Being rejected by Jason was a blow. Giving myself to an alien and then watching him leave without a word was somehow worse. But I guess the moment was over.
31: Innifer
I couldn’t go back to sleep after Vahko’s visit. Too much was on my mind. Instead, I sat on the bed, knees against my chest and arms around my legs. I was shaking, but I didn’t know why. I could feel warmth between my legs—remnants of what we’d done—and figured I should bathe again. Maybe it would help me calm down if I washed it all away.
When I stepped out of the shower, I slipped on my leggings and shirt, certain I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes again for a while. Turning the corner out of the wash room, I saw Sam curled up on the bed fast asleep. I sat down next to her, brushing her hair back before I pulled the blanket over her body. I didn’t mean to wake her, but I did. As soon as she stirred, I smiled, watching her pry her eyes open.
“Hey,” I said.
“Mmm,” she grunted. “Was that a shower I heard?”
“Yep. A nice one, too. I’ll teach you how to use it.”
“Yes please. Solukh had to translate everything the doctor people were saying. Apparently, I am allergic to one of the flowers that blooms here. Well, not here in the settlement. It blooms on the night side of the planet and the wind sometimes carries the pollen here.”
“And it’s giving you fevers?”
“A mild infection in my chest. They gave me something for it.”
“You trust alien doctors?”
“They’ve been studying our anatomy for years. I think I can trust them. Plus, it’s already making me feel better. Tired, but better.”
“Well, the tired part is probably just because of the stress.”
“You’re right. So? How’ve you been? How’s life on an alien planet?”
“Strange. I’m confused about some things, though. You know about this fertility thing with the valerians?”
“The Thinning? Yeah, Tollie mentioned something. Solukh explained it a little more.”
“And?”
“And it’s this thing.” She motioned lazily with her hands. “The gek infected the valerian water supply on Valer, which made them all practically sterile. Well, most of them. It blocked their hormones, which made it hard for them to have kids and also made all these other disorders and diseases start sprouting up everywhere. Really messed with their population. It’s called bio—”
“Biological warfare,” I finished with a nod.
I’d suspected as much. Now things were making sense in a nonsensical way. Of course, it didn’t make it any less jarring.
“Right. So?” Sam yawned. “Wanna teach me the shower thing?”
I stood up and turned to the bathroom, pointing at the shower area. “There is a place to swipe your hand and you can adjust the temperature using…”
I trailed off when I looked down at Sam again and noticed she had already drifted off. I adjusted the blanket over her once more and sighed. I could have really used a listening ear.
I wasn’t sure what I was planning to do since I couldn’t seem to close my eyes, so I just sat next to the bed to keep Sam company. I wanted to be there when she woke up. I couldn’t imagine how worried she must have been on an alien planet after surviving something of a crisis. And then finding she was allergic to the planet was just the cherry on top.
