Page 24 of Kazzon's Human Bride
When her lips parted slightly, he couldn’t resist the sweet temptation. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her thoroughly as he slipped a hand between her thighs.
He claimed her a third time before allowing her to sleep. Then he remained awake for some time after, simply staring at her while she rested. He’d never imagined that when he finally took a bride, he would enjoy watching the human woman sleep.
Perhaps it was the newness of their mating union, but everything about Caylee fascinated him and he wanted to savor every moment in her presence.
He settled his face against her hair, kissing the top of her head. At last, he drifted off, holding his small human bride, a deep sense of contentment pulling him to sleep.
Chapter 17
Nerves curledin Caylee’s stomach. She walked quietly beside Kazzon as they headed for her childhood home. It was early and the streets were still empty. Kazzon had insisted they leave his ship before the inhabitants of New Leesburg roused for the day. He had a meeting scheduled with the Leaders this morning and wanted to escort her to her family’s home on his way there.
The plan was for her to spend the day saying her goodbyes to her family and friends, as well as pack any belongings she wished to bring to Tarrkua, while he continued to renegotiate the treaty.
Would her parents take a personal day from work in order to spend the whole day with her? Would her brother skip school and do the same?
Her nervousness increased as they approached Beck Street, where her family lived. Her childhood home soon came into sight, a small blue house with white shutters. Kazzon squeezed her hand and shot her an inquisitive look.
“Which house?” he asked.
She pointed ahead. Mixed emotions sped through her when she imagined entering the house, calling out for her parents and brother, then introducing them to Kazzon.
I’ll get to come back. At least once a year.
This reminder lifted some of her unease. It wasn’t as though she would never see her family in person again. She wasn’t abandoning them entirely, and Kazzon had promised to allow her to use a video comm to speak with them frequently. They could remain a part of one another’s lives.
Just as Kazzon guided Caylee up the walkway toward the blue house, movement caught her eye to the right. She glanced over and spotted a figure crawling out of an upper window. Once that figure finished shimmying down the side of the house and he straightened, she froze and could only stare.
“Dad,” she whispered.
Kazzon glanced at her. “Why is your father crawling out of the window of another house?”
Caylee’s face heated and disappointment rolled through her. She opened her mouth to reply but couldn’t find the words.
Her father stood completely still, his eyes wide as he peered back at them through the dim morning light. The streetlamps were gradually glowing brighter, a gentle increase of illumination that always began at six a.m. sharp.
“Caylee,” her father said, finally walking closer. His shoulders were hunched, guilt written on his face.
Good. He ought to feel guilty. Caylee hadn’t even known he had a thing for Amelia, the young widow who lived next door. She’d thought he was still sneaking around with Carol, yet another neighborhood widow who lived across the street. Or maybe he was seeing both women. Her heart sank and she glanced up at her parents’ bedroom window.
“Mom.” Horror washed through her. Her mother stood at the window, frowning down at the entire awful scene.
“Shit.” Caylee’s father shook his head, appearing defeated. Maybe he’d never been caught in the act before. Caylee didn’t know for sure, but she knew he’d at least admitted to sleeping with Carol a few times. While her mother wasn’t completely unaware of her father’s philandering ways, seeing him in the act no doubt caused her pain.
Suddenly, her father’s expression changed, and he stared directly at Kazzon.
“What’s going on, honey? Why are you here so early and what are you doing with this Tarrkuan?” His gaze dropped and his eyes widened further. Kazzon still had a firm grip on her hand. “Why-why are you holding hands? What has happened?”
Before Caylee could answer, she heard the familiar creak of the front door opening. A glance over her shoulder showed her mother had come to join them. She wore a huge robe over her nightgown and walked down the steps, her arms crossed over her chest. She glared at her husband before turning a surprised gaze on Caylee and Kazzon.
Shame burned through Caylee, even though logically she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong. She wished she’d walked down the street a minute later, then Kazzon wouldn’t have witnessed the evidence of her family’s dysfunction. Talk about awkward and embarrassing.
Would Kazzon worry she was too much like her parents? Would he become distrustful of her and worry she might cheat on him? Her stomach roiled at the thought. Even though she didn’t know Kazzon very well yet, she knew all too well the pain her mother had endured over the years. Caylee wouldn’t inflict that sort of harm on another person, not even the Tarrkuan who’d forced her to marry him.
“Caylee, darling?” Her mother shot a confused glance at Kazzon. “What in the world has happened? Who is that Tarrkuan and why are you holding his hand?”
Kazzon cleared his throat and stepped toward her mother. He released Caylee and held out his hand. “Good morning. I am Kazzon, Ambassador to Earth. I am also your daughter’s new husband. We have come here this morning so that I might meet both you and your husband, as well as inform you of our mating union—one that’s already been blessed and consummated.”
Caylee’s mother shook Kazzon’s hand as her eyes filled with disbelief.
