Page 17 of Tornn's Mate
At the time, we were dead in the water and desperately trying to make repairs on theJansonna. Unable to defend ourselves, we’d expected them to attack or perhaps board us to steal our resources. We hadn’t expected them to ask what our females looked like and demand we send them blood samples.
The meetings started soon after that, the negotiations between the Darrvason leaders andJansonna’scommand team, and before I knew it, my uncle was informing me that I would be given to an alien male for breeding purposes.
Breeding purposes. Yes, he’d used that exact phrase, and I suspect he’d said it to frighten me. If he weren’t such a bastard, he might’ve gently explained that I was to become the wife of a Darrvason male.
I think of the banned romance novels I’ve read over the years, the many plot lines that involved forced marriages. I never imagined it would happen to me. I never imagined that sort of thing could occur in real life. Thousands of years ago, yes, but not at this point in the history of humankind.
I drain the tub and commence rinsing myself off under a water spray that’s so intense, it feels like a pleasant massage on my back and my scalp. I sigh with contentment. The Darrvason’s barbaric tendencies aside, I could get used to the amenities on this ship.
Just as I step out of the tub with a large towel wrapped around my body and another wrapped around my head, I hear footsteps approaching. The bathroom doesn’t contain a door, and I peer into the open area of Tornn’s quarters as my heart races and warmth quakes between my thighs.
We haven’t mated yet. Surely, he intends to rectify that soon.
His large form suddenly fills the doorway, and I gulp hard at the unreadable look he’s wearing. I can’t tell whether he’s angry or aroused. My bottom cheeks quiver as I recall every moment of the spanking he’d given me earlier, how his large hand had bounced off my stinging flesh. For some reason, this causes the pulses in my core to throb harder.
He crooks a finger at me. “Come here, little female.”
Chapter8
TORNN
My blood heatsas Ellie approaches. Her skin holds a flushed glow in the aftermath of her bath. She’s wrapped in a towel and the perfumed scent of soap clings to her, but I can easily detect the slickness of her arousal beneath that fragrance.
Savage desires pulse through my veins as the urge to conquer her becomes all-consuming. But alongside my baser instincts, I also experience a gentle yearning that I don’t understand. Then my ancestral markings start to tingle again.
Fluxx. What sort of trick is my body playing on me? A heartbond between a human and a Darrvason isn’t possible. It’s what I’ve always been taught—that Darrvasons can’t enjoy a heartbond with an otherworldly being, even if we’re sexually compatible with the alien.
I draw myself up taller and scowl at my human female. Her throat bobs as she swallows hard, and her tiny hands, which are clutching the towel that’s wrapped around her, begin shaking. Guilt settles over me. She’s shaking and her eyes are wide with fear because of the angry way I’m looking at her. I curse myself inwardly. I want her obedience, but I don’t want her quaking with terror whenever I come near.
With great effort, I school my features into neutrality. At least, I think I’m maintaining a blank expression. I don’t think I can summon warmth at this moment. Not when I’m furious and shocked by what I just learned in the medical bay. Perhaps I shouldn’t have returned to Ellie until my rage had calmed.
“Is Paddax all right?” she whispers as she finishes approaching. She comes to stand directly before me, struggling to maintain a grip on the towel as her hands tremble harder.
“He will survive,” I say, then add, “but I do not wish to speak of him right now.” Thankfully, the remaining males from the docking bay have all finished reporting back to Captain Varll, and none of their females were found in possession of any contraband. What happened with Paddax appears to be an isolated incident, but that doesn’t negate the seriousness of it.
A highly sophisticated, fast-acting virus. That’s what the female injected him with. A virus that was no doubt intended to cause havoc among my crew. Fortunately, our doctors and scientists worked quickly in the medical bay to formulate and administer a vaccine to all who’d come into contact with Paddax after the injection.
I repress a growl and try to focus on the flecks of brown in Ellie’s stunning blue eyes. The longer I stare at her and bask in her soft beauty, the calmer I start to feel, as though she’s the cure for all that ails me. I reach for her, taking her shoulders in a gentle grip, drawing her closer. Calmness permeates me further.
My nostrils flare as I inhale her scent over and over again. She quivers as I place a finger under her chin, forcing her to hold my gaze. “I’m not angry with you, sweet human. You needn’t be so afraid right now.”
She exhales a rapid breath. “Well, I’m relieved your anger isn’t directed at me. You look like you’re ready to commit murder.”
Perhaps I hadn’t adequately rearranged my face as I’d hoped. I latch onto the warmth I’m experiencing for her and try to gentle my expression. “What about now?” I ask. “Do I look less severe?”
She nods, and a smile tugs at her lips. “Yes, you look less murderous now.” And just like that, she stops shaking. Her sudden ease gratifies me more than I expected.
“Good.” I clear my throat. “Did you enjoy your bath?” I hadn’t suggested a bath because I thought her unclean, but because I knew the full magnitude of the damages aboard theJansonnaand figured she hadn’t enjoyed a warm bath in some time.
“Oh yes, thank you,” she replies in a gushing tone. “It was very relaxing, and I haven’t felt this clean in ages.” She flushes. “On the human worldship, we are only permitted one quick, cold shower every other day.”
“You are free to bathe as often as you wish while aboard theHaxxal,” I say. “We aren’t experiencing any energy or water shortages.” I release her chin and take a step back.
She inclines her head and says, “Thank you, again.” Then she straightens and looks me directly in the eye. “There’s something I would like to speak with you about. After I get dressed, that is. If you’ll excuse me.”
I finger the towel she’s wearing. “Now that I’ve returned, there is no need for you to get dressed, sweet human, but I am willing to speak with you.” I guide her into the bedroom, where I sit on a chair and pull her into my lap. The need to have her close is overpowering, and the second her bottom is pressed upon me, my shafts harden and my balls commence vibrating.
I untwist the towel from around her head, toss it aside, and slowly comb my fingers through her damp locks. Her breath hitches as she squirms on my lap, no doubt feeling the firm evidence of my arousal. The scent of her slickness remains heavy in the air.
