Page 28 of Invasion of Sorority Z

“I only want you to be exactly who you are,” I remind him firmly.

“And this is why my soul calls to yours.” He softly sets his huge hand in the center of my chest, not copping a feel, but holding my heart. “You do not have a soul seed to shine brightly for mine, but you have this heart in here to beat for me. Will you let it beat for me, Stee-vee?”

“Yes,” I whisper, understanding what he means. He isn’t asking for a declaration of love, but an admittance that I feel what’s going on between us, and I do. I like Marrec, and I want to make him happy.Hemakes me happy.

Our lips meet again, softer and less hurried this time. My big alien pours his relief into every move of his mouth, lavishing me with care.

Regrettably, I pull back quickly. “Is there anything I should know about what being your mate means?” Being blindsided now wouldseriouslysuck.

He seems to consider the question, clearly giving a lot of thought to describe something that he has always justknown. It’s their nature, and it couldn’t be more different than the human way. Very few people truly believe in any kind of soul mates, and from what I can tell, this is even more than that concept. It’s in their biology.

“We are matched. No one will care for you more than me, and I will care for no one greater than I care for you. Without a soul seed to shine, you will not feel the connection as strongly as I do, I imagine.” He says this with a sad smile. “It is my hope that you grow love for me despite this. I am as new to this as you are, my blossom.”

“So, we’re like… dating?”

As the word leaves my mouth, it registers how insignificant it might sound to someone like Marrec.

12

Lycopod: Primitive evergreen moss-like plant with spores in club-shaped strobiles.

Marrec

The translation goes through, and I grimace. “I do not like this word. Is there a stronger one?”

Her eyes twinkle with delight. “Married is stronger, but—”

Much better. “This I like better,” I interrupt.

She smirks. It is a good smirk. “Married people make vows, you know?”

I do not know of the ritual she speaks, but my translation for the word‘vows’is enticing. Promises, it seems. I can think of many ways to make these promises to Stee-vee.

“I should like to make my vows to your body, little blossom.”

“Oh?” Her lips part in surprise. “How would you do that?”

It is my turn to smirk. Dragging my fingers up her thigh slowly, I say, “I will part these pretty legs and kiss between them. I will bring you pleasure here, and vow to touch you in whatever way you desire until our deaths. I will then vow to do the same in our afterlife.”

“Oh?” Stee-vee asks, voice shaking.

Shifting my hands to brush her hair over her shoulders, I nod. The back of my knuckles brush along her collar. “I would make my pledge of devotion closer to the powerful organ in your chest. Treasuring the peaks beneath your coverings that I am so curious about. I wish to put my mouth on them too.”

She swallows, her small neck shaking once like a heartbeat. “Wow, that’s uh, are you sure?”

I have never been moresure. “Shall I show you, my mate?”

“Um, if you’re positive that you want—”

I have her on her back, knees parted in the air and feet planted before she can finish speaking.

“I am sure.”

“Jezus,” my mate says in surprise, her voice becoming breathy. “You seem to know what you’re doing for someone who’s never done this before.”

There is no accusation in her tone, only playful surprise. She does not doubt my previous words to her, but rather is impressed by my prowess given them. This is a delightful revelation.

“I am led by instinct, my Stee-vee,” I admit, pressing my lips to the center of her soft thigh. “My knowledge of mating rituals is truly quite basic. I have never held much interest in them. But Aprixians are an advanced species. With the little knowledge I possess of hu-nim anatomy and copulation, I am confident that I can provide pleasure to you.”

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