While she was showering, T’saran had arranged a table in the middle of the small space and every inch was covered with dishes. She stared at it in amazement until she realized that T’saran hadn’t said anything. When she looked in his direction, he was standing frozen, yet another dish in his hands, but his eyes were fixed on her.
His gaze traveled up over her bare legs, over the mutashi top, to the hair that now streamed down over her shoulders, and she felt it like a physical touch. Her nipples hardened under the silky white fabric, and she instinctively looked away. But as she did, she snuck a glance of her own, taking in the broad muscled chest, the heavy thighs… and the massive erection tenting the tight black uniform pants.
Her breath caught as she flashed back to the alley. But he hadn’t hurt her then and she prayed that he wouldn’t hurt her now. Gathering her courage, she raised her eyes to his. Glowing purple met dark brown, but despite the undeniable heat in his eyes, there was an element of… was it tenderness? She felt herself relax, despite the lingering arousal dampening her panties.
“I like your hair free,” he said, and she gave him a pleased smile.
Long and thick, her hair was her one vanity, and a little thrill of happiness went through her at his obvious appreciation.
“It is as long as a scholar’s hair,” he continued, running a hand over his own short, black hair.
“A scholar?”
“Like S’kran,” he explained.
Now that he mentioned it, she remembered that the medic had worn a long black braid. She also remembered that S’kran didn’t have T’saran’s massive horns, only short nubs on each side of his forehead. Were they even the same race?
Before she could ask, T’saran rubbed his chin and looked at the table. “I was not sure what you would like so I prepared a variety.”
“You certainly did,” she said, and to her surprise, a giggle escaped.
He smiled back, revealing a rather distressing amount of white pointed teeth, but she gulped and kept smiling.
“Are you going to tell me what they are?”
Chapter Six
T’saran watched with satisfaction as his female, wearing his clothing, ate the food he had provided for her. It would perhaps be more correct to say that she tried the food he had provided, but nonetheless, it satisfied some deep primal urge to provide for his mate. Remembering the prominence of her ribs, he urged her to take more food, but she finished far too quickly for his liking.
“I can’t eat any more,” she said as she put down her utensils with a sigh. “That’s a lot more food than I usually eat at one time.”
“You are too thin,” he growled.
To his dismay, pink washed her cheeks and she ducked her head, her beautiful hair covering her face.
“L’ren, did I say something wrong?”
“No. You were just being honest.” She would not look at him. “I know I’m too thin for a man to find appealing.”
“Not appealing?”
Shocked at her interpretation of his words, he automatically reached for her. They had been seated next to each other on the bed while she ate, and now he simply lifted her onto his lap. She gasped and looked up at him at last, her eyes startled but not afraid.
“My… lady, you are the most beautiful female I have ever encountered.” He gazed directly into her eyes, willing her to believe him. “My concern is only for your health. And as for appealing…” He tucked her a little closer, letting her feel the hard ridge of his cock against the soft curves of her ass. “My cock has been hard for you since the moment that we met.”
“Oh.” Her mouth formed a perfect circle and he had a dizzying vision of thrusting his cock between those soft, pink lips. His cock jerked beneath her and more color heated her cheeks, but this time he didn’t think it was embarrassment, especially when he caught the delicate fragrance of her arousal.
“T’saran, I… You…” She bit her lip, then blurted out. “You’re very attractive but I’m not ready for sex.”
“Of course not. You have had a traumatic day and perhaps, not the first one?”
She gave a reluctant nod and he had to take several deep breaths to suppress his rage.
“I hope you can believe that I would never force you.”
“Yes, I do believe that.” A shy hand reached up to touch his mouth. “Do the Yehrin kiss?”
The definition provided by his translation interface caused his cock to jerk again.
“It is not customary,” he said, and her face fell. “But I would very much like to experience it. If you are willing.”
“I haven’t been kissed in a long time. I miss it.”
“I am at your disposal.”
Her radiant little smile peeked out. “It’s supposed to be a mutual pleasure.”
“Then you must instruct me.”
“Me?” Her shocked look was followed by another smile. She reached up and tugged his head down, her fingers burrowing into his short hair and circling the base of his horns. He groaned at the feel of her soft fingers on the sensitive area, and she drew back.
“Am I hurting you?”
“Not at all.” He couldn’t
