I shifted over to the center of the booth, excitement fizzing in my veins. I had to forcibly stop myself from bouncing in my seat and attempted to school my features. I could hardly contain the embarrassing giggles of delight that threatened to escape.
Prince V’dim and Prince Z’fir sat on my left as Xylo and Kaede settled to my right. They leaned forward, arms on the table, scoping out the room. My round eyes skipped around the room, hardly able to settle on any one sight before dancing to the next. This place was amazing.
I felt something creeping up my right leg. I eyed Xylo, noticing one of his vines was nowhere to be seen. I squirmed as my body reacted, feeling my center throb. He caught my stare and gave me a sheepish smile before glancing away.
“I usually have excellent control of my vines, but around you they have a mind of their own. They seem to want to be as near you as possible.”
“Can you please stop it?” I asked, strained.
“I wish I could.... My body is attuning to yours. Until you either accept my bonding spore or sever our courting bond, my vines will be drawn to you. It is biological instinct to please our nestqueen and prove our worth.”
My cheeks burned. I looked down at the table as if I could see through it. The vine crept higher under my gown and my heart raced. I struggled to suppress the dirty thoughts filling my mind as he felt me up—while we’re sitting in public with the princes and a virtual stranger. I could feel my center growing damp; the vine’s petal tip felt like a small suction cup, leaving small kisses wherever it passed.
“What is there to eat?” Kaede interrupted the moment.
The vine stilled a few inches from the apex of my legs, and I pressed my thighs together. The trapped vine wiggled back and forth, and I shifted.
I looked up at Kaede, then glanced at the princes, studiously ignoring the vine between my legs.
“We can order with our wristbands, and the order will be delivered to the table.”
“Wristbands? Are those like these bracelets, just a different version?” I asked, holding up my wrist and comparing it to the one I’d noticed Xylo wearing.
“No, they are slightly different than your medical bracelets,” Xylo answered. “All crew are equipped with wristbands like mine. They make numerous functions on the ship easier. They can even receive a readout of the information being sent from your bracelets. Think of them as mini computers.”
“Until we can equip you and Kaede with one, we can place your orders. Perhaps Xylo can look into it after we eat?” Prince Z’fir suggested.
“Certainly. I was going to take Selena to the infirmary anyway for a checkup and to enable her communicator. The engineering sector is on the way. I could take them both there before the infirmary,” Xylo offered.
I refused to look at him. He knew what his vine was doing and wasn’t stopping it. I could feel myself getting wetter as it pushed deeper, writhing as if it was trying to reach my center.
I felt the weight of a gaze and turned toward Kaede. I leaned forward to look into his visor, somehow knowing he was the one who stared at me. My movement shifted the tip of the vine higher, and it rubbed along my nether lips. I shivered and swallowed hard.
Kaede tilted his head, looking from me to Xylo and back again. I could tell he was trying to figure something out. Desperate for a distraction, I grabbed Xylo’s arm and looked up at him.
“If it’s okay with Kaede, perhaps you could order for both of us? I know it’s your job to understand the limitations of different species’ diets.”
His eyes softened as he nodded to me before he turned to look at Kaede. “What species are you?”
“I prefer to keep that information to myself so the knowledge can’t be used against me. Just use the same dietary restrictions as you do for Selena. Give me twice as much of whatever you order for her, and I’ll be fine,.” Kaede replied dismissively.
“Then that is settled,” Prince V’dim chuckled.
The princes and Xylo took turns using their wristband screens to show us descriptions and pictures of the varied dishes available at the café. It was finally decided to simply order one of everything—only twenty plates—and let the two of us sample everything, so we could determine what we liked best. Xylo ordered me a colorful layered fruit drink which I loved.
The conversation during our meal was casual—discussions about the food served and which we liked best. Most dishes consisted of some combination of fish, nuts, fruit, vegetables, or other edible plants.
Over the course of the meal, two more of Xylo’s vines joined the first. I was thankful the vine pressing against my nether lips had stilled, but my arousal was distracting. My center dripped moisture each time I shifted. Part of me wished Xylo would end my torture and make me climax—even with the audience.
Secretly, the thought of having an audience thrilled me.
I pushed that titillating thought aside and leaned back, closing my eyes as I rested my head against the booth’s cushioned back.
It hadn’t even been a day and his vines were already this out-of-control? I didn’t want to think about would happen the longer I waited to decide about a permanent bond. Even though I enjoyed the sensations—and the rush that accompanied it—I didn’t need this distraction every time we were out in public.
It was something we would have to discuss later.
My stomach was full of delicious food—something I’d never experienced—and it delighted me, especially as I considered the new life growing inside me. I placed both my hands protectively on my stomach. Though I hadn’t been given a say in my pregnancy, I accepted that I was. I wanted to focus now on my future and the future of my children.
I was going to be
