Alien Mate (9 page)

“What? You mean we can do this clothed?”

“If you keep the clothes on, then the erotic feeling is much reduced, and you will emerge just as clean, as the cleanser works at a molecular level. Actually, doing it clothed will clean your clothing as well.”

“Wait, you mean we didn’t have to get naked to get clean?”

“No, but I think this was much more pleasurable for us both, don’t you?”

What could she say? Her alien had a point. But, that kind of erotic subterfuge needed to be punished. And once they made it back to the cabin—clean this time—using her lips and teeth along with some knot skills she’d learned in Girl Scouts, she made sure he apologized, or at least she assumed his mumbled response was an apology. It was hard to tell since he had his mouth full at the time.

Sated again, he groaned when she brushed her fingers down his chest. “Mercy,” he said with a laugh. “I need time to recuperate.”

“Pity,” she murmured. Her body felt pleasantly sore, and she snuggled into his body, enjoying this newfound intimacy. “Okay then, since you’re not up for another round, then maybe you can answer a question instead.”

“What?” he asked, lazily twisting her ebony curls with his fingers.

“What happened to the aliens who kidnapped me? They won’t come back to hurt us, will they?”

“Oh no, they’ve been taken care of permanently,” he replied grimly.

“But how?” she asked, leaning up on an elbow to look at him, frowning. “We’ve been together pretty much the entire time since you rescued me.”

“But I haven’t,” said a smug Alphie from a hidden speaker. “Those pirates were no match for the firepower we’ve got on board. They are now just galactic dust.”

Diana knew she should have been shocked at the violent reaction, but instead she felt satisfaction knowing those pigs wouldn’t be kidnapping and raping anyone else. What did shock her was how she’d forgotten about the nosy computer. God only knew how much he’d seen or listened to in the last little bit.

“Any more questions?” asked Kor.

Diana knew she should just shut up and bask in the afterglow, but her mouth had a way of running away before her brain could catch up. “Actually, I want to know more about this Oracle. Like what did she tell you about me? Did she just hand you a slip of paper with my name on it or what?”

* * * *

Kor chuckled. His mate had such an interesting way of putting things. But he knew her curiosity needed sating.

“First I had to be found worthy.”

“How did you do that?” she asked, snuggling into the crook of his arm, her thigh draped over his while her hand lightly stroked his chest.

36

Distracted, Kor had to form his thoughts before he could answer her. “With so many males and few females, even considering the other races we’ve been drawing on, not all can be blessed with a mate. Thus a reward system of sorts was established.”

“You mean I’m a prize?” she huffed indignantly.

“The very best,” said Kor, silencing her with a kiss.

Mollified, she signaled for him to go on.

“Males can distinguish themselves through hard work, courageous deeds, those kinds of things.”

“Let me guess, you did something courageous.”

“You could say that.” Actually, Kor had yet to fail on any of the missions he’d been assigned.

“Once you become noticed, then you are tested physically to ensure you have no genetic abnormalities.”

“Oh, I’d say you passed that with flying colors, nothing wrong with this body,” she murmured against him, her nails scraping down his chest lightly, a highly erotic sensation that made him shiver.

The three moons blessed me indeed.

“Then we filled out a questionnaire.”

“Yes, the famous shopping list,” Diana grumbled, but she stayed snuggled to him, and Kor let out an inaudible sigh of relief.

“Then, after moons of waiting, I was called.”

Kor had pretty much forgotten about the whole mate application, it had been so long since he’d filled it out. And after all, not all who applied had mates chosen for them. Thus his surprise when he’d been told he had an audience with the Oracle had been great. He’d bathed and dressed ceremoniously for the occasion. After all, the whole course of his future could change on the basis of that one meeting.

Arriving at the temple, he’d been blessed by the acolytes before being led to a dim and smoky room. Small, soft hands had pushed him down to his knees ’til he knelt on a woven mat, with his head bowed, waiting for the words of the Oracle, his inner turmoil masked by his iron control. A part of him waited eagerly for the honor of being chosen to have a mate, while his warrior side yearned to run and remain free to enjoy his bachelor ways.

The sweet, smoky scent of incense swirled in the air around him, making his head feel light, his senses deadened. They said the incense helped the Oracle keep from being overwhelmed by the visions. It just gave him a headache.

Finally, he heard a whisper of movement, the slide of silken robes across flagstones, and he found himself holding his breath.

“Welcome, son of the third moon. The spirits of your ancestors have spoken.”

And?
Kor didn’t speak aloud, he liked his head on his shoulders, but he could have done without all the dramatic buildup and suspense.

“For a long time they wavered in choosing your destiny, judging your worthiness. As a warrior you’ve proven your bravery and loyalty. As a son you’ve been exemplary to your parents.”

Kor felt like rolling his eyes, but resisted.

“The decision has been made. You have been tasked to collect your life mate from the planet Earth.”

Yes, he’d been chosen! No more warrior life for him. Instead he’d get to enter the coveted ranks of the mated. A much safer—albeit more boring—life with many perks, 37

including sleeping in a soft bed every night. The biggest benefit, though, was getting his very own mate instead of relying on a Galaxian whore in a brothel.

Kor bent his head lower. “Thank you, Oracle. The wish of my ancestors is my command.”

“The full coordinates for the location of your betrothed will be given to you. Prepare for departure immediately. And good luck.”

With those odd parting words, the Oracle left, and he’d departed the smoky temple to prepare himself for his last voyage as a single male.

Trust Diana to latch on to the last part of the Oracle’s words. He should have omitted them in the retelling.

“Good luck? What did she mean by good luck?” said Diana sitting up, her splendid full bosom heaving.

Kor smiled lazily at his new mate, his vigor renewed and ready for action. “Can you do that move again?”

“What move?” she asked, brow creased.

“Like this.” Kor palmed her breasts and made them jiggle, his eyes latched on to their motion in fascination.

Diana gaped at him for a second, then laughed. Her throaty mirth was contagious, and he joined her, turning what could have been a serious moment into one of fun—then exploration as he used his fingers to find all her ticklish spots and attack them.

“No more,” she panted.

She changed her mind quickly and begged for more when his hands caressed her intimately. Once again, he joined his body to hers and exploded when he felt her sheath convulse around him.

Mine.

38

Diana paced the command room, naked—lucky him. They’d just tested the captain’s seat springs. They were satisfactory, but the seat itself could have used another inch or two in width.

“What do you mean we arrive in a few hours?” she said, flinging her arms up, making her boobs jiggle in a hypnotic manner that never grew old.

“Well the ship has been heading there since we left your planet, so it was only natural we’d arrive eventually,” he said, baiting her.

She whirled and glared at him, her ebony locks flying, and looking so desirably annoyed he wanted to take her up against the view screen with the backdrop of the stars at her back.

But judging by her look, perhaps now was not the best time to attempt that. He braced himself for her outburst.

“That’s not funny, Kor. I am not ready yet. There’s still so much I don’t know.”

“So you’ll learn,” he said, shrugging. “My mother will be happy to help you.” At the word “mother,” Kor saw her cringe, and in a moment of understanding—a rarity for males anywhere in the universe where females where concerned–—he suddenly realized what was really bothering her. “You’re afraid to meet my mother.”

“Am not,” said Diana too quickly.

Kor quirked a brow at her.

“Maybe a little. What if she doesn’t like me?” she wailed, pacing nervously. “I mean, I’m sure you told her how difficult I was to mate with and I argue all the time and . . .”

“My mother will like you fine,” said Kor, finally getting up and wrapping his arms around her tight. “She’ll especially like the fact you’re willing to stand up to me.”

Diana grumbled something under her breath that he didn’t quite catch—something about mama’s boys that he didn’t understand the meaning of. Instead of arguing further, Kor decided to give in to his earlier thought and the one surefire method of making her forget her ire. He kissed her and let his hands slide down her body to cup her buttocks.

Unable to resist the temptation, he gave them a squeeze.

When she responded back and ground herself against him, he lifted her up and pressed her against the glass screen that displayed the space they traveled through. As he pounded into her willing flesh with the galaxy as her vertical bed, Kor once again found himself exploding like a supernova. He’d lost count of the times they’d done this, and marveled that each time could be as powerful and fulfilling as the last.

And for the moment at least, he’d made sure his argumentative mate, who lay breathless in his arms once again, forgot what reality would soon bring.

* * * *

The moment had arrived—or rather they had arrived at Kor’s planet—and Diana’s stomach felt like a herd of butterflies had taken up residence. She clutched Kor’s hand tightly, her face taut with tension while she prayed she wouldn’t throw up on anybody’s shoes.

Kor pulled her death grip loose and hugged her in his arms. “Why are you so nervous?”

he asked.

“Hmm, let me see,” she said sarcastically. “I’m going to a new planet full of woman-hungry aliens where the only thing familiar will be my face in a mirror, not to mention meeting your mother for the first time. Gee, nothing to worry about at all.”

39

“I know how I can get you to relax. Let’s go back to bed,” he whispered in her ear before licking it.

Diana gasped. “Kor, that’s not funny. How can you think about sex at a time like this?”

Well that’s a
dumb question. After all, he is a man, and to be honest, hiding under the covers sounds mighty
good right about now.

The jerk, of course, chuckled. “What?” he said in mock innocence. “It’s the first thing I intend to do as soon as we get into our new home. Actually,” he said, dipping his face down to nibble her neck, “I was thinking we’d
explore
our new home, room by room, ’til we make it to the bedroom. A welcome present to our new home, so to speak.”

“Oh, Kor,” Diana whispered, feeling her tension melt at his naughty suggestion. She molded herself against his body as his lips found hers.

“Ahem.”

Diana felt her cheeks burn as Kor lifted his head to face their audience. Embarrassed, she buried her face in his chest. As usual, she forgot everything around her when he kissed her. Damn his magic blue lips.

“Mother, I should have known you wouldn’t wait for us,” said Kor wryly.

“You were taking too long,” said a tart voice with humor. “Now aren’t you going to introduce me to your mate?”

“Mother, I’d like you to meet my mate, Diana. Diana, my mother, Ele’Anor Vel Menos.”

Diana, biting her lip nervously, turned from the comfort of Kor’s chest to greet her new mother-in-law, a woman who, if not for her very light blue color, would have appeared human in every way, right down to her brown hair and eyes. She also didn’t appear old enough to be Kor’s mother, making Diana wonder just how young they made their women marry.

“A pleasure to finally meet you, daughter. I see you’re both getting along better now than the last time we spoke,” said his mother pointedly at Kor, who smiled sheepishly.

“I meant to call, but,” he said, shrugging, “we kind of became busy.”

Diana felt her smile freeze on her face.
Oh yes, we’ve been busy, all right, christening his ship in
every position imaginable.

The knowing look in Kor’s mother’s eyes didn’t help Diana’s embarrassment.

“Oh goodness, child, don’t look so mortified,” said Ele’Anor with a laugh. “I was once in your position too.”

Diana didn’t understand and said so. “What do you mean? You were obviously born here.”

Ele’Anor chuckled. “Wrong. My birth name is Eleanor Jones. I was also taken from Earth as a mate, just like you, many moon cycles ago.”

Diana blinked. “But you’re blue.”

“As you will be after you’ve spent some time here. The suns on this planet project their own version of UV, one that, instead of causing a tan, turns our skin a bluish tone.”

Diana stored this disturbing piece of info away for later when she and her new husband were alone. Kor had some explaining to do, and she might even let him try after she vented on him.
Why did he not tell me his own mother was human? And blue? I don’t want to be blue. I like my
peaches-and-cream complexion. I wonder if I can get a heavy-duty sunblock to prevent it?

While Diana pondered what UV rating she’d need, Kor, with an arm around Diana’s waist, guided her off the spacecraft she’d finally gotten used to into a bustling terminal.

Reminiscent of an airport back home, humanoids of varying shades of blue with a bit of mauve, yellow, and green thrown in wandered around with piles of luggage while video displays flashed words and numbers.

40

“Your accommodations only came through yesterday,” said his mother over her shoulder. “I managed to get some basics sent over, but you’ll have to do some shopping to pick up the rest.”