Tallusian Nights [Xihirian Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (20 page)

“You like it slow and easy then rough?” He pulled his stiff cock from her.
“I do. I like it every way.” Satisfied with her answer, he nuzzled her neck. They lay together quietly, her heart slowing to a steady throb. He trailed his finger along her arm, his warm lips settled against her temple.

“You sleepy, sweetheart?”

Zalora sighed, stretching her legs. He let her roll to her back, before he settled on his stomach, his arm over her. He turned toward her. With her eyes closed she looked young, peaceful. Possessiveness gripped him, tightening around his heart. He tucked her against his side, and whispered in Xihirian. The words from the heart, he told her she was his heart, his soul. Kissing her sweetly, he closed his eyes. His mind raced with thoughts of how quickly his life had changed. His stomach in knots, he debated taking her on this dangerous mission. The what-ifs haunting him long after sleep claimed his weary frame.

Zalora slowly opened her eyes when Val left their bed. Closing them again, she listened to him shower. When he was ready for the day, he called to the kitchen, requesting their breakfast. Too tired to move, she laid there enjoying the comfort of their bed. The stream of music she selected on the computer played softly in the background. Regardless of being morning, outside the windows remained dark space. Tallusia shone bright in the distance like a beacon. Her body ached, and her womb quivered with spasms, which flooded her with warmth.
I’ve definitely been mated.
She smiled at her feelings. Her body still hummed from his touch. Carefully she stretched, working the kinks out of her back as well as legs. Her legs and arms had cramps in them. Her pussy ached.

A hot flash passed over her as she thought about how she came to be sore. Explicit images and sounds of their lovemaking flashed in her brain, making her agitated. She grew damp again.
I can’t get enough of you, Val Braeden. You make me feel fantastic all over.
Shivering with the intensity of her need, she watched him move around the room. His large, powerfully built body moved with total grace as he did when fully shifted to the Wolfton. She’d seen signs of his beast while they made love.

Turing her face into the pillow, she inhaled his masculine scent.
Yes, I see what you mean about the scent. I love the way you smell.
She looked in his direction. Now he was sitting behind his desk, working. A slender computer screen rose from his desk.

“You awake?” He never looked away from his computer screen.

“Yes. How did you know? I was really quiet.”

“I just knew. I may not feel other’s emotions, but I do have excellent senses. They tell me things.”

“What do your senses tell you about me?” She rolled to her side, watching him.

“They tell me you like fucking me and want to again.” He winked. The look on his handsome face made her stomach flop.

“What?” She sighed in exaggerated amazement. Her pussy creamed.

“I told you I have excellent senses. Yes, you smell ready.” He focused on his computer screen.

“Well, we make a great pair.” She sat up in bed. “What did you have them bring for breakfast? I’m starving. I think I need to eat before I act on my baser needs.” She grinned.

“They’re bringing a variety of food. They should be here shortly. I’m hungry, too.”

“I’m getting up to shower and dress.”

“Okay, I’ll be here.” He looked around his computer screen. “Unless you need help washing up? I’d be happy to assist you.”

“No, I can handle things.” She jumped out of the bed to head for the cleaning chamber.

“Very well, if you need anything just call. I can do this work later. Kade has the ship while I spend this time with you.”

After her shower, Zalora walked into the suite. The dining table was set with loads of food. It looked like a banquet. “They sure did bring a variety of food.” She sat down at a place setting. Picking up what looked like a vegetable, she bit into it. Val got up from his desk to walk over to the table.

“Yes, I told them I wasn’t sure what you liked to eat. I like meat, but you like leaves.” He chuckled. “I had them bring vegetable, fruits, and pastries just to offer you a choice. You have two to feed.”

“Those leaves would have been much better if prepared appropriately. Like if we could have made a salad out of them, I think. Perhaps cooking them was not the best thing to do for eating them.”

“I’m sure they could be mouth-watering.” He covered his mouth with the back of his hand, obviously hiding a larger grin.

“Thank you for all this food. It was very thoughtful.” She reached for her plate. Val poured her some purple juice. “What’s this?” She nodded toward the glass he placed in front of her.

“It’s a delicious berry drink, one of my favorites. Mother says it reminds her of grape juice from Earth. It can be fermented like Earth wine. But we drink it as juice, too. Children love it.”

“What’s it called?”

“Tavis juice.” Zalora took a sip.

“Oh it’s delicious.” When she sat her glass down, he handed her a plate filled with meats. She helped herself. “It all smells wonderful.” He waited for her to finish filling her plate then passed her another filled with pastries followed by one with fruit. “This is very nice. I love sweet things.” She smiled. His face softened at her compliment.

“Because you are a sweet thing.” He gave her a sexy look. The man knew how to be sexy.

“Have you been a lady’s man all your life?”

“What?” He filled her glass up again.

“You know. You’re such a flirt.” She touched her arm. He was so warm to the touch. Her heart raced knowing he really wanted to please her. “It’s really too much for me to eat.”

“Nah, I’m no flirt. I just really like you.” He winked. “I’m glad you’re enjoying your food. You need to eat well to nourish yourself as well as our child. Your body’s becoming Xihirian and you’re carrying a Xihirian child. It’s hard on a newly initiated mate. It takes a lot of calories and sleep.”

“Well, I do like to eat, so don’t worry.” She took a bite of the delicious-smelling meat. “This meat is fabulous.” She licked her finger. Val got up to walk behind her chair, putting his hands on her shoulders. He gently squeezed. He leaned down to kiss her face.

“Did you get to talk to your friends?”

“No, I fell asleep. I’ll worry about them later.” She smiled up at him. “I feel too distracted to talk to them now.”

* * * *

“We woke up late. I guess we wore ourselves out pretty good.” His face was so close to hers. “It was past midday when I woke.”

“Really?” She looked around at him. “I didn’t know. I thought it was still morning.” Her purple eyes were wide and bright.

“Nope. We had a late night. ” He moved to sit down next to her. “I’m going to have to go to work. I really don’t want to go. You don’t know how hard it is for me to leave you.” She brushed her hand over his leg. His thigh tensed, and his balls ached with need. They felt heavy. “We’ll be making our final plans to meet with Tomron. It’s important I attend the meeting.”

“Of course it is.” She continued to rub his leg.

I want to fuck you on this table before I go.
He smiled, placing his hand over hers, stopping her arousing motions. He pushed his sexual thoughts out of his mind.

“Terrian is a frozen, harsh planet. There are many inherent dangers. I’ll be sending Tantia to provide you with a uniform and jacket, for its cold environment. It has to be altered to fit you. Otherwise, it won’t keep you warm as it should. We’re going to have to land our ship, then walk one click according to Tomron’s requirements.”

“Okay, I’ll be here, ready to try on what she brings.” She drank the rest of her tavis juice.

“I’ll try to be back later for our evening meal. We can eat here or join others, whatever you prefer. I’ll send Tantia right away to see to the uniform.” He moved out of his chair, separating himself from the overwhelming temptation she presented. Zalora stood up, grabbing his arm as he moved toward the door.

“Wait, I want to give you a good-bye kiss.”

“It’s not good-bye.” He looked back at her.

“You know what I mean.”

“I’ll have a kiss.” He pulled her toward him. He couldn’t resist, and his arms wrapped around her waist. She pressed her breasts against him as she ran her hands through his hair. She kissed him.
She’s definitely giving me a good day.
He eagerly kissed her back, and again it was hard to pull away to leave.

“Sharing this kiss will make you think of me all day.” She smiled up at him.

“Yes it will.” He touched her hair, fingering her curls, which hung down her back. “But I was already going to be thinking of you, too much.” With an inner struggle, he pulled from her. She held his hand, seemingly reluctant to let him go. When the suite’s door closed behind him, his disposition instantaneously changed. He became the captain of the Black Beast, the Black Beast himself, ready to face whatever the crazed Tomron had waiting for him.

* * * *

She did feel sleepy still, but she didn’t want to go back to bed, at least not yet. Making her way over to his desk, she sat down in his special chair. Leaning back in his chair, she surveyed their room. He did live with luxury on this big ship. The Xihirians were a wealthy people with amazing technology. She pushed the communication button. “Computer, I want to speak to the kitchen.” A beep sounded.

“Yes, Princess, this is the kitchen.”

“You can come and put away some of this food for later. It’s a shame to waste it. We’re done.”

“Yes, Princess, someone will be there shortly.” Another beep sounded, indicating the communication ending. Turning to the desk’s computer screen, she touched the screen. A menu popped up, providing her with options of reading materials as well as vids. She selected reading material on the history of Xihirah and Wolfton shifters. Before she finished the first chapter, the computer beeped.

“Yes, computer?”

“Officer Tantia is at the door.”

“Let her in.” The door opened. The tall, uniformed woman entered.

“Good day, Princess.” She smiled. “I have a uniform and jacket for you to be fitted in.” Tantia walked to the other side of the desk. “If you try it on, I’ll scan you to take your information for alterations. It will be completed within an hour or so.” Zalora stood up, taking the uniform. She walked into the cleaning chamber to change. When she dressed, Tantia took her scan, sending Zalora back to change, returning the uniform.

“Tantia, before you leave, show me how to make the vids display on the larger communication screen.” Zalora waved her around to Val’s computer.

“You don’t need his computer to do it. The large screen’s located on this entire wall.” She pointed. “The computer will assist you. Just ask it. Computer, please display vids on large screen.” The large screen flashed on. “It can access titles from Captain Braeden’s library as well as the entire ship. Just talk to the computer.”

“Thank you.”

“Sure thing, your uniform and jacket will be delivered after they’re finished. Do you want to try to talk with your friends?”

“No, I don’t want to talk to them right now. I want to wait until after we finish with Tomron.”

“Okay.” Tantia smiled. “If you want anything, tell the computer. The computer provides privacy yet it monitors our ship.”

“Thank you.” Tantia nodded then left. Zalora considered spending time with her father and Colletta, but decided not to. Sitting down on the end of the bed, a wave of tiredness hit her. Rolling to her side on the bed, she curled up into a ball. Suddenly she woke, not sure how long she slept. She was a bit confused. The computer beeped, rousing her more. The beep was much louder than she recalled previously.

“Yes, computer?”

“The kitchen staff is here with your evening meal. There is a delivery waiting outside your door.”

“Let them in.” Zalora sat up, pushing her hair out of her face. The computer beeped again, and the door opened. Two kitchen workers brought in a tray of food, setting it up on the dining table. There was only one setting. The woman worker handed her the altered uniform and jacket.

“This was waiting outside your door.”

“Thank you. Isn’t Captain Braeden joining me?”

The woman was about to say something, but the computer interrupted.

“Captain Braeden is unable to join you. He’s currently in ongoing meetings. Please excuse his absence. This message has been instructed to be given to you when you awoke.” The computer voice answered. “If you wish to speak with him, he can be contacted.”

“No thank you.” The computer beeped an acknowledgment.

“Thank you for bringing my food.”

The woman smiled then left. Zalora walked over to the table to sit down. Val was right. Their baby with her changing body were affecting her. She was exhausted as well as starving again. The food looked great. She bent close to the food to inhale. Her stomach rumbled. Sighing, she fixed her plate.

After she finished eating, she prepared to take a shower. The whole day had passed with her sleeping.
This baby is taking a lot of energy.
She yawned. Her eye caught something on the bed. It was a pink long nightgown, sheer and beautiful.

“Computer, who’s been in the suite while I slept?”

“The kitchen staff and Captain Val Braeden.”

“Where did he get this?” Holding it up, she gazed through it. She took it into the cleaning chamber to try it on. “A shower would be nice.” Removing her clothes, she stepped beneath its faucets, allowing it to rain freely on her. Feeling comforted by the water, she continued to stand there for a long time. Eventually she soaped herself and her hair. The water beat down on her, washing off the generous lather she’d made. “This smells so nice.” She held the cleaning bar to her nose. She soaped herself again, enjoying the fragrance. She lathered her breasts, her arms, and between her legs again. When all soaped up, the water shut off.