Page 17 of Accidentally Abducted (Nereidan Compatibility Program #1)

"Nevertheless." He places the container on the table between us. "This is standard protocol for any human participant in our program."

I eye the container suspiciously. "What is it?"

"Compensation." Zeph slides it toward me. "These are minerals that have negligible value on our world but are considered precious on Earth."

I open the container and nearly drop it when I see what's inside, a collection of what appear to be uncut gemstones, mostly blue and purple, glittering even in the ship's ambient lighting.

"Holy shit, Zeph. Are these... are these actually sapphires?" I pick one up, holding it to the light. It's rough but unmistakably valuable, probably worth more than I'd make in several years at the coffee shop.

"And similar mineral formations, yes. They are abundant in our oceanic mining operations but rare on Earth. It should be sufficient to compensate for any employment difficulties."

"Sufficient? Zeph, this is—" I stop, not sure whether to laugh or cry. "This is enough to buy a house. Or pay off my student loans. Or both."

"You are not obligated to accept it," he says formally, though I can tell through our bond that he wants me to take it. "But given the... unexpected nature of your experience with us, it seemed appropriate to provide substantial compensation."

"Substantial is one way of putting it." I close the container and slip it into my pocket, trying to process the fact that I'm suddenly holding what must be hundreds of thousands of dollars in alien gemstones.

"Though I kind of feel like I should be the one compensating you, considering you got stuck with the wrong human and all. "

"I did not 'get stuck' with you, Jake Morrison." Zeph's voice is suddenly intense. "While your presence was unexpected, it has been... illuminating."

"Illuminating," I repeat, unable to help myself. "Nice choice of words for someone who lights up like a Christmas tree when they're turned on."

The blue flush that spreads across Zeph's cheeks is absolutely worth the terrible joke. "That was not the intended reference."

"I know." I reach across the table, taking his hand. "I'm just being an ass because it's easier than thinking about the fact that we don't have much time left."

He turns his hand to intertwine his fingers with mine, and the casual intimacy of the gesture makes my throat tight. "I find I am also avoiding that particular calculation."

"So let's keep avoiding it," I suggest, standing and tugging him gently toward me. "At least for a little while longer."

Zeph rises, letting me pull him close, his body warm against mine. Through our empathic bond, I can feel his conflicted emotions, desire and sadness, longing and resignation.

"I believe that would be... acceptable," he says, his voice dropping to that lower register that never fails to make my skin tingle.

"Just acceptable?" I tease, sliding my hands up his chest. "I was hoping for a more enthusiastic review."

"Highly recommended," Zeph amends, his own hands settling on my hips. "Essential, even."

"That's more like it." I rise on my toes to kiss him, and for a little while, the countdown stops.

*****

Later, much later, we lie tangled together in the bed that now feels like it's ours instead of just his, my head on his chest, his fingers trailing lazy patterns along my spine. The gentle glow of his skin provides just enough light to see by, pulsing softly with each beat of his heart.

"Can I ask you something?" I say, my voice quiet in the dim room.

"Of course."

"What happens if you fail? If you tell your Council that humans aren't compatible?" It's a question I've been avoiding, partly out of fear of the answer.

Zeph is silent for a moment, his hand stilling on my back. "That outcome would be... problematic for my people."

"Problematic how?"

"Our population continues to decline. We require genetic diversity and cultural adaptation to survive as a species.

" He sighs, the sound vibrating through his chest beneath my ear.

"If humans are deemed incompatible, we must continue searching for other viable partners.

But our resources are limited, and time is not in our favor. "

The weight of his words settles over me. This isn't just about us, it's about the survival of his entire species. "So no pressure or anything."

"The pressure is not on you, Jake." His arms tighten around me slightly. "You have already provided all the data needed for my recommendation."

"And what will that recommendation be?" I lift my head to look at him. "Are humans compatible or not?"

"Based on our interactions, I will be reporting that humans demonstrate exceptional compatibility potential." His golden eyes meet mine. "Our physiological differences are offset by remarkable adaptive capacity. Our cultural disparities provide opportunities for mutual growth rather than conflict."

"So this wasn't all for nothing," I say, trying to find some comfort in that.

"No. It was not for nothing." Zeph reaches up to trace my jawline with one finger. "Though I find myself wishing the outcome could be different."

"You and me both." I lower my head back to his chest, listening to the strange rhythm of his heartbeat, slightly faster than a human's, with an occasional double-beat that I've come to find soothing.

I don't want to waste our remaining hours talking about councils and compatibility reports. I want to be with him, to create memories that will have to last a lifetime.

Instead, I shift position, moving to straddle his hips. His cock is already hardening beneath me, the bioluminescence spreading across his skin in waves that follow my touch. In the soft glow, he looks otherworldly and yet completely familiar, like someone I've known far longer than three days.

"I don't want to talk about councils and compatibility anymore," I tell him, grinding slowly against his growing erection. "I just want to be with you while I still can."

Zeph sits up, keeping me in his lap, his hands sliding up my thighs to grip my hips. "What do you need, Jake?"

What I need is more time. What I need is to not say goodbye. What I need is impossible.

"I need to ride you," I say instead, reaching between us to wrap my hand around his cock. "I need to feel you inside me, see your face while you come. I need to remember this."

His eyes darken to amber, the glow beneath his skin intensifying. "I do not believe I could forget if I tried."

"Show me," I whisper, positioning myself above him. "Show me how to make this last."

I reach between us to stroke him, watching in fascination as his cock responds to my touch, the natural lubricant beginning to seep from his skin, making my hand glide effortlessly. Within moments, his shaft is glistening with the slick substance, and my fingers are coated with it.

"Let me prepare you," he says, his voice dropping to that register that never fails to make my cock throb.

"Yes," I breathe, rising up on my knees to give him better access.

His fingers are gentle but thorough as they work me open, one at first, then two, then three, the natural lubricant making everything slick and easy. I rock back against his hand, already desperate for more, but Zeph maintains his methodical pace.

"So beautiful," he murmurs, his free hand stroking my cock in time with the movement of his fingers. "The way you respond to my touch. The sounds you make."

"Zeph," I gasp as his fingers brush against my prostate. "Please. I'm ready."

"Are you certain?" His concern is touching, but right now I just need him inside me.

"I've never been more certain of anything." I lift myself up, positioning his cock at my entrance. "I want to feel all of you."

Slowly, carefully, I sink down onto him, taking him inch by inch. The stretch is intense but not painful, his natural lubricant and careful preparation making it easier than it should be. Still, he's big enough that I have to pause halfway, breathing deeply, adjusting to the fullness.

"Are you well?" Zeph asks, his hands on my hips, steadying me.

"More than well," I assure him, sinking down further until I've taken him completely. "Fuck, you feel amazing."

And he does, the ridges along his cock stimulate nerves I didn't know I had, creating sensations that make my thighs tremble. When I'm fully seated, I lean forward to press my forehead against his, breathing the same air, our bodies connected as intimately as possible.

"I want to feel everything," I tell him, rolling my hips slowly. "Through the bond. Show me what you feel."

Zeph's eyes widen slightly, then close in concentration.

Suddenly, the empathic connection between us expands, deepens, until I can feel not just echoes of his physical pleasure but the emotions beneath, wonder and desire, yes, but also an aching tenderness that makes my own chest tighten in response.

"Like that?" he asks, his voice rough.

"Yes," I breathe, overwhelmed by the dual sensations, my own pleasure and his, physical and emotional, layered and intertwined until I can barely tell where I end and he begins. "God, Zeph, I can feel how tight I am around you, how good it feels when I—"

I rock my hips, creating a delicious friction that sends pleasure spiraling through both of us, amplified by the bond until it's almost too much. Zeph's hands tighten on my hips, guiding my movements, helping me find a rhythm that works for both of us.

"Jake," he groans, his bioluminescence pulsing with each thrust. "You are... exquisite."

I ride him slowly, savoring every sensation, watching his face as pleasure transforms his features.

His usual composure is gone, replaced by raw need and vulnerability that's somehow even more beautiful.

Through the bond, I can feel his rising pleasure, the way each movement of my hips sends waves of sensation through him.

"Touch me," I gasp, and his hand wraps around my cock immediately, slick with that natural lubricant that makes everything better.