Page 23

23

Worth Waiting For

*Jalen*

I stared at the vision before me, my heart pounding like the drums at a village bonfire. Is this actually about to happen? I kept my hands pinned behind my head, desperate to keep her from changing her mind.

I’d almost choked on my tongue when I heard the water splashing. Yes, I’d hoped she’d accept my indecent offer, but I hadn’t actually believed that she would. Now it looked like my wish was about to come true.

Well, with conditions…

I wasn’t entirely certain why she insisted on me keeping my hands off, but I had my suspicions. If my guess was correct, then it could explain a lot. Like why she was so prickly when we first met, and why she didn’t like being touched.

The thought had popped into my head the moment she brought up things going too far . Why would she be worried about that, unless at some point in her past, she’d lived through it? It made my stomach churn like mad, but I couldn’t help worrying it was true.

Since then, I’d been careful to not say anything that would make her doubt my intentions. I let her know she was running the show, and I had no plans to step out of line. Fact was, even without her clueing me in to her worries, I’d been taught to respect others’ bodily autonomy. Everyone on Dionus had.

It made me sick to think that wasn’t the case for her. I wanted to find whatever fool had wronged her and tear him to pieces. But my anger wasn’t called for, so I shoved it aside and forced myself into the moment.

Harlx’s bane… She’s perfect. I was dying to touch her. To run my tongue across her hard nipples and listen to her moans. I wanted to rip those tiny panties off her legs and sink my fingers into her heat. To squeeze her tight ass as she bounced on my—

Not happening, Jalen. Take what she’s willing to give.

I leaned back and contented myself with looking at every flawless inch. She was all lean lines and elegant curves, with heady desire shining in her eyes that had my pulse thudding furiously. I wished more than anything she’d let me see all of her, but I bit my tongue when the demand tried to force its way out of my throat.

If she needed that puny scrap of fabric to make her comfortable, then she deserved to keep it. Just seeing her like this made me the luckiest male in the universe.

She reached out tentatively, aiming for my shoulder, but before her fingers connected, she met my gaze and asked, “Can I… touch you?”

“Please.” My voice was so strained I barely recognized it.

Her eyes raked over my chest as her fingers dusted my skin. I sucked in a shaky breath and shuddered, my skin tingling. A tiny grin lit her lips, and she drifted closer, one of her legs brushing against mine beneath the water.

“That’s perfect, Ren,” I praised. Her gaze slid to my mouth, and I gifted her a smile as she trailed a teasing touch over my chest. “Take what you want. You can have it all.”

Her other hand gripped my shoulder. She bit her lip as she settled on one knee beside my hip. Then she slowly swung the other over, straddling my waist. She hovered there, lifting her chest out of the water.

I stared at her breasts and my mouth went dry. What I wouldn’t give to lean forward and capture those delicious peaks in my mouth… The urge slammed into me hard, but I pushed it aside violently. She was right. This was about what she wanted, not me.

Still, I wasn’t one to keep quiet. “I need this, Ren. You had me hard all day. I could barely stop myself from spilling in my shorts every time your ass rubbed against me on that ride.”

Her eyes widened, and she smirked. “Yeah?” Then she sank onto my lap, and I groaned so loud waves of vibration thrummed through my chest.

That felt amazing . She applied pressure with her panty-covered mound, just holding there with my top cock pressed against her. I looked down, and my dicks throbbed at the sight of that pink scrap of fabric wrapped around my length.

Ren blew out a thready breath, drawing my attention to her face. Her cheeks were flush, her eyes half-lidded. “I was going crazy today too,” she admitted softly.

“I bet. Did you like having the rider humming beneath you?”

She shook her head. “It was so bad. I could’ve crashed.”

“That’s nothing.” I concentrated, willing my body to listen. Ah… there.

Ren gasped, and her eyes rolled back, eyelashes fluttering. “A-are you—” She gulped. “Are your cocks vibrating ?” she asked incredulously.

I nodded slowly, keeping the pulse going. “You didn’t do much research on Dionions before you came here, did you? When the males of a species need to prep their females for double penetration, it helps to have a few tricks up their sleeve. Probably why we evolved the ability to do this.”

“Oh god.” Ren shuddered and quaked. And she hadn’t even started moving her hips yet.

Carefully, I asked, “Does that frighten you?”

She gasped. “What?”

I glanced down. “That I have two cocks instead of one.”

Ren moaned, the sound so full of lust it made me crave her even more.

“Should I take that as a no?” I grinned, lifting my gaze to hers.

She panted as she met my eyes. “That doesn’t scare me.”

“Good.” I stared back at her, willing her to hear my sincerity. “You never have to be afraid of me, Ren. I want to make you feel good.”

“This”—her head fell back and her hands tightened on my shoulders—“feels pretty amazing already.”

“That’s how I felt this morning with you riding me.”

Her cheeks flushed, but she leaned forward, meeting my gaze. “You mean like this?” Her hips started moving just like they had that morning, only now it was so much more intense .

Now, I knew it was me she was thinking about, and not some random dream. I didn’t have to force my eyes closed and pretend to be asleep. I could feel her nails dig into my shoulders and listen to the soft breathy moans echoing in her throat. I groaned again, unable to contain the cry of pleasure.

“Jalen…” she breathed. “I’m close.”

“That’s right. Take it, Ren. I want to watch you come.”

She shuddered, her eyes falling closed.

“Eyes on me,” I insisted before I could stop myself.

She froze, and my stomach twisted.

Why did I say that? Idiot… She’s supposed to be in charge.

But then her eyes popped open and connected with mine at the same moment her hips twisted. She rolled them in the same sensual pattern that forced a moan out of me that morning. It worked again. I growled, my fingers itching to clamp down on her hips. But I had the sense to shut down that urge, at least.

“Jalen. I’m… I’m coming!” She gasped and bucked, riding me through her orgasm. I watched her with hungry eyes, keeping completely still. I knew if I moved at all, it would be over. I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from making her mine.

Instead, I memorized every moan. I raked my gaze over her heaving chest and reveled in the way her thighs clenched around me and her legs quivered. And through it all, I kept up a steady vibration with my cocks until she squirmed on my lap like she’d had enough while fighting to catch her breath.

Finally, I moved my hands, thankful they hadn’t fallen asleep. I gently lifted her off my lap and set her beside me. Then I stood and held out a hand.

Her gaze locked on my still-hard dicks, which twitched under the scrutiny. “Are you—”

“Ready for bed? Yes.” I twisted my hips away and lowered my hand more. “Do you want me to leave you in here to wash, or are you getting out?”

She bit her lip and sank down until the water hit her chin. “Washing would be nice, I suppose.”

I grinned. It was cute that she was acting shy now. I’d have thought after that, she wouldn’t need to feel shy around me ever again. It was pretty clear I was obsessed with her. She had to realize that now, didn’t she?

She probably just wanted to wash her panties again. I hadn’t missed them hanging out to dry last night. “All right. I’ll leave you to it. I need to grab something to eat.”

“Wait.” Ren peeked at my face nervously before gesturing to my crotch. “You aren’t going to do something about that? Did you want me to…”

It was pretty clear what she was alluding to. And if I was being perfectly honest, I was dying to feel her soft fingers wrapped around me. But I could tell from the crease between her brows that she wasn’t comfortable touching me yet. So I said, “This was for you, Ren. Remember? Don’t worry about me.”

With that, I climbed out of the tub and wrapped a towel around my waist. I refused to rush her into something she wasn’t ready for. Especially not if what I suspected turned out to be true. That was the last thing Ren needed.

I could wait. She’s worth waiting for.

*Jalen*

I woke the next morning with a sleepy female snuggled against me, refreshed and ready to take on the day. That’s a pleasant change. For once, Ren wasn’t leaping out of bed, horrified to realize where she’d ended up in the night. And I’d actually gotten a decent amount of sleep, too.

She’d balked when she’d climbed out of the tub and realized I’d shoved two pallets together. But when I reminded her about my lack of sleep, she relented. She’d kept to her side at first until her breathing evened. Then, in her unconscious state, she’d rolled closer, not stopping until we were lying flush.

I wasn’t complaining. Snuggling with Ren was beginning to feel… right.

She stretched beside me, an enormous yawn splitting her cheeks before her eyes opened.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

Ren blinked, and her cheeks pinked. “Morning.”

I smiled, wishing I could reach out and drag her lips to mine. Not yet. “Sleep well?”

She nodded, shifting to sit. “Have you been awake long?”

“No. I was just talking myself into climbing out of these warm blankets.”

She chuckled. “I hate that too.”

“Could’ve fooled me. You jumped out quick enough the last couple days.”

“Hey!” She scowled. “You would, too, if you sleepwalked into a strange man’s bed.”

“A male, perhaps. If it were your bed, I’d stay right where I was.”

Ren’s flush deepened. She flicked the blankets off both of us. “Well, bad news for you. I’m an early riser.”

“That right?” A startled laugh tumbled out of me. “Eh, I’ll get used to it.” Truth was, I was an early riser too. Just another reason this female was meant for me.

My stomach churned. After what happened last night, I needed to tell her. She deserved to know what part fate was playing in bringing us together. But every time I tried to work up the nerve, I’d remember how much she hated the concept of fated mates. Would she even accept that it was happening?

Ren ducked into the forest while I scrounged up some breakfast. As I set out haldi bread and sliced some fruit and vegetables, a blast of heat washed over me.

Harlx’s beard… I’d been worried this would happen. I’d heard that once a bonded pair surrendered to the physical pull between them, the heat became stronger until they completed the bond. If I was feeling it now, Ren must be too.

I popped one of Asani’s tablets into my mouth and washed it down with a gulp of water just as Ren returned to the cave. “Here.” I handed her a tablet. “Don’t forget to take your medicine.”

Ren’s nose wrinkled. “How long will I need to keep taking these? Did Asani say?”

Sweat beaded on my lower back. Turning aside, I said, “I think it depends on a number of factors. Mind if I head out for a moment? I could use a break.” It was a lame excuse, I know, but I couldn’t seem to work up the courage to come clean.

“Okay.” She settled on the floor beside the food.

I scarfed down some haldi bread on the way out, and by the time I returned, Ren had finished eating too. After packing up, we locked the cave and walked toward the rider.

This was it. If I wanted to tell her before we climbed on the rider and I couldn’t even look her in the eyes, then I had to do it now. “Ren… I—”

Ren gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth. “Oh fuck! This is bad.” She rushed forward, her gaze glued to a puddle of black gunk under the vehicle. “It’s leaking coolant. And I don’t have any replacement fluids.”

Well, there goes that plan. I couldn’t exactly tell her when she was upset already, right? “No worries. We’ll get there just as easily walking.”

That statement did nothing to wipe away her pout. She just stood there, looking dejected. Perhaps a joke would help… what was that Terran word she taught me yesterday? Ah! “I was looking forward to being your bitch rider again today. But I can still be your bitch walker.” I waggled my brows, and she giggled.

“Jalen, I promise you can be my bitch whenever you want.” She patted my shoulder and headed for the footpath.

“I don’t mind. Great view back here.” I’d happily trail behind her anywhere as long as she let me admire her toned ass once in a while.

She smirked over her shoulder when she caught me staring. “I thought guides were supposed to lead the way?”

Chuckling, I replied, “And I—” Rustling in the trees halted me midsentence. “Hold on.” I pressed a finger to my lips, listening.

Ren inched backward and whispered, “What is it?”

“I heard something.” It happened again just as I finished whispering back—the crunch of footsteps in the underbrush. And since we were a day’s walk from any villages, I doubted we’d stumbled across a Dionion. “We have company.”

Her eyes widened. “Dradhowlers?”

I shook my head. “Not in the day. More likely it’s poachers.”

Ren shifted from one foot to another. “What do we do?”

We could return to the cave, but from the sound of those steps, we’d never make it in time. That didn’t leave us many options.

I stepped into the forest. “Let’s hide off the path. If we’re lucky, they’ll walk right past us.”

“What if they don’t?” Ren hurried to a nearby tree.

“I’ll take care of them.” I stopped behind her, shielding her back while the tree trunk hid her body from the path. “You run for the cave. You remember how to open it, right?”

Ren peeked at me, her face pale and her lower lip trembling. “No. I won’t leave you—”

“Yes, you will,” I ordered gruffly. She stiffened. “I’m the guide. It’s my job to keep you safe.”

Her eyes burned, her glare so hot it nearly seared a hole through me. But as she opened her mouth again, a branch snapped. She clamped her lips closed and twisted around, tilting her head to peek out from our hiding spot. I gently tugged her back, not wanting to give away our position just as a male stumbled into sight.

It was immediately clear he wasn’t native, though he wore Dionion garb. My heart raced as I dragged my gaze over the Terran’s black hair and dimpled chin. What was he doing out here, dressed like one of us? Had we truly crossed paths with a poacher?

He certainly didn’t look the part. The single pack he carried was stuffed but seemed far too small for a smuggler. And he wasn’t skulking about in the trees but confidently striding down the path in full daylight, though I noticed something wrong with his gait. He was definitely favoring one leg.

Ren tried again to lean out for a peek, and I lifted a hand, halting her. She let out the tiniest puff of air, making a barely discernible huff.

“Hello?” The male squinted, staring right at our hiding place. “Is someone there? I can hear you.”

Harlx’s bane! No way he heard that… He must’ve spotted me when I moved. I drew a deep breath through my nose, preparing to fight.

But then Ren darted out, slipping around the trunk so quickly I couldn’t stop her.

“My god, what are the odds—” she began.

What is she thinking? I burst out and snagged her sleeve. “Ren,” I barked, and with my free hand, I pointed frantically behind me. “My bitch!”

Ren whipped to face me, horrified.

And from across the path, the mystery male roared, “Like hell she is!”