Page 22 of Chieftain (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #1)

Khaion’s eyes flickered to my mouth briefly, then met my gaze again. The golden color of his irises shimmered with light. “In the Earth movies I have watched, people smash their mouths together at moments like this. Why is that?”

Well, so much for trying to ignore my kissing fantasy.

“It's called a kiss. Do Vaktaire not kiss?"

Khaion gave the faintest shrug, faint amusement playing over his handsome features. "We place our lips on the body to give pleasure, but to touch mouth to mouth is thought to be unsanitary and cause disease.”

My skin tingled with the imagined press of his lips. The idea of never kissing him plowed through me with much more disappointment than I expected. I drew a deep breath, centering myself and praying silently that Vaktaire didn’t possess mind-reading abilities.

“That's a shame. Kissing is one of the finer things in life." At least it would be with him. I couldn't tear my eyes off his lips. A light tan color, full and wide, with his lower lip having just the tiniest bit of extra fullness that made me want to sink my teeth into it.

Khaion cocked his head, watching me. His lips pressed together tightly for a moment, then parted as the corners of his mouth twitched upward as though amused by his thoughts.

“I think I would like to learn about this kissing.”

I bit my lower lip to keep my mouth from falling open. “Seriously?”

Khaion nodded, gaze narrowing a bit as thought put off by my shock. Or maybe he heard the way my heart pounded in excitement.

"Yes. It is important that I understand Earth's customs. I have seen this kissing in many of your videos but do not understand it. I have even seen Siemba and Dixa do this kissing. I wish to understand the appeal.”

Holy crap!

Granted, I could explain kissing to him.

As a lawyer, being able to paint detailed pictures with my words helped swing many a verdict in my direction.

I could explain the definition and types of kisses and the steps necessary to perform different kinds of kisses.

But if Khaion wanted to understand the appeal of a kiss, he needed to feel it.

Besides, I really, really, really wanted to kiss him.

My hormones ran amuck since I woke up in that pod in his arms. A good kiss or two might settle me down until I could control this youthful, hormone-fueled body of mine.

It wasn't like I was trying to seduce him.

Khaion asked to learn about kissing for more detailed knowledge of Earth's customs. That's all it is, an educational pursuit. He might have asked the same of Dixa, save for fear of incurring Siemba’s wrath. Of course, the idea that he’s been rescuing humans for nearly a hundred years and chose me to teach him about kissing is no minor stroke to my ego.

Normally my left-brained, analytical mind would wonder why he chose me, but I pushed the question away.

For whatever reason, Khaion chose me to task with this project.

Besides, if anyone deserves a kiss after fighting and killing the alien version of a grizzly bear to protect me, it's him.

"Okay," I said, drawing the syllables into practically separate words and trying to ignore the pleasure that flashed across his handsome features. "But this is for instructional purposes only."

Khaion schooled his features stoically. "I understand."

"Okay." My voice trembled faintly while my stomach felt like butterflies in a thunderstorm. Drawing my feet under me, I shifted on the bench to face him fully, and golden eyes swept over me like a warm breeze. "The first thing you must learn is how many different kinds of kisses exist.”

“Different kinds?”

“Humans use kissing for all kinds of reasons—not just for se… mating." My cheeks heated furiously as I pushed images of Khaion’s naked body between the sheets into the fantasize about it later section of my brain. "We use kisses to express different emotions, affection, love, and even gratitude."

"Gratitude?" Khaion frowned.

Raising on my knees, I leaned forward, fingertips against his shoulders for balance, and pressed my lips to his cheek. Khaion sat otherworldly still, golden eyes tracking my every move. His pelt tickled my lips, and the taste of his skin was smoky and salty but not at all unpleasant.

“Thank you for saving me from the Kerzak,” I murmured against his cheek before pulling away.

One side of Khaion’s mouth ticked upward, carving out a small grove—the alien equivalent of a dimple.

"What do you think?" I pressed my lips together to halt the electrical current zinging across them.

“I will never let anyone hurt you,” Khaion said in a gruff voice that settled directly between my thighs.

This was going to be more challenging than I thought.

Kissing Khaion felt as natural as breathing.

Like my lips were made to press against his flesh.

Stopping the kissing was going to be my problem.

That and the idea of how to begin. Not to mention, what if he didn't like it?

Lord, to be the person who turned an entire alien species off kissing—not much pressure at all.

Khaion watched me intently, his muscles as taut as when he stood waiting for the Kerzak to attack.

I rose to my knees again, placing a hand on his shoulder.

The thick muscles under my fingertips tensed and rippled.

I licked my lips nervously, golden eyes tracking the movement of my tongue like a predator hunts prey.

“Most of the time, kisses on the mouth are reserved for lovers or mates.” I sounded breathless. The idea my words conjured shivering through my blood. Good God . I wasn’t this nervous at my first trial. Leaning forward, I brushed my lips against Khaion's.

His mouth was soft and warm, and the faint hint of wine and chocolate that tainted his breath was the taste of his lips. His breath hitched, and for a brief moment, I had the horrible thought that he didn't like kissing, an idea that dissipated with the stroke of his fingers through my hair.

A good six inches separated us. Khaion touched me nowhere save the gentle brush of his lips across mine and his fingers stroking through my curls. The moment ranked as one of the most erotic of my life. A breathy moan escaped my lips when his mouth pulled away—I couldn't help it.

“This kissing is… interesting," Khaion’s breath tickled over my skin.

Desire cut through me like a hot knife. Before I could stop myself, before the thought formed fully in my brain, I leaned forward, resting my fingertips against his chest, and trapped his lower lip between my teeth.

"Teasing and nibbles are good too," I whispered, trying to pretend my action was for educational purposes alone.

Khaion stiffened, his heartbeat ratcheting into high gear under my fingertips.

I let my lips play over his, nibbling and teasing with dainty kisses. I'm just giving him instructions. If he understands kissing, it might help some other poor unfortunate girl kidnapped by the cat-aliens...

Oh, hell no, it better not!

This idea of any other female pressing her lips against Khaion sent a burst of jealousy, like hot lava seething through my veins.

When I first found out Rick was cheating, I was furious.

I spent hours plotting a Texas Chainsaw Massacre revenge on my ex.

Strangely I didn't feel the first iota of jealousy regarding the other women.

Those women didn't matter to me. The women that might put their lips on Khaion in the future, however. ..

I hated every single one of them.

With my mind lost in jealous meanderings, my lips followed my body's urges, paying little attention to common sense.

Khaion's low moan traveled along my nerve endings like a caress.

His hands rested against my hips as my lips nibbled along his lips, cheeks, and jawline.

I bit my tongue to keep from moaning, lost in the delicious feel and taste of him. It was like kissing velvet.

"I can understand why you like this kissing." His voice was gruff, thick with emotion. Molten gold eyes trained on my face holding the same depth of feeling with which he always looked at me—like I was precious and beautiful... desired above all others.

"I haven't shown you everything yet." My own voice was breathless and hoarse. Why did I say that? I should stop now. I should end the show part of the lesson and tell him the rest. I should remember that Khaion is an alien, and I'm a sixty-year-old human woman who should act her age. I should...

"I want everything." Khaion's lips traveled along my cheek, and I felt the faint touch of his tongue behind the press of his full lips.

I did too. All of it. All of him.

"Well, there's French kissing." My entire body tingled as I said the words.

"Show me."

My heart jumped, flipping and beating like a happy child performing somersaults. Khaion's hands slowly slid from my hips to my back, pulling me closer. He was magnetic. My body pulled toward him without conscious thought. Arousal flooded my body like a tidal wave, and I wasn't scared to drown.

Why does he have this effect on me?

His body was hard and warm against mine.

My hands splayed on his chest, taking solace in the rhythmic beating of his heart.

It felt like time was suspended momentarily, and I never wanted to move again.

Khaion's eyes met mine, drawing me deeper into their ocean of cobalt and gold.

Our breaths mingled with one another, our bodies melting together.

Khaion's hands exuded the slightest pressure, pressing me toward him until we were flush against each other.

My hands crept up his chest, burying in the thick bronze hair lying over his shoulders.

No one had ever made me feel this way. I never wanted Rick the way my body craved Khaion. I never wanted anyone like this. I felt powerless against the rush of desire and the swell of need blossoming that was nearly painful.