Page 39 of Master (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #3)
"You know it's my arm that's hurt, not my legs," Clara teased when I stepped onto the small path leading to the guest house at the rear of the property.
"I like to carry you," I insisted. "You weigh very little." The way she felt in my arms, pressed close against my skin... if I had my way, I'd carry her everywhere.
"God, you're good for the ego." Her faint huff of breath carried a musical lilt.
The guest house consisted of one large room with a small seating area on one side and a bed on the other.
The doorway to the right of the bed led to a small bathing area.
Our packs lay neatly on a bench while fresh towels and linens occupied a corner of the bed.
I sat Clara on the edge of the mattress, snagging a couple of clean towels before turning on the shower.
The water needed to be warm, not too hot, especially with Clara's injury covered in healing foam.
She was half naked when I returned, flinching as she wrestled out of her pants and curling her adorable little nose at the sight of Kerzak blood staining the garment.
"Let me." I went on my knees beside her, sliding the fabric off her shapely legs. Her shirt was the next to go; the white lacy contraption she called a bra only made her full breasts lovelier, the fabric accenting the peachy curve of her skin.
"I think you just want to get me naked," Clara purred as I finagled the hateful hooks at her back.
"Always," I murmured, dropping the bra to the floor.
Gods. Even splattered head to toe with Kerzak blood, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
Clara's only comment was a soft gasp when I swung her into my arms, crossing the few feet to the shower. Setting her under the water spray, I shrugged out of my pants, leaving my loincloth. Clara needed rest and caring—not my erection.
As I guided us under the cascading water, her soft sigh mingled with the gentle hiss of the shower.
Her body instinctively pressed against mine, seeking warmth and comfort in the falling droplets.
The steam rising from our skin created a hazy aura as we stood in this intimate embrace, suspended in the ebb and flow of the water’s rhythm.
In soft murmurs, Clara told me what Parlow admitted regarding the mumje attack as I washed her skin and hair. She trembled as she talked—a delayed stress reaction many warriors suffered after the heat of battle.
"You're safe," I told her when she'd finished her tale.
"I'm with you." Violet eyes gazed at me through a haze of stream.
Her arousal perfumed the air with spicy sweetness.
Forcing back the urge to push her up against the wall and sliding balls deep into her warm slickness, I turned off the water and grabbed a towel.
A few minutes later, Clara moved toward the bed while I lingered in the bathing room, needing a few moments to shore up my self-discipline.
After wrestling a clean loincloth over my throbbing cock, I emerged. Clara sat on the sofa, wrapped in a fluffy white robe. On a low table nearby sat a tray laden with savory stew, bread, drink, and something she called 'apple cobbler' and promised I'd love.
I fixed her a bowl, putting more meat than vegetables in her serving.
Protein would help her heal. I dished up a bowl of stew for myself and sat next to her, feeding her bites of meat from my serving when I didn't think she ate enough.
Clara remained too pale for my liking. Feeding her bites of bread proved my favorite, especially when her soft lips brushed my fingertips as she took the bread on her tongue.
"I can't believe that damn grizzly bear bit me," Clara groused, lifting her arm out straight and then over her head.
Her range of motion looked good, with no hint of pain from the movement.
Despite the application hurting like hell, the healing form worked quickly.
My fingers absently ran across the center of my chest, remembering a time the foam kept me from developing a nasty scar from an altercation with a Trogvyk.
"Kerzak are vicious and known for their love human flesh." I sat my bowl to the side, the soft braised meat no longer appetizing. Addressing myself to the cobbler, I issued a small moan of pleasure as the fruit and bread mixture crossed my tongue.
Clara’s small white teeth settled in the middle of her lower lip. "Do you think there are any more Kerzak on Tau Ceti?"
"I sensed no more nearby, but Tau Ceti is a big place. The Bardaga's planetary scan will detect all life forms. If there are others, we'll find them."
"How long do you think the Bardaga will stay on Tau Ceti?" Her teeth worried at her lower lip, and she shivered as though chilled.
I set the dishes aside, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her tight against my chest. Clara sighed, cuddling close. My fingertips trailed up and down her spine, slowly warding off her tremble.
"Until we are assured there is no more danger to the people here," I promised.
Her head gave a clipped nod before she asked, "What will happen to Parlow?"
"Peacekeeper Munroe is interrogating him at the moment.
" And beating the shit out of the fucker, I hoped, but didn't say aloud.
"After that, he will stand trial in front of the Alliance council and mostly likely end up on the Alliance prison moon in the Reinaald system… if I change my mind about killing him."
Clara raised her head and gaped at me. "Why would you kill him?"
"He is responsible for your abduction and pain." I thought it rather obvious.
Clara's face softened, her fingertips trailing along my cheek. "It's very sweet of you to offer to kill him to avenge me, but for a man like Parlow, prison is worse than death."
"I can make his death slow and painful," I assured her.
A soft giggle escaped her lips, a sound I adored. It reminded me of the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind.
"I know you can, but Parlow's not worth killing. Promise me you won't waste your time."
I hated setting aside my thirst for vengeance, but I hated the idea of disappointing her more. "If you don't want me to."
"Good." Clara patted my cheek, her smile turning from sweet to sly. "If alien prison is anything like Earth prison, Parlow will be the cell block bitch by the end of his first week."
I grinned. My Clara was bloodthirsty. Could she be any more perfect?
I shifted her onto my lap, hooking a finger under her chin to draw her gaze to mine. “You impressed me by how you waylaid the mayor's escape attempt."
Clara snorted, her warm breath holding the scent of apples. "If you liked that, you should see me when I'm really pissed."
"I already have," I bounced her on my knee. "I seem to recall someone holding me at blaster point—after I'd rescued her, no less."
Her laughter echoed through the room, violet eyes centering on my face.
"That seems so long ago," Clara sighed, laying her head on my shoulder.
I linked my arms around her waist. She snuggled close, a small, contented hum purring from her throat as my fingers stroked through her hair. This was bliss. Utter and complete bliss.
"Tarook?" She said after a long moment.
"Yes, darlin’?"
"What's going to happen to me when the Bardaga arrives?"
A fissure of uncertainty shot through me. Was she worried about her safety with my fellow crewmen? "You'll be safe." I answered what I assumed she meant.
"I know that." Clara stilled, her heartbeat hammering wildly. The beat seemed to echo inside me. If only….
"It's just… you said humans settle on Tau Ceti. I'm already here.”
"Yes." It was the only word that managed to escape my throat.
Did she want to stay here? With the mumje attack, there hadn't been time for talk of our future…
if Clara even considered we had one. As for me…
I couldn't imagine life without her by my side.
But despite my own desires, I wanted her to be happy.
"I guess you'll be glad to get back to your job on the Bardaga," she continued, the lightness in her tone gone.
Settling my hands on her waist, I sat Clara upright. I wanted to look into her eyes for what came next.
"I have a good life as the weapons master of the Bardaga. There's something magical about exploring new words with a crew I think of as brothers."
She tried to school her features into placidity, but I watched tears gather behind her lashes.
"But if you wish to stay on Tau Ceti, darlin’, I will resign as weapons master and never set foot on another ship if it means I can remain by your side."
Her lashes beat furiously as the tip of her small pink tongue licked along the seam of her mouth. I wanted to capture that tongue with my lips, caress it, and hear her moan in pleasure, but the next time I kissed her, I wanted it to be the start of our future together.
"Wh—what are you saying?" Clara’s voice trembled, but held a tinge of hope.
I cupped her cheek in my hand, swiping away the moisture that dared escape her lashes with my thumb.
"There is nothing in this universe I want more than you, Clara.
I lied when first claiming you as my mate to keep you safe, but fate has made my words true.
Whether the Valana ever blesses our union, I will go to my grave knowing you are my one true mate. "
Thick, fat teardrops dripped onto her cheeks, but her smile broadened. I remember from Earth videos that humans shed tears for happiness as well as sadness.
"Tarook." My name escaped along with a sigh of relief.
Her arms slipped about my neck, soft, full lips pressing against mine.
I could feel every emotion she held for me in the way her mouth moved against mine…
the way her tongue played in my mouth, teasing and promising.
I groaned with pleasure, cradling her against my chest, intent on having us on the bed in seconds.
Being prone counted as resting, didn’t it?
Yet, before I could rise, Clara pulled away, a mix of aggravation and confusion flickering over her beautiful face.