Page 11

Brace

My thick pelt was soaked — a feeling I hated. Water sluic ed down my spine, plastering my mane to my head and dribbling into one of my sensitive ears. I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten into the tight shower stall, but there I was, my shoulders wedged between the wall and the transparent side panel. I blinked water from my eyes, trying to make sense of it all.

Then, everything made even less sense . There was my Ruby, standing in the open stall door way, water streaming down her silky braids. Her round belly was outlined by the wet jumpsuit she wore, and her breasts… Ah, stars, those too. Big, lush, the nipples perked. My cock leaped inside the wet, snug confines of my loincloth. I glance d down . L oincloth? Why was I dressed inside the shower stall ?

The water running off my body and down into the drain was rust red. Blood, I had been coated in it, and now it was all washing away. I wished that it would wash away the darkness and the holes inside my memory too, but it couldn’t. When I raised my head again to look at my mate, there was nothing but warmth and sympathy in her eyes. “It’s okay. It’s almost gone . T hen I’ll take care of that nasty cut. You’re going to be fine.” Ruby’s singsong tone was as warm and kind as always, and I felt doubly like I did not deserve it. I couldn’t remember what I’d done to those burglars, but it was bad. Had to be, for there to be this much blood on me. It had gotten on her too, smeared along her side from when I’d carried her . S ome was smudged on her face.

My arousal had dampened with the surge of guilt, and my hand trembled as I raised a finger to brush her silky skin. The blood was wet from the shower water, but it had dried before and now clung stubbornly. “I’m a mess, Ruby,” I said. “I’m not safe, look what I did…” I shrugged helplessly, but the motion barely translated , stuck as I was inside the tiny shower. Indicating the blood still washing from my pelt, I tried to make it clear to her that she should back away.

The stubborn female just smiled at me, all bright and warm. I knew she understood me, she was smart. Yet instead of backing away , she did the opposite, pressing forward into the tiny space. Now our bodies were pressed together under the stream of water, and I thanked the stars that the water had begun to run clear.

“You did that to protect me, Brace. How could I object to that? You kept me safe.” I wanted to believe that was all this was, but I didn’t remember what I’d done to the males who had invaded her ship, her domain. The last I truly remembered was the Rummicaron with Ruby’s favorite drink in his grubby palm. I could also vaguely recall an Asrai male and the sense of imminent danger to my mate. For all I knew, I’d eaten the males I’d defeated. I didn’t feel any hunger now, and that was rare, and a very bad sign.

When she began running her fingers through the fur on my chest, I could no longer concentrate on the negative. Her fingers felt divine ; I could not recall the last time anyone had touched me like that. This close together, I could no longer smell the blood either, all I smelled was her. How was it that she smel led so fresh and sweet, after all that had happened today?

Groaning, I gave in to the temptation to hold her, to please her. My mind filled with smoke and flames as it recalled an instance that was crystal clear: that kiss, and the way she’d pressed against me, searching for her pleasure. The beautiful expression on her face as she came—came because she was in my arms and no one else’s. She was gliding her hands up, but it was awkward in the tight space, and she could not reach all the way to my shoulders. I hunched forward, meeting her halfway, and when her mouth met mine, lightning sparked inside my brain.

I hauled her up, careful of her pregnant belly, and cradled her high against my chest as I continued to taste her lips. Stay away ? T hat was impossible, it wasn’t even a thought in my brain once I had her inside of me. Her taste was everything : d elicate, sweet, unique, and so very addictive. When she parted her lips and let me fill her with my tongue, it was as if she had let me between her thighs , and my cock surged and pulsed, aching with need for her. She did nothing to stop me, did not seem in the least bothered by our differences.

My size compared to hers, her soft, furless skin, and especially our mouths. I could not understand why she’d want to be with me after I’d come to her covered in blood. Blood from slain foes I ’d lost control with. But all that mattered was that she was here with me, my beautiful, tempting mate. Turning of f the water spray with a flick of one hand, I held my female against me with the other. She was easily cradled in the crook of my arm, and I never had to raise my mouth from hers.

She whimpered as the warm water receded, and I felt how she began to shiver against me. Even wet, my pelt kept me warm, dual-layered as it was. My mate had no such protections ; she was not made for cold climates. I could have turned on the dryer function inside the stall, but it was far more delightful to dry her myself. With my claws, I cut through the wet fabric of her jumpsuit, taking extra care — and delight — when I pulled the fabric from her lush breasts.

Her skin was the same light brown all over, slightly paler over her breasts, though those were tipped with dark n ip ple s that tempted me. When I raised her in my arms and closed my mouth over one, she shouted and writhed in my grip. Her hands gripped the mane on my head, tugging as she ro de the wave of pleasure I had unleash ed. “Yes,” I growled when I raised my head and looked into her face. She was glowing pink along her cheeks, her long black lashes draped low over her pretty brown eyes.

Striding from the bathroom, I carried her through the cold hallway. A smear of blood there reminded me of the earlier carnag e, and I quickly turned both of us so we wouldn’t have to see what I’d done. Inside her bedroom, I pulled back the sheets, then gently laid her down. “Don’t move!” I warned her as I tucked the blanket over her. T hen I hurried away to dry myself and fetch what I needed to take care of my mate.

***

Ruby

When Brace ripped my wet clothing from my body, I thought he’d make love to me right the n and the re . Inside that tiny shower stall. Of course, that made no sense, he barely fit, let alone the two of us together. He was far too much of a caring gentleman , beneath that wild - man exterior. Now I found myself still damp, tucked into my bed, while he ran off — but I didn’t fear that he’d change h is mind. This was different from last time, very different. I felt like I’d gotten to see a part of him that he fought to hide from the world, and somehow I’d gotten through to him. After this, everything was going to be different . I was sure of it.

Tingling, a little cold, and a whole lot excited, I waited for him to return, my mind already picturing all the things I wanted to do with him. After that kiss — after the way he’d sucked my sensitive nipples until I saw stars — I knew he’d be back for more. What would it be like to have sex with him? Would we even fit ? I was trying to figure that part out, and beginning to grow a little uncertain, when the door to my room opened again.

Brace ducked through the portal, hunch ing down to fit inside the Finix ’s tiny, economic al spaces. His blue pelt was shiny and dry again, and he was carrying a brush in his large paw. His blue eyes were gleaming with heat, and when he grinned at me, his mouth split, too wide to be human. It only turned me on to know that I was about to dance with a beast, with a male as feral, but mo re than that , as sweet as he was.

He came to kneel beside my bed and gently began stroking my wet hair with that brush until it was dry and tangle - free. Then he used his hands to assault my senses with tender strokes along my flesh. First, he cupped my shoulders, warming me as they glided down my arms, engulfing my limbs and heating my fingers. He did the same with my legs, starting at my feet, and he spent extra time stroking my distended belly , with something close to a purr rumbling from his chest.

I thought it all felt good, but he was moving too slowly, and I was getting impatient . F rom the gleam in his eyes, I knew he knew it. The d evilish man had found the playful side of himself, and now he was ready to tease. “You are so tiny, female,” he said. I could only wordlessly agree with him, nodding my head. It was nothing but the truth; I was tiny next to him, even with a belly the size of a beach ball. “You can’t take me,” he added, and his tone turned dark. My body clenched with heat at that phrase, not a fear response, but arousal. He was that big? I couldn’t wait to find out.

“I’ll stretch,” I said through dry lips, and I darted out my tongue to wet them, swallowing roughly. “Humans are very stretchy,” I added. That made him grin again, his large mouth spreading wide, hinting at the danger that la y behind that maw — the rows of sharp teeth. He cupped my thighs with both hands and pulled them apart, then ducked his head and peered at my glistening folds. I heard him suck in a deep breath and knew he was inhaling my scent. The deep , satisfied growl told me he liked what he smelled, very much.

“You think you ’ ll stretch to fit this?” he snarled, the sound almost furious , but I knew it was impatience. Rising to his feet, he snatched the loincloth from his hips , and finally, I got my first proper look at what he was packing. Oh god… Now , I wasn’t sure, but I wanted to say yes very desperately. He was thicker than my wrist and as long as my forearm, definitely in proportion to the rest of his hulking size. He was also very veiny, ridged almost by the thick network of vessels. The tip was a dark blue that bordered on black, while the rest of his bulky shaft was a rich cobalt.

I bared my teeth at him —something I knew he took as a sign of aggression . “Yes.” A challenge , maybe, but I simply couldn’t help myself. Everything about Brace appealed, every time, all the time. I had never been as attracted to a guy before as I was to him, scars , feral mood swings, and all. How could I not adore the tender heart inside him? My answer made him growl again, and then he took two hulking steps across the room before pass ing back to me , h is heavy cock swaying above a pair of deep blue balls as big as my fist. Nervous energy, excitement, all of it was making him feel wild, but he was trying to control it, for me.

Rolling to my knees was a little ungainly, my center of gravity not quite where it used to be. “Come here, sweetheart,” I said, gesturing with my hand. “Let me take the edge off, and then you can play. How does that sound?” He froze next to me, his cock inches from my outstretched hand, his eyes glowing as they met mine. He wasn’t sure what to make of this, and now I wondered if he even knew what I meant. His mouth was awfully big and filled with sharp teeth; he probably didn’t want to put his sensitive cock near such a mouth on a female of his species.

Curling my fingers in a come - hither motion was just enough to make him twist his hips. Maybe he was eager for the touch, couldn’t restrain the urge. His tip was leaking a clear, oily substance. It felt silky and slick when I brushed my fingers through it, and his cock blaz ed with heat, far warmer than I expected. He growled, his cock bucking in my fist when I curled my fingers around his length jus t beneath the tip. It was too large to properly fit, so I leaned further forward to reach with both hands. Almost losing my balance, I began to topple forward, and he caught me by the shoulders.

I loved that, my core aching with desire. His big hands held me in place, slightly unbalanced as I leaned forward , t heir warmth seeping into my skin and down my spine, big enough to cover much of my shoulder blades as well. His cock was right in front of my face, pretty blue and leaking with desire. I rubbed him with both hands, learning his texture, the way he twitched and bucked in my grip , like he couldn’t control it. Then I dipped my head just a little more and , with a flat tongue, dragged it across the wide tip. He tasted sweet, which caught me by surprise. His growl was sweeter because it told me how much he liked it.

There was no way I could make that massive cock fit in my mouth, but I made it work —s ucking on the tip, licking the slit with my tongue, and using both hands to pump his length with firm, steady pressure. Withi n seconds, I felt a bump beg i n to swell at the base of his cock, and then that bump rose along his length. Curling along those thick veins until , with a ferocious shout , he came. A round, hard bead jetted from the tip and collided with the roof of my mouth —i t was like he’d ejected a marble, and I had only just managed not to choke on it.

He sank to his knees immediately after, his legs trembling, his hands rubbing me. It took me a moment to realize that he was talking to me; I was too surprised and distracted by his odd release. I’d expected a massive gush of seed, not this bead. Sticking out my tongue, I realized it had adhered to it, not in a bad way ; it just didn’t roll off. “Blazing stars, Ruby. Ah, no… What did you do? That is…” He growled, his hands moving me until I was back in a more comfortable position on the bed, his head leaning close to peer at my tongue with huge eyes. “That is so sexy I can’t even…” H e ran out of words then, still staring, his cock still a rock - hard rod between his big thighs.

I pulled my tongue back in and sucked on the marble . I t was beginning to soften and dissolve, and it still tasted sweet. A bit like caramelized honey. “Nobody ever went down on you before?” I asked. I was not objecting to this at all ; it tasted really good, and now that I knew what to expect, I wouldn’t be so surprised or risk nearly choking.

He shook his head, his mouth opening so he could run his thick tongue along his sharp teeth. I knew he was just thinking about the why, not explaining it to me. “Did it help?” I asked, and when he nodded, his grin came back. Oh , boy, I was in for a ride now, wasn’t I?