Page 24 of Warrior (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #2)

Awkwardness was a distant memory, pulverized by giddy excitement that practically had me skipping. Even so, I kept to the shadows, aware of increased guard patrols.

Daicon's back was to me as I turned the corner, his arm muscles straining as he hefted a massive rock. He was everything strong and masculine, yet the touch of his hands on my body held the utmost gentleness. I wanted to feel that gentleness again.

“Hi!”

The rock hit the sound with such force I felt the reverberations tremor along the ground.

“What are you doing here?” His deep voice was breathy from exertion, making my skin tingle.

“I just thought I’d….”

Whatever suggestion I planned died on my tongue as Daicon jerked around, glaring at me. “Daisy, I told you not to come back here. Go back to the common area… now,” he grated.

I’d imagined a hundred scenarios for this moment. None of them held Daicon with an angry set to his brow and hateful clip to his deep voice.

When tears prickled my eyes, I didn’t try to hide them. Gavin always used to say I wore my heart on my sleeve. Daicon effectively just slapped my heart to the ground and stomped it.

I turned and ran. Behind me came muffled curses along with the sound of my name, but I didn’t stop.

I just wanted to get away.

I’m so stupid.

Na?ve and silly and stupid.

The whole idea of being his mate was silly. Even with my twenty-something body, the idea that he would want me was insane. He wants one of those six-boobs pleasure females he mentioned. Who wouldn’t want a woman with two vajayjays?

The logical part of my brain, not hindered by naysaying emotions, asked one simple question.

If he didn’t want me. Why did last night happen?

Because I threw myself at him.

Because I acted like a complete floozie, and he was too nice to turn me away and felt sorry for me.

What did Anges call it…a pity fuck.

Oh God!

The fork in the tunnel loomed in my vision. To the left would take me to the common area, kitchen, and my room. To the right would take me back to the laundry cavern. I turned right. The tears fell thickly down my cheeks—the children could not see me like this.

If one looked up the definition of ugly cry, they would find my picture. Even as a small child, I’d never been one to shed tears daintily. My eyes and nose turned red… oh God, no wonder Daicon didn’t want me. He’d seen me cry.

I stumbled into the fog, diving to my knees beside one small pond.

The water felt icy, the tips of my fingers stinging as I dipped my cupped hands beneath the surface.

Alien water held a consistency thicker than Earth water, with a slightly sweet taste.

The thickness would help the liquid adhere to my features, and the chill would alleviate any redness before I had to face anyone.

“Daisy.”

Oh no.

I kept my back to him, splashing my face over and over. If I had to face him, I didn’t want Daicon to know he made me cry.

“Daisy.” His voice was deep and soft and held something that sounded like regret.

“I’m sorry… I…” The words fell from my lips before I knew why I was apologizing.

"Don't apologize." His voice was gentle but with a stronger tone.

"I don't know what to do," I whispered. I didn’t know how to stop the shame and guilt. Most of all, I didn’t know how to stop the blaze of desire licking through my veins from his nearness. It was like being caught in a tornado, twisted and turned, with no end in sight.

The warmth of Daicon's hands on my shoulders felt comforting, despite knowing it shouldn't. He drew me to my feet, turning me so my eyes centered on his chest.

"Will you look at me, please?"

Despite my mortification, I could deny him nothing.

I raised my eyes slowly, which only served as an appreciation tour of his upper body.

Like I needed to appreciate the hard, muscled chest and shoulders more.

When it was impossible to postpone any longer, I met his eyes.

The shimmering gold swimming in a cobalt sea stole my breath away.

The expression held in their depths wasn't the intensity of the color, but a deep affection, although I was scared to believe it.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you.” Daicon lifted his hand, fingers trailing across the pathway of my earlier tears.

“Why?” My lower lip trembled, and I pulled it between my teeth.

I felt Daicon’s arm slip around my waist, and he drew me closer. “The Aljani guards. They missed spotting you by minutes.”

“Oh.” The hateful feelings of lack and undesirability evaporated under his gaze.

"The thought of you being hurt again." Daicon pulled me against his chest, shuddering to his very bones.

My mind might have been urging restraint, but my body overrode that suggestion, relaxing against him.

We stood there, holding each other, and one by one, like stars disappearing into the morning sky, my doubts, and reservations waned. In his arms—in his eyes— I was brave and bold again.

“Daicon?” I kept my head tucked under his chin. I might be brave enough to say the words but hesitated to meet his eyes—afraid of what he could not hide. "What happened last night?"

His chest rolled with a deep, sighing laugh. “You are delicious.”

This time, I met his gaze, hoping I found what I thought I heard in his voice. “You don’t regret it?”

“Regret?” Daicon gave a soft snort, his fingertips catching my chin. “My sweet little warrior. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.”

“What do you see?” I wanted to know how his beautiful gaze found me.

Strong fingers with an otherworldly gentle touch stroked my jawline as golden eyes regarded me. “I see a strong, vibrant, courageous, caring female—the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“Ditto,” I whispered, bringing a smile to Daicon’s lips before his mouth crashed down on mine.

His kiss was urgent as his hands explored the contours of my body, finding their way to the curves of my breasts and tantalizingly rubbing slow circles around my nipples. The rough fabric of my shirt supplied an unexpected roughness that sent sparks of pleasure through me.

My fingers wound through his thick, tawny hair, still moist from the labor of digging in the tunnels. His lips tasted like sweet tea and roses. Our mouths moved in perfect harmony, perfectly in sync with each other.

His grip grew tighter as he pulled me closer. “You are the most perfect creature.”

The warmth of Daicon's breath caressed my skin as he spoke, sending a shiver of delight down my spine.

His lips left mine to explore the curve of my neck, his teeth tugging lightly on my sensitive flesh.

When he swept me into his arms, I gasped in surprise and excitement.

My legs instinctively hooked around his waist, pressing my throbbing center against his hardness.

I ground shamelessly against him with an overwhelming blaze of passion consuming me.

Daicon carried me the few steps to a small alcove tucked between two soaring rocks next to the small waterfall. He laid me down on a soft cushion of vibrant green moss, pausing to slip off my well-worn dress.

Daicon's eyes hungrily trailed up my body, and I felt my cheeks heat with his scrutiny.

A laugh bubbled from my lips as I shook my head at the irony.

Had I met him a few months earlier, I'd be wearing layers of fabric, trying to hide from his gaze.

Instead, I extended my hand towards him, beckoning him to join me.

"Are you sure, sweetling?" His voice was thick, rough with passion. "I won't be able to stop once we start."

The words fell from my lips like a confession, "I want you."

This was more than desire. It was longing, need, and a connection that transcended worlds.

Daicon smiled, his eyes glowing with understanding. Wrapped in his arms, there was no other place I'd rather be. If a spaceship landed at this very moment and offered me a way back to Earth—I would decline.

My fingers curled around his wrist, and I pulled him down to me, the heat radiating between us. His body burned like a furnace, searing my skin as he settled between my legs. I shifted my hips, seeking out more contact. He responded with a low groan that rumbled up deep in his chest.

"Slow sweetling." Daicon's mouth trailed from my ear down to my collarbone as he spoke. "You are so tiny and fragile. I must prepare you to take me."

I opened my mouth to tell him I didn't need foreplay, that I just wanted him inside me. Before I could say anything, I felt the unmistakable press of his hardness against my thigh. His breath was warm on my neck, and a thrill ran through my body.

Sweet fancy Moses, he was big!

I arched my back as his warm tongue slid along the sensitive skin of my ear.

His name fell from my lips in a deep, guttural moan, and I felt a tremor course through Daicon at the sound of it.

His gaze flicked up to meet mine, dark with hunger, and he lowered his mouth to mine.

Our mouths met, tongues dueling in a passionate dance before his mouth pulled away to trail over my skin.

My breasts felt heavy, my nipples tender and aching.

My clit pulsed in anticipation as Daicon slowly and gently licked around the perimeter of my breast. His tongue eventually found its way to my nipple, and he sucked on it lightly, sending waves of pleasure through me.

The sensation was so intense that I involuntarily moaned and pressed against him for more.

A jolt of electricity surged through my body as an unseen force tickled the sensitive folds between my legs. I gasped with pleasure as a trickle of moisture escaped from my femineity and dripped down my thigh. A low moan of need erupted from every corner of my soul, begging him to touch me.

Daicon growled my name, and before I could respond, his lips were hard on mine, as if his kiss was an act of desperation. The smell of desire hung in the air as our mouths moved together in a savage embrace while his fingers found the slickness of my opening.