We adjust our bodies and he wraps his arms around me. My thighs are sticky with his cum, and when I glance down, I exclaim in surprise. “The colors.”
Friends have told me about how Zandian cum is rainbow-hued, but seeing it for myself is nothing like imagining it. “Pretty.” I giggle and push closer into his chest.
“Not as pretty as you.” He has a smile in his voice. He strokes my hair, my shoulder. Like he can’t take his hands from me.
I love how he smiles more since he met me, and that he attributes that to my influence. Furthermore, in the short time since he claimed me, I feel that monumental changes have taken place in both of us.
Whatever was missing in him is now here, the ability to trust me and enjoy me completely. As for myself, I no longer have that nagging feeling that I’m unloved. Instead, the knowledge of my past and my present swirl together, and I have even more of myself available to share with Mykl. The Zandian I love.
“If that’s how you perform, I have to say that I’m very glad I chose you over Arc and Bow.” I preen and twist, reaching up to nip his ear.
“Mention their names once more and I’ll fetch my strap,” he growls and bites my ear in return, and tingles travel down my neck and into my nipples.
If I weren’t so sated, I might giggle and say “ArcandBow” really quickly just to see if he makes good on his promise. Instead, I stretch along his body and run my hands over his impressive triceps. “Who? I do not know these beings of whom you speak. They must be insignificant underlings.”
“Damn right.” He squeezes one nipple gently and drops a kiss on my head. “You do learn fast, little human.” He sounds pleased.
“Ah, finally you recognize the true value of humans.”
I was teasing, but he stills in my arms. Then turns and takes my face carefully in both hands. “Kianna, does that still worry you?” He looks into my eyes. “I swear it, I… love you. I respect all human females, especially you.”
I can see that although he believes this, it’s not easy to say it. I almost want to tear up and put a hand to my mouth as I watch him struggle over the words, the delivery. His shoulders are stiff, his face determined. Mother Earth, it’s hard for these proud Zandians to let their feelings out sometimes once they start having them.
“It doesn’t worry me, Mykl.” I touch his firm cheek, tracing the contours. “I was teasing.”
He nods, solemn. “I assumed so, but I wanted to check.” He’s still tense. “I don’t always know.”
Mirelle told me it gets easier for them all the time, especially with lots of sex with humans. She said she’s got her Zandian males right where she wants them—the perfect mix of fierce dominant owner and respectful, sensitive partner.
Like Mirelle, I don’t want him too sensitive. I snort to myself, thinking of Arc and Bow and their tepid embrace. Good luck to Cressa with all that. Of course, with her, if they feel true passion, maybe they’re as wild and dominant as Mykl is with me. I shrug mentally. Then I push them out of my mind.
“I respect you too. Always have. And I love you. You know that.”
He smiles at me, and now I do feel moisture in my eyes, because his smile is so beautiful. And it’s for me. The thing I wanted so long, the being I craved, he’s mine. It’s unbelievable. A true gift from the universe, right on the solstice, the most magical day of the solar cycle.
“You’re not going to the Outlander Program.” He circles my wrist with his strong fingers. “I forbid it.”
“What if I really wanted to go?” I lift up my other wrist to his hand so he can grip that one, too.
“Do you?” He quirks a brow.
“No.” I flush. “I briefly considered it, when I thought you were going to…”
He nods. “I understand. But you know that program isn’t right for you.”
I frown. “Because I’m too weak?” I stiffen in his arms.
“Relax.” He kisses the side of my face. “Because you’re too smart for it. Your mind relaxation thing? That’s what you need to develop. That’s going to change Zandia.”
“Oh, no,” I say, and I’d wave a hand in dismissal if he didn’t have both of them captured.
“Oh, yes.” His voice is firm. “You know it, too. It’s all right to admit it. That you do something important for this planet. That you have critical skills no one else can replicate.”
My face is hot again. I clear my throat. “I have discussed starting a class to teach it to warriors who need to focus.” I swallow. “Apparently Master Seke is quite supportive and thinks it can be an important training tool for warriors.” I beam. Then I add, “But I don’t want to brag.”
“There’s a difference between fatuous pomposity and genuine pride in one’s quality work.” He pulls me closer and whispers into my ear “And you know what? If I need to use my strap to help you remember, I will do it, Kianna. One of the spankings that might be more punishment than pleasure.”
I fee