"Oh yes," he says quickly. "Perhaps even now."
I look over at him, surprised. "Now?"
He grins. "My cock needs a moment to breathe before it regains its strength, but I do not."
Oh dear lord, I've created a monster. I bite back a giggle as he reaches for me again. We have the afternoon. Might as well use it.
24
STEPH
By the time it gets dark, we clean up and try to make ourselves respectable to rejoin the group by the fire. I feel as if I look (and reek) of sex despite washing up, and my hair is tangled and snarled right at the back of my head from the pounding I got on the furs. We made love three times in quick succession. I didn't come the second time, content to hold Juth, but he insisted on working my pussy and teasing me to orgasm before he pushed inside me again.
No complaints here.
My legs feel like noodles as we hold hands and walk back to the encampment. Everyone's scattered tonight, with Bek and Vordis down near the cliffs, pointing and surveying, as if trying to determine where future homes will be. Elly's nursing a cup of tea by the fire, chatting quietly with Veronica. I don't see Gail or Daisy, but Vaza has all the kits gathered near him, and he looks to be telling a story, complete with expressive hand gestures. Sam's in charge of food tonight, and it smells amazing. Either that, or I've worked up an intense appetite.
Harlow and Rukh are chatting with Raahosh, and the moment they see us, Raahosh gestures for Juth to join them. "Tell us about the game trails today," Raahosh says. "I am curious if you saw metlaks. Rukh swears he saw one in the area."
"Metlak? I do not know this word," Juth says, hesitating. He pulls me against him and gives me a fierce hug, kissing the top of my head. "I will be back soon," he promises in a soft voice, and then abandons me to join the others.
Smiling, I head for the fire to claim a seat nearby.
When the food is ready, Sam offers me a bowl. No sooner do I take it than Daisy saunters into camp, her eyes lighting up at the sight of me. She sits next to me, crossing her legs delicately, and leans in. "Do we get the gory details?"
"Nope," I say, stirring my soup.
Daisy pouts. "But you guys were gone all afternoon. Surely you're going to tell us a little something about Juth?"
"There's nothing little about Juth," I tease back.
Elly coughs into her tea, and Daisy squeals. "Oh my god, you tramp! I love it!" She wraps her arms around one of mine, ignoring the fact that I'm trying to eat. "You two were gone for a while. Should we consider this the honeymoon or will you need more babysitting?" She leans in. "Also I know a trick to get rid of those hickies."
Hickies? I want to touch my neck, because I remember Juth nuzzling and kissing me there, but my hands are full.
"I have to admit," Sam says as she makes herself a bowl of food and sits down on the other side of me. "You were so fired up about waiting for resonance that I'm surprised you've fallen into domestic bliss so quickly."
Jeez, they're making me sound like some sort of resonance stickler. "Doesn't everyone want resonance at some point?"
"Oh yes," Daisy gushes, a dreamy look on her face.
Sam's expression grows tight. "Not everyone, no."
I watch her, but she doesn't elaborate. Okay, then. I'll have to prod her some other time when there's less people around. "I'm fine with resonance, or not, really. It's not that I want kids right away or anything. I just…make bad choices when it comes to romance, so I figured I'd let the khui choose for me."
Daisy leans in, whispering. "I thought you were gay, actually. Was kinda hoping you and Flor would be a thing."
Oh boy. Daisy's more observant than I give her credit for. "I'm bi," I whisper back, "And I'd really like to keep that Flor thing on the down-low. I don't want to make her uncomfortable."
Daisy winks and makes a lip-zipping motion.
"You say you want the khui to choose," Sam points out. "But here you are, shacking up with Juth. I mean, he seems nice and you guys seem happy, but that's not exactly letting the khui choose."
Daisy puts her head on my shoulder, as if we're best friends. "Is it because of Pak, then? He's the cutest. I can totally understand sliding in for that package deal. Such a sweet little guy. I adore him."
I glance over where Pak is listening to Vaza's story. He's got his thumb in his mouth, seated next to Rukhar on a blanket tossed on the sands. His little tail moves slowly back and forth, a blond puff of excitement, and his eyes are wide as he watches Vaza with fascination. He is absolutely an easy kid to love, and I've spent so much time with him and Juth that I've come to think of him as my kid. It doesn't feel weird to wake up in the morning and get him dressed, or to spend the day with him at my side. It's…surprisingly easy.