Forsaken Read online

  He reassured her with a slow, gentle kiss then whispered, “My turn.”

  A zipper ran down the side of her dress. She raised her arm and he lowered the fastener, loosening the bodice. She immediately pressed the sagging material against her breasts as he slid the straps down her arms. “Please turn off the lights.”

  “No. I want to look at you.”

  “But you said Rodytes aren’t concerned with physical appearance.”

  He gently pulled her arms away from her chest and the dress slipped to her waist. “I said physical appearance is less important to us than it is to humans. That doesn’t mean I’m not aroused by the sight of your breasts.”

  “What little there is of them,” she grumbled.

  With one hand splayed against her back, preventing her retreat, he bent and kissed her rose-colored nipples. “Lovely. Truly lovely.” He sucked on one and then the other, making her squirm. “See how quickly they respond to my lips?”

  “They’re sensitive.” Her voice grew breathless and she clutched his upper arms.

  “I can see that.” He freed her arms from the straps and urged the dress lower. It momentarily caught on her hips then pooled around her ankles.

  She kicked off her shoes, but wiggled away when he reached for her panties. “Take off your pants first.”

  He took a deep breath. She obviously trusted his control more than he did. It would probably be wiser to leave them on. But he wasn’t feeling particularly wise right now. He unfastened his pants and pushed them past his hips. They bunched around his knees, so he sat on the edge of the bed to pull them off. He still wore an undergarment, but the material was clingy and clearly revealed his hardened cock.

  Much to his delight, she approached him before he could stand. He spread his legs and pulled her to him, burying his face between her breasts. He inhaled deeply, holding her scent in as long as he could before exhaling. “Your shape is pleasing, but your scent makes my entire body ache.”

  She laughed and the movement of her chest drew his attention to her pert little nipples. “So if a Rodyte male tells me I smell nice, it’s even better than saying I look pretty?”

  He sucked on her breast hard enough to make her moan. “The only Rodyte male that should be saying either to you is me.”

  Pressing her hand to the side of his face, she captured his gaze and smiled. “That’s why I’m here. So everyone will know I’m taken.”

  Possessive hunger tore through his body, setting him in motion. He wished to the gods that she was ready to be “taken”, but that wasn’t what she’d meant. He picked her up as he stood then turned and placed her in the center of the bed. Quickly yanking off his socks, he lay down beside her, devouring her with his eyes. He wanted to say something meaningful, wanted this to be more than a safety precaution, but words escaped him.

  Instead, he slipped his arm under her neck and pulled her up onto her side. Their legs automatically entwined as their mouths met in the middle. She touched him every bit as boldly as he touched her, which amplified the urgency of his need. He caught her knee and pulled her leg up around his waist, aligning their pelvises so his cock pressed against her mound.

  She gasped. He rocked against her and she groaned, so he did it again and again. He filled her with his tongue as he imagined that layers of fabric didn’t separate their bodies.

  Suddenly, she pushed him away and rolled to her back, panting harshly as she stared up at the ceiling.

  “What’s wrong?” His voice sounded harsher than he’d intended.

  “I want…” She covered her face with her hands as she took a deep breath then slowly turned her head and looked at him. “I want to touch you, give you pleasure like you gave me in our dream.”

  Desire slammed into him so hard it robbed him of breath. When he finally forced air back into his lungs, it sounded like a strangled moan. “If I undressed completely, I don’t think I’ll be satisfied with your hand. I want you too much.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Color stained her cheeks again and her gaze shifted back to the ceiling.

  Frustrated by her self-deprecation, he leaned over and kissed her mouth. “You’re sorry for wanting to touch me?” He kissed her again. “Or you’re sorry I won’t let you play?”

  “I’m sorry I apologized.” She smiled, assuring him that she’d received his message about needless apologies.

  He guided her hands over her head and threaded his fingers through hers. “The strongest concentration of pheromones is in my semen.” Her eyes widened and he chuckled. “We both agree that’s not an option for tonight. The concentration in my saliva is almost as strong, so I’m going to put my mouth all over you.”

  Her fingers tensed around his and her lips trembled. “If you don’t trust yourself enough to let me touch you, how will you…do that and not lose control?”

  “As long as I stay focused on your pleasure, I’ll be fine.”

  “But—”

  He cut off her objection with another breath-stealing kiss. “Your only option is yes or no.” His gaze bore into hers. “You already agreed to let me mark you. Would you rather be claimed instead?”

  Kotto’s question sounded far too much like an ultimatum. Raina tensed for a moment then analyzed his expression. The purple in his eyes shimmered like crushed amethyst and some inner struggle sharpened his features. He was holding on by a thread, and she was the cause of his conflict. He wanted her, truly wanted to be inside her so badly he was starting to shake.

  So let him claim you. The temptation whispered through her mind and her core pulsed in agreement. She shoved back the possibility and forced herself to think. Marking her would allow her to move freely about the ship and give her more time to decide what she wanted. If she let Kotto claim her, he’d consider her his mate, his lifelong partner.

  She shook her head. “I’m not ready for that. We’ll do this your way.”

  “Good.” His mouth settled over hers as he moved on top of her. She instinctively opened her legs, making room for him between her thighs. He pressed against her, his erection unmistakable. He felt enormous and intrusive and—thrilling.

  He made her tremble with every kiss. She could barely imagine how amazing it would feel if she let go of her inhibitions and surrendered to this attraction. Why was she denying him when she wanted it just as badly? Another protest rippled through her core, reinforcing her discontent. But he didn’t want to have sex with her. He wanted to “claim” her, to create some sort of mystical bond that would tie them together forever.

  His tongue pushed into her mouth and she knew what he was imagining because she was picturing it too. She pretended that nothing separated their bodies and his cock was slowly filling her emptiness. She felt hollow and tiny with his muscular body covering her. He held himself up on his forearms and knees, so she wasn’t crushed by his weight. Still, the size and strength of his body was even more impressive when contrasted with hers.

  He kissed his way down her neck, trailing his fingers along her upraised arms. She shifted, arching as his lips found her collarbone. Was her skin really as soft as he claimed? He certainly seemed fascinated by the texture. He stroked her with his hands and caressed her with his lips. Heat trailed in his wake, making her restless and needful.

  Cupping her breasts with both hands, his thumbs teased her nipples, but his mouth continued its descent. She stilled, heartbeat thudding in her ears. This was really happening. He was going to “put his mouth all over” her, and she was going to lie here and enjoy it.

  Phil had begrudgingly gone down on her a time or two. But he’d made it obvious oral sex was an obligation. He endured it so he could get what he really wanted, which was to get himself off as quickly as possible. In the end, sex with Phil had left her wondering why people were so obsessed with it. Sex was awkward and undignified, not to mention messy.

  Already she knew this would be different. The shared dream had shown her that Kotto was a generous lover. He was also intense and overwhelm
ing and she wasn’t sure…

  He pressed his face against her sex, which was still covered by her lace-trimmed panties. She heard his deep inhalation and froze. He was scenting her. She trembled, unsure if she was aroused or revolted by the primal act. Rocking back onto his knees, he tugged her panties off and pulled her hips up off the bed. Then he did it again, saturating his senses with her scent.

  After a long, silent pause, he raised his head and looked into her eyes. “You smell perfect.”

  The utter sincerity in his tone left her shaken. It hadn’t been a line to defuse her insecurities. Scent really was more important to Rodytes than visual stimulation. And her scent obviously thrilled him.

  With his gaze still locked with hers, he lowered his head and licked her, slowly tracing her slit without parting her folds. His eyelids drooped and he hummed as if he’d just tasted the most delicious confection ever created. There was no hesitation in his actions, no begrudging acceptance. He licked her again and again, growing bolder with each slow pass.

  Then he lifted one of her legs and placed it on his shoulder as he returned her hips to the bed. He bent her other leg up and rotated it outward. The position opened her even more than if he’d draped both legs over his shoulders. She tried not to freeze up, tried to relax and accept his caresses but already she was overwhelmed and he’d barely begun.

  He reached up and covered her breast as his mouth grew more demanding. His tongue pushed right into the heart of her sex and her eyes opened wide. Phil had never done that. Kotto was penetrating her with his tongue, sliding in and out just like he would if she’d allowed him to claim her.

  “I don’t think… Oh God, that feels—” Pleasure burst inside her, cutting off her words and scattering her objections.

  His hands grasped her hips, anchoring her against his mouth. He devoured her. There was no other word for it. He licked and sucked, flicked and thrust until she was thrashing wildly beneath him. She pushed up with her free leg, rubbing against his mouth in brazen invitation. He made her wild and reckless, almost desperate. She’d never felt anything like it.

  Slowly, he pushed two of his long fingers into her pulsing core. She whimpered, all too aware of what he simulated, what they both really wanted. He slid his fingers in and out, continuing the sensual dance begun by his tongue. She felt lightheaded and giddy, drunk on pleasure as she’d never been before.

  His mouth settled over her clit, tongue circling, lips gently sucking until her senses caught fire all over again. She cried out, arching off the bed as deep spasms rippled along her inner muscles. He brought her down slowly, his mouth tender, yet taunting, reminding her of all she refused to surrender, all they had yet to share.

  “No more.” She sounded as shaken as she felt. “I can’t take any more.”

  With a satisfied chuckle, he raised his head. “Oh, you could, and one day soon I’ll show you just how much more you can take.”

  Too weak to argue, she draped her forearm over her eyes and concentrated on catching her breath.

  He lowered her leg and allowed her to arrange herself more modestly. Not that modesty was much of a consideration anymore.

  “Are you all right,” he asked. “You look sort of dazed.”

  The bed dipped as he moved to her side and scooted up toward the head of the bed. She moved her arm so she could look at him as he slipped his arm beneath her neck. Then he brushed the hair back from her damp face. When had it come loose from the braid? When she’d been thrashing around like a crazy person.

  “I’m fine.” The understatement was so ridiculous it made her laugh. “I have no idea where I am or what just happened, but I think I’m still in one piece.”

  “I warned you that all this was different with a Rodyte.”

  His tone was just smug enough to help reassemble her composure. She tried to be annoyed with him, but he was so damn handsome all she could think of to say was, “What are you doing to me?”

  He smiled, entirely too pleased with himself.

  “You said I’d have my own cabin. I should probably go there. Let us both calm down.” But she didn’t move a muscle.

  Stroking from her neck to navel in one tantalizing sweep, he reawakened her senses like a sorcerer. “Now, why would you want to do that? My bed is bigger and infinity warmer.” He lightly cupped her breast then leaned down and caressed her lips with his. It wasn’t really a kiss, more like a reminder of how much she liked his kisses. “Stay with me, Raina. Let me hold you.”

  Rather than insult him by asking if holding her was all he’d do, she rolled to her side and slipped her arm around his back, pressing her body snugly to his. The future was still uncertain. She wasn’t thinking clearly enough to decide what she wanted to do. But one thing was more than apparent. She wasn’t ready for this to end.

  * * * * *

  Kotto sat at his desk the following morning, enjoying a steaming mug of civata brew. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so content. Raina had slept in his arms, warm and trusting. He’d honestly expected her to retreat to her own cabin. Instead, she just drifted off to sleep and she’d still been wrapped around him when he woke up an hour ago.

  But he was a man of his word, so he left a message explaining that the officer’s cabin four doors down was reserved for her use. The message was motion activated. She’d receive the information as soon as she got out of bed. If she chose not to take advantage of the opportunity, that would be even better. Still, he was taking Ashley’s advice seriously. He wanted Raina to have time to adjust to each new development without being overwhelmed. So he quietly prepared for the day and left her sleeping in his bed, enveloped by his scent. Bandar would know immediately that Raina had been marked and Ashley could fill Raina in on the freedoms now available to her because she was protected.

  The visitor signal sounded then he heard Raylon snarl to the computer, “Security override, Raylon Lasenger, authorization 649.”

  Kotto stood and rushed around his desk, refusing to be trapped against the wall. “What’s wrong?” Playing dumb wasn’t his usual style, but he wanted to verify what had Raylon so fired up before volunteering any information.

  “Did you claim her?” Raylon always looked mean, but right now he looked demonic. His eyes narrowed, phitons glowing with green fire. His brow furrowed, pulling against his scar, distorting his already rugged features.

  Rodyte warriors never backed down, so Kotto squared his shoulders and met Raylon’s hostile stare. “That’s none of your business.”

  “Hell’s rings say otherwise.” Raylon advanced, not stopping until they stood toe to toe. “You knew! We sat there tossing back g’haut and all the while you were plotting to steal my woman.”

  “She is not your woman,” Kotto shouted as his hands clenched into fists.

  “I’m her potential mate just like you.” Raylon emphasized the point with a shove. “And I know Letos told you.”

  “You encouraged me to pursue her, told me to—”

  Raylon cut him off with a punch that snapped Kotto’s head to the side. Not one to accept abuse from anyone, Kotto shook off the pain and came back swinging. Kotto landed a punch on Raylon’s jaw but Raylon twisted sharply to avoid the vicious jab that followed. Kotto took advantage of Raylon’s awkward position. Launching himself at the other man, Kotto took him down.

  A surprised grunt escaped Raylon as he hit the floor, but he immediately rolled, taking Kotto with him. They grappled and jerked, punched and kicked, toppling chairs and upending a table in the process. Kotto’s fist connected with Raylon’s cheek, but Raylon caught Kotto in the stomach, driving the air from his lungs.

  Suddenly Raylon was dragged off Kotto, and Kotto looked beyond his infuriated opponent. When had Bandar arrived?

  Raylon tried to twist free of Bandar’s hold, but Bandar shoved him backward. “Enough!”

  Ashley and Raina stood just inside the doorway, which had remained open because of Raylon’s security override. Perfect. They both looked confused and uncertain
. Ashley had her arm wrapped around Raina’s shoulders.

  “What in hell’s rings is this?” Bandar managed to sound angry, though he was clearly fighting back a smile.

  Raylon ignored him. His ire was still firmly fixed on Kotto. “Did you claim her last night?” Instead of waiting for Kotto to answer, he darted past Bandar and stalked toward Raina.

  She backed away, stopping only when the corridor wall pressed against her back.

  But Raylon didn’t touch her. Planting his hands on the wall to either side of her shoulders, he leaned in and inhaled. He growled then pushed off the wall and stormed back into the office.

  Kotto struggled to his feet, waving away Bandar’s assistance with an impatient curse.

  “You marked her,” Raylon concluded. “But she’s clearly unclaimed.”

  Kotto charged toward Raylon again, but Bandar quickly intercepted the attack. “Do I need to throw you both in the brig until you cool off?”

  “This is my ship!” Kotto shouted.

  “Then act like a commander or I’ll relieve you of duty.”

  Ignoring Bandar’s threat, Kotto turned back to Raylon. “I have until my scent fades to convince her to accept my claim.”

  “Unless you continue to mark her,” Raylon snapped. “We both know how that game is played.”

  “This is about me?” Raina crept back into the office, cautiously approaching the men. When Kotto and Raylon continued to glare at each other, she looked at Bandar. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No.” Bandar told her without shifting his focus from his volatile companions. “Apparently, Raylon is also your genetic match.”

  Raylon turned toward her, his expression still fierce. “You should have been told and it should have been your choice which of us marked you.”

  “Are you two her only matches?” Ashley asked then her brow creased and she looked at Bandar. “Were there other matches for me?”

  Oh shit. Kotto rubbed his bruised jaw. This was spreading like a toxic fire.