His lips were soft against hers, and his hips started moving. Her grunt of surprise was swallowed in his mouth, and his hand teased her breasts with a light but firm grip.

  Misty lost track of time as he remained inside her, moving gently through six positions and several hours. She had no idea how many times she had come, but his eyes glowed brighter each time.

  A large hand smoothed over her back, and she groaned.

  Mekked kissed her shoulder and trailed his fingers over her hip. “The aches and pains will fade quickly. Do you want me to take them away?”

  She grunted.

  He chuckled, and she felt the comforting touch of his mind on hers, cooling the hot spots and washing them away. The cool relaxation swept through her, and she stretched in place. In a few seconds, all the pain was gone.

  She sighed and relaxed on the sheet. “Nice trick.”

  Mekked chuckled. “You have seen some of my better tricks today. You did very well.”

  Misty muttered, “Can I cancel the contract? I think you are going to wear me out.”

  He lowered his lips to her ear. “No. You are mine, little Terran.”

  She felt him touch her mind again, and he was teaching part of her thoughts how to do something. And he curled around her from behind, and his mind and hers remained locked together until she dozed off again.

  Kekkari spoke in clear tones. “You have to feed her. She can’t live off sex like you do, Mekked.”

  Misty lifted her head and said, “Yay! Food!”

  Mekked eased her to a sitting position and cuddled her on his lap.

  She asked Kekkari, “How long have we been up here?”

  “Two and a half days. I left trays, but they went uneaten.”

  Mekked’s eyes narrowed in embarrassment. “I forgot.”

  “Stop forgetting. Come downstairs and feed your mate.”

  Mekked sighed. “I know that tone. How many alerts have I missed?”

  “Two. Aldrun and Soith covered for you. Flooding and landslides. No lives lost.”

  Mekked slumped in relief, but he kept nuzzling at Misty until she lifted her head and reciprocated.

  Kekkari asked, “Is she all right?”

  Misty nodded. “Just tired and a bit achy and wondering when I got tattooed?”

  Mekked paused. “Tattoo?”

  “Your mark showed up on me.”

  She looked below her navel, and the mark scrolled just above her pubic bone.

  Mekked rubbed it slowly. “Look at that.”

  Kekkari stared. “Already?”

  Misty blinked. “What?”

  Mekked chuckled. “I will tell you later. It’s a very good sign that we are compatible.”

  She looked up at him sleepily. “I have to get showered and dressed.”

  “I will help you, Misty.”

  She smiled, and he carried her to the bathing room. Kekkari went down to prep their meal.

  She sat while he tended to her carefully and sighed as he massaged her scalp. He held her while she dried and then picked a dress that was comfortable on her abraded skin. The deep-sea teeth were sharp. He hadn’t bitten her aside from the bonding mark, but he had come very close.

  The gown was high in front and deeply cut in back. He stroked her hair over one shoulder and smiled. “It is still pretty.”

  She blushed. “I don’t see how, but I guess it is in the eye of the beholder.”

  He got dressed in a tunic and trousers, which were the Vecchin equivalent to jeans and a tee-shirt.

  She was going to ask about shoes for her, but he picked her up again, and they were heading for the door.

  In the dining room, he sat with her carefully cradled in his lap. Soith and Aldrun looked relieved.

  “Well, Misty, you looked tired but healthy.” Soith’s relief was evident.

  “Just a few twinges and lacking sleep.”

  Aldrun chuckled. “That is a relief. We thought he was trying to pound you through the floor.”

  She yawned. “No. That was yesterday.”

  They chuckled, and Mekked kissed her temple. Kekkari brought out dinner, and Mekked fed her carefully, kissing her in between bites. It was cute. She was his favourite pet for the moment until someone shinier came along.

  He murmured, “You are for me, from now until I cease to draw breath. No one else will come along.”

  Soith blinked. “You merged minds?”

  Mekked chuckled. “Emotional tether. If I focus on her, I can pick up her thoughts.”

  Misty looked at him. “That is both sweet and creepy.” She felt a surge of caring with a tinge of lust. “I honestly don’t think I can. Certainly not at the dinner table.”

  Kekkari came in. “Mekked! Feed her. No fucking at the dinner table.”

  Mekked looked at her, and there was promise in his eyes. “Later then.”

  “Kekkari, are there any hiding places here that Mekked can’t get into?” She spoke clearly.

  Kekkari snorted. “Sorry, Misty. No. He can tear through just about anything we have here.”

  Misty sighed. “Fine.” She poked him in the chest. “But you are doing all the work... again.”

  He laughed and resumed feeding her. When he finished her meal and was eating his own, Kekkari asked, “What dessert did you have?”

  Misty frowned. “It was a fluffy, sugary thing on a stick.”

  Kekkari laughed. “My niece loves those.”

  “The vendor gave it to her. He refused to let me pay.” Mekked mumbled around bites of dinner.

  Soith blinked. “Why?”

  Mekked chuckled. “I set her off in the middle of the plaza, and it was like a rock in a pond. Couples just disappeared.”

  Aldrun blinked. “You didn’t.”

  Mekked laughed. “I did. She broadcast across the plaza.”

  Misty yawned and leaned against Mekked, rubbing her cheek against his chest. She felt a tap on her mind, and she looked at Aldrun.

  He grinned. “She has a shield now.”

  Misty breathed deeply and rested against Mekked again. His chest rose and fell, and he was so warm. His arm supported her, and she dozed off. Again.

  * * * *

  Mekked felt her slip into sleep again and smiled. They had coupled countless times, and she had responded sweetly each time. The energy running through his veins was heady. He had thought it before, but his parents’ obsession with each other was now making a certain sense. If anyone tried to part them now, he would simply destroy them.

  Misty stirred and lifted her hand to his chest. His heart ached. He had touched her worn memories and knew what she had experienced at her family’s hands. She survived, and it was a testament to her inner strength that she had come out with her mind intact. At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to wrap himself around her and keep her safe.

  “That is an expression I haven’t seen before.” Soith smiled.

  Mekked glanced at him. “What?”

  “You look like you are cuddling a kit.”

  Mekked chuckled softly. “She is very soft.”

  Aldrun smiled. “You think there are any more like her out there?”

  “I think she is one of a kind, but we can keep feelers out for you at the new colony my father has started or the one my sister is maintaining.”

  Soith grimaced. “Your sister is scary.”

  He laughed. “I will tell Hazda you said so. She’s very proud of her mother.”

  Soith rubbed his forehead. “Will you ask?”

  Mekked tightened his grip on Misty. “I will ask.”

  Aldrun grinned. “Don’t wear her out.”

  “She’s in transformation right now. It’s why she’s so tired. She’ll be fine.”

  Soith looked at her. “Is she glowing?”

  Mekked chuckled. “Yeah. The nanites are having quite the time in her.”

  Aldrun blinked. “Is she supposed to be glowing?”

  Mekked laughed softly. “I have no idea. All of our consorts are different, and the programming given to Vecchin will manifest differently than your grandfather’s would.”

  Soith looked at her. “Do you think she will get more than good health?”

  Mekked shrugged. “Not a clue, but if she is healthy, I will be content.”

  He looked down at the dark crescents of her lashes and stroked her glowing cheek.

  Kekkari was clearing plates and said, “Maybe she would rest better in her bed.”

  “I think she could rest well in a war zone right now.” Mekked chuckled.

  Aldrun squinted. “Are her ears pointed?”

  “They weren’t.” Mekked brushed her hair away. “But they are now. I wonder if she will like that.”

  The alarm started chiming, and he looked at her. “Damn.”

  Aldrun chuckled. “You can sit this one out.”

  Kekkari said, “I will take her and tuck her in. I am pretty sure there is enough of both of you on the sheets to help her sleep.”

  Mekked kissed her forehead and handed her carefully to Kekkari. He got up and ran up the stairs to change clothes. He was back down, and Soith blinked. “When did you get that fast?”

  Mekked chuckled. “I don’t remember when, but there was a course of energy up my spine. That is when I knew I had gotten something extra like she was powering up an annex.”

  Kekkari was nearly out the door, and he said, “Just remember that she doesn’t move at that speed, and friction burns are a real thing.”

  Mekked watched his mate be carried to a restful sleep, and he sighed. “Right. Where are we going?”

  The team formed up, and they were on their way out.

  * * * *

  Misty stretched and smoothed her hands along the sheets. Mekked was gone. She ached, and it wasn’t soreness. She missed him.

  She sat up and rumpled her hair. She got up, got dressed, and put on some soft boots. Her stomach was rumbling, so she headed down to the kitchen.

  Hazda grinned from the table when she came in. “Misty... you look. Oh, wow. Your eyes have changed.”

  Misty shrugged. “I saw it in the mirror upstairs.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  Misty chuckled. “I don’t mind.”

  Kekkari blinked and grinned. “You look... different.”

  “Yeah, saw that, too. I feel pretty good. How long have they been gone?” She asked Hazda

  “Twelve hours. Hostage situation. It has rectified, though, so they should be home in the next hour.”

  She smiled. “Great. What can I eat?”

  He grinned. “Have a seat, and I will bring something quick.”

  “Thanks. Something with a lot of calories. Mekked is looking forward to a recharge.”

  Kekkari paused. “You can speak to him?”

  “Feel him. He’s hungry all over.”

  Hazda grinned. “Oh. Wow.”

  Misty shrugged. “Just trying to get used to the new normal.”

  Hazda leaned forward and whispered, “Are you sore at all?”

  “No. No aches or twinges.”

  “Good. I didn’t want to have to get you a medical workup in the next hour.”

  Misty chuckled. “I don’t think you have that kind of time. They are pretty close.”

  A fruit smoothie was set down in front of her with a protein shake next to it. Kekkari muttered, “Get started.”

  She laughed and slugged down the protein shake before starting on the smoothie. Her body absorbed everything, and by the time the solid food was ready, she was feeling sated.

  She was sitting with a cup of tea and discussing career possibilities with Hazda when booted feet approached the kitchen. Misty was excited. When the exhausted and blood-spattered Mekked came in, she launched herself at him, and he caught her for a kiss.

  Her blood heated, and the kiss got wild. When they parted their lips, they stood with their foreheads pressed together. He smiled. “Miss me?”

  “Have a good day at work?” She grinned as he started walking to the stairs.

  “Same old, same old. Kekkari, I would like some food in an hour if it’s not too much trouble.”

  Kekkari smirked. “No trouble. Have a nice... rest.”

  Mekked chuckled darkly. “Oh, I will.”

  Misty nipped at his neck, and he moved upstairs quickly until they were in his bedroom and his hands were under her dress and stroking her as he kissed her neck. She sighed and ran her hands over his body armour. “One of us is grossly overdressed.”

  He chuckled and dropped her to the platform. “You lose yours, and I will lose mine.”

  Her dress was up and over her head, lying in a pool by the bed. Her soft boots were kicked off, and she was naked.

  His body blurred, and then, she was staring at him, all silver and tattooed, and he was stepping toward her. His lust washed through her mind, and she chuckled and welcomed him. He tackled her to the bed and just stayed with his head between her breasts. He had had a rough day.

  Chapter Nine

  Misty grinned when he got up and lifted his head from her breasts to go and get the tray that Kekkari had brought up. He brought the tray and set it on the bed. “Will you help me eat it?”

  She smiled. “I am full, but if you want to have a seat against the headboard, I will feed you.”

  “That has not happened since I was a child.”

  Misty snorted. “You do it to me frequently.”

  “With you, it’s cute.” He smiled and stroked her cheek.

  “It is caretaking. I am good at it. The faster you finish your meal, the faster we can take care of your other hunger.” She slid her hand up his inner thigh.

  He grinned, there was a blur, and the tray was empty.

  She sighed. “There goes my fun.”

  Mekked pulled her to him, and he sighed. “When I am not exhausted and want nothing more than to be inside you, you can feed me.”

  “I was thinking more of using you as a painting surface for the mousse desserts. And then, I would get to lick them all off. It might get me enthusiastic about desserts again.”

  He grinned. “I would definitely be interested in that.”

  “Well, since my plans are trashed, what were you thinking?”

  He pulled her to him, kissed her until she was squirming against him, and then he turned and lay her back with her butt resting on his thighs, her legs splayed wide.

  He ran his hand down her belly and spread his palm above her pubic bone.

  “The mark is spreading a bit. What is it?”

  “Gestation indicator.” He grinned. “You are pregnant.”

  He lifted her carefully and slid her down until he was lodged in her entrance and slowly spreading her as her body weight pressed her onto him. She was staring up at him the whole time. “Pregnant?”

  “We are a very good match.”

  “But... pregnant?”

  He smiled slowly and supported her hips as she descended until she had taken him all and he was surrounded by her. He kissed her, and she responded while her mind skittered around. He pressed kisses to her neck and licked the points on her ears. Her mind was spinning.

  He leaned back, and she looked at him in confusion. “But... how?”

  Mekked chuckled. “Allow me to refresh your memory.”

  He held her close and tilted her to her back, carrying his weight on his elbows as he started to slowly move.

  His mind was an excited inferno, but his body was calm and controlled until he brought her to the first climax, the second, the third, and then his thoughts overwhelmed her when his own washed over and into her.

  Misty crawled up his chest and draped her arm across him. His arm was wrapped around her, and he sighed, then chuckled as his free hand touched her belly with wonder. “Look what you have started, Misty.”

  “A tattoo.”

  He laughed. “That as well. It’s a pity it is so low. I would enjoy showing it off.”

  “I am suddenly glad about the placement. I don’t need to be flashing my vag all over the place.”

  He stroked her belly. “I wouldn’t mind. Most Hmrain try for years before they manage to start a child.”

  She swallowed. “Lucky you.”

  “Yes, I have been lucky. How are you feeling? Are you tired?”

  Misty sighed. “A little energized, actually.”

  “Would you like a swimming lesson?”

  She jolted upright. “Really?”

  He grinned. “Really.”

  “Do I have a suit?”

  “You don’t need a suit. The pool is private.”

  He picked her up and walked to the wardrobe, getting them both towels. His went around his hips, and she tucked hers around her breasts. He picked her up again and carried her through the house into a basement that she didn’t know about, and the humidity let her know where the water was.

  She swallowed nervously, and he kissed her temple, licking her pointy ear.

  “You are safe. We will take this slow, Misty.”

  “Okay.”

  He took off his towel, took hers off, and folded them neatly on a stone bench on the outside of the grotto.

  He waded into the water, and he walked until he was hip-deep, and then, he turned back to her. “Sit on the side of the pool. When you have relaxed, I will show you the next step.”

  Misty swallowed and walked to the edge of the pool and sat with her feet dangling in the comfortably temperate water. Mekked walked over, put his hands on the sides of the pool, and he kissed her.

  She gripped his shoulders, and he was covered with a slick coating. “What’s that?”

  He grinned. “My breathing layer. It absorbs water and filters the oxygen for me. It happens when I am in contact with salt water.”

  He looked at her body and smiled. “And it seems to be happening to you.”

  She looked at her arm and down at her body. She was developing a shiny gleam. “That hasn’t happened before.”

  He chuckled. “I would guess not. The nanites have just finished with you. Well, are still finishing with you. You are still glowing.”

  She looked around and held her hand up. “I thought my vision had changed.”

 

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