Erun (Scifi Alien Romance) (The Ujal Book 4) (15 page)

She met his stare and then looked down the beach, the wide expanse of sand bare of people. “A walk? Some time together before…” She waved at UST. “We do all that.”

“But Tabitha…”

He touched on her own wave of guilt. “I love her more than life itself, Erun. But right now, right this second, I can’t be what she needs if I don’t get my head on straight. Thirty minutes of peace. Nothing more than me and you and this beach. We’ll deal with the heavy stuff, but I can’t go back in without freaking out, and that’s the last thing she needs.”

His gaze searched hers for one beat and then two and… “Let me comm Faim. He will be thankful for the additional time with Tabby.”

And just like that, she found herself alone for half an hour with the male she was to mate. Thirty minutes of dating to cram into one small package.

She hoped he talked fast.

It did not take long to speak with Faim and confirm their return could be delayed for a short time. In truth, the coming days would harm Vanessa more than the youngling.

Nessa slowly walked at the edge of the shore, the sea dancing inland to tease her feet before retreating once more. He couldn’t wait to swim among the waves with her and Tabby—dive beneath the surface and explore a new world opened to them. And soon he would. Soon she’d have her own scales, her own ability to breathe within the ocean. The only question was whether she would have a tail or merely webbed fingers and toes to go with her scales. Cara’s transformation had been slow, which resulted in growing a tail while Rina’s and Maris’ were whip fast after their first lovemaking.

Vanessa would be an enigma. She’d change via injection, but with modified genetic material. She would be as Ujal as Erun, but still different from the others. Would she be willing to complete the mating to make it legal and unbreakable? Would she ever lay with him?

He wondered if that bothered her.

Then she paused in her walk and looked back at him, the wind dragging at her hair. Her smile was blinding with a hint of unease and hesitation. He was not the only one who had doubts, who was uneasy. And that fact soothed some of his anxiety. He would be the strong male to lead them through these uncharted waters. Vanessa—and Tabby—were his now. He would care for them always.

He brushed off memories of the brief conversation he’d had with Faim and went to the female now waiting for him on the sand. She straddled the line between dry and wet ground, nature’s way of reminding him that she was part of both worlds. Or someday would.

Soon
.

Her grin widened at his advance and she held out her hand, beckoning him forward. He could not do anything but approach and grasp hers, enjoy the touch of a female. He had—in the past—enjoyed a female’s body but never like this, never with the intent of
mating
. For it had been an impossibility before Nessa.

She leaned against him, pressing her shoulder to his, and he decided she was not yet close enough for his liking. Releasing her hand, he slid his arm across her shoulders and tucked her firmly against his body. He’d seen the mated males do the same with their human-Ujal mates, so it must be a common thing. When she did not retreat, he gently squeezed her shoulder. He had to remember to be gentle. She was a stunningly built female, soft in all the places he could not wait to enjoy, but he was much larger than her. Much larger than most males, in truth.

She wiggled closer still. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. Faim assures me Tabitha is enjoying herself and they were engaging in one of their tea parties with Sece.”

Nessa shook her head, the action ending with her nuzzling his chest. His cock stirred with the movement, the action arousing him. He could not lie, her very breathing stoked his need for her. From the moment he laid eyes upon her, he craved her like no other. She was beautiful in both her rage and happiness. He could not decide which he favored, though he was sure she would prefer being happy all the time. Perhaps he would prick her anger occasionally.

“I can’t envision Faim playing like that with Tabby.” Her warm breath sank through his shirt and teased his skin. His scales fluttered, his control lessening with her touch and nearness. He wondered if he could ever be so close without revealing them.

Him, the male with control that rivaled the king’s assassin, had trouble hiding his scales. It was unimaginable. Until he had his female flush against him, her softness caressing his hard body. Then he could imagine more than just his scales appearing. He thought of the two of them embracing the seas together, sharing their bodies.

“His offspring were once younglings, too.”

“Yeah.” She nodded and breathed deeply once more, her nose pressed to his chest. He liked the idea of her appreciation of his natural scent. “And I think he’s still trying to treat Sece as if she were Tabby’s age when she is on the verge of mating Niax.”

Erun could not help but laugh. “
Lofei
, if you believe those two will mate soon, you are set up for disappointment.”

Vanessa slowed. “What? Why? I thought true mates, well, mated.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps it is because she resists so strongly. Niax wants her…” he frowned, “pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen?” His mate snorted. “Exactly. Sece wants to follow in her
sire’s
footsteps. Niax wants a female to tend his younglings and nothing else.” He sighed. “They will figure it out someday.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head before nuzzling her hair. Just as she seemed to enjoy his scent, he enjoyed hers. Fresh and clean with a delicate hint of flower. “Today—right now—is about us. We can worry about them once our family is established and healthy.”

Nessa tilted her head back and he met her gaze, searching for any hint of her emotions. “You’re right.” She narrowed her eyes and he was not sure he wished to know her thoughts. “You’re not going to expect me to be barefoot and preg—” She paled and looked away. “I mean, you won’t expect me to stay home and do nothing, right?”

Thoughts of her away from him, outside of their domicile and exposed to any who would wish her harm, chilled him. But Tave allowed Rina free run of UST—albeit with a guard. And Cara often came in and out of the station—
without
a guard. Vados kept Maris out of UST but he also knew she continued her work as a marine biologist.

“No,
lofei
.” Then he realized the true reason behind her sudden paleness. Pregnancy. Other younglings. “I do not expect you to remain home. I would hope we both put Tabitha’s best interest before our own, but I cannot expect you to have a youngling as your only company.” He drew them to a stop and forced her to face him. When she continued to focus on his chest, he placed a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. “And,
lofei
?” She raised her eyebrows in question. “I know we cannot have younglings of our own, but there will be many who require homes. Many who will need
sires
and
dams
who understand the pain of slavery and know how to love a child of the heart if not the body. I have not spoken with Tave, but I believe we could love many more younglings. I believe he would allow this as long as you agree.”

He had never believed he would have offspring of his own and now he had the chance to bring joy to not only Tabitha’s life but possibly others as well. He would be selfish and take whatever was offered.

“Yes.” Excitement filled her eyes. “If you want more, if Tave allows it, I’d love other children. I always imagined adopting once Tabby was a little older and could understand better. I enjoyed her as a baby, but there are so many older kids who could use love.” She grasped his hand and brought it up, pressing a kiss to his palm. “I would love it.”

He wanted a kiss, but not to his hand. Also not when exposed to one and all.

Erun looked up and down the coastline, cursing Tampa’s smooth beach. The coast was filled with tall buildings, those closest to UST occupied by station personnel and other Ujal. Any one of them could peer out a window and see him touch his mate.

Unacceptable.

That left… He glanced at the rolling water.

“
Lofei
,” he murmured and her eyes softened. She liked his love name for her and he decided he would use it whenever he could. Especially when he made her angry. Perhaps it would lessen some of her fury. “I wish to kiss you. I wish to do
more
than kiss you. But I refuse to reveal your passion to others.” He stepped back, releasing her fully as he edged toward the cool water. “Come, swim with me.”

“But…” Her gaze flicked between him and the distant seas. “I don’t have,” she waved at his legs, “any of that.”

“I want you as mine more than life itself. I would not allow any to harm you be that beast, man, or Ujal.”

Erun held out his hand and beckoned her, hoping she’d trust him, care for him. Indecision warred on her features, uneasiness battling excitement before excitement finally won. She stepped forward, hands going to the hem of her shirt as she lifted the fabric.

“What are you doing?” He did not wish others to see her body. That was the point of going into the seas!

“Uh, stripping?” She raised her eyebrows and looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. Perhaps he had. “I’m not wearing my clothes in the water. They’ll get heavy.”

“And I said I would care for you. Leave your clothing on.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes. “I’m only taking off my pants and shirt. My bra and panties are staying on, big boy. I’m not flashing the whole world.” He was not sure if that was better. “Besides. You’re going to be flashing everyone your junk in a few minutes. I can’t do the same?”

“Never,” he snarled. “You are mine.”

A smile teased her lips. “I kinda like the barbarian thing, but I’m still stripping down to bra and panties.”

Erun weighed his desire for her slick skin on his against others seeing her in her
bra and panties
. His gaze scanned the beach, hunting for others, and found no one easily visible. “Fine,” he grumbled. “But do it quickly and go into the water. I do not wish for others to see what now belongs to me.”

She smiled widely and he was not sure why. He did not have to wait for her to explain. “I like that.” She came closer, fingers still clinging to the bottom of her shirt. “Like that whole possessive thing. Constantine wasn’t—” she shook her head. “Never mind.”

“
Lofei
, if he didn’t guard you like the treasure you are, I am happy for it. Makes it easy for me to convince you I am worthy. Even as I act like the hole of an ass, I will be seen like a perfect male when compared to him. I should thank him. Rina sends gift baskets.”

She laughed at his words and he smiled in return. He wasn’t sure what brought the sound forth, but he would take it.

When she whipped her shirt from her body and threw it onto dry sand, he could not wait to take her. Her lush breasts nearly overflowed the human contraption called a
bra
and her panties clung to her hips like a second skin. The dark thatch of hair that shielded her pussy was nothing more than a shadow between her thighs. His cock hardened fully, arousal and desire for her pumping through his veins. He wanted to sink into her musky wetness. He’d listened to the whispers, heard that a human female’s arousal was sweeter than the sea and more addicting than riding the waves.

He could not wait to find out if those males spoke the truth. He was tempted to drop to his knees and taste her, press his mouth to her hidden mound and discover for himself before they delved beneath the waves.

Yet he could not for he refused to share her with anyone. He must remember that.

Though, recalling his decision became very difficult when she eased toward him, her hips swaying seductively with each step. It became infinitely hard when she pressed against him, some of her bare skin brushing his. “We should forget about him.”

Her breasts were flush with his chest, the contact forcing them up and drawing his attention. “Forget who?”

She was speaking? Why was she speaking? They needed to get into the sea before he embarrassed himself. He also wished to get his hands on her body. All of it.

He would start with her lips. Erun lowered his head, intent on capturing her mouth with his own for a kiss. He would caress her mouth and
then
he’d drag them into the sea. He… just… had… to…

The low tone from his comm intruded and he froze in place. Once more he prayed to the seas it would stop demanding his attention. Perhaps it was a
wrong number
as humans often experienced.

He realized that since meeting Vanessa, he’d spent as much time praying as he did speaking with her. He would have to ask the mated males if it was the same way with their females or was his Nessa that difficult?

Though, no matter the difficulties, he would not give her up.

The comm beeped again and he dropped his head forward to rest on her shoulder. Her bare shoulder. It would take one nudge to remove the small strap of her bra and then…

Another tone.

“Damn them to the seas,” he grumbled and stepped back, pulling free of his mate’s embrace. “One moment,
lofei
. Let me threaten their lives and then we can continue.”

She laughed as if he were joking.

He bent and grabbed his shirt, flipping it right side out until he could rip the device from his clothing. “What?” he snapped.

He did not care if he did not sound
polite
.

“Erun,” Faim sounded harried and Tabitha’s screeching voice could be heard in the background. “It is imperative you return as soon as possible.”

“Is she all right? Has she been injured?” He believed he knew the cause of her yells, but he wanted to confirm before he dragged Nessa back into the station.

“She has not been injured but her screaming continues. She became highly active after her ner’shment and I believed it best to withhold a dose to see if her mood altered.” Faim’s swallow was audible. “It altered.”

Erun grinned. He bet it
altered
. Tabby loved her candy and refusing her the treats led to what Nessa called
small meltdowns
. He should have warned Faim. Then he recalled the way Faim had looked at Nessa. No, he was glad he did not.