Rhal Part 5 (4 page)

“Ah, there you are,
czira
.”

She was back. Mostly. The scales still decorated her skin, but she looked more human than a sea-dwelling Ujal.

“That was amazing.” She tore her attention from her body to stare at Rhal. “Like, holy shit.”

He grinned. “Yes. I believe Rina had a similar reaction though hers was on a smaller scale.”

“Yeah, she only has hands.” Cara stared at hers. No sign of webbing in sight. She stroked her body, palms sliding over her skin, fingers teasing scales and skin alike. “Amazing.”

She grinned and lifted her gaze to Rhal only to see need. Need and heat and desire and when she let her eyes caress his body she realized he too was nude. And aroused. She’d tasted him before, and now her mouth watered. She wanted to taste him with the ocean still clinging to his flesh. She wanted…

“No tasting. Not now.” His voice was firm, and she whimpered.

“Later?” She licked her lips.

“As much as you desire, but I must kiss you—take you.”

She was good with that.

Her tail finished splitting, leaving her with two fully human legs. Rhal leaned down, flicked the stopper and allowed the water to gather in the tub. He adjusted the temperature, and the now warm liquid cascaded over her limbs and her scales sank beneath her skin.

“Make room for me, czira.”

Cara was eager to have him with her, skin to skin with nothing separating them. She immediately pulled her legs out of the way, scooching to the back of the tub to give him space. He sank into the water, his back propped against one side, and then he held out his hand. “Come, my mate. I believe it is time to explore every inch of you. Twice.”

Oh, she was all for that.

* * *

Rhal did not know how he had been so blessed, but he did not reject what the seas had granted him. He would embrace this second—third—chance with Cara, and he vowed not to “fuck it up” this time. As annoyed as he often became with the principessa, she taught him many things about human culture. Including the swear words she often used.

Cara eased toward him, rising to her knees as he gripped her hand and held her steady. It did not take her long to move forward and straddle his hips. Her warm pussy nestled against his hardness, trapping his length between their bodies. She shuddered the moment her center brushed against his shaft, and he did the same. The touch was not nearly enough, but he enjoyed the teasing caresses. He did not realize this until he met Cara, but he found he enjoyed softness almost as much as he loved fierce joinings.

Perhaps it was merely that he reveled in all that his mate gave him.

He released her and trailed his hands down her body, memorizing her curves, the flare of her hips, the indent of her waist and then along her ribs before he cupped her large breasts. They would nourish their hatchlings someday, but for now, he would enjoy the abundance. He cradled them in his palms, his thumbs brushing over her hardened nipples. The pink nubs darkened as he toyed with her, gently pinching one between his thumb and forefinger. His mate gasped and shuddered which made him groan. Her tremble traveled to her hips, and she moved against him.

A new heat bathed him, and it came from Cara, her body preparing for him, which had him hardening further. His mate desired him, desired his touch and nearness.

He was a lucky, lucky male.

He plucked a nipple once more, enjoying her trembles and the way it forced her to caress his cock. With the next, she truly rocked her hips, pussy sliding along his dick, and he moaned. “
Czira
.”

He pinched harder, drawing forward a gasp and then a soft sigh. “Rhal.”

More warmth flowed from her center.

“Do you want me, my mate?” he murmured, unwilling to destroy their sensual spell.

“Yes.”

The rush of water drowned out her response, and he abandoned one breast to turn the knob, cutting off the flow. Now they were surrounded by the sounds of the sea and their own harsh breathing. “Say it again, my mate. Do you want me?”

She rolled her hips. “
Yes
.”

He kept one hand on her breast, teasing the plump mound while he gripped her hip with the other. He gave her a gentle squeeze. “Then rise and I will give you what you desire.”

Cara whined and did as he asked, her body lifting, and he released her hip to grasp the base of his cock. He slid it along her slit, enjoying the feel of her aroused flesh against the head of his shaft. He drew out her sounds of pleasure, drinking in each until he felt as if he’d teased them both enough.

Rhal finally pressed the tip at her opening. “Take me,
czira
. Give yourself to me.” He had taken from her, pushed her away, and now he would accept whatever she offered.

With a small sigh and tilting of her hips, she sank down his cock. She offered him everything.

He would never let her go. If she wished to go elsewhere—leave him—she would go with him at her side.

He released her breast and gripped her other hip, bracketing her with his hands. “Use me, Cara. Give yourself pleasure.”

“I want you to enjoy it, too.” Her passion-glazed eyes met his.

Rhal grinned. “Oh, I do.” He flexed his muscles and gently pressed against her. “Ride me. Enjoy me.”

Attention on him, she did as he demanded. She rose and then gently fell, fucking herself with his hard cock. She rode him, rocked her hips, took him as she desired. And he loved every moment, every clench of her pussy and moan that escaped her mouth. Water sloshed in the tub, her movements creating waves like a turbulent sea. He encouraged her, helped her find a pace that made her whimper and groan with every meeting of their bodies, and then he assisted her in maintaining that rhythm. It was sensuous yet rough; a balance between lovemaking and
fucking,
and he welcomed every ounce of pleasure she gave him.

“Rhal, oh god.” She tightened around him, her sheath milking his cock.

“Cara…” He gritted his teeth and held back his release. Yes, ecstasy coated her features but he would not allow his ultimate pleasure overtake him until she screamed his name.

So he set about encouraging her. He kept hold of her left hip while he brought his hand to the juncture of her thighs. His thumb easily found her clit, and he tapped the engorged nubbin. He circled it, listening to her breaths and attempting to find the movements that made her eyes roll back. He had learned her body, learned exactly how to play and take her to her peak.

Tap. Tap. Circle. Tap.

And there it was. His cock seemed to grow in size, his body reacting to his teasing of his mate.

“
Fuck
. Rhal, I’m gonna…”

That is what he desired. He did not relent in his attentions, but he allowed his pleasure to rise higher, to grow and blossom within his body. His balls were hard and tight against him as ecstasy gathered at the base of his spine. It encircled him, enveloping his cock with an invisible hand that added to the joy his mate gave him.

When Cara’s movements became jerky, and he noticed the expression on her features transform into one of bliss, he allowed his orgasm free rein. It rushed forward in a tsunami of sensation, body swelling with the downpour of release. His cock swelled inside her, and her pussy tightened, squeezing him until he thought she’d surely strangle his dick.

Then Cara screamed, his name echoing off the bathroom walls, and he let go. His cum filled his czira as he pulsed and throbbed within her slick heat. He yelled her name in return, his shout adding to hers. They found pure pleasure together, bodies connected in the most intimate way as the ecstasy overran their senses. He could not breathe, could not think. He could only stare at his mate, his one, and thank the seas she returned to him.

Rhal felt he would die, his heart pounding with exertion and the overwhelming sensations of his release assaulted him. His mate slumped against his chest, her cheek pressed against his shoulder as she fought for air. His cock remained firmly inside her, his body unwilling to leave her safe haven. He could not complain. He wanted to be as close to Cara as he could. Being inside her was
very
close.

He slid his hands from her hips to her spine and traced the length of her back. He burrowed beneath her hair to cup her head and carefully urged her to lift away. He stared into her coral eyes and was struck once again by his emotions.

He loved this female, needed her more than air, and he was stupid for denying himself. He was stupid for more than that, but he would not allow his pride to come forward and ruin this moment. He had his female. That was enough. Pride would not keep him warm at night. It would not carry his hatchlings. It would not fill his life with love and happiness.

But this female would until the end of his days. The end of their days… His grip tightened.

“Rhal?” she frowned.

“You will not die,” he growled and he could not help the command in his voice.

Cara rolled her eyes. “We all—”

“No.” He would not budge on this issue.

Her gaze softened. “What’s this really about?”

“Nothing,” he grumbled. He would retain this small bit of pride and remain quiet. “You simply will not leave me.”

“Rhal.” She brushed his hands aside, and he allowed her to mirror his earlier movements. He would admit—though not aloud—that he enjoyed her intent attention. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re mine. I did what I did because I didn’t want to lose you. I was a selfish bitch, and I know it. I’m simply glad you forgave me.”

“I did not wish to lose you either. You are everything to me,
czira
. I… Rina tells me I am an idiot male, and I have to agree. I was dying without you and no matter what the future holds, I will not allow you to leave me again.”

“Good,” she whispered and gave him her lips with a gentle kiss. “Because this is where I wanna stay.”

Rhal opened his mouth to continue, but then his mate swiveled her hips and tightened around his cock. He decided he would take this time to inspect her once more. Talking could come later. Much, much later.

Cara lay curled against Rhal, enjoying his touch and reveling in their renewed connection. A tenuous thread stretched between them, but she hoped with time, they could find their way back to pure happiness. Someday.

The sea called to her, body anxious to be enveloped by the water once again, but she refused to leave his arms. Not when she finally had him back after missing him so much.

“What are you thinking?” The low murmur told her he’d woken.

“You. Us.” She refused to lie even if it was something she wasn’t quite ready to address. No more secrets. No more hiding.

“Czira,” he sighed.

“We don’t have to talk about it now,” she rushed out.

“We do.”

Cara swallowed her groan and slowly pulled away. He tightened his hold, keeping her in place. “I want to look at you while I do this, Rhal. I want you to see—”

“Quiet. I must hold you.”

“Okay,” she whispered and finally spoke her heart. “I’m sorry for telling them your secrets. I’m sorry for betraying your trust. But I’m not sorry for saving you from being thrown in jail—or worse. I wanted you alive and free, and I hurt you to get it. I was selfish, and I’m sorry.”

His lips were warm and gentle on her forehead. “I am sorry I placed you in that position. I would like to believe that the right words in the right ear would have avoided much of what happened. Above all, a warrior is not one who complains. He lives his life; he takes what the seas bring him and fights the current. We do not redirect, we embrace and endure when necessary. I endured when I needed not, and you nearly paid the price for my pride.”

Each whispered word soothed her but couldn’t banish her heartache. “I still should have talked to you about it first.”

“I would have told you to remain silent.”

“I wouldn’t have listened but at least you wouldn’t have been blindsided,” she countered.

“We can spin in circles or we can move on,
czira
.” He smiled against her temple.

“You can forgive me? Just like that?”

“You forgave me.”

And she had. Because… she couldn’t live without him. “Okay.”

“Good.” Another quick kiss and then he pulled away. “We must rise. Tave commed while you still slept. Faim is being insistent in examining you, and then we must stand at Rina and Tave’s side as his
dam
departs with my parents and the king.”

Cara nodded. “Are you… are you okay with what’s going to happen to them?”

Rhal sighed. “Whatever punishment they endure, it is earned. The queen is kind and fair yet has a core of steel. She will make the right decision for their punishment. I will ask…” he hesitated, and she met his gaze, hoping to show him her trust and love. “I will ask her to never allow them on Earth again. I do not know if she will grant my request. But you, and any hatchlings we may have, will not to swim in the same waters as my
sire
and
dam-by-mating
. Ever.”

Hatchlings. Her vision clouded with tears. Hatchlings.

“Czira, why are you crying?”

She shook her head. “It’s just… I’ve always wanted you, your babies, a life with you. I almost lost that twice and to know we can have… It’s overwhelming.”

Rhal groaned. “You cry with this knowledge. How will you be when you carry my offspring? Rina cries without provocation, and you cannot imagine Maris when she was bearing. I believed the sea would overflow with her tears.”

Cara grinned. “Was that a
joke
from my too-serious mate?”

“Enough, female,” he grunted. “We must depart.”

And they did. Eventually. His tongue was just so…
Yum
.

An hour later, after much poking and prodding, the last thing on her mind was anything
yum
related. Cara sat on the uncomfortable exam table in one of medical’s rooms while Faim rolled around on his low stool, data pad in hand. He kept poking and prodding at the thing while he moved from a bank of monitors, then to her, then back to the bank…

“Perhaps another blood sample,” Faim murmured and Rhal bristled.