Runner's Moon: Yarrolam (13 page)

            “Yes, Cherron. I have engaged in sex. But not with another human. And not as a human.”

            “Is it because human women are different?”

            This conversation was beginning to kill the mood, but it couldn’t be helped. His remark had reminded her what he was, and that in itself presented a whole new slate of problems.

            Could they make love? Were they sexually compatible?

            Could she become pregnant?

            Regardless, she was surprised the idea of having sex with an alien wasn’t repugnant to her.
No. Not with an alien. With Liam. With Yarrolam.

           
If he was this tender with her as a human, she couldn’t help but believe he would be equally gentle with her in his true form. Or in whatever form he had to take in order to make love to her. And although she normally preferred hard, fast fucks, she found herself looking forward to a long, slow tussle in the sheets. Getting to know him better. Getting to know him more intimately. Maybe showing him a few things about human women to heighten her pleasure, and vice versa.

           
How does one turn on a Ruinos male?

           
“Actually, human women and Ruinos females are very similar. Same for human and Ruinos males,” Liam confessed.

            A small fire began between her thighs, directly below the thick object which continued to prod her lower belly. She gave a little wriggle, earning her another squeeze on her buttock.

            “Then it’s possible for you to make love to me?” She searched his face. “Yarrolam, I want you to make love to me.”

            She waited for his reply. To either turn her down, or give her some excuse as to why he couldn’t. Or why he shouldn’t.

            “Yes, Cherron. I want to make love to you.”

            She sensed a “but” hanging on the end of his answer. “But what?” she asked, holding him tighter. Refusing to let him go.

            Liam gave her a tender smile. “Wouldn’t it be better if we cleansed ourselves first?”

            Her mouth dropped open. She hadn’t expected to hear him suggest they take a bath prior to hopping in bed. It was almost too funny, considering what she’d thought he’d say.

            Stepping back, she smiled up at him. “You’re right. I probably smell to high heaven. So, do you want to go first? Or shall I?”

            “I suggest we both go in. Together.” His grin widened, and she laughed.

            As she quickly shucked her clothes, she watched in wonder as Liam divested himself of his pants, shoes, and shirt. Once naked, he stood tall and still before her, allowing her to examine him at her leisure.

            Cherron’s eyes went immediately to his genitals. His erection was semi-engorged, dangling in front of him. Her eyes widened. Was he normally this size, or had he added some length and width to that part of himself when he took this form? Gazing at the thick head, her hand itched to reach out and stroke it.

            “Cherron?”

            She dragged her eyes up to his, and realized he was staring at her body with the same intentness. The same longing. Except, in his case, his eyes glittered like swirling nebulas.

            “You are beautiful.” It sounded almost reverent.

            Stepping closer, she reached out and touched his chest, but she kept her eyes riveted on his. “I don’t want to make love to Liam. I want to make love to Yarrolam. I want to see the real you.”

            His smile drooped. “I don’t think that would be wise.”

            “Why? Because you think I won’t be able to take it? Because you think I’ll change my mind when I see the real you?” She challenged him, but added a smile. Leaning forward, she lightly kissed his chest. She heard him sniff.

            “You’re not afraid,” he stated, surprised.

            She kissed his chest again. “I’m curious, but I’m not afraid. Yarrolam, sooner or later, you’re going to have to show me what you really look like. I want you. You want me. Do we want to start this romance with us being less than truthful with each other? I don’t. If I’m going to care about you, I’m going to want the whole story. That way, I can make the decision right here and now whether I want to make any further commitments…or not.”

            She bent her head to take his male nipple in her mouth, when it seemed to vanish. Cherron blinked as the skin around it shrunk, like water being sucked into the ground. Skin that turned green. A mottling of many shades, ranging from bright Kelly green, to lime, to a dull olive.

            Gasping, she jerked back. At the same time, the hand on her butt cheek let go and reached out to grab her fingers touching him. Her eyes widened at the sight of the enormous appendage with the thick, nearly four-inch claws curving from tips of his fingers. It was the hand she thought she’d imagined slicing into those men. Now she knew she hadn’t imagined it.

            She let her gaze slowly follow the hand up the muscular arm. Bulging biceps, covered with the same camouflage-like skin. Up to the shoulders where there appeared to be some kind of scaly cap, like natural body armor.

            Something drew her attention to the center of his chest. Ribbons of cold fear and remorse filled her as she stared at the deep gouges marring his beautiful pectorals. Old scars that appeared to have healed erratically, as though there had been no medical attention given to them. Now turned into yellowish keloid patterns noticeably visible against his normal skin tone. There were at least a dozen or more, crisscrossing in some places, slicing nearly perpendicular down his right side. Three at a time. Three…

            Cherron went back to his hand. Four claws. No, three and a thumb. But when he swiped at those men, the three main ones did the slicing.

           
“My race, the Ruinos, are strong and powerful.”

            “Yarrolam, those Arra aliens, did they make you fight each other?” She reached out to touch the ragged ridges. Their coloring made them very noticeable against the darker hues. They were ugly and painful looking, but she knew they were also badges of honor. They were proof of his strength and ability to survive. His skin quivered at her touch, but he didn’t try to stop her.

            “Yes. They made us fight each other. If we refused, we were punished.”

            “Punished? How?”

            She glanced up into his face. At the sight of his countenance, her eyes refocused and she shrank back. Cherron took several quick breaths to clear the dread threatening to cloud her mind as she told herself this was what she had wanted. This was what she had asked for.

            This tall, powerfully-built creature, this alien was Yarrolam.

            He was also Liam.

            And she could no longer deny the fact she cared very deeply for him.

            Cherron smiled.

Chapter 19

Loving

            “Hello, Yarrolam.” She smiled into his unique eyes and even more unique face. His almost human-looking face, with the exception of a few details.

            Aside from the coloring, his nose had all but disappeared. It was more flat and wide, reminding her of a lion’s nose. The lips were thinner. Yet the eyes remained unchanged.

            He had no hair. Not on his head, nor eyebrows or eyelashes. Or on his chest. In fact… She glanced down at his erection still flying at half-mast. There was no hair down there, either.

            Her eyes widened. Was she imagining things, or did he have three testicles?

            Liam chuckled. “I sense your amusement,
t’korra.
What are you thinking?”

            “Three balls? You have scrotum sacs?”

            “Ruinos males get their third sac when they reach puberty.” He paused, then added, “Your reticence and initial fear I expected, but not humor. Do you find me funny looking?”

            She could tell he wasn’t angry. Neither was he saddened by her reactions.

            “How do I know that?” she wondered aloud.

            “Know what?”

            “How you’re feeling. It’s almost as if I can read your mind, sort of.” Another thought came to her, and she inhaled quickly. “So can you! You can tell how I’m feeling, too, can’t you?”

            He nodded slightly. It was then she saw the narrow ridge at the top of his head, running almost mid-center of his skull back. It vaguely reminded her of pictures of the helmets she’d seen Roman Centurion guards wear in the movies.

            “Yes,
t’korra.
As our bond strengthens and grows, our ability to sense each other’s feelings will also grow.”

            “Our bond?”

            “Yes. Our connection.”

            “Why would we have a connection? Because of what you are?”

            He glanced away for a moment before looking back. “Among Ruinos, we mate for life. When we find that one person meant for us, we connect. We love. Our lives become richer for it.”

            “Richer? How? In what way?’

            “Only with our true mate can we reproduce.”

            The question about getting pregnant reared up again in her mind. “Yarrolam, could I have your baby?”

            A hint of sadness came and went so quickly, she almost didn’t sense it for what it was. But its aftermath lay in his eyes, proving she hadn’t imagined it.

“A few of my people have found their true mates among your kind, but none have yet proven fruitful.”

            Giving him a warm smile, Cherron reached up to touch his cheek. It was surprisingly soft. “Did you know your personality chances a bit when you’re you? You even talk differently.”

            “It is what I am.” He didn’t apologize.

            “So, tell me. How did you know… I mean, what makes you think I’m your true mate?”

            “I told you. Because you smelled me, and I smelled you.”

            “That’s it? That’s all there is? Someone’s body odor?”

            “No,
t’korra.
Not your body odor. Your essence. There are other signs, but your scent was my initial clue.”

            “What is this
t’korra
you keep calling me? Is it a pet name?”

            “It means my love. My heart. My cherished one.”

            A warmth spread through her body, making her smile wider. “I like the sound of it.
T’korra.
You’re my
t’korra.
”

            “Actually, I am your
t’kor.
” He grinned.

            “
T’kor.
All right. What are some other clues, other than the stinky stuff?”

            “Well, for another, I will give you your first orgasm.”

            His eyes seemed to bore into hers at the comment. At the same time, she felt his erection nudge her as it lifted a bit higher and extended a bit longer. She fought the urge to look down at it.

            “My…first?”

            “You’ve never had an orgasm, Cherron.”

            “Bullshit. Yes, I have.”

            “Not with another person.”

            She swallowed hard. Damn it, he was right. Mechanical and other stimulation aside, she’d never gotten off with a guy. Before she could respond, he brought his face closer to hers, until their foreheads touched.

            “And every time we make love, I will bring you.” It was a promise.

            She had no idea she’d moaned until he lifted her chin and kissed her. But this time, it was a deeper kiss. Almost soul-melting. Filled with unrequited passion which begged for completion.

            She felt herself growing wet between the thighs at the thought of him making love to her. Of him bringing her. He was so sure it would happen, she wanted to believe him.

            She felt herself being lifted up into his rock-hard arms and carried into the bathroom where he set her feet down on the tile floor. Turning on the water, he adjusted the knobs until the temperature was tepid, not too hot or cold. Lifting her again, he set her inside underneath the spray. When Liam crawled in to join her, he turned his back on the showerhead to keep the water from hitting her directly in the face.

            The tiny bar of soap offered by the motel looked miniscule in his hands. He brought up a lather, then reached for her breasts as Cherron watched in amazement. She couldn’t help her reaction when those claws touched her, but he seemed to have anticipated her jerking away from him. Acting as if nothing was wrong, he massaged her breast, first one, then the other, slowly swirling the suds across her chest. Sliding the silky wetness over her skin with his caresses. She felt her nipples tighten in response, and she closed her eyes to luxuriate in his ministrations.

            The bathing continued as he wound his way down her belly and thighs. When he reached the juncture between his legs, she heard him whisper, “Spread yourself for me,” in that deep, dark chocolate voice. She obeyed, moving her feet as far apart as she could within the narrow confines of the tub.

            His hand reached between her thighs, gliding with soapy ease. Finding her lower lips, his fingers parted her, and he gently rubbed her entrance. Tickling it. Teasing. Her nerve endings continued to fire up as he pleased her. Rubbed her, until the first initial pulses signaling her release began to rise within her.

Closing her eyes, Cherron let herself respond freely to his foreplay. At first, she tried not to think about those wicked-looking claws possibly ripping into her. But after another moment, all thought left her head when he found her clit.

            Water sprayed across her breasts, washing them free of soap. Liam thrummed the taut little muscle, and the next thing she knew, his mouth closed over a nipple.

            The idea of watching him take her no long applied. She was lost in the feelings pouring over her. There was more here than simple manipulation. More than the feel of his mouth suckling her nipple and his fingers rubbing her clit with a steady, persistent rhythm.