Authors: Allie Ritch
“Look at you.” He was aroused beyond bearing by the sultry female staring back at him.
This was the real her—the passionate woman no one else, not even she, had ever seen.
He saw her gaze flick down to his hand working aggressively between her legs, and then she cried out long and loud. Her intimate muscles formed a vise around his fingers as her climax rocked through her. Zeo watched her grimace in pleasure and felt both invincible and humbled.
When she slumped against him, he cradled her in his arms until she got her legs firmly beneath her. She stood there, now unabashed by her nakedness, and he was pleased. Stepping back, he began discarding his clothes as he moved toward the bed.
“Come learn me,” he invited her. “Relieve my body, Pixie.”
He couldn’t wait to feel her hands on him. The nervous lick of her lips made his balls feel like they’d doubled in size.
*
Still gazing into the mirror, Pixie watched Zeo sprawl naked on her bed. He didn’t bother covering himself with the sheet or comforter, so she had a full view of his erection. It was huge! The rigid shaft was every bit as long as their fellow student, Krux’s, although it wasn’t quite as wide in circumference as Varion’s. Despite what her rational mind told her, she couldn’t believe she’d ever be able to fit him in her body.
Fortunately, at least for tonight, she didn’t have to think about that. He wasn’t asking her to have sex with him. Well, not exactly. She was supposed to touch him the way he’d just handled her.
Turning around, Pixie forsook his mirror image to face the reality of him squarely. Slowly, she approached the bed. His arms were crossed behind his head, and he watched her with a steady look as she climbed onto the mattress to kneel beside him. Staring at all that attractive male flesh made her wet her lips again. Who would ever have predicted she’d wind up with a male like him in her bed?
With a tentative hand, she reached out and placed her palm on his chest. His skin was scalding hot and dusted with crisp hairs, and his heart beat steadily underneath. She could feel his steely muscles twitch when she stroked her fingers over one of his pecs, but he didn’t change expression. He continued to stare at her.
Before she touched his flat nipple, Pixie shot him a questioning look. Zeo’s hum of approval fed her boldness, so she raked it with her nails and gave it a light pinch. This time, the rumble in his chest sounded more like a purr.
Starting to enjoy herself, she explored him further. She took pleasure in his broad chest, strong arms, and trim waist, as well as his different textures. Skipping the intimidating part, she discovered his thighs and calves were equally roped with muscles, covered in a thin carpet of hair that stopped at his anklebones. Even his big feet were strangely attractive.
When she worked her way back up, Pixie took his face in her hands, feeling his stubble rasp against her palms. Then she did what she really wanted to do and slid her fingers through the short hairs on his skull. The dark down might have been soft if he’d let it grow. At this length, it was prickly, although not at as rough as his sandpapery chin. He was smiling at her when she finally leaned down to kiss him.
She’d never dreamed of being so brave, but the pleasure he’d given her seemed to bolster her confidence. After a leisurely reconnaissance of his lips and tongue—something that was still so novel it gave her goose bumps—she sat back to study his member. It was flushed an angry red and purple, topped by an oversized mushroom that leaked pearly tears from its tip. Her courage faltered.
Pixie started to pull away, but Zeo caught her wrist and held her still. Without preamble, he shoved her hand down so that she curled it around his staff.
“Stroke me,” he demanded. “I want to come by your hand.”
Despite her anxieties, desire blossomed. Yes, she wanted to do that. She wanted to slide her hands over him and bring him the same pleasure he’d given her. In class, she’d seen how to do this, too. She just had to figure out how to apply that knowledge.
He showed her. Guiding her hand, he demonstrated just the right amount of pressure and friction to use on his shaft. Then he settled back again, watching her from beneath hooded eyes as he waited for her to give him an orgasm.
A nervous laugh escaped her. Pixie added her second hand and began thrusting both up and down like she was polishing stone. Unlike that lifeless material, though, his cock was warm and alive in her hold. It felt like satin-wrapped titanium with its own heat and pulse and skin that slid over the hard core with every thrust.
Zeo groaned. “Faster.”
With single-minded focus, she pumped his shaft with mounting speed until his body strained beneath her. She was captivated by the sight of him. His lips peeled back from his teeth, and the muscles of his thighs stood out every time he flexed his hips.
He let out a loud snarl. “Cover the head and keep stroking.”
Caught up in the moment, she did as he said. The second her palm cupped his crest, he arched his back and bellowed. Wet heat spattered her hand and dripped down her fingers as his penis kicked and spit. Fascinated, she kept going until he finally pushed her hands away and fell limp.
Impossible as it seemed, Pixie had just given this incredible, intimidating man pleasure. She’d never felt sexier in her life.
Zeo’s Choice
Zeo indulged himself by sleeping the whole night snuggled up against his future mate in bed. When she awoke and found him still with her, her smile—genuine but tentative—warmed and softened him in ways he hadn’t expected. Ignoring his rampant morning erection, he simply petted her and got up to make sure she ate well before he left.
A few hours later, he was walking through the gates to his home, which lay beyond the outskirts of the city. Like most Nimanians, he lived in a closed community with his extended family, friends, and whatever unattached males and females wished to stay with them in hopes of finding a mate. There were always people around if he wanted contact, but Nimanians were extremely territorial.
Although everyone shared the common areas, no one was allowed near Zeo’s personal space without his permission. Likewise, he always requested an invitation before entering any of the others’ homes. It was a matter of respect and boundaries, and it helped keep fights to a minimum. Animal passions ran deep in his people, but they were no longer in the wilds of Nimania. Those who’d immigrated to Trilanta and elsewhere had learned to adapt to a more civilized society. It wasn’t always easy.
As he moved through the lush gardens in the center of their commune, Zeo heard the sound of splashing up ahead. Moments later, he followed a side path around a tall fern and spotted several people lounging by the pool and playing in the water. It had taken all their resources to afford such an extravagance, but his whole community agreed it was worth it. Built in a long, curving sweep to resemble the bend of a river, the pool was a soothing addition that helped give them a natural oasis in the midst of the city.
Right now, his sister, Leoni, was sunbathing while she held court with some of the other unmated Nimanians. Her best friend, Rinda, was the one doing the splashing as she teased one of the young males who’d come to live with them. Zeo didn’t know Ulistro well, but he felt for the guy. Rinda had him wrapped around her little finger, yet she refused to give in despite Ulistro’s many attempts to mate her. Unfortunately, Zeo knew why she was holding out.
The second she spotted him, Rinda stopped her play and left Ulistro without a backward glance. Bounding out of the water, she padded up to him like an excited pet. Like most young Nimanians, he and Rinda had been encouraged to explore sexual play with each other as soon as they’d matured—not as a commitment like mating, but as a way of learning about one’s body and how to please the opposite sex. It was considered as natural and harmless as rough-housing between young males to learn strength and fighting tactics.
While Zeo had enjoyed his time with Rinda and had seen to her pleasure, he’d never felt any urge to take things further. For some reason, though, she’d set her sights on him, and he wasn’t sure how to dissuade her. He’d tried being gentle, and he’d tried being stern. Nowadays, he mostly ignored her. If she didn’t drop this unhealthy obsession with him soon, he’d have to speak to the community elders.
“Hi, Zeo.”
Rinda stopped far too close to his body and flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. It was probably meant to be a provocative move, but he watched in annoyance as several water droplets flew off the wet strands to spatter his shoes. Although she was certainly attractive with her full breasts and athletic body, his hormones these days only seemed to fire for one woman. A quiet beauty who needed
him
to seduce
her
.
“Hello.” He deliberately kept his tone neutral and turned to the others. “Ulistro. Sister.” The rest he gave a silent nod.
“Where have you been?” Rinda demanded, once again refusing to take the hint. “You’ve been gone all night.”
Zeo simply stared at her until she took a step back. He saw Ulistro tense behind her, but he swung his gaze toward the younger male to pin him in place. Although the young Nimanian glared at him in resentment, he didn’t come closer.
Leoni chided him. “Zeo, stop playing hard to get. Rinda was worried about you when you didn’t come home. You shouldn’t be so mean to her.”
Leading with a growl, Zeo strode over to tower over his sister’s prone form. He’d had enough of her interference. Her loyalty to her friend was admirable, but she’d somehow gotten it into her head that Rinda was destined to become her sister. She was making mischief, and he wouldn’t stand for it.
He snarled. “You pour poison in her ear with such talk. False hopes are crueler than harsh honesty.”
Leoni’s dark eyes, the same shade and shape as his, narrowed as she sat up to glower at him. “You can’t tell me what to do. I’m an adult now.”
In their community, that was technically true, but at eighteen, she still had a lot of maturing to do.
“Then act like it.” He couldn’t go easy on her. Not in this. “Leave off your selfish scheming. There will be no mating between me and Rinda.” Seeing the subject of this argument pale, he added more softly, “Ulistro will make a fine mate if she chooses him.”
The other male’s eyes widened in shock. He obviously hadn’t expected Zeo to support him.
Turning on his heel, Zeo stalked off, but his sister wasn’t so easily appeased. Meddlesome female. She got her tenacity from their mother.
Leoni caught up with him a few paces later. “How could you? She doesn’t want Ulistro. She wants you.”
“I don’t want her,” he replied.
“Of course you do. We’ve known Rinda since childhood. You’re just being stubborn.”
Had she been a male, he would have had her pinned belly-up by now in a demand for surrender. His female relatives—his sister in particular—were the only ones he ever let speak to him like this. Nimanians could be relentless, and you learned early on to stand up for yourself if you wanted any hope of peace in this community.
“Don’t you dare give me the silent treatment.” She snarled when he didn’t respond. “You can ignore and grunt at the others, but it won’t work with me.”
“If only.” Sighing, he stopped and took her by the shoulders even though she tried to break free. “You wish to be treated as an adult. Then hear me. I have already chosen my mate. You will meet her soon. I trust you will show some loyalty to your brother and welcome her as she deserves.”
It was perhaps the first time in his life he’d seen Leoni stupefied.
“Mate?” she asked. “You plan to take a mate? An outsider?”
“Yes. A New Earthling female.”
Her head jerked back like he’d slapped her. “She’s not even Nimanian? You’re out of your mind. You can’t mate with some weak, stupid—”
“Careful.” He’d tolerate a lot from her, but not disrespect to his chosen female. It already stung that she refused to be happy for him.
“You can’t do this,” she spat. “You can’t.”
Crowding her, he scowled until she grudgingly lowered her gaze and stepped back. Then he just shook his head and walked away. There was no sense arguing with her. He’d made his choice, and she’d have to learn to accept it.
He headed for his place. Now that he’d announced his intentions, Zeo needed to plan. His family would expect a mating ceremony soon. No Nimanian waited long once he found the female he wanted. To delay invited other males to steal her from him. Tradition dictated that he claim his mate by mounting her for the first time in front of their most trusted friends and family. This was to ensure that there was no deception or force, and the couple had support and comfort if either partner grew nervous about what could be, even for Nimanians, an overwhelming experience their first time.
Although Zeo wanted such a ceremony with Pixie, he knew it couldn’t be. He understood enough about her and her culture to realize she’d never agree to have sex with him in front of her parents or his family. Such exposure would be considered a disgusting, humiliating display by New Earthlings. Add to that the fact that her loss of virginity would hurt and distress her, and it was out of the question.
Before he did anything else, Zeo needed to find a solution to these difficulties—one that would appease his instincts, but hurt her as little as possible. While he figured that out, he’d turn his attention to introducing her to his family. Although he’d seen her confidence slowly growing, he still worried for her. As his sister had just proven, a lot of Nimanians regarded New Earthlings as weak. If she was going to stand by his side, his little mate would have to prove them wrong.
* * * *
Pixie cocked her head to study her work just as the sun sank that evening. After Zeo had left, she’d gone to Trilanta’s botanical gardens in search of inspiration for her art. An hour later, she’d returned with dozens of photos of exotic Nimanian plants—not surprising considering how much Zeo was on her mind.
Once she’d selected the best pictures, she’d jumped right into her work, hitting that zone where her creativity flowed and the hours meant nothing. She’d used her laser cutter to carve the paper-thin synth-marble she’d bought and fuse the pieces together to create an artificial jungle. Although the material wasn’t cheap, she’d spared no expense buying up sheets of marble with coloring that was true to the original plants. Some days she missed still being at school where all the supplies had been covered and all she’d had to worry about was her art. Of course, now she could create whatever moved her.