Chapter 14

Lauren wandered nervously around the lounge, waiting for Krestar to finish working and join her. She had helped him for most of the afternoon but he'd noticed that her back was bothering her again and sent her off to rest. This time she was too nervous to fall asleep and had finally given up and gone to the lounge to wait for him. Twice she'd almost gone to the ramp to see if he was coming, but she wanted the ship repaired as much as he did.

Her back twinged again and she sighed, wondering if she should lie down again after all. Before she could decide, he came to join her. He looked tired, his face fixed in an unreadable mask, and his tail twitching.

"Do you mind if I take a shower?" he asked politely.

"Of course not. I would have started dinner, but…" She waved helplessly at the galley.

"It is of no consequence. I can reheat the soup I made. I will return shortly."

He did. He hadn't put a shirt back on and his chest still had a damp sheen. He was wearing loose sleep pants, the outline of his cock clearly visible beneath the thin cloth. His shaft moved when she looked at it and she quickly looked away, even as a flush of heat washed over her body. Her nipples tingled almost painfully and she was tempted to press her hands against them as she had the day before. Before he had relieved the ache so delightfully. Perhaps…

No. Talk first.

"Would you like to eat?" he asked, moving towards the galley.

"No. Come and sit with me."

He joined her readily enough, but his face was still set in a stern mask. At least his tail settled around her waist as usual and she gave it a thankful pat. Something she couldn't read flickered across his expression but he didn't Say anything. She gathered her courage.

"You called me your mate. What does that mean?"

"If two people are mates, there is a permanent bond between them," he said slowly.

He didn't look at her. Instead he picked up her hand and toyed with her fingers. It shouldn't have been an erotic gesture but it still sent a shiver down her spine.

"Do you think that kind of bond exists between us?"

Impossible as it seemed, it felt as if it were true. But he still wasn't looking at her.

"It feels as if it is true," he said, echoing her thoughts. "But I know it cannot be."

Pain lanced through her and she tried to pull her hand away, but he kept hold of it, his grip gentle but inescapable. Tortured black eyes looked at her at last.

"Do not misunderstand, d'jeri. Being with you had made me happier than I had ever thought possible. I wish with all my heart that it were true, but a Cire male can only truly mate with a Cire female."

"I don't understand. If you… care for me, if I make you happy, what is missing?" she tried to remember what he'd told her - something about satisfaction. "Do you mean that having sex with me wouldn't make you happy?"

He groaned, his cock pressing against the thin silk.

"I cannot imagine anything that would make me happier, but physically, it would not be a complete climax."

Impatient with his vagueness, she reached over and wrapped her hand around him -or at least as much of him as she could grasp. Damn, he was big, And even through the silk she could feel the same small nubs that covered the rest of his skin.

"What the hell do you mean?" she snapped.

He groaned and his hand covered hers, but he didn't try and pull it away.

"I would not knot inside you. My seed would not be fertile."

"Krestar, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm already pregnant. I don't think that really matters. Can't we just enjoy being together?"

He didn't answer, staring at the huge mound of her stomach but his hand began guiding hers up and down his shaft. She still has the impression there was something he wasn't telling her but she decided she didn't care. Maybe talking wasn't what they needed after all.

When she lifted her hand he gave a muffled protest but didn't try to stop her. She didn't go far, only as far as his waistband, pulling the cloth down and letting his cock spring free. Oh my. He was wider, thicker, and longer than any human man she'd encountered. His cock had a wider, flatter head with three narrow slits instead of one. A thick ring circled the shaft just beneath the head with another at the base, and the whole thing was covered with this delicious little nubs.

She curved her hand around as much of him as she could and stroked gently. He groaned and three small golden drops appeared on the head. She swiped one away with her finger, and then touched it to her tongue. An explosion of flavors flooded her mouth and her hand tightened reflexively, squeezing more of the precious liquid from his cock. She started to bend down but he made a hoarse protest.

"You cannot. It is forbidden."

"Why? Don't you like it?"

He shuddered. "Yes. More than I can say, but-"

She tried to bend lower but the size of her stomach made it awkward. He groaned and then he lifted her onto his lap, her knees resting on either side of his thighs, and leaned back so that his cock rested directly against her swollen folds. This time she moaned and he gave a satisfied smile before his fingers tugged lightly at her nipple. Even that gentle touch made her back arch with pleasure.

"More," she demanded, and he obeyed.

With a wicked smile, he caught her nipple between his thumb and finger and slowly applied pressure until she was whimpering and squirming against him.

"Krestar. God, yes!"

She clutched his shoulders as her breasts tingled and a small pearly drop beaded on each nipple. He gave a satisfied growl and leaned forward, lapping away the drops before he suckled her again, teasing her with his tongue and then his teeth as he increased the pressure. She was writhing now, desperately rubbing her slick folds against his cock.

"Please," she begged. "I need you."

He raised his head, his black eyes glittering.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, dammit."

He growled again and raised her over his cock, the broad head pushing gently against her entrance.

"You are so small."

"Not that small."

She tried to force herself lower, but he held her in place.

"You need to be ready for me."

His voice was harsh, his face strained, as his tail found her clit, circling lightly.

"I am, I am!" she gasped, but he continued to tease her.

"I must be sure."

His mouth found her nipples again, sucking harder this time as his tail tightened around her clit. Her climax crashed down over her, her entire body quaking as waves of pleasure swept over her. But the glorious sensation only seemed to whet her appetite and she squirmed against him, searching for more.

"I need you inside me."

"Yes," he growled and he finally, finally started to lower her over his cock.

Her body resisted for a moment and then his head entered, impossibly wide, and they both groaned.

"So hot, so tight."

His hands dug into her hips as he lowered her carefully, the thick band beneath the head tugging at her sensitive flesh. Her whole body shivered, the sensations overwhelming her as her body fought to adjust.

"More," she gasped as soon as she could speak. "Give me more."

He gave a ragged groan and then he thrust, his cock sliding home with one fierce motion, the thick band at the base lodging in place, so full she could hardly breathe.

Black eyes glittered up at her, the look in them stealing her remaining breath.

"You are perfect, my d'jeri."

His hips jerked, a spurt of heat making her gasp, but it eased the way as he began to move, her name on his lips like a prayer. At the same time she felt the first sweet shock as his tail teased her clit. She shuddered, the unexpected combination of pleasure so intense that her body went limp, pressing her even more closely against his hard length. He growled with approval, his tail caressing her, as he slowly lifted her until only the head remained inside her and then lowered her again, even more slowly.

"My female."

He repeated the words over and over as he brought her down on his cock and her desire grew until she was moaning, straining against him, seeking the pleasure that was just out of reach. His tail found her clit again and then she was coming, the world dissolving into pleasure so intense her vision dimmed. Her body tightened around his cock, a growing bulge at the base.

"More," she pleaded. "Please."

He obeyed, thrusting even more deeply inside her as his body tensed, and then the base of his shaft widened again, locking her into place as he came, his heat filling her. Each heated pulse sent another spasm shooting through her, the two of them locked together in a seemingly endless orgasm, until she collapsed against him, utterly spent. Her eyelids fluttered open and she smiled at him.

He looked dazed, eyes wide with shock and pleasure.

"I did not think it was possible." He gently touched her cheek, as if he couldn't believe she were real. "My mate."

"And I'm not even Cire," she teased, her eyes growing heavy as she nestled back down against him.

He was still lodged firmly inside her and she'd never felt so close to anyone in her life. Close and safe and happy. The baby moved between them and she smiled as she drifted off to sleep.