7. Breakfast

CHAPTER 7

Max

I woke up to the smell of food and immediately raised my head, my stomach grumbling. After everything that we'd done last night, I'd certainly worked up an appetite.

Soft light drifted through Moss's bedroom, highlighting the leaves that sprouted above. I stared at the ceiling, following the tangle of branches. The homes on this planet simply amazed me. We were literally in a massive tree that housed countless others, full with amenities, a pool, electricity.

I could see why this was xyr favorite room, though. It was hard to choose between this and the bathroom.

I curled into the blankets, pulling them up to my shoulders as I rolled over, staying still for a moment. I was a little sore, but not nearly as much as I should have been between hours of fucking and an aerial performance.

A smile crept over my lips. I ran through the show last night, my Galactic Gems debut. It had gone better than I could have expected. The rush was exhilarating.

I could live on stage forever. It was where I was meant to be.

To think I started out as just a stagehand. Some wild things had happened since I'd joined this troupe, especially being blamed for poisoning two performers, but they were like a family. And at least that situation had been taken care of.

Madam Moonie took a chance on me. I was determined to show up and prove that I was worthy of her confidence.

My stomach grumbled again, reminding me that I needed a heavy breakfast.

A shower, food, and Moss. Those were the three things I needed most.

My eyes drifted closed for a few more minutes before I finally forced myself to sit up. I shoved the blankets back as I got out of bed, groaning as I stretched. I bent over and stayed that way for a few moments, spreading out and working my muscles.

I went through a few yoga poses until I felt less stiff. I could hear Moss in the kitchen, the sound of utensils clanking against each other echoing through the home. I smiled to myself.

Xe is so cute.

And hot.

I breathed out. Those thoughts immediately turned more lustful.

Really, this had been one of the best twists in my life. Certainly better than being accused of poisoning people and then watching a performer be kidnapped by an alien cowboy who only, very exclusively, wore chaps.

It had been an interesting few months, but being with Moss? The heat we shared? That might have topped it all, but in the best way possible.

How much sex could an alien and human have? The galactic sky was the limit. All I could think about was touching and feeling xem.

I blew out a breath, rolled my shoulders again, and then crept to the doorway. I pressed my palm against the wooden frame, feeling how soft and smooth it was. I looked down the hall, catching a glimpse of violet and horns.

Before I launched myself at Moss, I needed to shower. While I didn't think xe would care about me being covered in xyr come, I sure did. I went down the hall quietly and slipped into the bathroom.

Aside from the glowing pool at the center, there was also a shower. I hadn't even noticed that last night in my sexual haze. I stepped beneath it and messed with the buttons until water rained down on me. I found soap, washed down, and stood there rubbing my shoulders and thinking about sucking Moss's tentacles.

My dirty mind. My cheeks flushed. It was like every little thing made me think about sex.

I finished rinsing off. The robe was hanging up again and I air dried for a few minutes before slipping it around myself.

Now, the scent of food made my mouth water. I left the bathroom and headed towards the kitchen, smiling as I spotted Moss.

I cleared my throat. "Morning," I said.

The scent of coffee wafted through the apartment, making me moan.

Moss looked up at me with a wide, pointed grin. "Morning," xe said. "I have coffee brewing if you would like a cup."

"More than you know," I said.

I went to the edge of the bar, leaning against it as xe poured me a cup and slid it towards me. The cup was as large as a bowl, reminding me of the size difference between the two of us.

"I am making some food for breakfast, and if you don't like it, we can order something," Moss said.

"Okay. Whatever it is, it smells delicious."

I found myself blushing as Moss slid xyr gaze over me, appreciating me. Drinking me in. My cock perked up, my heart hammering as I took a sip of coffee.

"How'd you sleep?" xe teased.

"Very well. And you?"

"I didn't sleep. I just laid there and went through a million different scenarios, all of which ended with me fucking you or you fucking me a million different ways."

"Oh."

Fuck.

I swallowed hard as Moss went back to a skillet that was sizzling over a stove top. I breathed out, trying to steady myself. How was I supposed to be able to think straight when xe said things like that?

"Drink your coffee," Moss purred.

"Everything you say and do turns me on."

"Yes and I plan to take advantage of that once you're fed. And I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check in with your friends, hmm?"

I licked my lips. "Deal."

I kept sipping my coffee and decided xe was right. I slipped off the barstool and spent about ten minutes trying to find my phone. Ultimately, the slender device was tucked away in my bag. The moment I touched it, it began to ding and ding, messages alerting me, most of them from social media networks. The show had been a raging success last night, and some of the photos our photographers grabbed were stunning.

Seeing myself on the stage stole my breath. I took it back to the counter with my coffee.

"You can sync to my system, if you'd like," Moss said.

"Okay," I said.

"Astar, sync," xe commanded.

My phone synced with the system, which allowed a holographic screen to pop up in the kitchen and show all of the photos. Moss made a surprised noise, grinning.

"Look how stunning you are."

I blushed. "I'm happy with it."

"And that was truly your first concert?"

"Show. Yes, it was," I said.

Moss nodded as xe plated food for us both. Xe brought the plates and utensils over, sitting across from me. The screen moved, still showing us more photos. Some of Stella, of Lady Luna, Milky Maid, and others. A couple of backstage photos caught Moss and me too.

"Oh," I said. "I can ask them to delete those, if you'd prefer."

Moss paused it on a photo of the two of us looking at each other. My cheeks flushed, my body language stiff but only because I'd been fighting a hard-on for hours. And the way Moss looked at me.

"No, I like this," xe said. "I like this a lot. Eat your food, little tarax. You need sustenance."

I stuck my tongue out at xem, but took a bite of my food. The flavors burst on my tongue, slightly spicy and earthy but utterly delicious. I groaned, digging in as more notifications flashed across the screen. I wasn't surprised to see Madam Moonie's message and sent her a quick one back, a sign of life that she would appreciate.

"Oh, did you need to check in with work?" I asked, remembering xe had mentioned so in passing.

"I already did," Moss chuckled. "They told me to take care and not to worry about work. And I won't, even with the difficulties of this week."

"Is that related to the damages?" I asked.

"Yes and no. One of our employees made the situation worse, and they ended up sending me some threatening messages about the entire situation. I don't understand why they would do so, but I forwarded it to the council and will deal with it later."

I pressed my lips together, feeling a flicker of worry. "Did they threaten you?" I asked.

Moss leaned forward, xyr gaze holding mine. In it, I felt like I could see the entire universe gazing back at me, holding all of my wonders and hopes in a thousand shades of violet. I got lost for a moment, and then came back to the present.

Don't worry about me, Moss's voice sounded through my mind.

I sucked in a shocked breath. Hearing a voice echo through my mind was a very new experience. It was deep and personal and I loved it, having this new connection that went beyond any sort of technology our worlds possessed.

"Fine," I mumbled. "But if they do threaten you, you have to tell me. Because that's not okay."

"My love, and what would you do? You are half the size of an Arborian."

"I'm small but mighty. I'd rip them a new asshole."

Moss burst out laughing and I smiled, even though I was serious. I was ready to fist fight anyone that threatened my…

I swallowed hard. My what?

My partner? My lover?

My mate?

I felt a deep yearning curl through me, winding around my heart, a ribbon tugged tight. I bit my tongue though, because it felt silly and embarrassing to assume such a thing. Even if the thought of being with Moss forever already appealed to me in a lovesick way, I just…

"You are thinking so hard," Moss teased. "What about?"

"Oh nothing," I said.

I cleared my throat and kept eating, trying to steer my thoughts back to the moments in front of me. I looked up at Moss, admiring xyr horns and face and long, silky hair. Xe was absolutely beautiful. Gold gleamed around xyr neck, and detailed the robes xe wore.

"Does your necklace mean something?" I asked.

Moss reached up and touched it, nodding. "Yes. It's an heirloom from my lineage, and a symbol of power within the community."

"But aren't you just a manager for travel and things?"

"Well, I am. But I am also a member of the planetary council."

"Oh." That was way more than I'd realized. "Like the entire planet?"

"Yes," Moss chuckled. "The whole planet."

"So like Toras or Zin, who are both Stella's mates. Zin is the Lazulian prince and Toras is a chancellor."

"Yes and no. I am not royalty and I don't represent the planet outside of our system. I oversee transportation and do help with guiding tourists and such. It's a very large council, and it's democratic in the sense that we are voted in. It's just, many members of my family have been on this council in the past."

"Interesting," I whispered. "How many people live on Arbor?"

"Only three billion on Arbor. But, our lives last much longer, and our reproductive habits are not the same as humans."

"That's still so many," I said. "So I'm in heat with an Arborian official."

"And I'm in heat with a burlesque star," Moss teased.

I found myself leaning closer. I reached for Moss's hand, sliding my palm against xyrs. "I think that if you don't fuck me soon, I will simply perish."

Xe smirked. "I need you to be fed and watered first, or you will perish."

"Don't threaten me with a good time," I mumbled.

I finished eating and drinking my coffee, and then snorted as Moss thrust a glass of water in front of me too, waiting ever so patiently for me to finish.

The longer I sat here, the more I wondered what xe had in store for me.

I raised a brow as I finished my water. "Happy?"

"Satisfied."

"Are you?"

Moss's eyes darkened as xe gave me a wicked smile. "Little tarax. Are you grumpy I didn't wake you by fucking you again?"

"Maybe," I mumbled.

"Such a travesty. Stand up."

Xyr tone went straight to my cock. I swallowed hard as I slid off the barstool and stood, waiting to see what xe would ask next.

"Good. Strip for me."

I smirked. Stripping? I could do that all day. I teased Moss as I pulled back the robe, exposing my shoulder before spinning around, shimmying it down my back.

Moss was patient as I worked it down my body until I was completely naked. I dropped the fabric to the floor. I shook my ass, looking over my shoulder at xem.

"Bend over."

I grunted and did as xe asked, but very slowly. Painfully slowly.

"Good. All the way. Spread your legs."

My cock was hard now as I spread my legs further for xem.

"Very good. Stay like that until I tell you to move."

Oh gods.

Every second that went by, I grew more and more horny.

How long was Moss going to leave me this way?