56. Peter

In a way, Marinas story echoed Peters. They had both been dumped by their partners and then had to see them too often for comfort.

No wonder they had been so drawn to each other. Still were. It wasnt just about the incredible physical attraction and shared kink. It was about the invisible wounds they were both still licking.

I understand your predicament because Im in the same boat. He chuckled. And I dont mean this ship. Thankfully, the Kra-ell stayed behind to guard the village, so I didnt have to see Kagra during the cruise. He lifted his eyes to the ceiling. Thank the merciful Fates.

Marina tilted her head. I remember you mentioning dating her, but I didnt realize it was that serious.

Peter chuckled, the sound more bitter than hed intended. It was serious for me but not for Kagra. Shes a true Kra-ell, and she doesnt do relationships. I was a passing curiosity to her.

Yeah, shes a badass. I would have never imagined you with someone like her. How did it even work between you? Did you take turns topping each other?

Peter laughed. You guessed it. She wanted to try something different, a gentler approach to lovemaking, and I was curious about being with a female who could easily dominate me. It was fun to experiment, but in the end, she must have realized that gentle didnt do it for her and that she preferred the Kra-ells brutal sex games to my much milder ones.

Marina shivered. Dont remind me.

Damn, he was such an ass. Hed forgotten that Marina had been a victim, forced to service the Kra-ell males. Mostly, it had been hybrids who werent as bad as the purebloods, but still, shed had to say yes more than no or suffer unpleasant consequences.

Im sorry. He squeezed her hand. It was insensitive of me to bring that up. You probably want to forget about that part of your life.

No, thats okay. I have no problem talking about it. Id only been with hybrids, and most were careful with humans. They didnt want to break us. I shivered, thinking of the way it was between the purebloods. With the males and females being almost equally strong, their fight for dominance was ferocious.

He quirked a brow. Did you witness it?

I wasnt in the room with them, but I heard the snarls, the growls, and the thrashing. I also saw them emerge from the chamber, bloodied, shredded, and either satisfied or humiliated. It was rough.

If a pureblooded Kra-ell male failed to subdue a pureblooded female, she would kick him out, and subsequently no other female would invite him to her bed. It was survival of the fittest, and only the strongest and most ruthless got to father children.

Still, Jade had chosen Phinas as her mate, and they seemed to be happy together despite those differences. Peter had hoped that the same would hold true for him and Kagra, but she hadnt felt for him what Jade felt for Phinas.

Ive always been adventurous, he admitted. Maybe that was what attracted me to Kagra. She was different.

Do you still care for her? Marina asked in a near whisper.

He nodded. I will always care for her as a friend. It wasnt her fault that I had unrealistic expectations. Kagra had said some things that had been unkind, but in retrospect, Peter realized that she wasnt being malicious. Shed been trying to help him get over the rejection. The only one I should be angry at is myself. Kagra told me from the very start that she wasnt interested in anything serious, but my stupidly prideful mind was convinced that I would make her change her mind. He smiled. My heart recovered from the breakup quickly, but my pride suffered a serious blow and took longer to get over itself.

Marina nodded. I first noticed you in the dining room because you looked so defeated whenever you thought no one was looking your way.

Ouch. Hed hoped that shed noticed him because he was so irresistibly handsome, charming, debonair. Not because hed seemed beaten down.

Was that why shed approached him in the first place?

So that was my appeal? Peter asked. I was an easy target?

Marina blushed. It made you seem more approachable. After Nicolai, I couldnt handle another guy who was full of himself and believed I should worship at his feet because he graced me with his marvelous dick.

Peter couldnt stifle the laugh that bubbled up from his chest. I think all males are guilty of thinking that their dicks are worthy of worship, myself included. He plucked a grape off the vine and lifted it to Marinas mouth. And I have to say, you do that so reverently.

Remembering Marina on her knees, pleasuring him with her mouth and taking him deep, had his shaft turn into a club.

Wrapping her lips around the grape, she sucked it into her mouth while somehow managing to smile while doing it.

You have such a talented mouth, Marina.

Talented enough to get me an entrance into your village?

Peters smile wilted. He didnt like thinking that she was with him to gain entrance to the village. She could do that on her own without having to do any favors for him or anyone else.

You dont need to do anything of the sort to come live in the village. You just have to get Kians approval, and I dont see why he would deny it. A few of the former human occupants of Igors compound decided to move to the village, and Kian okayed it.

She lifted her fingers. Only two requests were granted, but I dont know how many applied.

I dont know either. But since Kian offered anyone who wanted to come live in the village the option, there is no reason for him to refuse you. He wouldnt want you traveling back and forth for security reasons, but if you want to move permanently, he wont object. There are plenty of jobs you can get in the village. In fact, people will be fighting over you.

Her eyes shone with excitement. Really? Like what?

All the ones you mentioned before, and more. The village café is always understaffed, Callie could use another server in her restaurant, and Atzil is looking for barmen and barmaids.

Thats awesome. I even know who to talk to about it.

Peter arched a brow. Me?

Well, yes, but also Amanda. Shes Kians sister, and she seems to like me.

Warring emotions washed over Peter. On the one hand, he was glad that Marina now knew how to get what she wanted without his help, so if she stayed with him, it would be just because she wanted him and not what he could get for her. On the other hand, though, he was afraid that she would leave.

It was pathetic that he wanted her regardless of her motives, but he needed to at least know where her heart was.

Choosing a ripe strawberry, he lifted it to her mouth. Open wide.

Marina chuckled. Are you going to feed me the entire breakfast?

Thats the plan. As he pushed the strawberry past her lips, he couldnt help imagining something else breaching the seal of her mouth. When do you need to show up for your lunch shift?

She finished chewing and swallowed. I have time. You can finish feeding me breakfast and then feed me dessert.

Her gaze shifted downward to where his erection was pressing against the zipper of his pants, and as she licked her lips, he almost sagged with relief.

Marina wanted him just for him, regardless of any ulterior motives.