Chapter 16

16

Anna

Holy shit, this alien knows how to kiss.

He was cautious at first, clearly letting me take the lead. But now he's practically fucking my mouth with his tongue and giving me flutters where there haven't been any in a long time.

He's spurred on by every moan and whimper he draws out of me, growing bolder and pulling me tighter against him. I should stop this before it goes too far, but I'm quickly melting into a brainless pile of lust for him.

When he tugs me off of my feet, prompting my legs to wrap around his waist while we continue to make out, I don't stop him. I don't even consider pushing him away. I just decided to give this thing between us a shot, but I'll have to end this encounter soon, even if it feels damn good. We can't rush this. When you go so long without human touch, you forget how nice it is.

I'm finding Aprixian touch to be even better.

He shifts to change the angle, and my eyes snap open, feeling his cock become as hard as a rock between my legs. I am not ready for that thing… no matter how enticing it might be.

" Drak ," I croak, regretfully pulling my lips off of his. "We have to slow down."

His eyes pop open, arousal completely obvious in his blown pupils.

"My apologies, An-nana," he rasps. "I could not resist."

"You don't have to apologize." I lick my lips, trying to convince myself not to kiss him again. "We just have to slow down. This is, well, new. We can't go so fast."

I mean, we probably could, but it wouldn't be smart. We have to talk about this before we do anything else. Terum warned me about hurting Drak, and as annoying of an overstep as it was, I don't want to lead Drak on either. I don't know how to be in a relationship in this new world, especially with someone who doesn't understand human dating. Drak knows mating as soulmates and stuff. It's all so intense, and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that intensity.

I wasn't even ready to admit I liked Drak at all until this trip. Something about being able to drop the always-tough-girl facade I have at the house allowed me to soften up for him. And then with the snake, feeling intense fear of possibly losing him, I softened even more.

Drak is too wonderful for me to even pretend to be mean to him anymore. We've clearly changed since he arrived, and I don't want to be standoffish to him any longer. He's out here combing through the wilderness with me, practically on a wild goose chase, for me . He's earned more than a bit of trust. If it keeps it up, I won't have any resistance left to hold on to. I'll climb him like a tree and show him how mating is supposed to feel.

"I can be slow," he declares, carefully putting me down and grunting uncomfortably as his cock remains swollen in his pants.

I nod, licking my lips.

"An-nana?" he asks.

"Yes?"

He takes my hand, running his thumb along the tops of my knuckles. "Am I succeeding in being slow if I tell you that I never wish to kiss another female again?"

I swallow thickly. "Because it was bad for you?"

Drak scoffs. "Because it was the best for me. Was it bad for you? Shall you teach me to improve?"

I chew on the inside of my cheek, hiding a chuckle. "It wasn't bad for me, Drak. You're a great kisser."

He preens under the praise. "Truly?"

Teasingly, I lift an eyebrow at him. "Have I ever lied to spare your feelings before?"

He chuckles, reaching out to stroke my cheek with the back of his hand. "No, my Mean One must be truthful if she is being so sweet to me, hm?"

"Must be," I agree, blushing hard.

Weeks ago, I was the girl that scowled at him and occasionally threatened to shoot him. I convinced him—and myself—that I had zero interest in being around him. I'd been stubborn and bitter about so many things, but I'm too tired to continue without him. Drak is the best thing to happen to me in a long time, and I'm going to start acting like it. Within reason, of course.

"Drak?"

"Yes, An-nana?"

"It's a good thing that you don't want to kiss another female again."

His eyes darken. "Oh?"

"Yes," I confirm, leaning closer. "Because if you do, I'll kick your ass. No one else is allowed to touch you now."

His voice drops, and his hands surround the sides of my face. "Are you claiming me, hu-nim?"

Shivering, I breathe out hard. "We need to have a discussion about what this is," I start, reaching out to put my hands on his hips. "But until further notice… yeah, I'm claiming you. Got a problem with that, Drak?"

He doesn't answer with words, choosing to thrust his mouth against mine instead. This kiss is harder than the last, sending chills all the way down to my toes. My hands tighten around his hard middle, and he groans, the noise vibrating on my lips.

"No problem, An-nana. Claim me and share words with me so that I know how best to please you. I am yours."

Jesus, the magnitude of that statement should scare me off. I mean, if a human man told me I was his seconds after our first kiss, I'd be running for the hills. But I relish the words coming from Drak.

"Do you want to do something crazy? Before we share words."

I don't know what prompts me to use his words instead of just saying talk , but maybe it's because he tries so hard to get my language right, I want him to know I understand him entirely.

"Something crazy?" he asks with a mischievous smile. "I wish to see what you consider crazy, Mean One."

Only ten minutes later, he looks much less mischievous and more worried. Standing at the edge of the cliff, right next to the rushing waterfall, I take his hand.

"Don't tell me Drak The Deadly is scared of cliff jumping?"

"I am not scared for me, An-nana," he replies cautiously.

I chuckle because that's fair. "I've done this before, with my brothers. It's a safe drop. The water is really deep here. Besides, you'll protect me, won't you?"

His back straightens, and he clutches my hand tighter. "Of course I will."

Still sensing his hesitance, I squeeze back. "But?"

"The drop will not hurt you? You vow this?"

"Humans do this sort of stuff for fun," I explain. "This drop isn't very far, and unless I somehow fly over to the shore and hit my head, I'm going to be perfectly fine."

He looks over the edge again and back at me. "I will do this with you if you allow me to hold you while we fall."

Oh, he's so fucking sweet. Drak is so brave until the idea of me being hurt gets put into his head.

"Want to hold me like you did earlier?" I offer, watching as his worried lips tip into a grin. The big sweetheart alien scoops me up, lifting my feet from the ground without further prompting.

Threading my hands behind his neck, I bring my face close to his, popping a soft kiss to his cheek. The way his lips immediately spread into a huge smile makes my stomach flutter. Normally, cliff jumping wouldn't be done in clothes—let alone shoes—but with no one to watch our stuff, I don't tell him that.

Besides, I'm not sure I can handle seeing Drak wet and naked again before we talk. I have towels on the ship, and we both have changes of clothes. Our shoes will be able to dry overnight and will be ready by morning when we need them again.

"Ready?" I ask, grinning.

Drak bobs his head in confirmation. "I find myself worrying much less with you in my arms, Mean One."

Teasingly, I look down at the water below and, soon after, back at him. "Well then, what are you waiting for?"

Always one to rise to the occasion, Drak holds me tighter against him. I wrap my thighs around his waist for extra stability, and without questioning me further, he leaps. My body clings to him, flinching as a natural response to the adrenaline pouring into my bloodstream. I let out an excited yelp and relish the way cold water captures us from the air, surrounding our forms with greedy acceptance.

When we burst up from the surface, it's Drak who lets out a hoot of joy.