Chapter 17

17

Anna

"That was glorious, An-nana!" Drak cheers, clinging to me as he begins to swim us out of the deep water. More seriously, he adds, "It did not hurt you, yes?"

"I'm perfectly un-hurt," I confirm, smiling as I feel his heart beating wildly under my hand. I'm still quite confused by the Aprixian anatomy, since they seem to have hearts and soul seeds in the same place. Perhaps his heart is his soul seed, and the organ simply glows with a feature humans don't possess.

"Do Aprixians jump off of things for fun?" I ask curiously.

As his waist is now above the water, I let my feet fall and shiver as my toes sink into the underwater ground.

"The interesting ones do," he jokes. "But most Aprixians, at least ones who were warriors in the past, often jump off of things more as a way of doing tasks than seeking adventure. Why should you climb down a mountain when you may descend through the air? Things like that. Am I explaining this well?"

"Perfectly," I answer firmly.

"This water is a bit cold for hu-nim comfort, yes?" he asks, brushing some wet hair off of my cheeks.

"It's a bit chilly?—"

"And you wish to share words?" he asks before I can continue.

Swallowing hard, I nod nervously.

"Then I shall carry you back to the ship?—"

I stiffen, cutting him off. "I can walk?—"

Drak cuts me right off in return. "You will not. My body heat will keep you warm and safe from the elements. I understand hu-nims have sensitive immune systems. I will carry you back to our ship, give you privacy to dry off and change, and then we will share words while you eat your nighttime snack."

He's not asking for permission, he's telling me exactly what we're going to do. Why do I have the urge to kiss the hell out of him for it? I should snarl at him and deny him kisses for a week for the demanding tone he's taking with me. But god help me, I'm melting for it.

Trying to keep my response cool, I lift my chin at him. "Fine, you can carry me."

Clearly testing my limits, Drak lifts me into the air bridal-style, causing me to squeal. "I was not asking, An-nana. But I like your answer."

Damn you, suave alien.

Who the hell taught this man how to be so charming?

Collecting myself, I narrow my eyes at him. Our faces are so close in this position that I could kiss him with minimal effort. "You're bold when you know I won't shoot you, aren't you?"

Walking us out of the water while holding me like I'm as light as a feather, the cocky warrior smirks. "I never know that you will not shoot me, Mean One. It is part of why I desire you—why I wish you to be mine."

I gulp. Well, that was honest.

"Are you a masochist or something?"

It's only partly a joke.

Drak's eyebrows furrow, but he begins our descent to the ship. "What is this mass-O-kissed?"

" Masochist ," I repeat. "It's someone who likes pain. Sexually."

Looking at me with disbelief, he shakes his head. "Are you tricking me?"

I have to giggle a little. "No, I'm serious. Not really about you being one, but that they exist. Some humans like rougher stuff. Like being tied up or spanked."

Drak looks weary. "Do you like this? What is sp-anked ?"

Blushing, I avert my eyes to consider his questions. "Being spanked is when you have someone hit you?—"

"I will not hit you!" he exclaims, practically shaking at the implication.

I sigh, reaching out to touch his chest and soothe his concern. "Let me finish."

Stiffly, he nods in agreement. Though his face is impassive.

"It's not like being punched Drak, more like little slaps. You know, like how I smack your shoulder with the back of my hand when you're being, well, you."

This makes his lips twitch.

"Some people like harder smacks, some people do it just for fun. And it's not like you'd be hitting me anywhere vital, spankings are typically strikes to the butt, so?—"

His eyes grow comically wide, and I break off into a chuckle.

"Too much?"

Lips twitching, he gives me a coy look. "You like this spanking , do you not, An-nana?

Licking my lips, I ask, "What makes you think that?"

"You said, ‘it is not like you'd be hitting me anywhere vital' when you described this action. I take this to mean you would not like to spank me, but you would like me to spank you ."

"Caught that, did you?"

His chest puffs out with pride, and I take a sobering breath. It took me years to not be embarrassed by the things I like in bed, and if anyone is going to judge me in a hateful way for it, it wouldn't be Drak.

"I'd like you to spank me, yes," I say, releasing a held breath. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I can be a bit… snarky."

Drak does his best to appear shocked. "You?"

"Ha-ha," I drone. "Don't get cute with me, mister. What I'm trying to explain is that sometimes people who are often in control and on edge, sometimes like to let go… sexually. It feels nice. Like a relief."

His voice drops an octave. "And this spanking , it relieves you, An-nana?"

"It can," I rasp. "Are you interested in finding out more? You don't have to say yes if you don't want to, Drak. A lot of people need dominance in sex, but I just prefer it. I won't write off mating with you if you don't want to spank me."

It would be a bummer, but there are other ways to expel stress.

"I do not wish to hurt you," he starts as if he needs to remind me. "But if this spanking brings you pleasure, you must show me how. I will be the best at this. Bringing one's mate pleasure is the highest honor a male can achieve."

Even though we haven't made it to the ship yet, I can't help but ask. "Is that what you want, Drak? To be my mate?"

Considering my question carefully, he nods. "I would have been your friend forever without complaint, An-nana. If that were all you wished to give me, I would still cherish it. Even as I have tasted you, I would yearn for you in secret, but I could not bear the thought of pressuring you in any way.

"I… wish that my soul seed would glow for you." He breathes out shakily, collecting himself. "I do not understand why it is dormant and dull in my chest even as the most lovely female to ever live is in my arms. But… I should take you as my chosen mate if you wish for it."

My lungs slam into my ribs as I struggle to breathe. That was the most honest and heart-swelling confession I ever—wow, just wow. Drak struggled to find the correct words for parts of it, even pausing to make sure he expresses exactly what he feels, but the confession is perfect all the same.

"Humans don't usually work as fast as Aprixians do when it comes to these things," I warn, voice shaking. "But I like you, Drak. I know I can be mean and snappy, and I know I should have let you in a bit sooner. Honestly, I should have apologized for the things I've said as soon as you offered to go on this quest with me."

He opens his mouth to reply, but I shake my head.

"No, let me get this out," I whisper, and he reluctantly nods. "I might be a terrible mate, Drak. I want to try, but I've never even been a good girlfriend before. I just… I need you to promise you won't let me scare you off. If you can do that, I'd love to be your chosen mate."

As soon as the last word leaves my lips, Drak is pulling me into a passionately brutal kiss. My stomach swoops with desire, and my eyelids flutter shut, mouth moving to match his rhythm. We come to a standstill, kissing hard under the setting sun.

"Today is the greatest of all days," he rumbles, kissing my face all over.

Each touch of his mouth to my skin makes me glow.

"I still want to keep looking for my family," I confess, keeping all of my cards on the table. "I don't want to get caught up in you and have it be too late before we get to them. So maybe we—maybe we take this slow? Is that okay?"

Cupping my face with his free hand, Drak traces my bottom lip with his thumb. "You set our pace, An-nana. You could offer me no more than longing looks, hugs, quick kisses, and your presence, and I will be more than content. You are a gift, Mean One, know this. My determination to help you on this journey has not been swept away, I assure you."

Not too slow, then. There's no way I'm going to be able to resist taking more than sweet kisses and teasing touches when Drak is this goddamn understanding. I don't know what I did to earn his fealty in such a way, but I'll be damned if I don't show him how much it means to me. A man this devoted deserves something.

"Have you ever heard of a hand-job, Drak?"

He hums, thinking about it. "It does not translate. What is it?"

Grabbing the hair on the back of his head, I tug him so that our lips are barely apart. "When we get back to the ship, I'll show you."

God, just saying it has my clit throbbing.

His eyes darken like he understands the naughty edge to my tone, and he begins walking us again. This time, he's moving much faster.