Chapter 23

23

Anna

I'm not getting my hopes up, I'm not getting my hopes up ? —

All day I've been silently repeating the same mantra to myself. With every passing hour that we go without finding my family, the voice gets quieter and quieter. I don't want to admit it, but some of my hopes are definitely up. How can we have found so many signs and clues and still have nothing?

My feet hurt, my brain is tired, and my heart is quite melancholy. I don't know how I would have made this trip without Drak. He is a bright light, constantly shining—now literally shining because of his soul seed—making every moment of hopeless searching feel not-so impossible. He is continuously making me laugh and keeping me grounded.

Not to mention his tech. I'd be entirely lost without his navigation systems, his ship, and his weapons. We've killed so many zombies that I've lost count, and if the government still existed, they'd be trying to give him an award for his efforts or something. At least before they tried to chain him up and use him like their own personal killing machine.

I wouldn't have made it nearly as far on foot or even in a stolen vehicle. I don't have to worry about finding somewhere to sleep, what to eat, or how I'd escape the big mobs of the undead by myself. I never agonize about being warm and cozy enough to sleep at night, and most of all, I don't feel like I'm going to die every five minutes.

Without Drak, I wouldn't have lasted a week out here. I'd be back at the sorority house sulking in my failure or worse, stumbling around as a zombie somewhere after being helpless and trapped. I should tell him how grateful I am, but even though he deserves it, I think I might cry if I tried. And I am not crying in front of him over this.

I've come close enough to shedding tears as it is. For hours we've been scoping out the areas we scouted from above, and we haven't picked up another scent. Still, I've posted notes all over the area. Each of them has some version of "It's Anna, I'm looking for you." I sign each one of them with our last name in big bold capital letters. LOGAN.

We haven't run into a single human this entire time which has me wondering how many people even survived in this territory to begin with. I can't shake the feeling that there has to be more people living around here. The first wave of outbreak took out the bulk of everyone, but I know there has to be more survivors. I'm concerned that Drak still hasn't heard or scented anything but animals and undead.

Sighing, I rub my temples and continue to walk through the isles of the tenth store in this mall. There aren't many zombies in here now that Drak and I have cleared them out with just his presence, and I was hoping that meant this might be where some humans are hiding out. My humans in particular. I don't know how strangers would handle seeing Drak. If they'd faint like Stevie did when she saw Marrec or try to shoot him like I did with Drak. If anyone tried to hurt him…

I can't even think about that.

"Still don't sense anything?" I call out to Drak. He's a little further ahead than me, looking around the back of the store.

"Nothing alive," he responds loudly enough for me to hear.

I smile to myself at his tone. No matter how many times I ask, he doesn't snap at me or sigh with exacerbation. He's just happy to be talking to me, even if I'm badgering him. It makes me feel safe to be in this state around him. Like I don't have to hide my constant need to ask for updates just in case.

Rationally I know he'll tell me as soon as he notices something out of the ordinary, but irrationally I can't stop checking in.

As I get close, I hear him humming like he's deep in thought. Before I can ask what's up, he's asking me something himself.

"What is this contraption, An-nana?"

Turning to see what he's found, my hand immediately seals tightly over my lips. I'm trying to hold back a burst of sound at the sight. Still, laughter escapes my palm, bubbling out of me. I forgot what kind of store we were in. I should have looked at the busted sign out front for more than a split second.

Drak has just discovered human sex toys.

"It is a humorous thing?" Drak inquires, holding the long purple device between his thumb and pointer finger, lifting it higher to examine it from all angles.

"It's a vibrator," I tell him, trying to quell my amusement. "It's not really funny, just funny that you're holding it. It looks so tiny and out of place in your hand."

He scrunches his nose curiously. "Vibrator? It shakes? It must be broken."

I chuckle, reaching out to take it from him. "It needs batteries, but yes, it shakes. It's a sex toy—er, mating toy? Usually, women use them alone, but couples and men can use them too. They're good for all sorts of sensitive bits."

Looking up from the device, I find Drak's eyes darker than before. "Have you used one before, my An-nana?"

"Oh yes, I am well-versed in the world of vibrators. Vibrating sensations do wonders for the clit."

Drak licks his lips. "Your sensitive bud?"

"Yep."

Smirking softly, he says, "This is good information to know."

Hitching a brow at him, I click my tongue. "Oh? You want to take one?"

He shakes his head. "There is no need."

Well, that's a bit of a bummer.

"What do you mean then?"

"My cock can do what this device does," he claims, and my eyes threaten to roll.

"I see you're attempting to put the cock in cocky. You know, there isn't any shame in using toys with your woman. They're teammates, not competitors."

My mate doesn't seem chastised at all. In fact, he chuckles at me.

Chuckles!

Before I can make some snide remark, he explains himself.

"Aprixians have different mating mechanisms than hu-nims, my mate. My cock can do what this puny bit of metal does. More if the toy does not also warm you."

Lips dropping open, I gape at him. "I'm sorry, are you trying to tell me that your dick can heat up and vibrate? Why the hell are you just saying so now?"

Drak looks sheepish. Is he… blushing?

"Only mated males can use this ability. I did not know if I would ever be able to do it." He swallows thickly like being reminded of his cock upgrades is intense for him.

Shit, it's intense for me.

"So, now that your soul seed glows for me, you can vibrate?"

"Yes," he answers with an oddly cagey tone. "But I feel I must inform you why only mated males can do it."

Realization sparks, and my eyes flare open wide. "It's for breeding ?"

"Traditionally, yes," he answers honestly. "The warming and the vibration when paired inside of you with my seed—" My nose crinkles at the word seed . "—is meant to aid in conceiving offspring."

Before I can snap that I have no interest in getting knocked up just to try out his vibrating dick, he speaks again.

"I do not expect to breed you, An-nana?—"

"Good!"

I certainly do not want children in this sort of world. I always figured I would be a mom one day, maybe not an amazing one, but one who fights for her kids. But right now? The idea of reproducing is irresponsible and overwhelming, to say the least.

Ignoring my outburst, he steps into my space, looking down at me with those lusty eyes of his. " But I can make my cock shake for you without putting it inside of you. It is your pretty little clit that you wish to stimulate after all, is it not?"

An unexpected shiver slithers up my back, and I swallow hard. "It is…"

"Then perhaps you will let me show you how it works, and you can compare my cock to the devices of your past and tell me if I have a right to be cocky ."

I want to kiss his stupidly handsome face so badly.

"You're not supposed to be distracting me," I practically whine.

"You are having a bad day," Drak says like he has to inform me of that. "I wish to make it better. Allow me to spread your pretty legs and use my cock shakes on your sensitive little clit, Mean One. I will make you tremble and cry out for me, and then you will feel better to continue our search."

"So tempting," I murmur, face red and hot.

I don't know why I'm resisting when I'm already sold. For one thing, it's been ages since I've felt the delicious touch of a vibrator. For another, I'm dying to see how his dick compares.

"Can you use it without being tempted to fuck me?" I inquire, loving the way he groans in response. "Because I hate to break it to you, love, but you're way too big to get inside of me without some serious preparation."

Drak leans down, rubbing his nose up the side of my throat. "I can control myself, An-nana. Spilling my seed down your thighs after making you come for me will be more than enough, I assure you."

"Well," I say, biting my lip. "What are my pants still doing on?"

The next few minutes pass in a blur. With tangled limbs and hurried movements, Drak gets my pants on the ground and my back splayed against the abandoned checkout counter. He's kissing me with his soft but firm lips, standing over me like I'm a feast he's going to devour.

His hands are everywhere as he moves from my lips to my neck and then down to my chest, his lips never leaving my body. He doesn't tear my shirt off of me but instead pulls it down along with my bra to seal his lips around my peaked nipples. Switching back and forth between buds, he teases the sensitive skin and has me moaning for more in seconds.

Drak paws at my thighs with an addictive strength, his hands practically claiming me without the need for words. He's right, this is exactly what I needed. My mind is clearer as the stress of the day begins to wash away. He's like fucking magic. Him, his greedy hands, and his sinful mouth.

"Frek, An-nana," he murmurs, capturing my lips once more. "Your scent," he adds, groaning against my mouth. "Your arousal, it is like I can taste it from the air. It is maddening ."

"Well, you did take my panties off, so," I breathe, trying not to whimper. Everything is hot as my body grows warmer with lust.

"Mm, yes, I did," he rumbles, pulling away from our kiss to reach for his belt. "It is time I show you why now, is it not?"

Oh, fuck yes, it is.

"Yeah, baby," I agree, nodding with a sort of dazed motion. "Show me what you can do with that big beautiful cock of yours."

With swift jerking motions, he frees his erection from his pants, dropping the clothing to his feet. His eyes sear into me, taking in every inch of bare skin with a hungry gaze. I'd rethink my plan to wait for sex if I didn't know what a terrible idea it would be. Drak and I can't get lost in each other, not when we're this close to finding what we've been searching so tirelessly for.

Not to mention, our first time fucking as a mated couple should not happen in an abandoned mall store filled with dust and stale air. So, for now, this has to be enough.

Licking my lips, I watch as Drak fists his cock, a drip of precum pearling at its tip. I'd offer to kiss it away, but I don't want to mess up his first time trying this by making him come too fast. I want him to enjoy it just as much as I want to feel it. I mean, this is a part of him he wasn't sure that he'd ever get to experience, after all.

"It is already warming, and I am not even trying," Drak moans.

If he's feeling hot, he isn't the only one.

Sweat beads in my hairline, making rogue wisps of hair cling to my forehead. It's hot in here because of the lack of maintained air circulation, but I may be even warmer than the temperature. I'm practically burning up, and I'm, like, ninety percent sure it's due to how sexy my mate is being.

Looking almost dazed, Drak drags my ass to the edge of the counter and pushes his cock through my dripping sex. He's right, his dick feels like it's been under a hot towel at a spa or something. Warm and soft but not burning against my skin.

"You are soaked, my mate," he whispers. "Have I done this to you? Did I cause this flood of arousal when I offered to take care of your cunt?"

"You have a dirty mouth," I rasp, unable to hide my grin. "Fuck yes, you did this to me. It's all for you, Drak. Show me what you can do."

Pleasure like no other immediately steals my breath. Drak's cock begins shaking right before my eyes, his length trembling right on top of my clit. It's just like a vibrator only it's entirely silent. The vibration may be quiet, but I sure as fuck am not. I'm moaning and whimpering without even trying to hide the level of noise coming from my mouth.

"Oh, oh, oh, shit! You weren't kidding, oooh !"

Drak grunts, shifting his hips forward in a thrust. Every inch of his cock is vibrating hard, but he keeps his fist around the base, focusing his tip on my clit while he moves. "You are so soft," he whispers. "I can not do this for long, I?—"

I look into heavy eyes, finding his pupils blown wide. "Jesus Christ, don't even worry about it, baby. I'm so close, holy fuck?—"

The vibration lets up just a touch, like he's learning to control the speed but doesn't quite have the hang of it. He doesn't want us to explode immediately—he wants to bask in it. I think we both know it won't be long now, even if it's not immediate. I feel like I've taken some kind of drug to make me feral for him because I have an insane desire to bite him or lick him all over.

Instead, I claw at his shoulders and pull him down for a heated kiss.

Drak breathes hard, catching my lips with his and swooping his tongue into my mouth to meet mine. He continues to glide his hips back and forth, giving us added friction while his cock shakes relentlessly.

"Drak, I'm, I can't—" I whimper into his mouth. "I'm going to— ahhh !"

"Yes, my mate. Y es ," he growls.

Lost in the rhythm of his strokes, my nails dig into his skin hard as I combust. Coming with a hoarse scream, my thighs threaten to snap shut, but Drak pins them open. My back arches, my legs shake, and my cunt convulses, tensing and relaxing in rapid succession.

Two more jerky thrusts push him over the edge.

" Frek ," he curses.

Ropes and ropes of cum sputter from his cock, painting my pussy and my thighs.

With slightly fuzzy vision, I reach forward, dragging two fingers through the mess before sucking it off. Drak nearly chokes while watching me, and my skin feels flushed all over. His taste is light, and I wouldn't drink a glass of his cum for breakfast, but I'd lick some of it up again. Especially with the way it makes his eyes darken for me.

Breathing out with a pant, my mate caresses my lips with his thumb. "Have I earned the right to be cocky, An-nana?"

Pretty sure you've earned my heart, baby.

"Definitely," I confess. "I didn't even have to put batteries in you for that."

He chuckles at my joke and moves to start cleaning me up.

"Anytime you wish to use my cock as your toy, it is yours."

Sweet Jesus, what did I do to deserve this man?