Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

A manda felt her mouth drop open as the big alien stood up—and up and up. He must have been seven foot tall, towering over her before he reached down to help her up. His skin gleamed a deep, rich lavender in the sunlight, rippling over extraordinarily impressive muscles. Other than his size, he wasn't built that differently from a human man. Of course, the fangs and the pointed ears—and the eyes that held little sparks of purple fire—were not at all human. And as for that cock…

She blushed even as she darted another glance in that direction. Deep purple, the tapered shaft descended from a slightly pointed tip in thick petals to a wide base. The fact that he seemed to sport a constant erection certainly hadn't escaped her, but it took on new significance now that he seemed to be quite capable of movement.

"I thought your body wasn't working properly?" She gave his hand—and him—a wary look as she climbed to her feet by herself and took a step back.

"The passage of time appears to have remedied the situation." He smiled at her, and despite the flash of white fangs, it was a surprisingly innocent smile.

She still wasn't quite sure what to make of him. When she had walked into the clearing and seen him lying against the rock, her first instinct had been to retreat. But then he had spoken to her—in English—and first her curiosity, and then her compassion had been raised.

"That's good," she said cautiously. "But it doesn't mean we need to travel together."

"You are a stranger here."

"So are you."

"Perhaps. But I find I know things about this place. I knew that Hammy was a levet." He pointed at her companion, waiting patiently at her feet. "I know the sand can come from the desert as a great storm. And I know that water can be found where the kressi grows. But I do not know how I know these things."

She had to admit it would be helpful to travel with someone who knew this world, but she was used to doing things by herself. Who knew if he would even stay with her?

"What if I told you I wanted to travel alone?"

"Then I would follow you and watch over you from afar," he said promptly.

His words should have sounded stalkerish, but they didn't. Instead, she found them oddly reassuring. And for all his size and muscles, he hadn't made any attempt to force himself on her. Maybe he wasn't the big, bad wolf after all.

"In that case, I suppose we might as well go together," she muttered.

She knew she sounded ungracious, but he only smiled again and turned to lead the way, presenting her with a very fine ass.

"Umm, I don't suppose those things you know include where to find clothing?"

He looked vaguely confused. "Should I be wearing clothing?"

"Well, yes. That's what civilized people—I mean, beings—do. But I was actually thinking more about clothing for me."

"You wish to cover yourself?"

She wasn't surprised that he looked disappointed, but there was that same unexpected innocence in his expression. Did he really think nudity was standard behavior?

"I would be more comfortable," she said firmly.

"If that is your preference, of course."

He tilted his head to one side as if considering, then held up their two bags. "Would you consider sacrificing one of these?"

Her first instinctive reaction was to assert her ownership over one, but then she sighed. "I guess we don't really need two of them if we're traveling together."

"Very well."

He picked up his knife and set to work. One side of the bag became a crude bandeau, and the other became the front and back flaps of a very minimal loincloth, all of it tied in place with strips from the handle. She suspected they actually concealed very little, but nonetheless, she was grateful for the coverage.

At least, until she saw him tilt his head as he looked at her.

"What is it, Va'rik?"

"I was considering a paradox. You have more clothing—and yet you appear more unclothed."

From the purple sparks in his eyes, he appreciated the contrast.

She could feel the warmth rising in her cheeks, but she ignored it. "Consider it later. Let's get moving."

He obeyed immediately, turning to begin the climb. His first few steps were oddly hesitant, but he was soon walking confidently amongst the rocks. His big body moved with an easy stride, his purple skin gleaming in the sunlight. She couldn't help admiring the way his muscles flexed as he walked, fighting an unexpected impulse to explore more of that tempting body.

What are you thinking? she scolded herself. It had obviously been much too long since her last encounter with a man if she was attracted to an alien. I don't have time for this . I have to get home.

Hammy hopped along behind Va'rik, although he kept glancing back in her direction. Va'rik seemed to assume that she would just keep up, but she quickly realized that she couldn't maintain the same pace. Chasing around after a room full of kids all day might be tiring, but it wasn't the same as regular exercise, and the rocky ground was hard on her feet.

"Va'rik," she called. "Can you slow down a little?"

He stopped at once and returned to her side.

"Is something wrong?"

"I can't walk as fast as you do." She held up a reddened foot. "Especially when I'm barefoot."

"Shall I carry you?" he asked eagerly, already reaching for her.

"No. Thank you," she added. "But maybe we could walk a little slower?"

"Of course." He frowned down her feet. "Do you require covering for your feet?"

"Can you conjure something up out of the rocks?" The question came out more sarcastically than she intended, but he seemed to take it literally, frowning around at their surroundings.

"Perhaps. Wait here." He disappeared into the warren of stone slabs.

She was no more alone now than she had been when she first awoke, but after having companionship—even for such a short time—she felt strangely abandoned. He moved so silently, and now she couldn't hear him at all. He hadn't left her, had he?

She sank down on one of the slabs of rock to wait, and Hammy hopped up next to her, nudging her hand. His demand for attention made her smile, and stroking his soft fur made her feel a little better. It was silly to feel so bereft because a strange male who she had just met had gone off on some mysterious errand.

I have to rely on myself , she remembered. Her mother had impressed that on her at a very early age.

The minutes ticked by, and she was just beginning to face the fact that she would have to continue her journey on her own when Va'rik reappeared.

"Here." He knelt down in front of her and picked up a sore foot. "So small," he murmured. "I hope I estimated the size correctly."

He gently rubbed the soles of her feet, his strong fingers massaging the aching flesh. God, that felt good. She was so distracted by the massage that it took her a moment to realize what he was saying.

"Size?"

"Of your foot coverings." With a last soothing stroke, he placed what looked like a type of sandal on her foot and tied it in place, then repeated the process on her other foot.

"Where on earth did you find those?"

"I did not find them on Earth." He tilted his head, looking confused. "I made the base from a leaf of the naani and padded it with vilit blossoms."

"That's amazing. How do you know how to do this?"

"I do not know." A brief worried look crossed his face, but then he smiled at her. "As long as it gives you pleasure, I am satisfied."

They were so close she could feel the heat emanating from his body and catch a faint spicy scent that must be coming from him. Giving into impulse, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his cheek.

His hand flew to his cheek as she drew back. "What was that?"

"Just a kiss," she said as lightly as possible, even though her own cheeks were heating. "To say thank you for the sandals."

"If I make you more, will you do it again?"

Under other circumstances, she might have been offended by his assumption that she would barter her affection for material possessions. But he looked so innocent and hopeful that she didn't have the heart to chastise him.

"I don't need any more sandals, thank you," she said gently.

He looked so utterly crestfallen that she almost laughed.

"Are there other ways to earn such a reward?" His hand was still pressed to the cheek she had kissed, and he still had that eager, hopeful look.

"A kiss is a sign of affection. It's not something for which you can trade."

"You feel affection for me?"

"In that moment, yes." Ignoring the sadness that washed over his face, she gave him her best professional smile. "But that moment is over. We should get going."

"Of course."

He rose to his feet, and she had a very clear picture of the effect of her kiss. He immediately turned away, but she couldn't forget the sight of that massive cock only inches away from her face. If he had lingered, she would almost have been tempted to lean forward and explore him.

Get a grip , she scolded herself. Yes, he was big and built and surprisingly sweet, but they were only traveling together so he could guide her to a place where she could—hopefully—return home. She wasn't going to make the same mistake her mother had made.