Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

A s they made their way across the valley, the sky remained bright and clear, no clouds drifting across the expanse of blue, but Amanda could see the shadows of the past surrounding Va'rik.

The journey took most of the day, and at first he pointed out various locations that triggered his memory. There had been an eating establishment on that corner, a two-story building with flowers cascading from the balcony on the second floor. And there a fountain, designed as part of the irrigation system, but it had sparkled merrily in the sunlight.

He painted a picture of a quiet, attractive city, but there was a profound sorrow beneath that image. By the time they stopped for a brief meal from the remains of the tubers, he had retreated into himself. He was as attentive as ever for her comfort, insisting that she eat before he did and finding water for her to drink, but she could tell he was deep in his own thoughts. On more than one occasion, she saw him wince and rub his head and knew that he was trying to remember. She wanted to protest, to tell him that it didn't matter, but she understood his urge to find answers.

How could he remember the city so clearly when it had obviously been in ruins for many years? Had he been sleeping all these years? Was that why he seemed so innocent in some ways? Where could he have been and how could he have ended up on the edge of the desert with her?

The question swirled in her own mind until she felt as distracted as Va'rik. It was a huge relief when they finally passed through the gap in the hills and left the haunted valley behind. They came out on rolling dunes that led down to the vast expanse of the ocean. The deep purple hue, glittering in the fading sunlight, reminded her of Va'rik's eyes. The breeze blew in off the water, cool and refreshing, and seemed to blow away some of her confusion. She took a deep breath and turned to Va'rik.

"Do you think we should make camp near here? Or do you want to get further away from the valley?"

He nodded absently, and she could see that he was still wrapped up in his memories. "This is as good a place as any."

Hammy had been a short distance behind them, constantly stopping to nibble on the various grasses and bushes along the way, but he hopped up to join them now. His little body froze, and then he threw himself happily down one of the dunes, rolling around in the sand. She laughed, and even Va'rik's lips curved.

"Apparently, he likes the beach." She cast a longing glance at the ocean. "Do you think it's safe to get in the water?"

He frowned at the shoreline, then inclined his head. "There is danger in the deep water, but I believe this is safe enough."

"Excellent. I need a bath after two days of traveling."

For the first time since the morning, the sparks returned to his eyes as his gaze drifted down her body. "I would be happy to assist."

She could feel her cheeks heating, but she did her best to give a casual shrug. "I might let you help me—if you can beat me there."

She caught a brief glimpse of his startled expression before she turned and raced towards the water. Of course he caught up with her almost immediately, but he was smiling at last.

After cautiously dipping her toes in the gentle waves that lapped at the shore, she plunged into the waves. The water was a little cooler than she would have preferred, but her body quickly adjusted as she happily dunked herself beneath the surface.

Hammy had followed them as well, but when a small wave covered his paws he squeaked indignantly, then retreated to a safe distance. Va'rik, on the other hand, plunged right in after her. She couldn't help but laugh at the shock on his face as he surfaced.

"Haven't you ever been swimming before?"

She immediately regretted asking the question, afraid that he would start worrying about the past again, but he only tilted his head thoughtfully.

"It is most curious. The movement of the water around my body feels almost familiar, and yet it has a strange intensity. It is as if it is caressing my body."

As he stood and stalked towards her, it was quite obvious the cool water had not affected his cock in the slightest. A shiver went down her spine, but from excitement not from cold, as he drew her into his arms.

"I reached the water first. That means I can bathe you."

"I don't know," she said teasingly. "I was the first one in the water."

He ran his hand across the strip of fabric that barely contained her breasts. Her nipples hardened, thrusting against the wet cloth. He stroked a thumb across one impudent peak and the warmth of his flesh against the cool damp fabric sent a spark of excitement straight to her clit.

"You should remove this so that I can wash you more thoroughly."

"You just want to see me naked."

"Always," he agreed. "But you are equally delightful when you are clothed. As long as I can see you, I am happy."

The sincerity in his voice took her breath away. He looked at her as if she was the most important thing in his world, and she could feel herself responding to that promise. But it won't last , she reminded herself. If relationships on Earth couldn't be trusted, what chance was there for a relationship between a woman and an alien, no matter how appealing he might be? They couldn't stay together.

But right now, there was sun and sea and a very desirable male. Acknowledging the physical attraction was easier to handle. She pressed against his hands, now cupping her breasts.

"I suppose we could take it off. But don't lose it," she added hastily as he immediately started tearing at the cloth. "I don't want to go naked all the time."

His hands slowed, and he carefully untied the strings holding her top and her loincloth, then carried them out of the water and spread them on the warm sand to dry. As he returned to her, the low rays of the sun gleamed on his deep lavender skin, his muscles rippling, and she didn't care any longer that their relationship was doomed to failure. She wanted him.

When he reached her side, she stepped even closer and put her arms around him. He seemed startled but returned her embrace, holding her against his warm, strong body as the waves undulated around their bodies.

"I cannot wash you like this," he said finally, and she smiled up at him.

"You can't really wash me anyway, can you? Unless you have a way to make soap in that complicated brain of yours?"

He tilted his head, then nodded. "There is a plant that?—"

She put a finger over his mouth. "That we should definitely try and find. But not now."

"You will no longer permit me to bathe you?"

His hands lingered on her skin as she took a step back, but he let her go.

"You couldn't do much more than this."

Cupping a handful of water, she let it trickle down over her breasts. Her nipples were already hard from cold and excitement, and the droplets gleamed in the afternoon sun as they caught on the tight little points. The purple fire glowed in his eyes as he watched, and she felt sensual. Beautiful.

"I have a better idea," she murmured and took his hand, leading him out of the water and pulling him down on the warm sand next to her.

"Yes, my mate?"

He looked so sincere that a flicker of guilt made her hesitate.

"I can't be your mate, Va'rik, but I want to be with you. To… have sex with you," she added quickly, before he could misinterpret. "Are you all right with that?'

He tilted his head the way he did when he was searching for the meaning of her words, and she felt even guiltier.

"You do know what sex is, don't you?"

"I understand the process." His eyes grew hotter. "And I believe I am familiar enough with your female parts to make the act enjoyable for you."

Her clit fluttered at the promise in his eyes, but she made herself continue the conversation.

"Have you had sex before?"

As soon as she asked, she realized that he probably wouldn't remember.

"I do not know, but if I had, it was not with you and it is unimportant."

She opened her mouth, but he put an effective end to her questions by bending over and kissing her, a hungry kiss that erased everything except desire from her brain.

For someone who didn't seem to remember kissing, he's a very quick learner , she thought dizzily when he finally raised his head. But then he lowered his mouth to her breasts and even that thought disappeared in pleasure. He licked and sucked until each peak was swollen and distended, then scraped them with his fangs in the way he had already discovered drove her crazy. Her body quivered on the verge of orgasm and he hadn't even touched her below the waist.

"Va'rik," she gasped.

He lifted his head and gave her his innocent, wicked smile. "Yes, my mate?"

"I want you inside me."

"You are sure? I am… larger than you."

Her stomach quivered with excitement—and the tiniest hint of nerves—but she nodded. "I'm sure."

He had her hips raised and the smooth, warm head of his cock at her entrance before she finished speaking. Despite his size, the rounded tip slipped inside easily enough, aided by the liquid arousal coating her channel, but as his shaft widened, she could feel the stretch. Then he pushed the first petaled ridge inside, and they both groaned.

Her body quivered, on the knife edge between pleasure and pain, and then she felt a rush of heat as he groaned again. She looked up and saw the tattoo on his chest glowing as he panted rapidly, his eyes closed. Oh . Her body ached with unfulfilled desire, but if he had never had sex before—or didn't remember having it—she couldn't blame him for not lasting longer. Maybe they could try again later…

His hips snapped forward, and a second, larger set of petals entered.

"I… I thought you climaxed," she whispered, as she clutched his shoulders, the sensations overwhelming her.

"I did." His eyes were open now, glowing with purple fire, and focused on her face with burning intensity. "Each row of petals will release its seed to prepare you for the next."

Prepare her? Before she could ask, she felt the heat inside her channel, causing her hips to move restlessly, eagerly. The threat of pain had vanished, leaving only an overwhelming fullness.

But then the rest of his words penetrated. "Seed? Can you get me pregnant?"

He tilted his head. "No, I?—"

A surprising pang of sorrow at his answer was buried beneath the urge to move. She wrapped her legs around his hips, trying to pull him closer, and then there was no more talking. Each time the heated seed erupted, her own need increased. As he pushed deeper, his petals fluttered against her channel, stroking her from the inside, and she had climaxed twice before he finally buried himself completely.

His tattoo was written in lines of purple fire as he raised his head and looked down at her.

"Now we begin."

A pleasant little aftershock quivered through her as he started to pull free. "Begin?"

He paused with just the tip of his cock at her entrance, then thrust his entire length inside with one long stroke, and she lost the capacity for rational thought. Fireworks exploded behind her eyes—purple fireworks—and all she could do was cling to him as climax after climax raced over her. He moved harder, faster, and then she heard him cry out her name as he buried himself one last time. His petals all expanded simultaneously, stretching, stroking, filling her completely, and her vision went black from the sheer intensity of her final climax.