1. Gatorly ever after

“Hello and welcome! On behalf of BeastlyConnections I warmly welcome you to our five star resort here on Bora 5, the first terraformed planet in Draco Majoris.” The chipper tour guide flashed her perfect white teeth at our group, and she waved around the hall. “My name is Isbel, and I will be your coordinator for the next three weeks. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the front desk or the number in your welcome package.”

She raised a bright green binder, its cover embossed with ‘Ticket to Love’ in curly gold letters in the air.

Each of us was holding an identical map we’d received shortly before our shuttle’s arrival at Kopra Airport, Bora Five’s international terminal.

I’d read it on the drive here and had been surprised by their attention to detail and the meticulous planning involved in their MarriageMissions.

The resort itself in Lotus Point, a small town at the top of a peninsula reaching far into the Tranquil Waters, was all splendour and sparkle.

All the Canidite—one of the rarest stones in the entire universe—had been imported from Proxima Perseus, an up-and-coming galaxy in the seventh quadrant. Or Quadrant three point two as it was officially called.

They’d been added once people had realised the universe was way bigger than they thought.

Infinity is a tough concept to grasp, apparently.

But I wasn’t here for the tacky stone floors and walls. I had signed up with BeastlyConnections to get…help. I had a great job, great friends, and a way too full schedule. What I didn’t have was a partner, or time to look for one.

This was no ordinary resort; it was a dating pool crammed with people like me: young professionals who sacrificed most of their year’s holiday allowance to find a soulmate.

‘Three weeks from meet-cute to marriage’ sounded crazy when I first heard it, but BeastlyConnections had convincing marketing.

Which is why I was standing in this overdone entrance hall that looked like something one of the eccentric new money guys from my home planet might have appreciated.

So far, nobody from the group arriving in the shuttle from Palea had caught my eye.

Okay, not true.

The lizard across from me was attractive enough, but I didn’t like the arrogant little sneer he regarded our tour guide with.

He looked bored and annoyed, as if he wasn’t here on his own accord. Perhaps he fancied himself a bit of a distraction from his day-to-day life and was mainly here to fuck.

Expensive way to get laid, but hey. You do you, buddy.

Making a mental note to keep away from him, I turned my focus back on Isbel, catching the last of her speech.

“…you have plenty of time to freshen up and have a look around before dinner tonight. We are delighted to have you with us. Best of luck with your MarriageMission! Thank you!”

Her chipper voice elicited sparse applause from the crowd.

Then we dispersed toward the twenty lifts at the far end of the atrium.

I hung back a little, pretending to inspect the replica of a Roman fountain with a stone Faun on a plinth. Water poured from his ears and flute and—I felt my face heat—his dick.

Classy.

Lizard guy was still hanging around by the time I trotted over to the lift.

“Hey.”

“Hi.” I gave him a quick smile, keeping my eyes on a spot to his left.

“I’m Rodrick. You were on the shuttle, too.”

It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t bother answering him.

“What’s your name?”

Persistent.

“Alyce.”

“Nice to meet you.” He took a step closer. “You don’t want to talk to me, right?”

“That’s usually why people don’t respond to questions, yes.”

He snorted. “Can I ask why? Just so I know for future reference?”

Snarky and expecting free emotional labor from a woman. Definitely not my type.

“I am not interested in anything casual while I’m here. I’m on my MarriageMission,” I repeated, sounding embarrassingly like their TV commercial.

“Understood. Please forgive me for wasting your time. I thought I had found a confidante in you.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “You were bored with the speech, too.”

My gaze snapped up to his face as anger flared up in me.

“I wasn’t bored!” The fight somehow evaporated when our eyes met.

I shouldn’t have left my glasses at home out of vanity.

He looked much more attractive up close. Unusual, yes, but that was more because of my circle of friends than his appearance. I also realised he was an archosauromorphus, yes. A Dreilos, an alligator hybrid, and magnificent.

Most of my friends were, or could easily pass as, human. I wasn’t used to different species, and definitely not to reptilian people.

Rodrick’s kind eyes crinkled with a smile.

How is that even possible with scaly skin?

“I wasn’t bored,” I repeated. “I was just appalled by the tacky decor.”

“Ha, gotcha,” he snorted, before waving me into the elevator with an exaggerated hand gesture. “What’s your floor?”

“Six.” I could have lied, but what was the point? We’d gotten off to a poor start, and I’d been a prejudiced ass.

Time to suck it up, buttercup.

“Care to go exploring together for a bit?” he asked as our elevator snailed up to our floor.

I’d made it clear I wasn’t interested in any casual relationship while I was here, hadn’t I?

“Yes, you did.” He smirked at me. “And no, you didn’t say it out loud. Human faces are expressive. I am going to have a look around, and it’s much less awkward if you have someone to talk to.”

“Okay, I’ll go get changed. Meet you back in the atrium in twenty minutes?”

What did I have to lose?

Seeing you with Rodrick could mess with your hopes of finding your soul mate.

But I was prepared to risk it.

Rodrick had changed, too. He wore a crisp white shirt and athletic shorts that somehow fit him well, a pair of sunglasses tucked into his pocket.

He’s got cute feet.

“Ready?” His smirk was starting to get to me.

You can’t lose track now! He’s attractive enough, but you’re on your MarriageMission!

“Yes. Where to first?”

“How about we check out the beach first? Black Coral Beach is supposed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the galaxy.”

We strolled across the hall and out onto the grounds. Wide paved paths crisscrossed throughout the vast garden. They laid in the shades of palm trees in various hues of green and purple.

“It’s really pretty here, isn’t it?”

“It is,” he affirmed. “Out here at least. I’m really not a fan of the decor.”

“Me neither. Did you see the fountain in the atrium?”

“The faun? My goodness, yes. That’s so last century.” Rodrick huffed. “And not in a good way.”

“Right?”

Our conversation trailed off again.

“Can I ask you why you’re here, Alyce? I know you’re on your MarriageMission,” he quoted what I had told him earlier. “But…why?”

“I want to get married,” I said shortly.

He said nothing, but took a deep breath in. I saw why.

We’d arrived at Black Coral Beach, a fine charcoal beach with the clearest water I had ever seen lapping at its shore.

“Wow,” I breathed.

“It’s beautiful,” he affirmed.

When I turned around to see his reaction, I found him staring at me.

“What?”

“Nothing. Want to walk down to the water?”

Instead of an answer, I jumped on the spot and ran.

I didn’t need to check to see that he was following me. His pounding footsteps were getting closer.

He caught up with me at the edge of the Tranquil Sea, laughing freely as we splashed through the warm water.

We played a game of tag for a few minutes before collapsing in the dark sand, both laughing hard and thoroughly out of breath.

“Oh my,” he wheezed. “I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun.”

“Me neither,” I admitted quietly.

We stayed on the beach for a while longer, lounging in the shade of a clump of bushes. Neither he nor I made any more attempts to make conversation. Silence with Rodrick wasn’t uncomfortable at all.

It was great to simply be in the moment and listen to the waves, watch the birds and other people enjoying the evening.

“Alyce?” he eventually asked me when the pink sun in the sky was low on the horizon.

“Yes?” I blinked my eyes open slowly, giving him a lazy smile.

“Will you join me for dinner tonight?” He cocked his massive, green head, and I got momentarily lost in the reflection of my face in his eyes.

“Yeah, sure,” I said without hesitation, only a little irritated by the flutter in my chest when his face split into a radiant smile.

He helped me get up and together we made our way back to the hotel.

“I’ll see you in”—Rod perused his expensive watch—“half an hour?”

“Perfect.”

Exactly thirty minutes later I left my room, feeling presentable in a mauve coloured dress with kitten heels, and my hair up in a loose bun.

Rodrick was already waiting for me, and he did a double take when he saw me.

“You look great,” he said, his voice a deep rumble.

“Thank you. So do you.” He did. In dark blue pants and a white buttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing muscular forearms.

My eyes kept hanging on him while we made our way down to the restaurant, where we sat down at a small table for two.

Damn. How am I supposed to meet other people when it’s always just him and me?

I needed to put myself out there tomorrow. Sit with others, join group activities. No-one really caught my eye though. Sure, some were kind of nice looking, but they were not interesting to me at all.

“Today’s dinner is à la carte,” Rodrick said, grabbing a fancy menu. “I asked the server,” he added with a tiny wink at my puzzled face.

“I think I’ll have the grilled black Acul. What about you?”

I hummed, perusing my menu. The Acul, a large fish native to the Tranquil Sea, did sound great.

“The same. With a Thonus Blanc.”

“Choosing a wine with my food always overwhelms me,” he admitted with a chuckle. So cute.

“You should get the Thonus. They have last year’s. That was a great vintage. My parents own a vineyard on Palea,” I explained when he gave me a puzzled look. You’re not the only one who can express others, darling.

“Oh, really? That’s amazing. And hot.” He threw me a charming smile over the table, and my face heated. What the heck?

I wasn’t into him at all, but I couldn’t deny that Rodrick was smoking hot in his own way. He had beautiful eyes, warm and rich like honey. His powerful build and the green scales made him infinitely more interesting than pretty much any of the other people around. And he’s funny, smart, and so adorable.

“Hmm, I don’t know,” I deflected his words, then turned to the server who had approached our table.

“Hello! What can I get you?” they asked in the same chipper tone as our tour guide from earlier.

“Hi. I’ll have the grilled Acul and the Thonus, please.” Their face lightened even more, something I had thought impossible.

“That’s a fantastic choice! What about you, sir?”

“I’ll have the same as the lady,” the huge Dreilos rumbled, his eyes fixed on me. “Make that a bottle of wine, please.”

“Certainly. I’ll be back shortly with your drinks.”

“Thank you.” He still didn’t look away from me, the warm yellow eyes boring into mine.

Rod watched as the server decanted the wine and presented me with the first sip.

“Is the wine to your liking, madam?” they asked with a little bow.

“It’s great, yes.”

They smiled happily and filled both our glasses.

“Wow, I have to say I never knew that oenophilia was this hot.” He grinned and raised his glass to me.

“You make it sound so dirty.” I returned the grin, enjoying to have a man looking at me like that. It’s been way too long.

“Oh, that’s nothing, princess.” He gave me a wink of his lidless eye, toasted me with his wine, and drank.

Before I could even begin to think about what to say to that term of endearment, our server arrived with the food.

“That was an excellent choice, Alyce,” Rodrick said when we had both cleared our plates. “Fucking delicious.”

Oh my Goodness, the way he licked his lips made my whole body flush with heat.

What’s wrong with me?

“Can I ask you what you do in your life out there?” I asked him, needing to change the topic. Rod leaned back in his chair, his half full glass of wine in hand, his dress shirt tightening over his torso and exposing a broad chest to me.

Is it hot in here?

“I work for my family’s business. I’m in charge of the business investment side of things.”

That could mean literally anything.

“Do you enjoy your work?” I inquired, topping my glass up with the water we had ordered.

“It’s okay.” He shrugged his broad shoulders, then tilted his head slightly to the side. “What?”

“I don’t know…nothing, but…” I pursed my lips at him. Rodrick’s eyes dropped heavily down to my mouth. Stop it! “You looked sad when you said it. And I didn’t like that at all.”

“You don’t like seeing people sad?”

“I don’t like seeing you sad,” I muttered.

Next morning, I put on my swimsuit and a loose fitting dress on top, packed a towel and sunscreen in my bag, and made my way down to breakfast.

I knew I should have attempted to sit at anyone’s table, but this early in the morning, I was best left alone.

Once I’d chosen a small table in the back next to a huge window front looking out at the resort, I wandered through the rows of tables laden with food, choosing whatever tickled my fancy.

I returned to grab a pot of coffee and had just bowed over a tray with little milk jugs, when someone spoke behind me.

“Good morning, Alyce.” His voice, raspy with sleep, travelled the length of my spine and spread through my core, making my nerve endings tingle with excitement.“Did you sleep well?”

“Rodrick, hi.” I turned and gave him a small hug.

Wow, where did that come from?

He stiffened for a moment, then cupped my shoulder blade and hugged me back.

“Uh, I did,” I said hurriedly to gloss over the awkwardness of the moment. “What about you?”

“Wonderful. Care to have some company for breakfast, or would you rather I left you alone?”

It was such a considerate gesture that I couldn’t help but smile. “No, I’m sitting by the window. Join me.”

It was only now that I realised his hand was still resting on my back. Apparently, so did Rodrick.

“Right,” he took it away, clearing his throat loudly, and strolled off to get his food.

“So, what are your plans for the day?” Rod asked me when he’d sat down with his own tray laden with a ketogenic breakfast. Zero carbs, I should have known.

“I might go exploring for a bit. The brochure said the village was a lovely spot to check out.” His gaze hung on my mouth again when I licked my spoon clean, then he hummed noncommittally.

“What about you? Any plans or are you going to hang out by the pool all day?” I bet it will take about three minutes for someone to pick you when you’re in swim shorts.

“Oh no, that sounds like my worst nightmare. All those people.” He shuddered.

“Why don’t you come to the village with me?” I said before I had any hopes of stopping my runny mouth. “There will be people, too, I suppose,” I went straight into rambling mode. Let’s give him a way out of this.

“Yes, but I’ll have you to protect me from them.” Rod took a sip of his coffee, throwing me a look over the rim of his cup that had me flush all over again.

“Good, I’ll go up to my room to change and—”

“Not on my account.” His expression took on a feral note, as if he was seconds away from eating me.

I’d let you, darling. Oh God! Groaning inwardly at my unhinged thoughts, I emptied my coffee, and got up. “I…uh…I just don’t want to get a sunburn. Meet you back in the entrance hall in half an hour?”

“Can’t wait,” he told me with a hot af half smile before clearing off his plate.

I ran from the dining hall, escaped into the elevator, and barricaded myself in my room. With my back to the door, I took a few steadying breaths. You can’t get distracted by him, Alyce. You are here to find your soul mate.

But why did everything in me stray back to Rodrick over and over again? Did I really need it this bad?

I carefully picked an outfit that didn’t say ‘Please screw me within an inch of my life’ and promptly bumped into Rod on the way back to the elevator.

“Ready to go on an adventure?” he asked me, surveying me from under his aviator sunglasses.

“I am.” Your bed or mine? That backwards hat, together with his shades, really isn’t fair.

We spent the day in the little village, buying silly souvenirs. Rod had the time of his life picking out the most outrageous fridge magnets for me after I confessed to him I bought one wherever I went on vacation. I didn’t tell him I hardly ever went anywhere because my job kept me too busy.

In the end, I had about thirty, ranging from cute to just plain weird. Would I put these up on my fridge when I got home, in the new place my future soul mate and I shared? Or would they only serve as a reminder of something that could have been great but wasn’t meant to be?

By our second morning, we automatically chose the same table at breakfast and made plans for what to do with the day ahead of us.

That I was here to find my soulmate and future life partner hovered on the edges of my mind. Of course, I knew subconsciously that I should try to meet other people, but even after exploring the little town and another beach with him, I had yet to see anyone who interested me.

“Good morning, Alyce,” his low voice rumbled next to my ear as he leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Did you sleep well?”

I remembered the wet, fevered dream I’d had of him and me frolicking on the beach and felt my cheeks heat. “Not too bad, thanks. What about you?”

“I was up half the night.” He yawned widely, and my eyes hung on his thick, muscular tongue for a moment. “I need coffee. Want one, too?”

“Yeah,” I breathed. He was gone before I could instruct him on my order, and I was shocked to see him return with a pot of black coffee and the extra fat milk I preferred.

“What?” he asked, following my eyes down to the little tray he had placed in front of me. “That’s what you get, isn’t it?”

“It is. Yeah, thanks,” I said weakly.

“What’s on the agenda today?” he asked me over his own black coffee.

“Mmm, I got this map of the area yesterday.” I spread it out between us on the table and pointed to a little dent in the coastline that had caught my eye. “This here looks interesting.”

“I probably wouldn’t have noticed this,” he chuckled. “I’m amazed by your perceptiveness.” His warm eyes rested heavily on me for a moment. “How about we take a picnic with us and then go exploring?”

We reached the spot after about an hour of the funniest hikes of my life. Unlike me, Rod had traveled a lot in his life, and he told hilarious stories about his adventures.

The tale of how he got stranded in the middle of nowhere in a tropical land on Palea had me in stitches.

“Oh Goddess, stop it,” I wheezed, sobering up briefly but breaking down in laughter again when I imagined him in a tiny hammock in the jungle.

“It wasn’t funny,” he said, trying his best to look stern but failing spectacularly. “You try sleeping in a kid’s hammock.”

We both giggled, but stopped when we saw what we had found. A tiny steep path led from the pink cliffs down to another black sand beach that glittered in the early morning sunlight.

“Alyce, I think you have found us a gem. Come on!” Rod set out on the path, always staying ahead of me.

We had walked for a few minutes when the path suddenly did a ninety-degree turn and I faced the yawning abyss before me.

“Okay, I don’t like this,” I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut and plastering my back to the rock face of the cliff. “I don’t think I can go on. Oh, Goddess.”

“Hey.” A gentle hand brushed down from my shoulder to take hold of my hand. The little fluttering in the pit of my stomach almost overshadowed my fear. “Do you want to turn around? We don’t have to do this.” He squeezed my fingers.

“Yes, no, I don’t know. I’m scared.”

You sound like a child, Alyce.

“It’s okay to be scared. Will you let me help you?”

“Okay?”

His powerful arm took hold of me. “I’ll guide you through this,” he told me in a low, soothing rumble. “Trust me, okay? I’ll not let anything bad happen to you.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

Keeping a firm hold on me, and murmuring little nothings under his breath, he walked me down to the beach. I kept my eyes mostly closed and let him lead me.

This feels like a trust exercise.

And not once did he let me stumble, or bump into anything.

“Thank you, Alyce,” he whispered when at last the ground under our feet changed from rock to sand. “Wow. Look at it.”

The little dent in the coastline turned out to be a gorgeous cove. The two suns glittered on water so blue it had to be against the law, and from here it looked like the water remained shallow for ages, which would make it bathtub temperature, I guessed.

We were the only ones here.

“I don’t know why anyone would choose to drink by the pool over this.” I looked around at Rod, surprised.

“I have no idea. Thank you for helping me get down here.”

“You’re welcome.” Rod kicked off his shoes and spread the blanket we had brought. Before I could brace myself, he curled thick fingers in the hem of his shirt and lifted it up over his head.

Whatever deity is listening, have mercy on me.

I had sort of guessed what he hid under his crisp shirts, but seeing him in all his glory was… Wow…

Thick strands of muscle corded under his scaly green skin. It lightened at the ones over his heart and the ones disappearing under the waistband of his shorts. Don’t look at his dick, Alyce!

Pointedly looking elsewhere, I took off my dress. Maybe a dip in the sea would help me get my head on straight.

Probably not. With my back half turned, I hadn’t noticed Rod taking off his athletic shorts. He had on swim shorts I thought were loose fit, but they clung to his thighs like a second skin. And to his ass. And the sizeable bulge pressing to the fabric.

“Are you going to come swimming with me?” he asked me in a raspy voice.

“Yeah, of course,” I croaked. I hope the water is ice cold.

It was wonderful and warm, and so shallow Rod eventually had to sit down on the sandy ground to submerge himself at least up to his pecs.

I swam over to him, only realising that I was way too close when he stood back up. A green, scaly, giant creature of the sea…and me.

Our eyes locked. Like in a movie, Rod’s arms plucked me off my feet and brought me up to his broad chest. His honey-coloured gaze flooded my senses, and one gentle hand cupped the back of my neck, tilting my face to align it to his.

Then a warm mouth was on mine, saltwater mingling with his unique taste as a rough tongue begged for entry. I moaned, my arms coming around his neck to get closer, to get more of him. Anything.

When we broke apart, both breathing heavily, he carefully stood me back on the ground, and hurriedly waded back to the beach, keeping his back firmly on me.

I stayed in the water for a while longer, trying to give him time to put his mask back on and myself time to pick up my pieces. I was in disarray. Who was I kidding? Of course I was attracted to him, but I wanted someone for whom I wasn’t just a quick fuck on vacation, more than a holiday fling. I wanted to be everything to someone. For once in my life, I wanted it all. The swooping stomach, the fluttering in my chest, the heat, and the calm, and a home. Maybe even a family, however that might look.

We made the way back in almost complete silence. Shit, shit, shit.

Our kiss replayed in a loop in my head. Our wet bodies pressed together, his tongue in my mouth. That groan. That stupid groan when I had stroked his rough tongue with mine.

When we arrived at the resort, I hung back at the gate. I couldn’t go up in an elevator with him. There’s no way I have enough self control not to end up in his room.

“I suppose we should check out the pool at some point. Uh, I think I’ll go now.”

“Do you want me to come with you, or do you need me to stay away?” he asked in a low voice. His cheek had evaporated. Rod seemed like a shell of himself. I hated it. Wanted charming, funny Rodrick back, but really, this was healthier for both of us.

“No, please.” It’s a free planet.

Within minutes, we’d found two recliners next to a small group of people. They were eager to introduce themselves to me. Maianna, Pavel, and whatever their names were. They didn’t matter. None of them interested me in the slightest, and I felt like the biggest asshole on the planet.

Rod struck up a conversation with them while I stared ahead. I’d said I wanted to check out the pool, but leaving him alone with the group was out of the question.

You are a jealous bitch. Let him have fun and keep your eyes on your goal!

It was only when I was almost dying of thirst, in more than one way, that I got up. “I’ll go get us drinks. Do you want one?”

He looked around, one eyebrow arching slightly in surprise. “Yes, thank you.”

I waved him off when he shoved a hand into his shorts to get some money.

“I got you.” His eyes followed me over to the bar, and I tried so hard to keep cool and not give him the satisfaction and look back.

Our eyes met again. Shit. His face remained impassive, but fixed on me until Maianna addressed him, and his eyes left me to focus on her.

Seeing Rodrick laugh at the other woman’s joke made me see red. Stalking over so forcefully some of our drinks sloshed over my hands, I made a beeline for him and plopped down on his lap.

“Here’s your drink, baby.” I pushed the glass into his hand without meeting his eyes.

Maianna’s face stayed impassive, her raised eyebrow the only outward sign of her amusement. But I thought she gave me the tiniest hint of a smile when I shot her an apologetic glance.

Sorry sister, this seat’s taken.

Rodrick remained frozen for almost an entire minute before clearing his throat loudly. “Thanks…princess.” Taking a sip, he casually rested his hand on my hip, pulling me closer to his broad chest.

“As I was saying, Alyce and I have been exploring the resort for the past few days and found ourselves in a beautiful little cove just this morning,” he continued their conversation, making it sound as if we’d explored way more than the cute hidden beach.

My face heated with embarrassment at my behaviour. He was talking about me?

Getting up would have been an even more painful blow to my ego, so I stayed put, increasingly aware of the hard ridge digging into my ass.

The others eventually left us to ‘cuddle’ in peace.

“Thank you for saving me from making a fool of myself,” he rumbled in my ear.

“What?” Shit, my voice sounded so squeaky.

“Imagine if I flashed my hard dick at the entire pool party.” A low humming sound travelled from his chest through my body. “Baby,” he added with a raspy chuckle. “You’re so hot when you’re jealous, Alyce.”

“I’m not jealous. She wasn’t your type.”

“You’re right. She wasn’t.” He didn’t elaborate further, but kept me in his lap for at least another hour.

“I’ll go back to my room for a bit, to get ready for the evening,” I told him eventually when I couldn’t stay for another minute without jumping his body.

“Mmm, good idea.” Rodrick stood me on my feet, then got up from the recliner, casually grabbing his towel and holding it before his still rock hard dick.

He’s coming with me?

“I am,” he smirked, again reading my face. “There’s no way I’m staying here without you preserving my dignity.”

With everyone still at the pool or out somewhere, the entrance hall was deserted. Neither Rodrick nor I spoke a word as the elevator took us up to our floor.

“Can we talk for a moment, Alyce?” he asked me quietly when we arrived outside my door.

“You don’t just want to talk to me,” I groaned.

And neither do I.

“No,” he admitted with a low chuckle, “but I’ll be a good boy and keep my hands to myself.”

“Okay,” I breathed, unlocking the door with my key card.

He followed me inside and waited until I closed the door, dropping his towel on a side table.

Then his eyes met mine.

Don’t look at his dick.

“Why did you get mad when I talked to Maianna?”

“I wasn’t mad.” Rolling my eyes, I tried to turn away, but he stopped me with a hand on my forearm.

“No,” he muttered, taking half a step closer. “You weren’t mad. You were fucking livid. Ready to tear me to shreds.”

His hot smirk made goosebumps erupt all over my body.

“We both know you’re not interested in any of them!” I shouted, tears spilling out of my eyes.

Rodrick took another step closer to me. “I’m not. And neither are you.”

“No,” I whispered. “I want the one person here who didn’t come to find their true love.”

“Alyce!” His voice rumbled like thunder in the distance. “It’s true I didn’t come here to get married. I let myself get talked into this by my family. ‘You can’t stay single forever’”, he imitated someone’s voice. “But can’t you see everything changed when I met you?”

Rod was right before me, hitching his thumb under my chin and tilting it up.

“I want you, Alyce. All of you and only you.” His other hand grabbed my hip and pulled me to the hard planes of his body.

“Don’t cry, little pet. I might not be what you wanted, but you think so yourself, I just know it. I might be what you need.”

“I never thought you’d want more than just sex, and I hated myself for not being able to stay away from you, trying to find my soulmate, but...”

“You already found it,” he murmured, kissing the tears off my face.

“Yes.”

There was a moment of hesitation before we pounced on each other and desperately tore off the clothes we’d thrown over our skimpy bathing costumes.

His thick tongue in my mouth, the firm grip he had on me, they made my body sing for him. I needed him so badly it hurt.

When he had both of us naked, the shredded remains of our clothes littered the floor. Rod picked me up and gently spread me out on the bed.

For a moment, his eyes roamed my body with an intensity that I felt like he was already touching me.

“My sweet pet. So perfect.” He choked on the words and then sat down next to me, trailing his smooth fingers over my skin.

He brushed my breasts, and my nipples, down over my stomach and between my legs.

Finally!

“Mmm,” he rumbled. “So wet, little pet. You really need a good dicking, don’t you?” He rubbed me with his hand, spreading my arousal around my pussy.

“Fuck yes,” I groaned, arching my head back. The tiny scales on his fingers felt so fucking good on my clit.

“I’m tested and take the pill,” he rasped.

“Tested, too.” Oh my goodness, I was so close to coming already. How is this possible?

“I still don’t understand why you even came here, sweet pet. You could have had anyone.” He kept stroking my clit as he moved between my legs.

My eyes fell on his hard dick. He was bright red with a maw-like opening at the bulbous head and a tongue-like appendage protruding from it.

Oh my Goddess.

“But I’m glad you did, Alyce. I’m so glad I met you. I will serve this sweet pussy of yours until my final breath.”

He notched the tip at my core, and it slid in easily, slick as it was with his natural lubricant.

“Rod, oh fuck,” I gasped at the feel of him stretching me. His dick was massive, and the lube made my nerves tingle with anticipation.

Is this stuff aphrodisiac?

When he was seated in me, I almost keeled off the bed. The mouth latched onto my g-spot, sucking and flicking me rhythmically.

“Baby, what’s happening?” My voice sounded as desperate as I felt. I was flying and falling at the same time as he thrust hard into my pussy, creating a pull on my most sensitive spot I knew would tip me over the edge any minute now.

“I’m making you mine, pet,” he grunted, his face tense and his voice constricted. “I’m claiming you in the way of my people. Your sweet womb will overflow with my seed.”

The sucking intensified, and I plunged into more pleasure than I had ever known. My body dissolved, bursting at the seams as light flooded through me. It blinded me, left me unseeing and slack under his enormous body.

Gripping my knees with his hands, he threw his head back and with one last deep thrust filled me with spurt after spurt of hot cum.

His dick unlatched from my flesh, pulsing faintly but not softening at all.

Rod noticed me looking.

“I’m always ready for you, my sweet pet. You say the word and I will breed you. Over and over again.” Leaning down, Rodrick pressed a gentle kiss on my lips. “And if you want me to, I will make beautiful little babies with you and worship every inch of your body. If you let me, I will worship the ground beneath your feet, Alyce.”

His blunt nose trailed down my throat and he started placing licking kisses on the sweaty skin between my breasts. The low, satisfied rumble in his chest was almost a purr.

“I’ll let you,” I groaned, palming the nape of his neck to keep him close. “But only if you allow me to do the same.”

Rod hummed appreciatively and slowly slid his dick out of me. Another groan, louder this time, came over my lips.

I clenched at the absence of his girth stretching me.

“So hungry, pet.” He slipped two fingers inside me, pulled them out, and held them up. My arousal clung to his skin, coating his scales. “Do you see how wet your greedy pussy is for me?” He slowly—obscenely—spread his index and middle finger, showing me the slick threads connecting them.

“So gorgeous, Alyce.” With the same purr he’d uttered before, Rodrick stuck his fingers in his mouth and licked them clean, humming with delight at my taste.

“Oh my goodness, Rod. You can’t,” I gasped, mortified by his obvious delight.

“You’re right,” he rumbled in a deep, grovelling voice. “I should enjoy you directly from the source. Do you agree?”

“From the source?” I asked in a squeaky voice, distracted by his lips wandering lower over my stomach, gently nipping at my skin.

“Yes, my sweet pet. I want to lick your pussy until you scream for me. You’ll taste of me.” He hummed, his chin resting on my mound, and the vibration traveled through my core.

“Do I have your permission?”

“Granted.” I tried to clear my dry throat, but the word got stuck halfway up my airways.

“Thank you, Alyce.” Rodrick raised his head and gently kissed the skin over my womb.

A broad, muscular tongue ran over my pussy in long, firm licks. The rough texture made me scream his name after mere moments.

For a moment, I felt bad for the other guests, but then nothing else mattered to me anymore. Nothing but Rod tongue-fucking me, slurping up our combined messes, not a single thing but him dragging his scaly nose over my clit.

“Yes! Rodrick, baby, yes!” I chanted, grinding my core against his snout.

A sob escaped me when my climax broke, and I crashed down into the mattress. I hadn’t even realised I had arched high off the bed as I had been riding his face.

With a wide, elated grin on his face, he surfaced, resting his bulk next to me. Oh my dear, the usually dry scales of his snout glistened with my wetness.

“You look beautiful when you come, Alyce. I can’t wait to see this every day for the rest of my life.”

THE END