Chapter 12

H'zim's boots pounded over the mossy forest floor as he chased after Kara, his long strides eating up the distance between them. Although he was frustrated by his own weakness in allowing her to get under his skin, he was also amused by her sudden burst of independence - not to mention aroused by the tantalizing glimpses of her luscious yellow-clad form darting through the trees. The conflicting emotions warred within him, but his legs kept moving, driven by the urge to catch her.

As he gained on her, he found himself noticing the way her red hair flew behind her like a trail of fire and the way her laughter echoed through the air, infectious and carefree. Fuck, she was perfect. He'd been holding back, resisting the pull between them because he didn't think it was fair to her to begin a relationship when he still intended to carry out his plan of revenge. But the more time he spent with her, the more he began to hope that perhaps, just perhaps, he could return to her afterwards. That maybe he could find a way to reconcile his need for vengeance with his growing feelings for this vibrant, captivating human.

He cornered her in a small clearing, her back pressed against a huge boulder. She watched him warily, but there was a mischievous glint in her eye, and he felt his resolve weakening further.

"You're not going anywhere," he growled, trying to sound stern but failing miserably.

She gave him a slow, provocative smile.

"Oh, I think I am," she said, her voice husky and challenging. "Unless you can catch me."

She feinted right, then left, and although he matched her movements, she was fast enough to slip past him again.

Their laughter echoed through the trees, mingling with the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds. For a moment, he forgot about his past, forgot about his revenge, and simply enjoyed the thrill of the chase. The thrill of being alive.

He almost had her, his hands outstretched to grab her, when his foot slipped on a slick rock crossing the stream. He cursed as he landed on one knee, water soaking through his pant leg. By the time he regained his footing, she'd vanished into the trees.

Undeterred, he took off again, scanning the landscape for any sign of her. He reached the abandoned farm next to his, his eyes scouring the overgrown fields and dilapidated buildings. A faint rustling noise caught his attention, and he sprinted towards the barn, bursting through the doors with a loud bang.

Instead of Kara, a naked purple male crouched in front of a tiny, fragile looking blonde. He didn't recognize the woman but the male was Kalpar, one of the members of his former squad.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" he demanded.

He didn't like them here so close to his land, especially with Kara alone and unprotected.

"Godsdammit, H'zim, you almost got a knife through your heart."

"No, I didn't,"he snapped. "You were too busy mating to pay attention."

Kalpar's voiceturned low and dangerous.

"How long have you been here?"

"Too long. I was looking for—"

He decided it was none of Kalpar's business and ordered them to leave. Kalpar immediately took offense and threatened to claim the abandoned farm. He didn't really believe him but he still hated the idea. And even though he trusted Kalpar as much as he trusted anyone other than his brother, he didn't like the idea of another male so close to his unprotected female.

He ordered them to leave, then turned and strode out of the barn, his mind already racing ahead. He decided to retrace his steps, moving more slowly this time, his senses alert for any sign of her.

As he approached the stream where he'd lost her, he spotted a flash of yellow fabric disappearing into the trees. His heart kicked into high gear, and he took off after her, no longer tempering his speed, his determination to find her and keep her safe driving him on.

He kept his eyes fixed on the yellow dress fluttering ahead of him as he pursued her. His pulse pounded in his temples, his body coiled with tension. He'd had enough of chasing her, enough of denying himself the one thing he wanted most.

As he burst through a thick patch of underbrush, he spotted her, her back against a towering tree, her chest heaving with laughter. His vision narrowed, his focus solely on the spark of mischief in her eyes. He'd had enough of her teasing, enough of her games.

In two strides, he'd covered the distance between them, his arms wrapping around her like steel bands. Her eyes widened, her laughter dying on her lips as he pinned her against the tree, his mouth crashing down on hers.

His kiss was a force of nature, a torrent of pent-up desire and frustration. He claimed her mouth, demanded her surrender, and she gave it to him. Her hands fluttered against his chest, but he wouldn't be deterred. He'd waited too long for this, denied himself for too long.

Her body arched against his, her fingers curling into his shirt and trying to pull him closer. He obliged, pressing her back against the tree as he deepened the kiss. His hands roamed her body, urgent and demanding, and she urged him on with soft, eager cries.

As his lips moved to the soft skin of her neck, his fingers sought the hem of her dress, and he pushed it up, baring her thighs. He pushed his hand between her legs, seeking the soft, wet heat he found there, and her breath hitched as he ran a thick, demanding finger through her swollen folds.

Her gasp was music to his ears, her body trembling beneath his touch. His mouth never left hers as he stroked her, as he found the spot that made her entire body quiver against him. Keeping his thumb on that spot he found the small, sweet entrance to her channel, the slick wetness easing his way as he thrust his finger inside the narrow passage.

"H'zim!"

His name on her lips was like an erotic prayer, her head thrown back, her fingers digging into his shoulders, but he didn't stop, stroking her mercilessly until she shuddered against him, her inner walls rippling around him as she came with a low, keening cry.

He didn't stop, stroking her through another climax, and then another until her body was so limp he didn't think she'd be able to stand on her own.

"Better?" he asked as he finally gentled his touch, and her eyelids fluttered open.

"Much better. I should have run from you a week ago."

"I hope you don't intend to do it again."

"Not as long as you keep doing that."

She gave him her usual sweet, mischievous smile and his heart did an odd little flip.

"It will be my pleasure," he said solemnly, then scooped her up in his arms as she laughed.

He carried her back to the house, limp and satisfied in his arms. A soft smile played on her lips as she gazed up at him and he couldn't help but return the smile, his heart still racing from their encounter.

When they reached the house, he carried her straight to the bedroom, his strides long and purposeful. He placed her on her feet long enough to strip the yellow dress over her head, then lifted her onto the bed, his hands lingering on her skin as he settled her into the pillows. Her eyes drifted open as he paused to admire the creamy skin and the lush curves, her freckles like a map of pleasure. He traced a line from a spray on her chest to a cute little cluster on her stomach.

"I want to kiss every single one of those."

Her laughter was low and throaty.

"That's a tall order."

"One I'm happy to undertake."

He trailed his lips along her jaw and down her neck, then started working his way across her shoulders, dropping a kiss on each individual freckle. He continued his journey down her chest, nibbling his way across her skin as he lingered on her breasts, his lips tracing lazy circles around the taut, dusky peaks.

She sighed happily, her hands weaving through his hair as he lavished her with attention. But when he moved even lower, she tensed, her eyes widening.

"What are you doing?"

"Something I should have done a week ago."

She stared at him blankly until he parted her knees, pushing her legs apart to expose her pink, glistening core.

"Oh," she said faintly.

"Oh," he agreed.

He lowered his head and let his tongue trace a leisurely path along her inner thigh, enjoying her soft, muffled moan of pleasure. As he kissed and licked and explored her sensitive skin, she arched her hips, silently urging him on.

It was a request he was happy to accommodate. He spread her knees even wider, exposing her swollen sex and the delicate, pink nub just begging to be tasted. He lowered his head, taking his first, exquisite taste of her, and she let out a long trembling sigh. He was only getting started.

He swirled his tongue over her delicate flesh, finding the rhythm that made her buck against his mouth and repeating it until she was gasping. He slid one big hand between her thighs, parting her gently. His lips closed over her clit as he worked one thick finger inside her, and then another, stretching her slowly as she whimpered.

"Please," she moaned, her hips rocking against his hand.

Her husky plea drove him on. He growled, the sound vibrating against her heated flesh, and then he began to pump his fingers, his mouth relentlessly demanding until she cried out, her body shuddering helplessly.

He stayed between her legs, prolonging her orgasm until she was weak and breathless, her body flushed and languid. Only then did he rise, standing back to look at her. She was perfect, her face flushed, her red hair flowing across the pillow, her legs slightly parted to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of her rosy center.

His cock surged with need but he ignored it, joining her on the bed and pulling her into his arms.

"I'm glad you caught me," she said, her voice sleepy and content.

"I'm glad you ran."

She laughed softly and then she was asleep in his arms. He settled her against him, then looked out into the night and smiled.