Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Olivia woke to the warmth of Rykker’s arm holding her close to his chest, his sizable hand cupping her breast while they slept. His big spoon heat had kept her quite comfortable all night long, and now that it was morning the beginnings of the day’s solar rays had begun to cut the chill from the air.

The canopy of trees under which they had sheltered the prior night was now clearly visible, and whether it was the endorphins coursing through her body or just the natural beauty of this planet’s flora, Olivia thought it was bordering on magical.

The tops of the leaves were a deep burgundy, with an almost ashy deep-green underside. The branches had a wave to them, almost serpentine in their growth. What seemed to be this world’s version of birds sang their songs high above, though she couldn’t see what they looked like from her terrestrial vantage point. Regardless, it made for a pretty perfect way to wake up. She shifted slightly, nestling closer to the man behind her, his flaccid cock hardening against her ass even as its owner slept.

Olivia had always been a fan of morning sex, and given what they’d done the prior night, she felt quite secure in his implicit consent as she lifted one leg slightly, angling herself just right and sliding onto his erection, a shudder of bliss running through her core. She took him in and scooted back all the way, embracing his length with a hot squeeze as his ridges automatically began their rippling motion inside her.

Slowly she moved, grinding her ass up against him, clenching and churning, reveling in his hardness and girth. Any hint of a chill she might have had was gone in an instant, replaced by a different sensation. One of heat. One of passion. When she ran a hand up her body, cupping her breast, she felt her nipples jutting out so hard it was almost as if they could cut glass. She squeezed them firmly, her clit throbbing in reply, her pulse quickening hard in her chest.

Rykker’s hand moved, grasping her other nipple between his fingers in the most delightful way as he roused from his slumber, more than ready to play this little game. His hips moved. Slightly, gently, adding another layer to the flow of pleasure Olivia felt between her legs and all the way into her belly. A sparkly ball of warm bliss that made her throb with desire. And, given her lover’s reaction, he felt the same way.

His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer to him, holding her in his powerful grasp as his thrusts increased in both speed and intensity. Waking like this with no other thoughts on their minds but each other, both of them were entirely caught up in the moment without a care in the world. She felt his cock head swell larger, his shaft growing even thicker as his climax approached.

This wasn’t going to take long for either of them. They were blank slates this morning, and they would set the tone with perfect, tender lovemaking. Olivia slipped a hand to her clit and began rubbing, feeling her own orgasm building quickly, her Infala tingling and her senses raging at the delicious scent of their sex mingling in the air. Olivia felt herself ready to come and let loose at once, not holding back but riding the wave of orgasmic joy.

Rykker grunted and went rigid as her pussy spasmed on his length, holding her convulsing body tight as his cock erupted inside her as she came over and over, their orgasms mingling as one shared sensation. Gradually, they both came down from their blissful high, nestled in each other’s arms. Olivia turned her head, kissing him deep and strong, his spent cock still hard and twitching inside her.

“Good morning,” she cooed.

“It is at that,” he replied with the sexiest grin she’d ever seen. “You are amazing, did you know that?”

“I’ve been told,” she said with a bright laugh.

“And it is definitely the truth,” he replied, leaning close and burying his face in her hair, inhaling her scent deep, his cock twitching harder as he did. “Come,” he finally said, pulling back. “We should rinse, dress, and eat. We have a hike ahead of us. I know getting back to your friend is important to you.”

Olivia had actually forgotten about Harper, or, rather, she’d allowed herself not to think about her for at least a little while. But Rykker’s attentiveness to her needs did not end with the physical variety. He was right. She needed to make sure Harper was okay.

She followed him to the water’s edge, two naked lovers walking hand in hand. They bathed each other but somehow refrained from allowing it to devolve into an all-morning sex fest. There would be time for that later.

Clothed and on the move after they’d had a small breakfast and checked in with Arkness, the two were making good time over the easier terrain on this side of the river. At the rate they were traveling, they’d be back at their ship by a little after noon, and from what Arkness had informed them of this morning’s scans of the area, it looked like they had a clear shot all the way back.

Stopping to pick some berries, Olivia found herself in quite possibly the best spirits she’d been in since her abduction. Her whole body felt, well, it felt like something new. Like this alien pigment was somehow making her stronger by the day.

Rykker watched her with an appreciative eye, simply happy that she was happy. But he also did something else, using the minimal personal scanning power woven into his clothing to get the faintest of images of the pigment energy flowing through the human woman. He looked at the results, comparing her Infala to his side-by-side.

Odd. I would have expected more, he mused.

Despite what he felt, despite the changes his Infala had undergone since meeting this unusual woman, it had definitely not, in fact shifted to match hers. And though hers had grown and changed as well, it had evolved into something quite different.

Yes, parts were the same as his, but the overall design was clearly not. Still, there was something about her that drew him to her like a moth to a flame, and it felt like far more than just the pheromones at play, which, to be fair were insane in their intensity.

Whatever this is, she is a match. I do not know how, exactly, but this woman is destined to be with me, and when we return to the city, I will make her mine.

He shut off the scanner and walked to join her, warmth and love flowing through every cell in his body as he watched her happily picking berries in the warm sunlight.

Olivia’s cheeks flushed when he walked closer. She’d been enjoying the little break, and the berries were delicious. Apparently, the Dotharians had seeded many types of edibles across the systems, but this was a local plant that grew quite on its own, but only on this world.

“Are you ready?” Rykker asked, his rumbling voice making her pussy ache.

“Depends on what you’re asking,” she replied coyly, noting the shifting bulge in his trousers.

His comms activated, that system still on after he activated power to the device to scan Olivia. Arkness’s voice came through clear and loud.

“Are you close?” the man asked. “Harper is in good condition but is in some discomfort and I would get her back to the city as soon as we can.”

Rykker saw Olivia’s arousal snuff out in a flash, conflict suddenly welling up in her eyes. Given her concern about her friend, it was only natural, given the message. But it was Arkness on her mind, a reminder of just the mess she’d somehow gotten herself into. Rykker seemed oblivious. Supportive and ready to do whatever it took to get her back to her friend as quickly as he could. That would brighten her spirits, surely.

If only the poor man only knew what was truly bothering her.

They moved fast the rest of the way, not stopping for anything until they reached the ship. Arkness was waiting for them outside, his face brightening when Olivia came into sight. His eyes were only on her. His lover returned. The woman he was destined to be with. He didn’t even notice the subtle shift in Rykker’s demeanor. Both men were so caught up in themselves that they were missing the obvious.

Harper, however, noticed something. She didn’t know what, and she was still on pain medication, but even so it was clear there was something at play between the three of them.

“Thank you for taking such good care of her,” Olivia said, grasping Arkness’s arm warmly. “I really appreciate it.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Rykker climbed aboard, oblivious to the interaction. “We should get airborne. I want to get some distance from this place so I can power up a proper scan and see what’s really out there.”

Arkness simply nodded, giving Olivia a parting smile then following the other man.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” Olivia asked, climbing aboard and taking the seat next to her while the men made their way to their respective seats up front. The ship hummed softly as they powered it up.

Harper rolled her shoulders and neck gently. “I feel a little bit off, but a million percent better than yesterday, that’s for sure.”

“Leg’s not too bad, then? Arkness said he did what he could until we get you back to be properly healed.”

“Yeah, he was great. Took really good care of me, though the hike back hurt like hell. That guy was moving fast . I mean, I appreciated the urgency, but damn if it didn’t hurt. I’ve got a busted leg, here!”

Olivia chuckled. “You just sit back and relax. We’ll get you to the Maldonians soon enough. They’re good people and will fix you right up. Then we’ll get you your runes.”

“My what?”

Olivia pulled up her shirt, revealing the new designs connecting the symbiotic alien pigment runes now gracing her body. “You’ll see. It’ll all work out. And their city? It’s amazing. You’re going to love it.”