Chapter 38

Ravok

Awakening with a start, my heart thunders in my chest. Disoriented, I freeze, needing to assess my situation. I automatically command my nanites to slow my pulse, and ready a burst of adrenaline in case I need to fight. It only takes a moment for the haze of slumber to recede. The unmistakable scent of Leelee's hair permeates the air, floral and sweet. I instinctively draw a deeper breath, the smell grounding my erratic thoughts. A heavy weight on my chest shifts slightly with a comforting sigh. Glancing down, I find Leelee lying atop me, her hair spreading across my chest and one of her legs draped over mine.

Careful not to wake her, I roll her slightly off me. I turn on my side, letting my gaze sweep over Leelee, taking in every detail of her lovely face. I cannot remember a time when I felt like this. Leelee means everything to me. Other people were only nuisances, aides, or obstacles to my success. They meant nothing to me – less than nothing. But she means everything. She is the new axis of my existence, the true center of my universe – every element of my being now orbits around Leelee.

A yawning chasm opens in my chest when I think about how I will have to leave her for her own safety. I want to rebel at the thought, but I am a Cryzorian. I will not flinch in the face of even the most insurmountable challenges. I vow to absorb every moment with Leelee, secure in the knowledge that I've protected the most precious being in existence.

Despite the dire circumstances that brought me here, I find myself thankful. I trace a hesitant finger along the curve of Leelee's cheek, my dark gray fingers a fascinating contrast against her creamy pale skin.

Her silky, chestnut hair frames her face, lending it an ethereal quality. She looks like a goddess. I give myself a moment to exist in this moment, to savor the sight of this petite earthling who's come to mean more than she could possibly realize.

As full darkness starts to lighten with the first stirrings of sunrise, I watch Leelee sleep. I lose track of time as this planet's sun rises, hanging low on the horizon, peeking through the foliage outside, and casting ethereal shadows over the room.

Softly, I run my fingers through Leelee's hair. I bask in its soft texture, taking pleasure as the slight curls at the end of her locks tickle my skin. She stirs, humming contentedly in her sleep and nuzzling further into my hand, reminding me of Mango when I pet him.

Just as I feel myself succumbing to the pull of sleep once more – a warrior never rests easy, there's always a part of us on alert – a loud, plaintive cry breaks the tranquil silence. My eyelids snap open, and my claws instinctively slide out from my fingertips, ready to defend my Leelee. The doors rattles as if shaken, followed by more cries.

It takes a heartbeat, maybe two, to realize that Mango is creating all that racket. The scratching and thumps rouse me from the cozy pool of tranquility I'd been swimming in. Leelee, snuggled and lost in the land of dreams, shifts in my arms, nuzzling her face against my chest and sleepily grumbling unintelligible words.

Angered that no one has yet answered his call, Mango suddenly lets out a piercing yowl, thumping the door hard enough to rattle it in its frame as emphasis.

Leelee's eyes snap open, looking lost and confused. She blinks, her gaze meeting mine before tracking down my body, her eyes widening comically when she takes in my naked state. Surprise, swiftly replaced by remembrance, flashes in her eyes. Her cheeks turn a delightful rosy shade, and the frank appreciation in her gaze has a responding warmth surging through my veins.

Her shy, happy smile tugs at a part of me, buried deep within and unused. I mirror her grin, an exhilarating sense of satisfaction kindling within me. I close the distance between us, needing to experience the closeness of a kiss again. As my lips gently brush against hers, a bolt of the electrifying connection between us becomes palpably tangible, sparking between us.

Yet, the moment is short-lived. Mango seems hell-bent on disruption, escalating his clamor. His tortured cries and relentless rattling tug Leelee away from me. She peels herself away, a huff of resignation escaping her lips, and mumbles, "Sorry. Mango won't let up until he's fed."

Despite the moment being shattered, the taste of her lips lingers on mine, a poignant reminder of an intimacy that is now etched into my very being.

Leelee looks past me out the window that showcases the forest outside. "Oh, wow. Is it morning already? I'm surprised Mango let us sleep this long. His bowl must be empty."

The whispers of the bed sheets echo through the quiet cabin as Leelee slips out from my grasp. Naked and unadorned, she is a vision, an ethereal beauty that rivets me in place. An insatiable desire burns within me, making me clench my hands in order to resist the urge to pull her back to bed. When I tighten my fists, my claws prick my palms, so I force them to retract.

I watch in silent admiration as Leelee opens the door. The light from the rest of the cabin casts a glowing halo on her skin, turning her into a heavenly silhouette. With the door ajar, Mango scampers into the room, his chorus of cries filling the space.

Leelee greets him with a fond scratch under his chin, their bond evident. Mango wastes no time in professing his hunger and need for attention. I can't help but resonate with his longing cause – for I, too, crave Leelee's attention. I ache for her proximity and touch.

I can't stop staring at Leelee as she heads toward a case stuffed with what appears to be clothing. She grabs a long, soft-looking shirt from the stack and pulls it on. The garment barely covers her bottom, just skimming along where her thighs meet her body. Saliva pools in my mouth at the sight of her shapely legs and the almost see-through, worn fabric of the shirt. Strangely, wearing the garment is almost more tantalizing than nakedness itself.

Unaware of the whirlpool of emotions churning within me, Leelee nonchalantly heads towards the kitchen, leaving me rooted to my spot as Mango scampers after her.

My gaze remains fixated on the curve of her retreating back as I spring out of the bed, naked and desperate to catch up. The smooth wooden floor is cold against the soles of my feet. I glance down at my erection with a chagrined twist to my lips. I don't want Leelee to think that I am making demands of her. Remembering her blushing cheeks, I snatch up the white sheet that had been discarded on the floor the night before and wrap it around my hips.

I stride through the cabin and find her in the small cooking area. She moves gracefully around, filling a food bowl for Mango, who falls upon the meal like a starving beast. I feel myself staring at her like a bewitched supplicant, but I can't make myself stop.

I find myself lost for a moment, wanting to approach Leelee and pull her back into my arms – to keep her at my side. However, I find myself frozen, unsure if she would be receptive to the magnitude of my need. I am a complication to Leelee's life. I am suddenly unsure of my welcome. Was I just a passing desire, quickly fulfilled and just as easily discarded? I rub my hand over my sternum, concerned by the ache taking residence there.

As she straightens after filling Mango's food dish, Leelee catches me staring.

"How are you feeling?" she asks, her words light against the air. She is always so sweet, looking after me and putting my health and well-being before hers. Her bottom lip is caught between her teeth. Her soft, worried look eases the worry that had started to fill my mind.

Relief floods me. I respond wordlessly, stepping closer and encircling an arm around her petite waist. Her pulse quickens under my touch, and a tremor courses through her body. "I am very well, Leelee," I murmur, pulling her closer. "Even better now." I nuzzle my mouth against the underside of her jawline. I smile against her skin when she tilts her head to give me better access, letting out a soft, breathy moan.

I start to pull away, but Leelee stops me with a hand on my jaw. Getting onto her toes, she tugs me closer until I lower my head and capture her lips with mine. A sense of something new and fragile yet infinitely powerful blooms between us. Everything with Leelee feels… surprisingly right.

The moment is pure perfection, the taste of her lips intoxicating like no other substance I've ever consumed. I thread my fingers gently through her hair, pulling her closer to deepen the kiss.

I am about to explore further when Leelee's stomach gurgles audibly, bringing our kiss to an abrupt halt. I immediately pull back, the sweet taste of her lips still lingering on my tongue.

A blush blooms on Leelee's cheeks as she presses a hand against her stomach to muffle its noise. "Um, we missed dinner last night. I'm hungry," she admits with a chuckle.

I grin at her. "I am hungry as well."

"You should be. You worked pretty hard last night. I imagine you worked up quite an appetite," Leelee teases, her cheeks becoming even pinker at her bold words. "You want to help me make some breakfast?"

"Absolutely."

I follow Leelee to her cooking station and assist her as she makes ‘breakfast'. She acts as if it is simple fare – and perhaps it is on this planet – but for me, it is the greatest of cuisine.

As I eat, I focus inward, commanding my nanites to communicate with my vessel. My ship's computer instantly responds, giving me a report of the locations of telrinite.

Leelee must see the stunned look on my face because she asks, "Is everything okay?"

I shake my head as if to dispense my confusion. "My ship's sensors are reporting that there is telrinite in the immediate vicinity. I'm shocked that there is a source of telrinite so close to our location. It might even be enough to finish the repairs I need to complete."

Telrinite is relatively rare in my solar system, found only in a few locations. Perhaps it is more abundant on this planet. If that is true, then it is imperative that my people never find out. They would gut this planet, leaving nothing but a smoking husk to get their hands on the metal. I knew that this planet had at least some traces of the mineral based on the information I pulled from my initial scan when I first arrived.

"That's great news. What a relief," Leelee says with a smile that doesn't quite meet her eyes.

I nod at Leelee's words, trying to muster up the enthusiasm I know I should feel at the news of finding telrinite nearby. However, I'm having trouble faking an emotion I don't feel, so I hide my expression by taking a large bite of my sandwich. A small, noisy part of my psyche would love an excuse to be forced to stay here with Leelee. My logic tells me what a terrible idea that is, but it is nevertheless very appealing.

"We should look for it once we finish eating."

I push away my plate which only has crumbs left. "I am done eating."