Chapter 46

Lily

I'm sweaty and breathless, and my feet ache from all the dancing. However, this has been such a fantastic night.

"Let's take a break from dancing," I suggest. "Just across the field they have these really nice trails through the woods. Want to take a walk with me?"

Ravok nods and follows me as I lead him through the crowd, his hand in mine. We head towards the edge of the crowd where the path into the woods begins.

As we walk through the festival crowd, I realize that the only people left are couples scattered around. No children are left at the party – it's past their bedtime, I suppose. It is probably for the best since a few couples are kissing in a way that is distinctly not appropriate for young eyes. A blush graces my cheeks as I realize some of these people are doing things that are not appropriate for my eyes!

I mean, talk about taking the term ‘love festival' seriously.

"Humans are so free," Ravok murmurs in my ear.

"Um, well, most humans are usually not this free. Truthfully, a lot of us are prudes. This town and its people are different than any I've ever seen. This many people making out in public is rare," I inform him.

I feel Ravok's hand gently squeeze mine. I see him looking at me with his bright, galaxy-filled eyes. For a moment, everything else fades into insignificance. My heart trips in my chest, filled with love for my alien.

Behind us, the festival celebrates love in loud and joyful tones. Ravok and I choose a forest path that seems less populated with kissing couples, seeking solitude and peace in the darkened forest. Once we step under the canopy of the woods, the noise and lights fade behind us. The moon is bright enough to light our path. Its cool luminescence filters through the twisted branches, casting spectral shadows upon the narrow path, but bright enough to guide our steps. The silver light dances upon Ravok's skin, enhancing his alien beauty in such a way it sends little flutters of want through my body.

"Oh my gosh, this is so romantic," I murmur. The breeze whispering through the forest is warm and fragrant with pine and tree sap.

The urge to tell Ravok how I feel about him fills my lungs. I know I shouldn't tell him that I'm in love with him – that's not fair to him when he has to leave – but perhaps I can tell him how wonderful and special he is instead. I open my mouth to say the words when something rustles in the woods nearby, causing both of us to freeze.

I squint into the underbrush, my senses sharpening as I hear a low, weird sound that raises the hairs on the back of my neck. We stand there for a moment longer, unmoving, as the silence grows around us. But when nothing else happens, a sigh leaves me, and I take a confident step forward.

Just then, I hear the sound again. Is that a growl? Are there bears in these woods? Without hesitation, Ravok steps in front of me, an unwavering defensive wall between me and any danger. He gestures for me to stay while he steps off the path and into the woods toward the sound.

My heart beats against my ribcage. I shift nervously on my feet, my eyes flitting between his towering figure and the rest of the forest surrounding us, scared of the possibility of some hungry grizzly bear or some other beast lurking nearby.

He strides off the path, his tall frame all but disappearing within the shadows. I shuffle to the path's edge, biting my lower lip in worry while trying to keep my eyes on him through the foliage.

I suddenly remember the last time I heard a weird noise in these woods. Surely, not again—

Suddenly, Ravok freezes, the stiff solidity in his stance causing a cold knot of fear to twist in my stomach. But then he twists and turns back to me with the strangest look on his face.

Gulping down my apprehension, I brave my way to his side to lend whatever help I can. Peering around his rigid form, my cheeks flame in heat at the spectacle before us.

Deep within the greenery, beneath the lace-like shadows of the overhead trees, an entwined couple shares an intimate moment. Their half-hushed moans and laughter fill the air around them, a testament to their unrestrained passion.

I look up at Ravok, expecting to see the same embarrassment I'm feeling. Instead, his white eyes reflect an intriguing blend of shock, curiosity… and heat. His gaze flickers from me to them, back down to me with a wild expression.

Silently, I tug Ravok away, turning us back to the path.

"Leelee, they were having sex. Out in the open," Ravok whispers in a scandalized tone. If he'd been wearing pearls, he'd be clutching them. It's completely adorable.

"Yeah, they sure were. Like I said earlier – this town is… different."

As we wander the woods, we discover three more couples in the act. I mean, damn, the citizens of Lublin Harbor take their love festivals seriously. Is there something in the air here?

Also, though I'm reluctant to admit it, seeing all this sex and all these people in the throes of passion has had a distinct effect on my libido.

I have never in my life thought of myself as an exhibitionist, but I'm so turned on I could burst. I glance over at Ravok who appears similarly affected. Then I think to myself, when in Rome…

We've walked for a while, and I realize we are finally completely alone. There is not a sound in the forest – I can't even hear the music anymore. Leading off the path, I notice a small deer trail that ends in a small silvery glen. Giving Ravok's hand a tug, I pull us off the path and into the clearing.

When I reach the glen's center, the moonlight shines on Ravok, making his silvery skin glow under its light. He looks like a god, born from the very heart of the earth. The look on his face makes me think of Hades upon first seeing Persephone. He looks like the embodiment of lust.

I glance around and confirm that we're entirely alone. Although… what does it truly matter? No one cares here. I just want to enjoy Ravok.

So, I grasp the hem of my shirt and pull it off. I toss the shirt onto a nearby bush, leaving me clad only in my lacy bra.

I peek at Ravok, his gaze is hooded. He stares at me like I'm a goddess.

His eyes keep switching from my breasts to my face like he can't decide what to stare at. He's getting that familiar heavy-lidded look that says he is imagining what he'd like to be doing with me.

As I start to unbutton my jeans, Ravok's features sharpen. His glowing eyes drill into me as I shimmy out of my pants. My jeans quickly join my shirt, leaving me only in my underwear. I stand proud and let Ravok stare. I know he'll never look at me and see flaws, even when I think they're there.

When I draw off my bra, Ravok's gaze sears me, as palpable as a touch. His brows are drawn as if in pain. He gives a low growl and absently runs his palm over the rigid outline of the erection tenting his spacesuit. Heat flares through me, liquifying my bones, and lights up every nerve ending to a fevered pitch at the sight of his arousal. My thighs quake in a combination of lust and nerves. I've never done anything so bold in my life.

He clenches his hands into meaty fists, then opens them, splaying his claw-tipped fingers. I don't think he even knows that his claws are out.

Ravok stares at me for one moment before crossing the few feet between us. He stalks forward as if he's laser-focused on only one thing. The world could be burning for all I care. I am caught in his sharp, predatory gaze. He stops with a mere hair's space between our bodies, eyes roving over my face.

He slowly starts to part his space suit, peeling it down his body until he is completely nude. As he adds his clothes to mine, I strip out of my panties.

When he leans closer, I freeze like a deer waiting to see what he will do next. The tip of Ravok's nose traces a line from my clavicle, up my neck to just under my ear. Goosebumps rise on my skin from the ticklish sensation.

Then Ravok reaches out and lifts me like I weigh no more than a pillow. I eagerly wrap my legs around his waist and use my ankles to pull him close.

Cupping his jaw, I draw his face to mine, licking the seam of his lips. As he eagerly parts for me, my tongue darts inside to meet his. I can feel his groan rumbling through his body at my boldness. Ravok's tongue twines against mine, my moans mixing with his low growls.

These kisses are glutinous, filled with roaring hunger. They ignite something deep inside, stoking the embers of my passion until it feels like an inferno.

I wrap my arms around him, digging my fingers into his thick muscles. The heat of his body seeps into my veins and sets my blood on fire. That first kiss is like a spark igniting a bonfire, and I can feel everything around us burning as Ravok's hands dig into my hair, and he backs us out of the moonlight and into the shadows.

He works his way down my chest, paying attention to my nipples. His mouth is hot and wet and I'm melting in his arms as his tongue circles around them. I gasp, clutching at his shoulders as he sucks and bites gently, sending sparks of pleasure radiating throughout my body. My hips buck against his in response. His position puts that thick neck in perfect reach, and I can't resist – I press my lips to the sensitive muscle there. I suck a kiss against his pulse point, then scrape my teeth along it. A rumbling growl erupts from deep within Ravok, the sound vibrating against the nipple in his mouth. It's so good, so delicious that I do it again, scraping my teeth against his neck. My core throbs at the punched-out groan Ravok makes right against my flesh.

Ravok keeps one arm around my waist and presses my back to a tree, keeping me in place. He trails the other hand down my body, easily slipping his fingers between my legs. I moan loudly as he whispers filth about how wet I am for him into my ear. God, when did he learn dirty talk?

I arch into him as he strokes me with expert precision. My breath comes in short gasps now as my desire is pushed higher and higher until finally it feels like I'm going to burst apart.

However, I crave more.

"Please, Ravok," is all I have to say for him to replace his fingers with his thick cock.

He sinks into me with a deep, gusting sigh of bliss that pulls an answering cry from my lips. His sigh quickly morphs into a rough, guttural growl of hunger and desire. Ravok pulls back to the tip, making me almost feel its loss before thrusting back inside. He starts a slow, measured rhythm that has me begging.

"By Cryzor's Might. Leelee, you feel so good."

He starts to move then, sliding in and out of me in long, slow strokes. My fingers dig into the hard muscles of his back, wanting to draw him in even deeper.

I dig my heels into his ass, trying to get him to speed up, but he seems determined to draw this out. He tightens his arm around my waist, holding me in place for his thrusts. Then he places his other palm around the back of my neck. His hand is so big that his fingers almost completely enwrap my throat. His fingers are loose on my neck, but it feels like a brand of ownership. His thumb doesn't press or squeeze, but gently strokes the skin over my pulse as if enjoying the rapid beat of my pounding heart.

The feel of his gigantic hand on my neck sends a heavy pulse of lust straight to my core. Ravok is so fucking big and strong that he makes me feel like a tiny delicate bird in the palm of his hand.

Letting go of my neck, He captures one of my hands and places it against his chest. I feel its thundering beat beneath my palm. "You are my heart, Leelee."

I can't respond, all I can do is gasp Ravok's name as I arch my back and tighten my legs around him as his body rocks into mine. Every nerve in my body is alive with pleasure as he brings me closer and closer to the edge, our bodies in perfect harmony as we move together.

He finally speeds up his pace, hips snapping against mine. The slap of skin against skin echoes around us, and I feel the crest of my orgasm building.

"More. Harder," I somehow manage to demand. Ravok gives me what I want, slamming into me with enough force to drive the air from my lungs with each thrust. It's fucking amazing, and I can't stop the breathy moans that are coming from me now.

"Ravok, I'm going to come," I groan against his neck, the words muffled as I press my face into his skin.

I barely gasp out the words before my orgasm washes over me like a tsunami. Throbbing pleasure radiates out from my core in waves. My climax must trigger Ravok's. He muffles his roar against my shoulder as he is swept up in his own peak.

A lingering pleasure ripples over my skin as we cling to one another. I feel so good that I should be glowing as brightly as the moon overhead. Ravok's breath is ragged, matching mine as we lean against the tree trunk, trying to recover our equilibrium.

As he slips out of me, I feel empty as if he's hollowed me out. He gathers me firmly into his arms with a gentleness that contradicts his alien strength, placing me back on my feet.

"I've got you, Leelee," he murmurs, his voice laced with satisfaction and tenderness. He holds me carefully, making sure I'm steady on my feet. My legs wobble under me, feeling like jello so I'm glad he's still holding my arms. Ravok wraps an arm around my waist and waits patiently as I regain my balance. Only when he's sure that I am steady does he retract his supporting arm.

As we get dressed under the night sky in comfortable silence, my gaze finds his, his eyes glimmering. It's as if they hold reflections of far-off galaxies, but at this moment, they're just Ravok's eyes, filled with something I'm too scared to name.

Hand in hand, we head back through the forest. This time, the only sounds around us are crickets, croaking frogs, and the soft calls of nocturnal birds. The smell of loam and pine is thick in the air. Our clothes cling to our bodies in this late-spring humidity as we wander the moonlit path back towards civilization.

As we emerge, the field where the concert had been held is mostly empty. The only people left are scurrying around the darkened stage, packing up the musical equipment.

"We should head back to the cabin. It looks like the party ended while we were busy," I say with a teasing grin.

We start to turn toward the car when the moonlight catches something metallic and flashes brightly in the corner of my vision. Turning, I instantly recognize the wishing bell from my first day in town. I had completely forgotten about it.

"Oh, Ravok! It's the wishing bell. Come on. You've got to make a wish before we head home. Koko said that it's tradition."