Chapter 14

Traze did not much want Veda to get into the water though he could not deny that it would likely feel very good on his heated skin.

However, he knew that for Veda to enter the water, she would have to strip down, and he didn't like this. He knew how transparent her clothes would become in the water and did not wish for anyone but him to see her.

But when she had said it would make her extremely happy to go in the water, Traze knew he could not deny her that. This would be a long venture. He imagined she was already tired, and he was guilt-ridden for letting her tag along in the first place. He would not deny her one of the few comforts of this trip.

But he would, at least, try to find a place that was secluded.

"Come along, follow me." Traze extended his hand to Veda.

She took it eagerly, a smile spreading across her face. He walked her along the pond until he found a grassy corner shaded by a tree.

It was far enough away from the others that with the concealment of the tall grasses, he did not believe they would be seen.

"Okay, you may get in, but you must be fast about it," Traze told her hurriedly.

"Fast about it? Why? I want this to be a leisurely swim." She smiled at him.

When she looked at him this way, Traze could not help but feel as though he was melting into her eyes. He could not defy her, could not deny her. As much as he may demand things of her for her own safety, Traze knew he was not in control here. She was. She had a power over him that nobody else had.

And he was happy to let her have that power.

She began to undress down to her undergarments. She did not get fully naked, to Traze's disappointment, though he reminded himself that would be for the best if anyone swam too close to them. At least they would not see her entire body.

She began to enter the pond slowly. When her feet touched the water, she let out a loud, breathy sigh that had Traze's manhood pushing against its sheath.

She continued to walk into the water, her breasts bouncing a little as she moved. He could not peel his eyes away from her. She was a beauty unlike any he'd ever known.

She submerged herself up to her neck. Her beautiful, fiery hair spread out over the lake's surface, making her look like a sunrise across the horizon.

She smiled at Traze. "You're not going to get in?"

"No," he told her sharply, trying to keep his composure.

He doubted very much that he would be able to keep that composure if he entered the lake with her. He could not be any closer to her without wanting her.

Even now, staring at her below him, he had images of her lips against his dancing around his head.

It had felt so good to kiss her, to have her on his lap, to be able to touch her soft skin. He would not be able to resist the temptation a second time.

The only reason he had stopped the first time was because they had been interrupted. Who knew how far Traze would have gone if they had not.

And he could not allow himself to have intercourse with Veda, no matter how much he may have desired it. Once he mated with his kode, he knew she would become his obsession. He would be helpless to focus on the problems of his tribe. Once he entered her, he would never leave her side, of that he was certain.

Though perhaps that would soon be a possibility for Traze. If Veda was right, if they were able to discover what was affecting the healing sands, he would feel a lot more relaxed. If he could solve this problem and trust in his own leadership again, he would be free to shower Veda with love and attention as he wished to do.

But he would not do that until he actually discovered a solution.

"Oh, come on, Traze! I know you're hot!" Veda tempted him.

"I am just fine."

"No, I don't think that's true at all. Come on! Just get in the damn water. Please?"

The way she said "please" tugged at him. He sighed. He could once again not deny her, and he took off his shirt so he too could enter the water.

It felt good against his rough scales. They had been collecting the sun's heat all day, and it was a relief to soak his skin.

But as soon as Traze was in the water, he heard footsteps against the brush behind him. He began to panic, fearing that Veda would be seen by another Ateran man.

To Traze's relief, it wasn't one of his warriors but instead his lawe. He was simply being a loyal beast, checking that his master was okay.

"Aw, he really is so cute!" Veda said, walking closer to the edge of the pond to look at the lawe. When she moved, she brushed up against Traze.

"He is a good animal, loyal," Traze said through unsteady breath, trying not to reveal what her being so close was doing to him.

He looked down at Veda and she looked up at him, her eyes lingering on his.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Huh? What?" Traze stumbled over his words.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Veda asked.

"I'm not looking at you like anything," he countered.

"Yeah! You are! I know when you're looking at me weird. Come on. Tell me what you're thinking. I've always been honest with you. It's the least you could do."

Traze rolled his eyes. This was true. She had been honest, even when it was embarrassing for her. Traze should do the same.

"I was thinking of… your lips," he muttered.

"My… lips?"

"Yes, I was remembering what it was like to kiss them."

"You want to kiss me?" she tried to clarify.

"Yes," he admitted.

"Well… then… kiss me." She smiled.

Traze scoffed. "I could not do that here, on an expedition."

"Why couldn't you?" Veda looked around. "It's just us over here, in our own private corner of the pond. Nobody is watching, nobody is worried about us. We have some time before we resume the expedition. Right?"

"Right…" Traze couldn't argue with this.

"So, then… kiss me."

He did not need to be told a third time.

"Lawe, keep a look out," he instructed before he turned his attention to Veda.

Traze put both of his hands on Veda's face and pulled her in close, kissing her deeply and passionately.

It felt just as amazing as it had the first time… even better, in fact! Because he felt more confident in his ability to kiss now. He truly believed he was doing this correctly now based on Veda's body language. She responded to him positively, seductively…

As they continued to kiss, Traze felt the need to do more. With no other interruptions, he ran his hand up her torso and underneath the thin fabric that covered her breasts.

Traze didn't know what he was expecting to feel when he reached up, but it was certainly nothing like what he experienced. As soon as his fingers touched the circular lumps on the edge of her breasts something came over him.

He needed more. He knew this was not the right time to claim his kode. They were in the middle of an expedition. He had to focus on the healing sands.

But he wanted her. He needed her. If he couldn't claim her, perhaps he would be able to do something else.

Traze pulled his mouth away from hers.

"How can I give you pleasure?" he asked.

"Huh?" she asked in confusion.

"I cannot mount you, so what can I do that would provide you pleasure? How may I have you?"

Veda bit her lip. "Well, uh, this is a little awkward but… Back on Earth, sometimes humans… taste each other."

"Taste each other?" Traze asked.

"Yeah, you know, we lick each other… down there."

A smile came across Traze's face.

He wanted nothing more in the world than to lick Veda.