CHAPTER 4

Jelly Pudding

V rixiel was breaking protocol by flying without an emergency, but he didn't care. In a sense, there was an emergency, simply not a medical or military one but an emergency in his pants. He had to get his niela home fast before he gave in to his desire to push her against a wall and taste her lips right here in the corridor, all propriety forgotten. A desire she had openly stated she shared, making the situation in his jumpsuit even more engorged.

Lady Trixie Miller did not fear him. Contrary to Nitiel's claims, she had not been overwhelmed by his medals. Vrixiel had detached and left them all behind anyway when he had deactivated their levitation mechanism to carry her safely against his chest. His niela did not even want to wait until after the wedding to get to know him intimately... She was like a dream come true, thank the Goddess and her endless wisdom.

“We are almost there, bean,” he told his silent female as he entered the residential part of the station. It was empty at this hour of the workday, so he flapped his wings even faster.

“How can you tell?” she asked, snuggled against him like a bean in its pod. Cute enough to eat. “All these corridors look the same to me. Every single one has pale metal walls and floor, with illuminators along one wall and black doors along the other.”

“There are numbers on the ceiling, letting you know which sector you're in. Also, your communicator has a built-in AI you can ask for directions to any sector you require. A communicator as well as clothing await you at our home. Food, too.”

“Mmm.” Her small hand slid along his jumpsuit over one pectoral. “You've thought of everything. I'm in good hands, aren't I?”

Pride swelled in Vrixiel’s chest. “I would like to believe so. Ah, here we are.” Excited, he landed somewhat unsteadily in front of their cabin. “Our home.”

He looked down to see his niela's reaction. She was smiling, her bright eyes on the flat heart-shaped metal pieces adorning the door. “Did you make these?”

An answering smile spread across his face. “Yes, my lady. The skill of metalworking runs in my family. This shape was suggested by our Terran neighbor, to make our cabin look more like a love nest , she said. I used magnets to attach the hearts to the door.”

“Thoughtful and good with his hands. I've truly hit the jackpot.” She winked at him. “Let's see what you've got for me inside.”

With greater confidence now that the door decorations had been a success, Vrixiel entered the cabin, his niela secure in his arms.

Her eyes rounded as she took the interior in. “Wow.”

He scanned the moderate living space. Everything looked in order, just how he liked it. Not that he had many possessions to cause any clutter, but still. “This is where we will spend time together during the day cycle.”He gestured at the right side of the room where a food-stocked dining table was hovering in front of a large couch. “We will eat here as well.”

Vrixiel saw her eyes grow even bigger, so he added in a rush, “The table can be flown to the bedroom, if you wish. I have read that Terrans enjoy breakfast in bed.”

She blinked, then blinked some more.

She didn't like something. Was it the food preparation area to the left being too small? The illuminator opposite the entrance being too elongated? The shelves levitating by the right wall being entirely taken by his small print book collection?

“Anything can be rearranged to your liking immediately, bean,” he kept talking. “Except the couch. That one was 3D- printed to look and act like Terran furniture, so I cannot move it on my own. However, I can call my friend Subcommander Nitiel for assistance... The color cannot be changed, I'm afraid. Our database lists pink as your favorite color, so I ordered a pink couch... But, if you don't like it, I'll get another one. I will have to get rid of this discreetly, since it is a mating gift from Commander Siriniel of the Swirling Horn Clan, but it can be arranged. It will be arranged–”

Soft fingers brushed his lips. Vrixiel only now realized his niela was no longer looking at the cabin but at him, a warm smile on her lovely face. What had he been about to say?

“No changing anything,” she told him firmly. “No rearranging or flying furniture around. This. Is. Awesome!”

His lips quirked. “It is?”

“Don't you go insecure on me now, soldier.” She poked him in the chest. “I love this place! First of all, I didn't expect it to be spacious. Secondly, I was afraid there might be an illuminator with a scary view of outer space. Instead, we can see Jupiter! Another planet visible through my living room window? A-ma-zing! Thirdly, you’ve prepared a feast for me.” She rubbed his chest, eyes sparkling. “And the hot-pink couch with books within reach? That alone wins you a piece of my heart, niel .”

Relief washed over him as well as contentment at her calling him niel for the first time. “You truly like it here. ”

“You bet! I can't wait to test that 3D-printed couch in every way imaginable.” She winked at him again, and Vrixiel was quickly reminded he was tenting his uniform, big time.

“But let's see the bedroom first,” his playful niela added. “Our bed might tempt me more.”

Goddess, did he like the sound of that. Vrixiel took flight and landed only when they were in the adjacent room by their bed.

Trixie’s gaze filled with wonder as she took in their sleeping pod. “Fuck me sideways.”

Vrixiel gaped. She had made her desire for him known, but did she want that of him already? What about kissing and tasting her, learning every dip and curve of hers with his lips and tongue before joining them into one–

“This is the awesomest bed I have ever seen,” she went on, oblivious to his shock. “We’ll be sleeping in an open clamshell filled with jelly and waking up to the sight of Jupiter every day!” Looking back at him, she added, “I love our bedroom. Thank you, Vrixiel!... Hey, why are you surprised?”

His wings fluttered, giving away his embarrassment. No way was he going to explain he’d misinterpreted what he now understood was an exclamation of joy, and not an order to take her then and there. “Jelly?” he answered with a question.

“Oh, the jelly.” Trixie shrugged in his arms. “I don’t know what it’s called, but I saw it on the ship that brought me here. It should have cued me in that you guys don't have mattresses; you sleep on jelly pudding instead." She snickered. “This is going to be fun.”

Her brilliant smile was contagious, and Vrixiel found himself grinning. “If by jelly pudding you mean the special gel that cushions our bodies during the night cycle, then yes. It is fun, bean.” He hoped she could see the burning need in his gaze. “Would you like to test it?”

She bit her plump lower lip. “Very much.”

That elicited a tell-tale groan from him. “Are you sure?” No matter how needy he was, he had to make sure they were on the same page. Always. “The gel is best used without clothes, niela .”

Mischief danced in her eyes. “I tend to go to bed naked, you know. I like the feel of the sheets against my bare skin. Now I'll like this even more, I think.”

He shifted her in his arms until her lips were a feather away from his. “The gel is wondrous against one's skin, yes.”

She licked those delectable lips of hers. “What might feel even better against me is you .”

Another groan came from deep within him again, and Vrixiel descended on her lips like a Gaenthian starved. She moaned and cupped his face to lock him in place. As the taste of her hit him, Vrixiel nearly came in his jumpsuit. Sweet and spicy, his niela tasted irresistible. He deepened the kiss, desperate for more of his delicious female.

She answered with passion as all-consuming as his. Nipping, sucking, licking, driving him wild. Never had he felt like this. So close to losing control and also filled to the brim with joy. Like he was right where he was supposed to be, happy beyond comprehension, to the point where his body could barely contain his spirit.

Vrixiel’s fingers tangled into her soft curls while his other hand kept her light body pressed against his chest. But he needed to position her better, for he intended to have a taste of much more than her lips. He wouldn't be satisfied until he had explored every inch of his exquisite niela .

When they broke the kiss for air, he used the opportunity to lower her to the bed.

“Wait!”

He froze with her back barely touching the edge of the gel. Fear that he might have overstepped gripped him.

“Sorry, Vrixiel.” She smiled sheepishly. “I never go to bed without taking a shower first.”

“Ah.” Huh?

She covered her face with both hands. “I'm a horrible tease.” She peeked from between her fingers. “Shower now, jelly pudding after?”

Virixel took a deep breath. He had to rein in his desire, but it was hard. Very hard and throbbing. “Whatever my niela wishes.” He began to lower her feet to the ground. "The cleansing chamber is behind this wall.”

"Wait.” Her fingers curled into the fabric of his uniform.

He groaned inwardly. Did she have no mercy ?

“You're supposed to keep me in your arms and not let go, remember?”

Goddess. Did his niela mean...?

She bit her lip again.

Vrixiel rushed to the cleansing chamber. In his hurry to bathe with her, he almost crashed into the opening door.

A giggle burst from Trixie, and he laughed along with her.