Chapter 5

Colby

“Human submission is fascinating.” He was definitely studying me like I was a fun new topic to research, but I decided it wasn’t bad when the tentacle that’d been loosely wrapped around my ankle started sliding higher.

Research was going to be fun.

“Your body responded to the idea of pleasures before they were even specified.” He seemed amazed at the idea that just thinking about what he would do to me could get me aroused.

Or more aroused in our case.

“We…” Swallowing as his limb teased right below my bulge like he knew just how close he could get without actually touching it, I had to try again to get words out. “A lot of humans have very vivid imaginations. In…in this case, my brain started to flash through ideas about what you might do.”

It’d flashed through a lot of images…mostly based on stuff I’d seen and read about.

With him right in front of me, touching me and watching me, it was a lot easier to put myself in situations I’d only seen before.

“You did not indicate a fear response at the idea of being punished.” He pulsed the tentacle that was wrapped around my thigh and it sent a shiver through me. “You were…I think the human response was curiosity.”

His ability to read me was going to be both wonderful and frustrating.

“I…I heard that you could pick up on more of our reactions than other humans could. Like heart rate and stuff. I didn’t realize…I didn’t realize how much information that could give you.” I really should’ve thought about that in more detail, though.

The books I’d been reading clearly hadn’t exaggerated as much as I’d assumed they had.

Fuck.

Nano had known I thought he was cute at the very least.

As I tried to decide if I owed him an apology or if I got to just ignore it like he had, Saint slowly nodded his head and responded to my rambling.

“There is variety in human reactions based on past trauma and arousal responses. However, I will quickly adapt to your signals.” He seemed so confident, it didn’t occur to me to doubt him. “Was my understanding of your reactions accurate?”

Ugh.

Lying would really fuck things up in the long run.

I was smart enough to see that right off the bat but I was still sub enough that I didn’t like tattling on myself. But pleasing the alien who was going to spank me pushed me into the honest side of things fairly quickly. “Yes, Sir.”

Before I could decide how honest I was supposed to be when he asked a question, he went still and shook his head. “Our waiter approaches.”

With our drinks.

He looked at us slightly suspiciously and I realized our going silent so quickly was a big tell that we’d been discussing something not safe for work…or a restaurant. “Not even long enough for me to bring your drinks?”

Saint shrugged. “Humans are interesting and require many questions.”

We were fun and he was nosy.

Got it.

Rolling his eyes, our waiter seemed to understand that translation as well. “There’s no way you’ve looked at your menus yet, so I’m going to give you a few more minutes. But human social conventions in restaurants have a rule where you have to tip better if you take up more time than average at my table. Nothing outrageous but you need privacy and I need to make a living.”

Looking at both of us as I tried not to laugh, he frowned. “Limbs stay outside clothes. We’ve got a table of cops and I don’t need to worry about you two getting an indecent exposure charge.”

He’d definitely seen a lot of them date humans.

“I will remember the human social customs.” Saint nodded but gave him a firm stare like the sexy Dom he was. “I will also remember the human social custom of polite service.”

I’d have felt embarrassed but our server laughed as he walked off.

“I’ve only been here at lunch. It’s a totally different experience at dinner.” It was fun. “I take it you guys have had classes about restaurants?”

“I have attended several lectures of varying intensity.” Saint’s limb went back to its slow pulsing. “I have been told that originally the lecture was one part. Even humans with a firm grasp of social customs did not realize how complicated service could be.”

Some waiters were definitely more interesting than others.

“I’m glad someone finally realized there were layers of how restaurant service and that kind of stuff could work.” I wasn’t sure I’d have thought to prepare them for someone like our waiter. “We probably have discussions and give examples based on the best service or just the average type.”

But they weren’t the average customer so that might have something to do with it too.

“At least he was very clear about what he was thinking?” That might not have been the best way to see the interaction, but Saint nodded.

“Yes. He set clear expectations and provided helpful information. I have been told that his manners…how was it said… leave something to be desired .” The way he carefully repeated the phrase made me think he either didn’t get it or he thought it was weird.

Probably both.

“However, he is well-versed in dealing with our social interactions within human domination-based relationships.” Saint shrugged with a liquidy motion that made it clear our bodies were put together very differently. “Competence and understanding are more important than human manners in some situations.”

Especially when the situations involved first dates, alien Doms, and humans who like getting felt up.

“I think you’re right about that.” And he wasn’t even in the top ten worst waiters I’d ever had. “He gave good information. That’s important.”

I didn’t need an arrest for lewd behavior in public.

“Data is necessary in a variety of situations.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Especially with humans.”

I tried not to laugh but the look on his face said he knew what I was feeling.

“I’m sure you’re going to have lots of information to document.” That perked him right up and made me smile again. “I’m really enjoying our date so far, Saint.”

“I am as well, my human.” He must’ve been feeling sweet and spicy because I got a pat on the head and on my dick. “You are a thoughtful and productive date and a good submissive who is articulating his preferences.”

Cutest and most thorough praise ever.

I loved it.

And the cock pat for being a good sub.

“Your physical responses indicate an emotional range from appreciating praise to strong arousal.” Both limbs went back to patting their respective places and sent the craziest mix of sensations through me. “Fascinating.”

I had a feeling he was going to be saying that a lot around me.

“Humans are able to project a variety of responses at the same time.” He clearly found that interesting because he kept petting his guinea pig. “Do not worry. I will follow the human legal rules.”

Thanks?

My little head wasn’t so sure that was a good thing, but the big one was more logical. “Legal…legal rules are important.”

I was proud of myself for getting the sentence out, but it was hard enough that I wasn’t sure if he understood I shouldn’t orgasm at the table either.

Was that illegal?

I probably should’ve known the answer but he was making small circles over the head of my erection and it was short-circuiting my brain.

“Do you like painful pleasures, my human?” His tone was half curiosity and half Dom. “My knowledge of human anatomy advises this could be painful pleasure for a human male.”

Fuck.

There was going to be a quiz.

As a big chunk of my working brain cells tried to figure out what I’d get if I got a good grade, the rest of them worked to answer. “I…I don’t know how to explain it but it’s almost overwhelming but it’s not painful.”

Had that made any sense?

“Painful pleasure is a good way to describe it but it’s not…it’s not technically pain.” Maybe that was better? “I…I think I’d describe being spanked or flogged as closer to pain.”

This was just making me confused and stupid…and it made me want to wiggle and beg for him to touch my dick without my clothes in the way.

He’d already said he was going to follow the laws, though, so I was going to have to wait a while to get that.

“I’ll work on a good word, though, Sir.” Yes, he’d like that and then I’d get to come. “I can be helpful.”

He pulsed.

He liked that.

“Good boy, my human.” He almost purred the words out, obviously pleased with something. “You project well, my human. Good boy.”

Project?

Oh, whatever the fuck he was reading from me.

Should I be embarrassed about that?

No.

Two of his other limbs spread my legs wider and set my feet carefully on the floor. “Maintain this position for additional praise and rewards after our meal, my human.”

Spread myself wider for him.

Got it.

I made a good attempt at responding with words, but when that didn’t work, I focused on how aroused he made me and I nodded.

Bingo.

“Good boy. That was very clear.” I got more happy rubs that were really starting to confuse my body and he smiled. “Nonverbal communication is important in domination-based relationships.”

Thank God.

“But to reach that point in our date, we must consume food and continue our communication.” It wasn’t until he picked up my menu and held it out for me that I realized what he’d said.

We had to eat first.

Fuck.

Well, it was a good sign that he was smart enough to realize I wasn’t going to be able to do it on my own.

Fingers crossed the rest of the night went just as well.

****

“How did you enjoy your food, my human?” Wrapping the limb around my waist tighter, he inched me closer as we walked back down the street. “I enjoyed my fish.”

“We’re supposed to talk about dinner before we can talk about something else, right?” When he nodded and lit up like I was a smart human, I barely held back my sigh. “I really liked it and I’m glad you got a big enough portion.”

It definitely hadn’t been human-sized.

“Enjoying consumption is important on a personal social outing.” He was definitely repeating something he’d heard other people say, but once it was done, he seemed to think he’d satisfied the social conventions he’d been taught. “Now we may discuss the next step of our date.”

Thank God.

“What would you like us to do?” I was having a hard time pushing my own needs aside to make sure we were considering his. “You’ve been a great Dom so far but I don’t want us to rush you.”

I needed to keep in mind how new to the practical side of dating and BDSM he was.

“We both need to be comfortable with where we are.” They liked honesty, so I just kept going even though I probably should’ve stopped right there. “You know how turned on I am, but I haven’t asked enough questions about what you want to happen next.”

It’d sounded smoother in my head, but it wasn’t too bad. I stopped the flow of words, though, even if my brain wanted to keep going. We’d talked about a variety of limits as we’d eaten, but he’d been incredibly focused on me and I wasn’t sure I had enough information about what he was picturing.

“Yes. Humans are not able to sense responses as well as our species.” His reminder could’ve been for him or just rambling, but he nodded and a limb near my ass inched lower. “I must use clear language.”

Yep.

The way he was wording it made me wonder if they would’ve used different forms of communication before they’d come to Earth.

“What do you think, my human?”

Oops.

Blinking, I turned to Saint. “Um, I’m sorry. My brain wandered off.”

He actually looked around for a few seconds.

Shit.

“The human phrase for mental distraction.” Shaking his head and looking adorably human, he frowned. “I have not heard a human use that in active conversation.”

“Is it one you’ve just read about and seen on TV?” When he nodded, I leaned into his careful embrace and nuzzled against what should’ve been his shoulder. “That’s okay. There are a lot of words we put in books and then no one ever actually hears in real life. There are whole pages on the internet devoted to that kind of stuff.”

Maybe they needed one where they could tell all their favorite human languages are weird stories?

Before he could get frustrated, because I’d learned enough about him that I knew he didn’t like saying something wrong, I tried to get us back on track. “What question did I miss? Sorry about that. You just always give me so much to think about.”

The way he puffed up said he’d taken that positively like I’d intended. “I should have realized you have been processing almost as many new experiences tonight as I have been.”

“We’ll both do our best to remember that, but new isn’t bad, so I’m not worried.” Well, I hadn’t been until he aimed a predatory, but still fucking sexy smile at me.

Maybe I was a little apprehensive…and a lot turned on.

“My question was enquiring if you would like to stay in my home tonight.”