9. Sweet Torture

NINE

SWEET TORTURE

Faktil quo Laus

It was late and the sun was dipping low on the horizon. Conversation came easily all day as he helped Naomi with the chores and preparing meals. Now there was a lull, though quietly sitting with her wasn't awkward. Faktil admired the orange and pink clouds through the break in the trees. His gaze panned to the crackling fire with its hypnotic flicker, then to Naomi sitting on the neighboring stump. She again wore her tan pants and white top, which were only slightly stained. The fact that her sexy little body was covered did nothing to deter his less than honorable thoughts.

I don't think we need to worry about my head.

He remembered every one of her delicious curves. His memory was clearly intact. So was his imagination. His cock jerked beneath his vestments as he imagined slipping between her luscious curvy thighs. She was petite, but had enough padding to cushion his thrusts.

Naomi picked that moment to look at him. She smiled at him then glanced away, preoccupying herself with stirring the pot over the fire.

Goddess, those coy little smiles are going to be the death of me, he silently groaned.

It took every ounce of willpower he possessed to not snatch her off the stump and mount her in the dirt like a wild animal.

Just then the pungent scent of the boiling fish guts wafted his way. He couldn't help but grimace as it put a damper on his amorous mood. It was for the best, though.

"Sorry," Naomi chuckled. "It's not pretty but the fish oil that boils off is useful," she apologized.

"Don't apologize for what you do to survive. I understand that not every aspect is pretty," he assured her. "As advanced as my people are, our life is primitive in many ways. I am told there was a time when every clan had a mechanism that cooked food with energy instead of fire. One of my human friends said you have these machines in abundance here."

"Do you mean microwaves?"

"Probably. Now we cook much like this, with stone bake ovens inside our dwellings." He gestured to the firepit. "Our civil war raged on for so long we ceased to innovate and only maintained the most necessary advancements, like starships. I hunted and fished to take care of my sisters. We used every part of the animal the way you are, and cooked on an open fire," he shared, the conversation helping divert his attention from the nagging desire to touch her.

"War is such a nasty thing." Naomi blanched. "Its lasting repercussions are..." she finished by shaking her head.

"So true. Thankfully we found allies, the Osivoire, who helped us rebuild our defenses, so we aren't at the mercy of races like the Jurou Biljana. "

"And in turn, you're helping us." Naomi bumped him and smiled.

"Aye." Faktil nodded and grinned back at her.

"My nana liked to share the old ways with me. That's how I know about edible plants and using all parts of the fish. She's native Hawaiian and would tell me about how our people migrated to the islands in wooden canoes using the stars to navigate." Naomi smiled wistfully.

"Was it your ancestors who learned how to prepare the taro so it wasn't poisonous?" He gestured to the drying rack with the cut-up tuber on it.

"I don't know that it was specifically my ancestors. It's eaten in many regions. I'm fascinated with how it became part of our diet. Once upon a time someone had to figure out how to make it safe." She made a funny grimace, while using the fire poker to remove the pot dangling over the fire.

"Indeed," he chuckled at her expression. "I'm picturing the poor individual who kept testing it. Needs more cooking." He feigned choking, grabbing his throat.

"True," Naomi laughed. "I think after the first attempt I would've been very hesitant to try again." She shook her head while chuckling.

"I know I wouldn't. My mouth is still tender." He ran his tongue over his sensitive gums.

"Sorry." Naomi frowned in sympathy. "How's your leg doing?"

"It's doing well. The Cadi heal fast." He brushed aside the concern, more curious about something else Naomi shared, though he certainly appreciated her concern. "You said your nana is native Hawaiian. I am unfamiliar with what a nana is and I'm guessing Hawaiian is a region of Earth, but I am not familiar with where that is."

"Nana is my mother's mother. Many people call their grandmothers nana, but my grandma's name was Nani, so it fit."

"Ah." He nodded.

"Hawaii is a string of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Let me show you." Naomi used the metal fire poker to trace a map of her planet. "Here's Florida. And here is where Hawaii is. There are eight good-sized populated islands, but there are many smaller ones. I'm guessing we're somewhere north of the big island." She shrugged as she pointed to the little dots she made in the dirt.

"The chain of islands seems so isolated," he noted, looking at the land masses versus the dots.

"It is." Naomi nodded.

"And your people navigated here using the stars?"

She again nodded.

"That's impressive."

"I often think our ancestors were smarter than we are today," Naomi commented.

"I know my ancestors were," Faktil snorted. His ancestors possessed many advancements lost to time and the ravages of war.

"Brave, too. They got on boats with no guarantee there was land out there and just went for it. Nope, nope, nope." Naomi shook her head.

"That would take one long, thick tail," Faktil agreed, picturing how his spacefaring ancestors ventured into the blackness of space.

Naomi paused and cast him a funny look. He did his best to mimic her expression, his brow furrowed, and his head tilted slightly.

"Long, thick tail? Is that how you gauge things?" Her eyes widened in question.

"Ah yes," he chuckled, not realizing he'd made the reference, which was so common among his people. "I'm not sure how or if the phrase translates." He shrugged.

"I think someone had to ‘pull up their big girl pants' or ‘grow a pair.' Those phrases mean to be brave," she related.

"Grow a pair?" he asked in confusion, while chuckling at the first phrase.

"Yeah, it means to, um, grow a pair of balls."

"Balls?" Faktil cocked his head.

"Balls." Naomi mimicked cupping her crotch and her cheeks reddened.

"Ah," he snorted. "So, gonads are synonymous with bravery amongst humans."

"I guess, as much as tails are for the Cadi," she laughed.

"True. I find these variations fascinating." He smiled, loving her laughter. "Just so you are aware, I have an above average…" He paused dramatically.

Naomi tilted her head, then her eyes narrowed and she pointed in censure at him.

"Tail," he added. "I have an above average tail. What did you think I was going to say?" He cast her an impish grin.

"Mm hmm," Naomi snorted as she stood. "Well, I suppose it's time to turn in. Do you need to use the restroom?"

"No. I am fine." He shook his head.

"I'll be just a minute. Are you able to take the pot inside, so no critters get into it in the middle of the night?" she requested.

"Of course." He stood and grabbed the pot.

"Mahalo," she called out.

"It's my honor," he said over his shoulder as he headed into the cabin. He'd do more if she'd let him.

I'll figure out how she does things and will make myself useful, he encouraged himself. I just need to pull up my big girl pants and grow a pair, he chuckled, certain he used the phrases wrong but was amused anyway.

Faktil flicked the switch that engaged the artificial light, appreciating the solar powered tech.

"Whoa, hey, Bandit," he declared, spotting the feathered creature sitting in the rafters overhead.

The way the bird glared at him made him uneasy. Its sharp talons and beak were nothing to joke about.

"No-me Bandit friend. No Bad Pig," the bird hissed, flapping down to land on the table.

"Are you trying to say I can't be her friend?" He felt bad for the bird. "I'm not trying to replace you. Naomi can be friends with both of us. I'd like to be your friend, too."

The bird made a disgruntled sound, its feathers ruffling as it eyed him. Faktil sighed. Bandit wasn't going to instantly like him, he just needed to accept it. He'd just have to be patient. Faktil set the pot of fish guts by the door, then cringed as the scent wafted up, filling his nostrils. He needed to cover it or the smell would quickly fill the cabin. He went to the shelving unit and perused the contents.

"This will work." He grabbed a metal disk that looked like it would fit the pot.

He spun around to place it on the pot and found Bandit tugging on the metal handle of the pot.

"Wait a moment!" Faktil dropped to the floor and grabbed the pot as it threatened to tip over.

The bird's wings flapped while continuing to tug the pot, making it difficult to also maintain his grip on the handle.

"Hey, it's going to tip." The last thing he wanted was to spill the fish guts.

"Bandit!" Naomi declared from the porch.

Faktil froze where he knelt and sheepishly looked at Naomi. She was now eye level but he felt as small as a mite on a manx's ass. This was the second time she'd had to intercede between him and Bandit. This did not cast him in a good light.

Bandit reluctantly released the handle of the pot. "Bad Pig bad," he hissed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want him to tip the pot." Faktil grimaced, hoping Naomi understood he wasn't intentionally squabbling with the bird. He wasn't a juvenile, despite how this looked.

"I think I know the problem." Naomi picked up the pot. "Bandit, thank you for helping. Faktil didn't know that we put hot, dirty pots by the stove." She put the pot on the mat that sat under the stove.

"Ah." He nodded in understanding. The mat kept the heat from damaging the wood floor.

"Bad Pig bad bad," Bandit squawked.

"Bandit, his name is Faktil," Naomi sighed in exasperation. "He's new here and hurt so we need to be patient with him." She stuck out her arm and the disgruntled bird climbed onto it. "Now, can you be nice?" She ruffled the feathers atop Bandit's head, and Faktil wished he was the bird.

Bandit nuzzled her briefly then looked at him. "No!" he squawked and flew off out the open door.

"That bird!" Naomi rolled her eyes to the ceiling.

"I don't know what I did to put a kink in his tail," Faktil groaned.

"Ha," Naomi chuckled.

He cocked his head in confusion.

"I love all the tail references." Naomi grinned, her little nose scrunching up, looking all cute.

"I am just now realizing how often it pops up." He smiled at her .

"Different cultures are fun like that." She beamed at him. "Though to some, the differences can be jarring. Bandit will hopefully warm up to you soon. Did he scratch you?" Her brow furrowed in concern as she panned him.

"No." Faktil shook his head.

"Oh, here, I'll take that. Mahalo." Naomi reached for the pot lid.

Her fingers brushed his, and time stood still as pure desire blazed up his arm, going straight to his core. He salivated, the persistent ache in his fangs doubling. His gaze darted to a spot on her neck where he would put his claiming mark. Thankfully the collar of her white shirt covered it or he might have acted on it. With each touch, no matter how casual, it was becoming infinitely more difficult to resist the pull of the stunning female.

Naomi smiled at him as she took the lid. When she spun to put it on the pot, Faktil shoved down his aching erection. He then bit back a groan. Just grazing it sent more blood pumping into his growing arousal. As it was, the damn thing was threatening to tent his vestments. Faktil quickly sat on the floor at the foot of the bed, his forearm draped over his lap to hide the evidence of his desire.

Blessed goddess, get a grip on yourself! The last thing he needed was to scare her.

"I usually go to bed when it gets dark. It saves energy," she commented when she turned back around. "But we could play a game. This place came with a deck of cards."

"No. I think going to sleep is fine." He shook his head.

He was enjoying their conversations, but now it was best if he just went to sleep, or someone whacked him in the head and knocked him out.

"Oh, I hate that you're on the floor." Naomi grimaced. "Maybe we could move the mattress onto the floor. It's not big but I bet I could curl up next to the wall and you wouldn't notice me." She gestured to the space at the foot of the bed.

He eyed the strip just wide enough to fit the mattress and imagined himself curled up with Naomi pressed against his chest. His inner beast trembled with the need to turn his imagination into a reality.

No! Naomi was too delicate to withstand the lascivious things he hungered to do to her. It would also be reprehensible to take advantage of her loneliness. Naomi had been hurt and betrayed by males. He couldn't, he wouldn't do that to the precious female.

Torment! Faktil cursed as his instincts warred with his honor, while debating what he should say.

Naomi

Naomi stood beside Faktil, debating if there was enough room for the twin mattress at the foot of the bed. It looked like it would fit, but her spatial perception was never great. She asked what Faktil thought, but he was quiet, so maybe he was equally bad at judging distances.

"Naomi," Faktil finally spoke, and his serious tone instantly caught her attention. "If we share the same bed, I won't be able to keep my hands off you, and I won't take advantage of you that way," Faktil warned, his deep voice raking over her.

Naomi's knees almost buckled, her mouth dropping open. She honestly hadn't been angling to sleep with him. She truly felt awful that Faktil was relegated to the hard floor. With all his injuries and the bruises on his back that had to be very uncomfortable. She'd willingly share the bed, but as tall as he was, he'd never fit on the short bedframe. It only made sense to put the mattress on the floor and share it until better arrangements could be made. His comment struck her like a freight train.

He does like me. The butterflies in her stomach took flight, and she felt dizzy. Then the rest of what Faktil said registered.

He doesn't want to take advantage. She turned away from him before frowning in disappointment.

"Maybe I don't want you to," she mumbled under her breath, not nearly brave enough to say it louder. But she didn't want Faktil to keep his hands to himself, therefore it wouldn't be taking advantage.

Naomi cast a surreptitious glance at Faktil as she went to flip off the light. He looked mad, the muscle in his jaw standing out, his fists clenched tight in his lap.

Oh. He still looked sexy but also scary. She quickly looked away and shut off the light, confused about what part of their exchange made him mad.

Carefully she crossed the dim cabin, not wanting to step on Faktil. She couldn't miss him, though, he still sat stiff as a statue at the foot of the bed. With a shake of her head, she climbed onto the mattress.

"Here's the sheet and pillow." She passed the pair to him.

"Thank you," he replied, his voice almost a growl.

"Goodnight." She lay down and pulled the blanket over her even though she wasn't cold.

"Night," he brusquely said.

What did I do wrong? She wondered as she watched his dark silhouette stretch out next to the bed. It has to be a cultural thing. I must have said something wrong.

Faktil roughly shoved the pillow beneath his head, tugged the sheet over himself, and rolled to face the other way. With a sigh, Naomi's head dropped back onto the mattress. She'd been mustering the courage to ask what happened, but Faktil had effectively shut her out.

Today was so nice. It was a shame it was ending on an awkward note.

A slight smile tipped her lips. It was sweet that he didn't want to take advantage of her. Most men she knew would've jumped at the opportunity and then pawed at her.

At this point I'd welcome a good pawing even from a pervert.

Naomi grimaced in disappointment. It had been so long since she'd had a decent orgasm. She'd never been any good at diddling her own bean. It always took a battery-operated boyfriend or an actual boyfriend to get the job done.

It probably wouldn't even take a pawing to get me off. Faktil could simply rub my knee or grip my hip and I'd go off like a fourth of July firework.

Just the thought of his big hands kneading her flesh made her shiver. She could practically feel their warmth and the way his fingers would press into her skin. Her nipples stood at attention while she imagined his finger circling the aching buds. She wouldn't mind touching him either. Since Faktil wore only a kilt he was a constant temptation.

Holy hell! She bit her lip.

The exotic man was all muscle, his flesh the color of lust. She wanted to count his ab muscles with her tongue.

The sudden inhalation from Faktil sounded like a gasp, and Naomi nearly cried out in shock. It was so well timed, she questioned if he'd heard her naughty thoughts, and was reacting to them. Hesitantly she peered over the bed at the giant.

Oh, thank god! She sighed, her heartbeat returning to normal as she saw the steady rise and fall of his chest. He's asleep. She'd forgotten how frustratingly fast he fell asleep .

Ugh. Naomi rolled onto her back, her aroused mood was banished by the brief scare, leaving her frustrated again.

Sleep was going to be damn near impossible now. She smirked at the rafters, pointlessly counting the five blades on the ceiling fan for the millionth time. Suddenly she noticed how tight her khakis felt and the way her shirt was bunched up underneath her. She tended to just sleep in the swimsuit, but wasn't about to strip out of her clothes while she and Faktil were having their awkward moment, but now he was asleep. She shimmied out of her capris and shrugged off her shirt, draping them over the headboard.

Better. She wiggled into the depression in the mattress. Now that she was more comfortable, maybe she could sleep as peacefully as Faktil seemed to be.

Naomi focused on his steady breathing. Even though she wasn't pressed against him, it was still nice having him near.

I don't want to make things awkward. Maybe Faktil keeping this distance was a smart thing. After all, he was an alien. Starting something with him has serious implications. Just having his company needs to be enough. That in and of itself was a blessing. And when his people come, he'll take me home.

With an accepting nod, she stared at the ceiling and matched breaths with Faktil until everything drifted away.

Faktil's dark eyes pinned her to the bed. His usually jovial expression was serious, the way it had been before they went to bed. Lust crackled in the air between them. It was intense, and she now understood his earlier warning. He'd been telling her that if he touched her, he'd possess her entirely. What had she gotten herself into? Faktil was a huge man, an alien man. Could she withstand his hunger?

"Yes," Naomi moaned.

In reply, Faktil ran his finger slowly up her calf. Her breath sped up as it drifted to the inside of her knee. Wantonly she spread her legs, praying he didn't stop. His caress was gentle, too gentle. It would've been less torturous if he was firmer. Not having been touched in forever, she was so damn ticklish. This was like the first time, when she was thirteen and her boyfriend copped a feel at the movies. Naomi bit her lip and suppressed the urge to squirm as the exotic warrior stroked back and forth just above her knee, but didn't go higher. His expression shifted to the rakish grin he'd worn when he told her they were compatible. He knew exactly what he was doing to her, the damn tease.

"Please," she pleaded, her pussy spasming with need.

Faktil gripped her thigh and she let him. She'd let him spread her wide open and split her up the middle. That's how badly she needed this. He groaned and the sound surprised her. It was deep and sexy, that was nice, but somehow it was oddly distant. In fact, there was something very strange about this whole scenario.

Naomi blinked, clearing her eyes, and the hazy image of Faktil kneeling by the bed faded.

I was dreaming.

As she groaned in disappointment, the pressure on her thigh registered. She glanced down to find Faktil's tail draped across her leg, above the knee. She'd mistaken his tail for his hand in her dream.

Her eyes widened. Was Faktil trying to feel her up on the sly? Not that she minded, but he said he wouldn't, and he didn't strike her as a liar. Naomi glanced over the edge of the bed. Faktil's chest moved steadily, his breathing even. He was still fast asleep.

Oh, dear god. Her gaze darted to the ceiling when the tip of his tail flicked against her inner thigh. The long, flexible appendage had a mind of its own, slowly drifting higher. Or maybe it's acting on Faktil's true desires.

The wayward appendage grazed her pussy, and her back arched. It was the barest touch yet it sent fire searing through her veins. Naomi bit her lip to squelch the needy moan threatening to escape. She should be embarrassed and put a stop to this, but she was too desperate to care.

Again, she silently begged, wanting him to stroke the sweet spot again.

Except his tail burrowed beneath her thigh instead. Frustratingly, it stopped moving once it coiled around her leg. Though on a positive note, he'd reached out to her in his sleep. It was a very sweet gesture and made her chest tighten. At the same time her pussy sulked.

Tomorrow, she promised Faktil and patted his tail. She wasn't exactly sure what she'd do tomorrow, but she'd do something. She'd had a taste of what things could be like with Faktil and needed more.