11. Excuses, Excuses

ELEVEN

EXCUSES, EXCUSES

Faktil quo Laus

"What?!" Faktil gaped at Naomi, certain he misunderstood her.

He didn't know what a bull was, but he knew what shit was. His desire to be honorable wasn't shit.

"Aw. You're so cute when you're confused." She smiled sweetly, but he was rather certain that wasn't a compliment.

"Why do you call it shit?" He tilted his head, wondering if something he said hadn't translated.

Naomi sighed and looked him square in the eyes. "Fine, since we're being adults and coming straight out with it. I think that your excuse is paternalistic." She took an aggressive step forward, her little finger jabbing toward him. "I'm a grown woman who can make decisions for myself, lonely or not. If you said having sex was a cultural taboo, or you were personally opposed, it would be one thing…"

He was both humbled and amused. He hadn't intended to be patronizing in any way. At the same time, he was loving the way the petite female took him to task. Naomi was definitely not shy the more they came to know each other.

"Ah, but I am personally opposed," he attempted to interject, and honestly couldn't believe what he was saying.

"No. I don't think so." She shook her head. "You are opposed to it because you feel it would be taking advantage or dishonoring me. Which I take exception to the notion that something so natural and wonderful could in any way sully my honor, or that I can be taken advantage of, like I'm some weakling emotionally or physically." Naomi put her hands on her hips, challenging him to say otherwise.

Naomi made some very valid points, yet he resisted. Why? Then the answer dawned on him. He was indeed the one with the issue.

"Naomi, you are still getting to know me." Faktil took a step forward, invading Naomi's personal space. She needed to know this wasn't a game.

Goddess! She smelled so good, just like the island flowers. It didn't help his plight.

"I know you are a sweet guy," she insisted while backing up, but was forced to stop when she bumped into the shed.

"No, little Blossom." Faktil shook his head, propping a hand on either side of Naomi and leaning in close. "I am a beast and I want to dominate you." Lust bled into his voice, making it rough and deep. "I want to bend you over, bury my fangs in your neck and my shaft in your body, while you scream out my name." His gaze raked down her voluptuous little body. He wasn't pressed against her, but the tips of her breasts were grazing his abdomen with each breath she took. "You are not weak, but precious goddess, I am stronger and I can't bear the idea of hurting you," he laid out what was at the root of his concerns.

He wanted to treat Naomi like the goddess she was, at the same time the baser part of him wanted to do very disrespectful things to her. It was tugging him in two directions.

Naomi licked her lips and swallowed hard as she looked up at him. It nearly snapped his resolve. Swiftly he backed away. His shaft was getting hard again, and he needed some distance or he was going to make use of his erection. She was too damn delicate. He could inadvertently hurt her in the throes of passion.

Torment! He could hurt her just trying to work his shaft into her little body. Ugh! He clenched his hands by his sides until his claws bit into his palms and took calming breaths. He would not do that to Naomi!

"Whatever you say, boy scout." Naomi batted her eyes at him. "So, your leg looks good."

There was a sarcastic quality to her facial expression and comment, and though she'd changed the subject he was certain this conversation wasn't over. Although at the sight of his leg, Naomi did relax noticeably, despite the heated discussion they'd been having. She'd obviously been concerned about him. Naomi truly was a sweet and caring female.

"Cadi heal fast." He flexed his calf, pleased with the range of motion. He had scabs in the shape of the shark's bite which would undoubtedly scar, but it was healing well. "It doesn't look like there's any infection either. All of it is thanks to you. Thank you," he said earnestly.

"You do heal fast." Naomi circled him, examining the back of his calf. "I'm so glad." The comment came out as a relieved sigh.

"Need any help?" He gestured to the shed she'd exited earlier.

"I was thinking about going fishing, if you are up to it." Her gaze drifted to his crotch. "No pun intended." She gave him an impish smile.

His shaft wasn't fully aroused any longer, but it jerked at the rowdy comment, more blood pumping into the eager flesh.

"Naomi!" he growled in warning. She most certainly intended the pun.

"All right, all right, boy scout." Naomi held her hands up in surrender, looking woefully contrite.

Faktil's eyes narrowed on her. It was diabolical the way she was able to feign remorse so convincingly when he knew she was anything but.

Naomi let out a wicked giggle then disappeared into the shed. She'd healed him, now she was intentionally torturing him.

"Goddess help me!" He rolled his eyes to the sky.

Naomi

Oh my gawd! Naomi bit her fist once she was inside the shed, out of Faktil's view.

The encounter with the exotic man had her heart thundering in her chest. He could be truly scary if he wanted, but she was far from afraid. Her pussy cramped and her stomach fluttered as she pictured the giant muscular man bending her over and biting her neck. It sounded a lot like the way lions mated, and she desperately wanted to be dominated. Perhaps she should heed Faktil's warning. He had a tail and fangs, so maybe he was a beast, and civility was just a mask his people wore with other races. He was right, she didn't know him very well. He could probably break her in two without even trying. Clearly she was crazy, because rather than being deterred, all of that only made her want the alien man more.

I also probably shouldn't goad him. Except it was just so much fun. She bit her lip, picturing the bulge tenting his kilt.

The door opened behind her and Faktil entered, snapping her out of her ramblings.

"Grab that net, please." She pointed to the wall, while lifting the kayak.

Faktil grabbed the kayak from her. "How about I carry this?"

The man tucked the kayak under his arm. As big as he was, he made it look like a little boogie board.

"I appreciate the gesture." She smiled at him. "But letting you carry the bigger item would feed your preconceived notion that I'm somehow helpless." She grabbed the kayak.

"Hmm," he let out an amused grunt as he relinquished the kayak and grabbed the fishing net instead.

Some men would automatically be mad at her flippant response to his helpful gesture. Her ex would have treated it like the starting bell to a fight, but that's what she got for dating a dude named Chad. Faktil, however, got an amused expression, his eyes crinkling while his lips tipped up at the corners. A thrill coursed through her. The man had a sense of humor.

"I hope you know that I don't think you're incapable. I know you're more than able," Faktil explained as he followed her out of the shed and they crossed the yard.

"Sure, sure." She tried to not grin, enjoying that he felt the need to explain himself.

She balanced the kayak on her head the way she usually did as she walked, and fetched the canvas bag off the porch.

"After all, you survived here on your own," he added .

"I did." She smiled in agreement, loving this strange apology.

"The human females I've known are always ridiculously brave."

"Oh," she said, truly surprised by the comment.

Calling her people brave was a compliment, particularly coming from a giant alien warrior. The fact that he specifically said females was an added layer that filled her with pride. Then a twinge of jealousy struck and she paused.

"Do you know a lot of human females?" She tipped the kayak back and eyed him.

"Uh, um, no," Faktil sputtered, looking adorable.

She cast him a lopsided grin. Apparently, she didn't need to be jealous. It was time to let the poor guy off the hook. At the rate she was antagonizing him, she was going to scare him off by lunch, and that was not her intent at all. She couldn't force her wants and desires on him, and above all wanted to be friends. It would break her heart if she ruined that.

"I'm teasing you." She patted his arm. "Come on."

"I am well aware of that," he snorted.

She sighed, glad that he understood.

A content smile graced her face as they headed down the path to the beach. It was a nice day, not too hot or cold. The breeze rustling through the canopy spread the lovely scent of the plumeria which were blooming. The birds were happily chirping, reflecting her mood. They were halfway down the path when Faktil broke the silence.

"I was eight seasons when my second sire didn't return from patrolling the border and I became Prime, the caretaker for my mother and sisters," his tone was quiet, barely audible above the bird calls .

Her breath froze in her throat, her happy mood fading in an instant.

Oh no, was on the tip of her tongue. She had no clue his stepfather had also died when he was young, but Faktil continued with what he felt compelled to share.

"So when the enemy raided our village it was my duty to protect them." His voice had a far-off haunted quality. "I had just turned fourteen and didn't have nearly enough training to go up against full-grown warriors. It was a surprise when the Scelus warrior broke into our dwelling, and I wasn't able to get to Avraham's old sword above the door. The disgusting bastard went for my sisters, making vile comments about what he'd do. We were still youths," he spat in disgust.

Naomi swallowed, feeling his terror as if it were her own. This was the horror of the war he'd survived. She shifted the kayak so she could look at him. He was staring straight ahead, but there was no hiding the torment in his jet-black eyes.

Please God! She bit her lip, dreading what he'd tell her next.

"I went for the vile male, though he quickly knocked me down." Faktil absentmindedly touched the scar that slightly marred his left brow, and she knew he'd gotten it that day. "My sisters' terrified screams had me on my feet again. I was prepared to try over and over until he killed me, but my mother came through the door and grabbed the sword." He swallowed hard, his voice growing even more quiet.

Naomi smelled salt and her eyes stung as she felt her own tears building.

"The blade trembled in my mother's hand as she screamed at us to run. I had very little training, but she had none. It was my duty to protect her, except she was my mother and I had a duty to do as she told me." Faktil shook his head, clearly conflicted. He then looked at her, pain etched on his face. "I did what she told me. I took my sisters and we fled," he choked on the words.

Unable to resist the urge any longer, she dropped the kayak and wrapped her arms around Faktil.

"I'm so sorry." The tears streamed from her eyes as she held him tight, hating the way the big, strong man trembled.

"I should've gone back after I hid my sisters in the woods. I've heard stories, terrible stories from other warriors and females who survived the Scelus war parties. I can't bear to imagine what was done to her. Some days I pray that I'll find her, other days I pray that she met a swift death. Goddess, I failed her!" Faktil rasped, his voice wavering.

"No! You did the right thing," she insisted, her heart breaking at the torment Faktil suffered. "Who would've watched over your sisters?" She stroked his back.

Faktil quietly held her for several moments, then sighed and nodded. "It was an arduous three moon journey to Sargon. We were nearly caught in the conflict as the battlefront shifted. I can't think about what would've happened to my sisters if we stayed, or if I was killed and they made the trek on their own," he reluctantly admitted. "But I had a duty to my mother, too." Faktil morosely shook his head.

"I don't know if you believe in the afterlife, but I'm sure your parents are proud of you, wherever they are." She smiled up at the big sweet man. "There are a million different choices we can make in life. All we can do is make the best choice we can, using what we know in that instant. It's not fair judging our past selves, now that we're wiser. I personally think you did the best and only thing you could have. Hell, you were kids trapped in the middle of a war." She hugged him tighter .

"Thank you." He smiled down at her. "I hope you can take your own advice." He gave her a gentle, encouraging squeeze.

"Point taken," Naomi chuckled slightly as they parted. He was right, she was just as good at beating herself up over not taking the time she should have with her family, because she was trying to make a future for herself.

She wiped the moisture from her eyes as Faktil grabbed the kayak, and she picked up the fishing net, then they continued down the path.

"There are worse places to be marooned." Faktil admired the horizon once they reached the beach.

"It truly is gorgeous," she agreed as they took a seat on one of the big rocks.

They remained silent for a bit, watching the waves wash in and out as the breeze buffeted them and the birds called. Although she'd seen this sight a thousand times, this wasn't one of those moments she'd let blend into all the others. She'd remember the morning a handsome alien bared his heart to her as they soaked in the beauty of creation. This was the morning she realized she was falling in love.

Faktil quo Laus

Faktil dislodged another conical shellfish from the rock and tossed it in the fabric bag. It was a little embarrassing Naomi was out in the water doing the fishing. Under normal circumstances he was more than capable. As Faktil was grimacing at the bite mark on his calf, movement caught his attention.

"By Vrag's tail!" he barked, seeing the crab brandishing a knife in its large claw. The damn thing had snatched the blade he'd been using, and it was waving it aggressively as it advanced toward him.

Now, this is utterly ridiculous. He gaped in disbelief as he scrambled to his feet and sidestepped the armed crustacean.

"Did I step on one of your kinsmen the other day?" he asked while quickly grabbing the knife and yanking it from the creature's grasp. "It wasn't intentional. And might I remind you, your kinsmen attacked me. I was peacefully passed out in the sand," he informed the beast as it scurried off between the rocks.

Yes, ranting at the crab was crazy, but this whole scenario was bizarre. Faktil incredulously shook his head as he tucked the blade into his waistband. The wildlife truly wasn't fond of him. If this wasn't prime evidence, he didn't know what was. It didn't make the least bit of sense.

Splashing had him spinning around to see what it was. He fully expected to find some menacing beast emerging from the ocean, bent on exacting its revenge. Faktil sighed, grateful it was Naomi. She said she'd return soon, but he didn't expect her to come to shore this soon. His jaw dropped at the way the water roiled around her from the fish trapped in her net.

"How did you catch so many? I am certain you just paddled out there." He rushed into the surf to help her.

"They're abundant in the bay. Oh, thanks," Naomi said as he took the tether for the kayak and hooked it into his belt. "I never used to be this good at fishing, but it's like they swim right into my net."

He grabbed the other end of the net and eyed her catch in amazement. "I tried fishing the other day and they fled entirely."

"What did you try fishing with?" She tilted her head questioningly.

"I learned to hand fish when I was a youth. I'm pretty good at it, but not here." He shook his head. "The fish flee from me here, all except the sharks and the crabs."

He debated telling her about the incident with the crustacean, but he wasn't quite sure he hadn't imagined it. He had suffered a bump on the head recently.

"Wow. That's impressive. I'm too slow to catch them that way." She considered him for a moment. "Maybe you give off a hormone that drives the fish here away." Naomi shrugged.

"Hey, are you saying I stink?" he teased.

Naomi leaned in and sniffed him, not just subtly but aggressively, her nose tickling his ribs. His eyes widened. Never had a female blatantly sniffed him.

"Not bad," she decided as she pulled back. "But you might stink to fish. I wouldn't know, I'm not a fish."

Faktil loved the way she teased him and couldn't resist returning it. He took the other end of the net from her, then hooked his arm around Naomi, and snatched her out of the surf.

"Faktil!" she squealed.

"Oh, I don't know. You're wet and slimy like a fish," he chuckled as she squirmed.

"I'd like to amend my answer. You do stink," she declared, trying to sound outraged, but there was mirth in her voice.

"Ah, well, now that I've caught you, I'm not tossing you back. You're a keeper," he informed her.

Naomi stopped squirming, wrapped her arms around his neck and looked him square in the eyes. "You better stop flirting and put me down, boy scout, or I'm going to say something regretful," she warned, wearing a mischievous grin.

She was right. He should put her down. Her curves pressed against his side were becoming harder to ignore by the moment. Except, making his arm release her when it was operating on instinct was near impossible, and he had to know what rowdy thing she was about to say.

"Really. Do tell," he goaded her.

"You asked for it. So, if I'm a keeper then are you planning to eat me for dinner?" She wagged her brows at him and giggled.

He stopped on the beach, his legs incapable of working as his mind was invaded with the image of shoving his face between Naomi's delectable thighs and feasting on her sex. His fangs spurted and he salivated with the need for a single taste.

"Crap, let me down, Faktil. You dropped the fish," Naomi declared, snapping him out of the illicit daydream.

He looked down to find the fish spilling out of the snare and flopping on the sand. The only saving grace was that they weren't standing in the surf, though they weren't that far from it either. Several of the fish were furiously flailing toward the waves.

"Son of a metcor ," he cursed, quickly setting Naomi down.

Perdition! You're worse than unhelpful. You're undoing all her work. He scooped up the edges of the net before the remaining fish went everywhere.

As he was getting that under control, Naomi went after the three fish that got away. She scooped them up, but rather than bring them back, she raced into the surf and set them free. The sweet gesture sent warmth spreading through him, and he smiled wistfully. She had a beautiful soul.

Naomi returned and caught him staring at her.

"I had to let them go. They were so close to freedom." She gave him a lopsided smile .

"You never have to explain or justify your kindness to me," he said.

Again, he wanted to pull Naomi against him and hug her tight. The female induced so many emotions, he wasn't sure what to expect from one moment to the next. Being around her was like when he first learned to fly, and he was enjoying the wild ride.