Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

W illow bit her lip as the door slid shut behind Wraith, tears threatening to escape. She couldn't deny that she was hurt by his rapid departure, but neither was she entirely surprised. She'd felt the emotional impact of their connection and she suspected it was even harder for him.

The warmth of his kiss still lingered on her lips, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness that now filled the room. Part of her longed to follow him, to reassure him - and perhaps herself as well - but she knew she had to give him time. He was like a wounded animal, lashing out when cornered by his own emotions. This level of intimacy, of vulnerability, was clearly foreign territory for him.

And for me.

Seeing them in Wraith had made her realize that she had her own barriers as well. She had a number of friends, but no one she was really close to. No wonder her few relationships had never lasted. Her parents' behavior had scarred her even more deeply than she'd realized.

She rolled onto her back, staring at the metallic ceiling above. The bed felt too large now, too empty without his big body next to hers. She replayed their conversation in her mind, remembering the pain in his eyes as he'd battled with his nightmares. He'd opened up to her, if only for a moment.

"Oh, Wraith," she whispered to the empty room, her voice barely audible. "What happened to you?"

She hated to think of him alone, struggling with those flashes of memory, but as much as she wanted to go to him, she was afraid that pushing him now might only drive him further away. He needed time and space, and she had to give it to him.

Instead, she hugged his pillow close, breathing in his spicy scent as she remembered the intensity of his kiss, the gentleness of his hands. Despite his abrupt departure, she couldn't bring herself to regret what had happened between them. Her body still hummed with the lingering pleasure of their joining, her nipples tightening as she remembered him rising over her, the soft light catching little sparks of color in his skin.

His hair had come loose, the long, dark purple strands softening his face and caressing her skin when he bent to kiss her. His need had been obvious in every touch, every caress, and it wasn't just physical desire she'd felt from him, but a deep-seated emotional hunger that resonated with her own longing for connection.

But the physical desire had been there for her as well, his mouth and hands creating a level of arousal, of excitement, she'd never felt before. Even when he'd stripped off his clothes and she'd seen his massive cock for the first time - his definitely not-human cock - she'd found the sight thrilling rather than intimidating.

And when he'd entered her, the frilled edges of his cock stroking places inside her she hadn't even known existed, she'd come so hard she'd seen stars. He'd kept moving, urgent, demanding, and she'd climaxed again as hot liquid flooded her, the unfamiliar sensation both erotic and oddly satisfying.

A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and she smiled as she let it carry her off to sleep.

She woke to find Sooni staring at her, her arms crossed and her expression accusatory.

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she quickly pulled the covers up to her neck.

"I'm sorry if you were worried but-"

"Wraith said you'd be sleeping here from now on," Sooni interrupted, giving her a suspicious look.

Her heart skipped a beat. He still wanted her to stay in his cabin? Of course that didn't mean he would join her again, but it still gave her hope.

"I… Yes, I suppose I am," she managed, trying to keep her voice steady. "Did you need something, sweetie?"

"It's breakfast time. You always make breakfast."

"I guess I overslept." She sat up carefully, keeping the covers clasped against her. "I'll be there in just a minute to make breakfast, okay? Why don't you go see if your grandfather is awake?"

As soon as Sooni scampered off, Willow ducked into the small sanitary facility to wash. She almost didn't recognize herself - her eyes bright, her mouth still pink and swollen. Her nipples were slightly swollen as well, and the smooth silk of her dress sliding over them sent a shiver of desire down her spine. The small lingering ache between her legs was another reminder of the previous night and by the time she was finished dressing her cheeks were flushed.

Where was Wraith she wondered as she hurried to the galley. Was he going to keep avoiding her?

Both Malacar and Sooni were waiting for her and the heat in her cheeks increased when Malacar gave her a speculative look. To her relief, he didn't comment and they settled into their usual routine. She did her best to keep busy, trying to stop herself from thinking about Wraith.

She spent the morning with Sooni, working on some basic math.

"Now, if you have three apples and I give you two more, how many do you have?" she asked.

"What's an apple?"

She laughed. "It's a type of fruit. How many pieces of fruit would you have?"

Sooni's tongue flicked out as she concentrated.

"Five!" she exclaimed after a moment.

"That's right."

Willow smiled at the little girl, running an affectionate hand over the smooth scales covering her scalp, and Sooni beamed. She was a pleasure to teach - eager to learn and responsive to praise.

Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, Wraith didn't join them for lunch. Sooni went off to play and Willow found Malacar tinkering with an air filtration unit.

"Need a hand?" she offered.

He nodded and gave her a quick smile.

"Could you pass me that hydrospanner?"

He explained what he was doing as he worked, but her usual interest was replaced by worrying about Wraith. She hated to think of him brooding alone in the cockpit. After Malacar finished, she decided to take Wraith a mug of tea, just as she usually did. While she didn't want to intrude, she wanted him to know that she still… cared.

Her heart raced as she approached the cockpit and she had to take a steadying breath before she entered. She set the mug down in its usual place and turned to leave without looking at him.

As she started to pass him, he reached out and gripped her arm. Her breath caught as she turned back to face him. His long hair was pulled back in its usual tight knot, his face a mask of stoic control. But his eyes… his eyes told a different story.

Emotions swirled in those purple depths - confusion, longing, and something that looked almost like fear. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.

Her heart ached for him, but he had to work through this on his own. All she could do was to let him know she was there. She smiled and placed her hand over his where it rested on her arm.

"Why don't you join us for dinner tonight?" she asked softly, giving his hand a reassuring pat. "We'd love to have you."

Without waiting for a response, she slipped out of his grasp and left the cockpit, her heart pounding. She hoped he would come, but even if he didn't, she hoped she'd made it clear that he was welcome.

By the time the evening meal rolled around she was a nervous wreck, her eyes darting to the empty doorway every few seconds. The aroma of the meal she'd prepared filled the air, but her appetite had vanished. Sooni chattered away, oblivious to Willow's distraction, while Malacar watched her with knowing eyes.

"He'll come when he's ready, child," he said softly, his scaled hand patting hers. "Some hearts take longer to thaw."

She nodded, forcing a smile. "You're right, of course. I just-"

The words died on her lips as Wraith appeared in the doorway, and her heart skipped a beat as she tried not to let him see her delight.

He took his seat without a word, his face an unreadable mask. Sooni immediately launched into a story about her day's adventures, and he listened with his usual patience, offering the occasional nod or word of acknowledgment.

Despite his silence, she caught him watching her several times. Each time, her breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, heat rising to her cheeks.

As they finished eating, Malacar cleared his throat.

"I'm afraid we're running low on fresh provisions. We can switch to the packaged supplies or…"

Wraith nodded curtly.

"We're close to Radlin. We'll stop there tomorrow to restock."

Without another word, he stood and left the room, leaving her staring after him, her heart a confusing tangle of hope and disappointment. One brick at a tim e, she reminded herself.

They played another round of cards and then she tucked Sooni into bed, smiling as the little girl's lips started moving as soon as her eyes fluttered closed. When she returned to the common area, it was empty. Malacar must have gone to bed as well. She picked up the datapad and tried to concentrate on her lessons, but her eyes kept drifting to the door. Minutes ticked by, stretching into hours, but Wraith didn't appear.

She finally sighed and admitted defeat. No doubt he was back in the cockpit, but she wasn't going after him again tonight. She'd try again tomorrow.

As she prepared for bed, she kept thinking about the previous night, a low pulse of arousal humming through her body. She hesitated before climbing into bed, then switched on the small light she'd left on for him the night before. Its soft glow cast comforting shadows across the room. She lay there, wide awake, hoping that he would join her.

Her heart leapt at the door finally hissed open and he entered, but instead of joining her, he remained by the door. His posture was rigid, his face set in hard lines, but he couldn't hide the vulnerability in his eyes.

"There's no future for us," he said, his voice low and strained. "I'm collecting a bounty for taking you to Farlain."

"I see," she said quietly, studying his face.

No matter how much he tried to hide it, she could see the conflict raging behind that stoic facade. Without a word, she held out her hand.

He looked so shocked she almost laughed.

"Come to bed, Wraith."

His fists clenched.

"I… I am not sleepy."

"Neither am I." She sat up, and let the covers fall to her waist, revealing her naked breasts. He immediately focused on them, the purple fire burning in his eyes, but he remained by the door. He looked so hesitant that her heart ached for him. "Come to bed," she repeated softly.

He remained by the door a moment longer, then he crossed the room in the blink of an eye, snatching her into his arms and kissing her with the same frantic urgency as the night before. Her arms wrapped around his neck, clinging to him as his mouth slanted across hers, their tongues twining together.

When they finally broke apart, she was breathless, but she smiled up at him as he lowered her back against the bed.

"I can't fight this any longer," he said hoarsely, his fingers tangling in her hair. "I want you. I want to feel you beneath me."

She kissed him again, her tongue slipping past his lips to tangle with his.

"I'm right here," she murmured, her voice low and husky. "And I want you just as much."

A low growl rumbled in his throat as his head descended, his mouth ravaging hers as his hands moved frantically over her body, leaving a trail of fire behind. Her head spun as his fingers moved to her breasts, rolling and teasing her nipples into aching peaks.

When she could hardly stand the sweet torment of his mouth and hands, she pulled away, reaching for the fastening of his clothing.

He watched her, his eyes burning, as she quickly removed his utility belt, then unfastened his tunic, pushing it over his shoulders to reveal the broad expanse of his chest, the subtle colors in his skin gleaming in the soft light. She ran her fingers over the powerful muscles, delighting in the way his skin quivered beneath her touch.

When she finally reached his waistband she freed his erection, her mouth going dry as his cock sprang free, thick and heavy and glistening. It was the same mix of shades as his skin, but the frills that lined it - five of them, equidistant apart - were a rich, dark purple. She ran a tentative finger down one of them and he shuddered. They glistened as well, silky beneath her fingers. She leaned forward, touching the edge of one with her tongue. He tasted as delicious and spicy as his scent.

He groaned as her mouth touched him, and then he pushed her back.

"Not like this," he growled.

He stripped off the rest of his clothes with that astonishing speed, and then he was looming over her, his massive body dwarfing hers, but she was far from afraid. Arousal surged through her, leaving her feeling dizzy and intoxicated as she watched him.

His cock throbbed, the frills fluttering wildly, but instead of thrusting into her, he dropped to the floor next to the bed, grabbed her hips, and buried his head between her legs. His tongue found the swollen nub of her clit and she cried out, her hips arching against him, and he growled again, a deep rumbling sound that vibrated through her and made her entire body quiver.

He licked and sucked, his tongue thrusting inside her as she squirmed and panted beneath him, her fingers tangling in his hair as pleasure flooded her. She was almost embarrassed at her enthusiastic responsiveness, but when he finally raised his head to look at her, his eyes blazed with triumphant satisfaction.

He slid her back on the bed and rose over her, watching her face. She parted her legs in silent invitation, and he thrust into her in one long, hard stroke, filling her so completely she could barely breathe.

His frills stroked her inner walls, the combination of soft and hard pushing her over the edge in an explosion of ecstasy and then he was roaring and his hot seed flooded her once more, the sensation carrying her higher, her body pulsing around him as he jerked and shuddered against her.

Afterwards, he pulled her into his arms and held her, his fingers gently stroking her hair. He didn't speak, but neither did she, content to enjoy this moment and not worry about the future. His heart beat steadily beneath her face, and she let the soothing rhythm carry her into sleep.