Page 31 of Stolen Slave

Gradually, my racing pulse calmed, and he stood up. A line of light swept over us again and again while the steam retreated back into the small holes. It didn’t take long to dry after that.

He gently stroked his fingers over my cheek before prying my fingers open and tucking the ruby back into my navel.

It was like he was making sure to give back the thing that had brought me joy since so much didn’t bring me joy lately. And I appreciated that gesture. A lot.

After he’d tugged his pants on, he held out his hand. I took it willingly, far less freaked out, and let him lead me to the room with all the dispensers.

It should have felt good to use my legs. Instead, walking around on my own just made me feel more naked and vulnerable.

Rather than sit on the chair by myself, I watched him closely as he used the machines to produce water and oatmeal. Unfortunately, nothing looked familiar from the last time he’d done it.

When he had the cup full and the bowl waiting, he lifted me onto the narrow ledge of the counter.

“Can’t I just stand and hold my own cup?” I asked, whining a bit.

He skimmed his hand over my knee, and I spread my legs to accommodate him. Soothing words rolled off his tongue, and he ran a hand over my arm like he was praising me.

I rolled my eyes at him and drank from the cup he held to my lips with his other hand. When the water dribbled down my chest, he wiped it into my skin with his palm. My nipple pebbled. He ran a finger over it once, then left it alone. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

After I finished with the water, he led me to the table, and I braced myself for another awkward feeding.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

KHORAHN

No fear flavored her scent. None. There was, however, a fair amount of annoyance when I slid her food to the far side of the table and sat.

“I don’t suppose you’d let me sit with my legs closed this time, would you?”

“Not for all the chit in the systems,” I said, patting my legs. “You are doing so well. Look at how fiercely you scowl at me. Come now. Show me how much trust you’ve gained after that scent-marking. That one hadn’t been easy on either of us. Reassure me that your suffering isn’t pointless, my pretty little female.”

She huffed a sigh and lifted her leg over mine, giving me the most glorious view of her flank and breeding sheath in the process. My fingers itched to explore her again, but I kept my hands at my sides, proving yet again that I was worthy of the fragile trust she was giving me.

When she settled her weight on my legs, I opened mine, spreading her wide.

The scent that teased my nostrils was unlike anything I’d ever breathed in before. Mouthwatering. Cock hardening. The barest hint of arousal. And it gave me immeasurable hope for the future.

“Come on, big guy,” she grumbled. “I did my part. Now you do yours. Feed me.”

She pointed one dainty finger to the bowl.

Chuckling, I slid it in front of her and surrendered the spoon. She dug in without hesitation and with more enthusiasm than the prior flare.

I smoothed my hands down her arms and over her back while she ate. Her scent remained the same. Fearless with a fading hint of arousal.

When the spoon scraped the bottom of the bowl, she twisted around to look at me.

“If that machine could whip up some spaghetti in a few hours, I’d be a really happy girl. Oh, and garlic bread,” she added with a wistful moan. “I miss bread.”

“You speak of things I don’t yet understand, my female. But once your dietary deficiencies are met, I will find ways to diversify your foods.”

She tilted her head at me.

“I really wish we could understand each other. Communicating would make things so much easier.”

“No doubt you will have much to say about communication when you realize I can understand you. Would you like more nourishment, my sweet female?”

I tapped her bowl, but she shook her head and patted her midsection.

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