Page 15 of Accidentally Abducted

I pause, suddenly concerned. "Is there a problem?"

"Problem?" Jake stares at me with an expression I cannot quite identify. "Zeph, that's the hottest thing I've ever seen in my life."

"Cleaning my hands?"

"Licking my come off your fingers like it's the most natural thing in the world," Jake clarifies, and his breathing has picked up again despite having just climaxed. "Do you have any idea what that shit does to me?"

I study his face, noting the renewed flush across his cheekbones and the way his pupils have dilated again. "I am beginning to understand that you have many previously undiscovered preferences."

"You think?" Jake laughs, shaky and breathless. "First the praise thing, now this. I'm starting to wonder what other kinks you're going to accidentally unlock."

"I was not attempting to unlock anything," I say honestly. "I simply did not wish to waste anything of you."

His eyes flutter closed and he makes a small, desperate sound. "You're going to be the death of me."

"I certainly hope not," I tell him seriously. "I am finding you far too interesting to lose."

"Wow," Jake says eventually, his voice rough. "That was..."

"Unprecedented?" I suggest with a small smile.

"Yeah," he agrees, looking up at me with an expression that seems somehow softer than before. "Definitely unprecedented."

I help him clean up, then guide him to the seating area where we settle together, Jake curled against my side in a way that feels remarkably natural. The bioluminescence has faded to a gentle glow, and the quarters feel peaceful in a way they never have before.

"Zeph?" Jake says quietly.

"Yes?"

"I think we might be past the compatibility testing phase."

I consider this observation seriously. "I believe you may be correct."

"So what happens now?"

It is an excellent question, and one that I find I am eager to explore. "Now," I say, tightening my arms around him, "we figure out what comes next. Together."

"Together," Jake repeats, and through the lingering empathic connection, I feel his contentment mix with something that might be hope.

"Together," I confirm, and realize that I have never meant anything more in my life.

Chapter Seven

Jake

I wake up sticky, sweaty, and thoroughly debauched, with Zeph's arm draped across my chest and his face buried against my neck. The golden glow has faded to barely visible, but I can still feel the warm contentment radiating from him through our empathic connection.

It's been about six hours since our... educational encounter, and while I don't regret a single second of it, I'm becoming increasingly aware that I desperately need a shower.

"Zeph," I murmur, running my fingers through his hair. "Hey, gorgeous."

He makes a sleepy sound against my neck, something between a purr and a hum that vibrates against my skin. "Mmm?"

"I need to ask you something, and please don't take this the wrong way."

That gets his attention. Zeph lifts his head to look at me, golden eyes still soft with sleep but alert. "What is it?"

"Do Nereidans... bathe? Like, regularly?"

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