Page 29 of So I Married an Alien
Roth’kar studies me, like he’s trying to understand the words I’m not saying.
“What would make you most comfortable, Amara?”he asks.“You are my wife, and so I believed intercourse is expected.But I only want to do what you want to do.”
Expected?That word sends a shiver down my spine, and I reflexively pull away, returning to my own seat on the couch.Roth’kar lets me go, but his antennae wilt as I put distance between us.
“I don’t expect anything from you.”A cold shiver runs down my back.“Whatever happens between us, I want it to be something we both desire equally.Not because we feel like it’s required.”
Roth’kar shifts, as if he’s unsettled.“As your husband, I want to satisfy you.”
He feels obligated by our marriage?I don’t like this at all.What if we’ve only been kissing because he feels like it’s required?
“You are not thinking pleasant thoughts,” he observes.It must show on my face how terrible that idea feels.
“No, I’m not.I’m wondering if… if you even want to do this.”I curl my hand protectively at my chest.“If you want to be here at all.”
Roth’kar’s brows furrow.“Here, with you?Of course I do.I traveled a long way because…” He hesitates.“Because I wanted to be with you.”
“And the kissing?”I ask, my voice coming out small and strained.
His eyes widen.“That is what’s on your mind?”He strokes my shoulder with his upper hand, and unconsciously, I lean into him.“You don’t think I want to kiss you?”
I nod, unable to speak.
“Amara.”He sighs deeply.“I have enjoyed all our time together.I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you.I can assure you of this.”
“I don’t want to be an obligation to you.”
Now that I think about it, how could I not be?Sure, he came here of his own volition—he didn’t need to sign up for the Matching Program—but I would feel obligated, were I in his position.If my partner were buying my clothes and taking me out for a night on the town…
Roth’kar’s voice is firm, his expression hard and unyielding as he says, “Stop, Amara.”
I blink up at him, surprised by this new, more forceful Roth’kar, who I haven’t seen before.He faces me, taking both of my hands in his lower ones, then placing the upper ones on my shoulders.
“You are not an obligation,” he says firmly.“You are a joy.I did not know what to expect when I came to Earth, and I am glad—more than glad—that my bride turned out to be you.That is the only reason I want to please you.Because I have come to care for you, and truthfully, I want you to care for me, too.”
“Oh, I do!”The words burst out of me.“I do care about you, Roth’kar.And you don’t have to kiss me or take your clothes off for me for that to be true.”
He smiles an unsteady smile.“But what if I want to do those things?”
“Then…” A little bolt of electricity shoots through me.“Then we can.If you really want to.”
Instead of answering, Roth’kar slides his many arms around me, drawing me back into our bubble of closeness from before.He runs one hand through my hair and closes his eyes.
“I’ve wanted to touch your hair since last night.”He bites his lip as he combs his fingers between the strands.“It is just as lovely as I imagined.”
It’s romantic and sensual, and surprising.“Since last night?”
Roth’kar nods, pulling me closer to him so I can’t see his face as he strokes my hair.“When you emerged from the bathroom, ready to go out, I was enthralled by your hair.”
I gasp as his mouth drifts down to my neck, and I can feel his breath against my skin.
“I didn’t realize you liked it.”
“Oh, I did.Very much.And that dress.”One of his hands has gone exploring southward, and it gently squeezes my ass.“It looked marvelous on you.Like it was made for you.”
That spark of electricity is growing and spreading the more he touches me, the more he talks to me.
“But...”He pauses, then presses a chaste kiss to the flesh of my neck.When did I teach him necking?He must have figured that one out on his own.“Perhaps it is too soon.Perhaps I am rushing us when you aren’t quite ready.”
