Page 16 of Pleasured By the Panther
“Oh my God,” she breathed, unable to look away. It was obscene…in a botanical kind of way. But also kind of erotic.
The plant pair writhed together shamelessly. The red bloom clung and sucked, making wet sounds as the blue one thrust deeper, its slick outer petals glistening with some kind of secretion. Then, with a final shudder, the blue bloom plunged all the way in and went rigid.
Miranda gasped as she watched ripples run along the red petals, almost as though it was swallowing. Moments later, the blue blossom shriveled, collapsing into a limp ribbon, while the crimson bloom looked stronger than ever.
“What just happened?” she demanded, both horrified and fascinated. “What happened to the blue one?”
“The male blossom has done its part,” Korrath said matter-of-factly. “It deposits its seed into the female bloom, then it dies. Soon, that crimson blossom will bud and produce new offspring.”
Miranda shivered, rubbing her arms through the blanket.
“That’s… morbid. And kind of obscene.”
Korrath gave a low rumble, somewhere between amusement and sympathy.
“It is simply the cycle of life. The Mother Ship creates what is needed—even pleasure and release.”
Miranda tore her gaze away from the blossoms, though she could still hear their wet, sucking noises. She looked at the glowing pool again, at the soft petals floating on the water.
“I think I’ll stick to the bath,” she said dryly.
“As you wish, lovely one.” Korrath moved closer, his hand brushing the small of her back. “Come—the water is warm. Wash away the oils, and let yourself be soothed.”
Miranda hesitated only a moment before stepping toward the edge. The steam rising from the water curled around her bare skin, caressing her like invisible fingers. She clutched the blanket tighter, suddenly aware of how naked she was beneath it.
Korrath’s purr deepened, low and unmistakable.
“Do not be shy. This place is for you. Let the water touch you as I long to do.”
Her pulse jumped and her heart started beating faster. Was this just about washing off the oil from the massage…or something else?
She clutched the blanket tighter and cleared her throat.
“Are you… coming in with me?”
Korrath tilted his head, his green eyes catching the glow of the blossoms.
“Of course—if you want me to.”
She hadn’t expected that. And she certainly hadn’t expected her stomach to do a slow, startled flip at the thought of seeing him naked. God help her, she did want him to.
“Yes,” she heard herself say. “Come in with me.”
A pleased rumble vibrated in his chest. “Whatever would give you joy would give me joy as well.”
With that, he stripped off his red uniform shirt in one smooth motion. The carved muscles of his chest and shoulders rippled beneath sleek black fur, and Miranda’s mouth went dry. Then he pushed his thumbs into the waistband of his tight black leather trousers and peeled them down. She tried not to stare—but of course she couldn’t help seeing at least a little.
Her gaze dipped lower… and she frowned when all she saw was a furry pouch between his legs. No shaft. No evidence of the huge, swollen erection she’d half expected. She’d heard all the Mostrum were hung like bulls. Where was it?
Korrath’s lips curved in amusement as he caught her looking.
“Would you like to see my shaft?” he asked silkily.
“Oh no!” Miranda blurted, her face flaming. Oh God, he’d caught her looking! She spun away and all but threw herself into the pool to hide her embarrassment.
Unfortunately, she misjudged the depth. One moment her foot was firmly planted on the sandy bottom, the next she was plunging down with a startled yelp, her blanket swirling around her.
There was a splash and then strong arms wrapped around her, hauling her effortlessly back to the surface. Miranda came up coughing and spluttering, pushing her wet hair out of her eyes. So much for a sexy entrance into the pool, she thought wryly.
