Page 16 of Lunar Bound
The sensation was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Pleasure originated not just where their bodies joined, but everywhere his energy touched hers. It spread through her in waves, cool fire that built with each careful thrust.
Lunar's gaze never left her face as he watched the effect of their connection. The star-patterns within his form accelerated, swirling faster as his composure began to slip. Darkness gathered around them, the fungi dimming until only the faintest outline of their bodies remained visible.
Poppy's other senses heightened dramatically. The sound of their breathing, the slide of his body against hers, the subtle vibrations of energy that passed between them, all became more intense, more immediate.
"I cannot maintain control of the shadows," Lunar warned, his voice strained. "They respond to your energy."
"Let them," Poppy urged, pulling him closer. "I'm not afraid of the dark."
The shadows responded to her acceptance, swirling around them like living ink, enveloping them in perfect darkness. Within this void, their connection deepened, the boundaries between their bodies blurring as shadow energy flowed freely between them.
Poppy surrendered to the sensation, letting the waves of pleasure carry her higher. She felt herself becoming part of his darkness, her consciousness expanding beyond the physical. Each movement of their bodies created ripples in the shadow energy that surrounded them, amplifying sensations until they bordered on overwhelming.
Lunar's control slipped further as his rhythm intensified. The star-patterns within his form began to pulse in time with their movements, creating brief flashes of illumination that captured moments of their union like cosmic photographs.
Words became unnecessary. They communicated through touch and energy, each response guiding the next movement. Poppy felt herself approaching the edge of something profound, a pleasure so intense it transcended anything she'd ever known. She gripped Lunar's shoulders, anchoring herself.
When release finally claimed her, it was like floating into the night sky. Pleasure expanded outward in ripples of shadow energy that merged with Lunar's own. Lunar followed her into that shared oblivion, his form momentarily losing cohesion as his own climax overtook him. For a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, they were completely intertwined, and it was impossible to distinguish where one ended and the other began.
Slowly, reality reasserted itself. The shadows receded, returning to their natural state as Lunar regained control of his energy. The fungi glowed softly once more to reveal their entwined forms on the cave floor.
Poppy lay beneath him, breathless and amazed. Her skin tingled with residual energy, tiny patterns of shadow still swirling across the surface before gradually fading. She felt changed in some way, as if the experience had altered something fundamental within her.
"That was," she began, searching for words that could possibly describe what had happened.
"Unexpected," Lunar supplied, his expression a mixture of wonder and concern. He moved to her side, his form still mostly shadow but more defined now. The star-patterns within him were calmer.
"Beautiful," she corrected, turning to face him. "I've never experienced anything like that."
"Nor have I," Lunar admitted. He studied her curiously, reaching out to trace a lingering shadow pattern on her shoulder. "Your body has temporarily retained some of my energy signature. This should not be possible for a human."
"Maybe I'm not as human as you think," Poppy suggested with a small smile.
"Perhaps not," he agreed, more seriously than she had intended. "The resonance between us is unprecedented in my experience. It warrants further investigation."
Poppy chuckled softly at his clinical description of what had just occurred between them. "Is that your way of saying you want to see me again?"
Lunar seemed to consider this, his expression thoughtful. "I find myself drawn to you in ways that contradict my mission objectives. This is problematic."
"Because connecting with an Earth female is exactly what you're supposed to be doing?" Poppy pointed out.
"The connection itself is not problematic. It is the nature and intensity of it that complicates matters." His fingers continued to trace patterns on her skin, as if he couldn't quite stop touching her. "I have responsibilities beyond what Eclipse and Solar understand."
Poppy propped herself up on one elbow, studying his shadowed face. "You're not just here for this diplomatic experiment, are you?"
"No," Lunar admitted. "My role is more complex."
"Are you going to tell me what it is?"
"Not yet." His hand moved to cup her face. "The less you know, the safer you remain."
Poppy should have been alarmed by this admission, but something within her trusted him despite his secrets. "I'm pretty good at taking care of myself."
"I believe that," Lunar said. "Your affinity for shadow energy and your perceptive abilities suggest unusual resilience. Nevertheless, caution is warranted."
Outside the cave, a coyote howled, its voice carrying through the desert night. Poppy listened to the sound, reminded of the world beyond their intimate sanctuary.
"We should probably head back soon," she said reluctantly. "Desert nights get cold."
