Page 39 of Infala: The Alien's Bond
“What won’t?”
He ignored the question and began applying the substance to her tattoos, first the tender lines on her hips, tracing his way up her flanks and in along her interwoven back designs. The relief was almost instant and the Gorram extract was greedily absorbed by her healing skin.
“Interesting,” he muttered.
“What?”
“You are taking it in much faster than I have ever seen. Normally, this merely sooths the itch, providing a healing, moisturizing coating to the decorated flesh. But in your case, it is almost instantly drawn in.”
“What does that mean?”
“It is nothing to cause concern. Gorram is used by the pigment as an alternate food and energy source while it is completing its bonding with your own body. Part of that process is what you feel in your skin.”
“The moving feeling?”
“Yes.”
“That bit’s weird, I have to admit.”
“The shifting of the pigment to form and reinforce the runes that are most in tune with your own physiology is unique to every individual. Normally, it moves very slowly. In your case, however, the pigment is quite active. You are already forming power runes in your designs, and not just the weak trace beginnings.”
“So, that’s good, right?”
“Yes. It just normally takes much longer.”
“I’ve always been a fast learner.”
“Apparently so. It is no wonder your skin is sensitive,” he said, applying more of the Gorram extract, tracing the lines with his fingertips.
Whether or not he knew just what his touch was doing to her she couldn’t tell, his face was neutral even as he gently rubbed the substance into her skin. He finished with her back, switching to her flanks and frontal hip bones, then working up, following the different colored lines and designs as they traced her musculature, curving under her breasts and up to her collars and shoulders again.
Darla’s body felt absolutely electrically charged and for just a moment she wanted nothing more than for his hands to grab her breasts and pull her close, giving her nipples a delicious squeeze as her bliss crested like a tidal wave.
Heydar, however, merely continued the process, tracing back down between her breasts, over her breastbone and finally stopping just below her bellybutton.
“Your body is exceptional,” he said.
“Why, thank you,” she replied, a fine sweat on her brow. “I guess you could say—”
“Or a freak of nature,” he cut her off. “Time will tell.” He sealed the tin and placed it in her hand. “I will leave the application on your legs to you when we stop next. The sensation will lessen as your pigment settles, but for the time being it will continue to itch. Use the Gorram sparingly though. That is a normal supply for the entire healing process, but it appears your pigment would take it all in one sitting if given the opportunity.”
Darla was still tingling with arousal, and apparently the Gorram was fueling it further. But it was also reducing the itch, so it was an acceptable trade off, even if the gorgeous man in front of her was ignorant to her primed body.
“Thanks. I’ll be okay for now,” she said.
“I am pleased to hear it. Now, let it heal, and do not scratch.”
“I’ve got it.”
“Very well,” he said, shouldering his pack once more.
Darla picked up hers as well, the straps far less uncomfortable now. She felt his stare and turned to meet his curious gaze. He held it for a long moment, and she could have sworn there was maybe at least a hint of interest there. But with an alien, who could tell? In any case, a moment later he turned and continued their trek.
What is up with this guy?Darla wondered, falling in behind him.And what’s going to happen to me?
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Heydar had left Darla to herself after dealing with her itchy tattoos. More than that, he was true to his word as the morning went on, focused on making up time and trekking ahead with long strides across the often-uneven ground, leaving her scrambling to just keep him in sight at one point.
