Page 21 of Zahhn's Mate
A snarl rips from my throat. Whataremy true motives? It’s not as though I’m plotting to break the alliance by stealing away with Leona. I almost laugh at the idea. Me, a sterile but highly respected doctor and researcher, single handedly violating a treaty by absconding with a human female. Not just any human female, but the one I examined, the one who was briefly my patient.
The one I claimed after pushing Doctor Ammdox out of the way.
I groan and bang a fist on the viewscreen. I wasn’t subtle in my attraction to Leona. Anyone who was present that day—my colleagues, the human doctors, the security officers, andfluxxingCommander Hampton—knows I felt possessive toward the female. If the emperor finds out, he’ll likely increase his efforts to get me to accept a mate from among the two remaining waves of females.
I cannot fathom claiming any woman but Leona.
I yearn for her. I see her in my dreams each night, and it would seem I’m now sensing her presence during the waking hours too. The scent of her feminine arousal remains thick in the air, and I keep hearing her tiny gasps and moans.
Turning away from the viewscreen, I run a hand through my hair as I utter curses. How will I endure not seeing her atleast one more time? The constant wanting of her is affecting my day-to-day life, making it difficult for me to concentrate on my important work, the trials I’m running to discover a cure forforlonggsa. I resolve that I must put her out of my mind. I must forget her.
I return to bed and get under the covers. Through sheer force of will, I banish all thoughts of Leona from my mind. I visualize an endless expanse of star-encrusted space interspersed with planets as I listen to the steady hum of the hyperdrive bubble that the entire fleet is traveling within.
Finally, I drift to sleep, ensconced in a vision of a beautiful galaxy.
But at some point, the stars fade, and the planets disappear. There’s naught but darkness until… a small bedroom illuminates. Somehow, I know I’m on theJansonna.
I approach the bed and notice it’s not empty.
Leona. She’s tucked beneath the covers, her eyes pressed shut, a look of concentration on her face.
There’s movement under the covers near her crotch, and when her lips part on a gasp and the scent of her excitement thickens in the air, I nearly growl at the realization of what she’s doing.
She’s touching herself.
Shock rises alongside my dark satisfaction at having caught her in the midst of self-pleasure. I stand above her for some time, observing as her hand moves beneath the covers and her breathing increases.
Tiny whimpering moans keep escaping her throat, and she also occasionally lifts her hips as she gyrates against her hand. I imagine she’s swirling moisture from her core overtop her pulsating clit, mimicking the very treatment I gave her as I’d brought her to a climax during her medical exam.
“Zahhn… oh, Zahhn.”
My name. Star Gods, she’s moaning my name.
My shafts harden further, and as I glance down I realize I’m only wearing sleeping shorts. But of course that’s all I’m wearing. It’s nighttime. I was in bed sleeping only moments ago, yet now I am here. In Leona’s bedroom aboard theJansonna.
Confusion grips me as I try to recall what transportation method I used to reach the human worldship—a transport vessel or the docking tunnel?—but I quickly push away the questions.
The details don’t matter. All that matters is that we’ve been reunited.
I clear my throat, and Leona’s eyes shoot open. She stares at me in shock, her lips parting on a soundless gasp. “What… how…” Her voice trails off and she shakes her head, as though she can’t quite believe I’m here.
“Naughty little female.” I cross my arms over my chest as I stand tall above her. “Do you have permission to touch yourself?”
Her face pinkens as she gulps in shaky breaths. She glances around the room and then sits up against the pillows, keeping the covers pulled up to her neck.
Is she naked beneath the sheets? I suppose I’ll find out soon enough. And if she’s wearing clothing? I’llfluxxingrip it off.
“I asked a question and I expect an answer.” I step closer to her. “Do you have permission to touch yourself?”
Her wide eyes sparkle with disbelief, but I also catch a glimmer of shame. Yet she lifts her chin in a defiant manner and says, “No, but I don’t need anyone’s permission. What are you doing here? How did you get inside my bedroom?”
I sink down on the bed beside her, grab the sheets, and wrench the fabric from her hands. She makes a squeak of protest, then shields her breasts with her hands. I allow the covers to rest at her waist. For now. I tilt my head to the side,studying her loveliness. She’s adorably flushed and breathless, and so very guilty.
Drawing in a long breath, I savor the scent of her arousal. “If you were my mate, you would not be permitted to touch yourself in my absence. Not without explicit permission.” I reach out and stroke a hand through her hair, luxuriating in the softness, as well as the tiny whimper she makes as I finally touch her.
“But I’m not your mate. Therefore, I can do as I please.” Though her words are brave, she cannot hide the tremor in her voice. The shakiness that betrays her nervousness.
I tangle my fingers in her hair and give a slight tug, causing her head to tilt back and exposing a tantalizing expanse of her neck. The urge to kiss her there prevails, and as I hold her in place, I lean down to trail my lips over her flesh. She stiffens and attempts to pull away, but I tighten my grip on her hair.
