Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
“What do you say to coming back to my room?” the handsome Tranathian asked Vardox, leaning close enough to brush up against his side.
“A generous offer but I must decline,” Vardox replied, and Starblade could hear the dry note of amusement in his voice.
Starblade came to a halt at the table, glaring down at the Tranathian. How dare he proposition Vardox!
“Ah, darling, you’re back,” Vardox drawled.
The Tranathian glanced up at him dismissively and then turned a coy gaze back on Vardox. “Ditch this little human and spend the night with me. I promise I’ll make it worth your while.” He licked his lips. “I know how to give a Masnok a run for their money between the sheets.”
Vardox’s lips twitched into a smirk. “Regrettably for you, I’m taken.”
Starblade’s nostrils flared and Vardox winked at him.
The Tranathian gave Starblade a scathing visual once-over before turning bedroom eyes on Vardox. “I’m far more attractive than him. You’re scraping the bottom of the barrel with this one when you could do so much better. I guarantee I have more stamina than a human.”
Before Vardox could say anything, Starblade pulled the supersonic pistol from the holster at his hip and pointed it at the audacious Tranathian scoundrel. “He’s with me. I suggest you get lost before I lose my temper and blast a hole through that pretty face of yours.”
Vardox studied Starblade with a heated gaze. “Darling, you’re so sexy when you threaten people on my behalf. You should really do it more often.”
—The Tentacular Tales of Captain Starblade, Ch. 170
Kai
After Deltron leaves, River turns to me with a devilish grin. “The honeymoon suite, huh? You sure know how to romance the fuck out of me.” He arches an eyebrow. “You do know you were already going to get laid aplenty, right? I didn’t need the honeymoon suite.”
I can’t help but laugh. “It’s not about that, and you know it. This is our long-awaited and hard-earned honeymoon. After everything we’ve been through, I decided to pull out all the stops.” I grin, knowing what else lies ahead. “You have so much more to look forward to while we’re here.”
His eyes gleam with curiosity and obvious excitement. “Surprises in store for little old me?”
I mime zipping my lips shut. “You’ll just have to wait and find out.”
He gives me an exaggerated pout, so I reach over and tug on one of his golden curls. “Follow me. I have some pampering in store for both of us.”
He beams. “Now you’re talking.”
I link arms with him, and we head out toward a back building of the resort, following signs that lead us toward the GalactiCon Spa.
River’s practically bouncing at my side. “Ooh, a spa day with my hubby-boo. Swoon! We haven’t had a chance to do something like this together—well, except for your at-home massages that promptly make me conk out so I never manage to reciprocate.”
I snicker. “Don’t worry, we have a couple’s package, so we’ll be getting the royal treatment together.”
“Fuck yeah. Bring it on!”
We walk into a blissful, tranquil lobby that features a bubbling fountain and serene music piped into the air.
River whistles as he takes it all in. “This place is swanky. I like it.”
I’m smiling so hard, my cheeks hurt. Doing things that bring River happiness always makes me feel like a million bucks, as humans like to say.
A spa employee in a pristine white uniform leads us into a guest lounge complete with changing rooms.
“If you would be so kind, please put your belongings in the spa’s lockers and change into the provided robes and slippers before taking a seat in the relaxation lounge. We’ll call you back when we are ready. There are hot and cold beverages and light snacks for you to enjoy while you wait.”
At the moment, we’re the only ones here, so we change into our robes, and River immediately starts petting his and rubbing it against his face.
“What is this material? It’s so soft. Feels amazing on my skin.”
“Extraterrestrial secret,” I tell him with a wink.
He gives me the puppy-dog eyes I can’t resist. “Please tell me we can keep these robes. I want to bring mine home as a souvenir from our superspecial spa day.”
I pull him into my arms and kiss him tenderly on the lips. “Hmm. I believe that can be arranged.”
“Oh, goody. You have to get yours too,” he admonishes, “because we have to have a matching set.”
“Your wish is my command, darling.”
“You are so getting hardcore laid later.”
I clear my throat and direct a mock stern look his way. “No getting me hot and bothered right before our first spa treatment.”
He leers back at me. “Are you sure you don’t want a happy ending?”
“Only from you, and definitely not in the presence of the poor spa workers.”
River sighs dramatically. “Fine, we’ll save those shenanigans for back in the honeymoon suite.”
Galactic gods, I adore this man. I can’t imagine my life without him in it anymore.
I’ve never believed in the idea of needing someone else to complete you, and that’s not exactly what River is to me.
He’s an equal partner who brings so much added joy, fun, and love to my life that I now see the world in vibrant Technicolor, where once it was only faded pastels.
River makes me see things I didn’t appreciate or that I took for granted with new eyes.
Getting comfortable in the private lounge, we cuddle up together in an oversized reclining chair and sip on some relaxing herbal tea.
River closes his eyes and nestles closer to me with a contented sigh.
It’s almost surreal to be so calm and peaceful right now after the intensity of the past few months.
At the same time, I have to admit that I can’t recall the last time I took a vacation.
I’m kind of a workaholic. Being a captain in the Alliance isn’t an easy job, and there are times when it’s not only stressful but also dangerous, as we’ve experienced all too often lately.
So, I’m doing my utmost to unwind, let go, and enjoy this time with my husband without thinking about work or anything outside of the here and now.
We’ve just finished our tea when a gong-like sound echoes through the air and the lounge door opens. On the other side wait two employees in smocks, polite smiles on their faces.
“Gentlemen, we’re ready to begin your first treatment.”
River rubs his hands together and jumps to his feet. “Ooh, I can’t wait to see what we have in store!”
We follow the staff into a room that contains an enormous tub built into the stone floor. River comes to an almost screeching halt as he gapes at the bubbling bath.
“What the hell is that?” he whispers.
“It’s our gelatinous mud bath,” one of the aestheticians explains cheerfully. “This treatment is quite popular with our clients. The mud detoxifies the body and softens the skin. You’ll come out with a radiant glow.”
“That is, if I don’t end up with mud all up my ass,” River mutters.
I choke back a laugh.
The aestheticians hand us each a pair of special briefs.
“Please put these on before entering the bath. While the mud is not harmful to more sensitive areas of the body, this special fabric will wick away any mud from your nether regions.”
“Well, that’s marginally more reassuring,” River says. “Gotta protect my man bits for my man, if you catch my drift.”
They just smile politely and exit the room.
River stares as bubbles in the mud rise to the surface and pop with an odd, belching noise.
He grins at me. “You know me, I’m always up to try a new experience.”
“That I do,” I reply dryly.
He takes off his robe and hangs it on one of the wall hooks, then dons his pair of protective briefs. “Let’s see what all the hype’s about.”
I’m still putting on my pair when he reaches the step leading down into the bath, and River arches an eyebrow at me.
“I’m assuming I don’t want to just cannonball in here, huh?”
I can’t help it. I throw my head back and laugh. “That would be highly inadvisable.”
He smirks and gingerly steps into the hot mud with a delighted little shriek. “Oh my fucking gods, this is wild.”
I join him, my entire body quickly enveloped by the warm mud, which is as wonderful as I remember.
River waggles his eyebrows at me. “I bet they could have some truly epic mud wrestling shows in here.”
“Mud wrestling?”
He shrugs. “It’s a thing. Okay, a lot of the more publicized events are totally designed for straight dudes so they can watch half-naked women wrestle in mud.
But as usual, the gays and theys know how to make it so much more awesome and inclusive.
In fact, there’s the annual Queer Mud Wrestling tournament event in Minneapolis every summer. I’ve always wanted to go.”
My mouth actually drops open at that. “Just when I think I know everything about you, I discover something surprising.”
“Mwahaha! Like Austin Powers, I’m an international man of mystery. Yeah, baby, yeah!”
He’s grinning at me with the most ridiculously adorable expression on his face, and both my hearts flutter at the sight. No one has been able to infiltrate past my aloof exterior as much as River.
“Good thing I have plenty of time ahead to unravel all of your mysteries, my love,” I say.
River laughs. “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll always be able to keep you on your toes.” He cocks his head in thought. “Or on the tips of your tentacles?”
It’s my turn to laugh, and the warmth that spreads throughout my chest has nothing to do with the mud bath.
“It’s gooey, but not sticky,” River muses, running a hand over the surface of the bath.
Watching him enjoy this is half the fun, because River is always full of curiosity and wonder at each new experience in life.
I know he’s going to instill that same inquisitiveness in our kids.
No doubt he’ll be the fun dad while I’ll be the more serious one.
However, witnessing my own parents in a similar dynamic my whole life, I know the two of us will bring the perfect balance as we raise our kids together.
Once we’re both submerged up to our necks, I lean back against the edge of the stone bath and sigh. It’s been many years since I experienced the pleasure of a gelatinous mud bath, and I can feel it working its magic as subtle tensions in my muscles and minor aches in my body fade away.
“Okay, I am officially sold on the gelatinous mud bath, although they could really work on changing the name to be a little bit more inviting. Then again, I suppose there is something to truth in advertising,” River adds.
“But damn, I feel like I’ve shed about fifty pounds of stress.
” He sweeps a hand through the mud, marveling at it.
“It doesn’t seem to dry on the skin and get cakey like other mud or clay skin treatments I’ve seen before. Why not?”
“It’s a special extraterrestrial variety. Intergalactic space stations try to make profitable use of some of the best natural resources and innovative technologies available to them when they have guests visiting from all over the far reaches of the universe.”
“That’s just smart business,” River agrees. “I’m sure it costs a crazy amount to keep not just this resort but also the entire space station running.” He moves closer and leans into my side, the warm mud providing a slick barrier between us.
“I know I’ve said this already, but thank you. For doing this, for bringing me here, for helping fulfill a lifelong dream of mine. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my days. When we’re old and gray, you better believe I’ll still be reminiscing about this trip.”
I wrap an arm around him, and he wriggles closer.
“A honeymoon is something one wants to remember, right?”
River beams. “Abso-fucking-lutely!”
I clear my throat. “Ahem. Indeed. That’s why I’ve planned this amazing celebration of our union. I want it memorable and magical.”
He yanks me down for a filthy, sexy kiss that leaves me panting and aroused.
“This is only the beginning, babycakes. We’ll have our first anniversary next year, and one every year from here on out, and you better believe I’ve already got ideas for how we can make those epic as well.”
“I have no doubt, my love.”
He grins. “You’re not the only romantic. I’m gonna totally top you—pun intended—when I plan our first anniversary!”
My lips twitch. “I can’t wait.”
We spend the next half hour enjoying the warmth and relaxation of the mud bath and its healing properties. When one of the aestheticians returns, we’re both nearly nodding off. She helps us out of the mud and leads us to an adjoining room with a large, open shower.
“Take your time getting cleaned up here. We’ll wait for you outside.”
The mud on our bodies is already starting to drip off us, leaving soft skin behind.
“So fucking cool,” River marvels.
I turn on the shower and pull him under the spray with me. We take our time washing one another, and when I remove River’s protective briefs, I’m not at all surprised to find his cock standing at attention.
He shrugs and gives me a cheeky grin. “What can I say? I’m young and on my honeymoon.”
I lean down to kiss him with the full force of the passion he inspires in me. Our tongues do a good impression of the Tentacle Tango, and River moans into my mouth.
He tears his mouth away from mine with a gasp. “Fuck yeah. Give me more.”
One of my tentacles emerges from my abdominal pouch and wraps around his erection. “We have to make this quick,” I tell him.
“I don’t think that will be a problem on my end,” he says, then groans when my tentacle begins to stroke him.
“All hail the tentacle, baby!” he declares.
One of my other eager appendages comes out to join the fun, moving behind him to massage his ass cheeks and trace circles around his glorious, tight hole.
River moans, and I can’t help but grin. He’s always enjoyed ass play, especially while I’m stroking his cock, so it doesn’t take me long to bring him to the edge.
When I sense he’s close, I cover his mouth with my own, swallowing down his cries of pleasure while he shudders his release and then goes limp in my arms.
Looks like we have one more special memory that we will never forget tied to this mud bath.