20. Bambi
BAMBI
After breakfast—and more coffee—Heather and I spent most of the day in the room with the CIP thingie.
Heather insisted on designing something for me for my date this evening, even though I told her I’ve more than enough clothes to choose from now.
The censuring look she shot me made me shut my mouth, though, before smiling at her in defeat.
Gentle bullying is Heather’s primary love language.
If she isn’t harassing you, she doesn’t like you.
Knowing this means she returns my sisterly love because she gives me shit all the time, so I know in my heart she’s the sister I’ve always wanted but never had.
I know she was trying to keep my mind occupied so I didn’t obsess over my next date with Bikar.
She succeeded for the most part by making more and more outrageous outfits, just to see how I reacted to her…
creations. Eventually, she quit messing with me, handed me the first thing she made, and told me to go get ready.
Glancing down at the luxurious material wrapped around me, I smile.
The cream-colored long-sleeved dress isn’t flashy by itself, but the blood-red roses framed by dark green leaves make it pop.
I’ve paired it with a set of cute, comfortable matching flats.
It’s absolutely perfect. Twirling in place, I watch the high-low hem swish around me and giggle at how pretty I feel.
Somehow, Heather created the type of outfit I’ve always wanted to wear but was never allowed to. It’s not at all revealing—the neckline edges my collarbones, and the long sleeves extend down to my wrists—but it still wouldn’t have been appropriate to wear something so flashy back home.
They’re all dead now and can’t tell me what I can and can’t do.
The clear tone of my doorbell interrupts my thoughts, and my stomach flip-flops at the sound. Wiping my suddenly sweaty hands down my thighs, I attempt to calm myself down.
He’s here!
Taking a deep breath, I walk over to the door and open it, revealing Bikar’s grinning countenance. His eyes and smile widen in appreciation as he takes in my dress, and I flush with warmth.
He thinks I look nice.
His next words solidify my thoughts.
“Good evening, little mate. Your beauty never ceases to amaze me.” Extending one of his large hands, he offers me something that looks like an iPad and a Kindle smashed together, but it’s a verdant green.
“I have remedied your lack of a tablet. This is a new device of my own creation. I spent the beginning of the rotation in the fabrication chamber creating one for both you and your Heather.”
Reaching out, I excitedly take it from him, hugging it to me while I fight back tears. “Heather and I must have just missed you then. She and I spent most of the day there playing with the CIP machine.”
His eyes go vacant for a second before he smiles at me. “Yes, after checking the logs, I can see that we missed one another by a small margin. I am glad for that, or else it would have ruined your surprise.”
Flipping the tablet over in my hands, I examine it. “What all does this thing do?”
Grinning at me, he answers. “Anything you wish. I can upload whatever you want from your planet’s records to read or listen to.” He pauses for a second before shuddering, a look of mild disgust flashing across his face. “Heather requested this thing called porn to be loaded onto hers…”
Shock, closely followed by hilarity, courses through me. “For fuck’s sake…” I can’t help but snort. “Heather.”
I shake my head ruefully. “It doesn’t exactly surprise me that she told you to add porn to hers, but please note: I do not want any of that stuff on mine. I’ve never even had sex. So, I sure don’t want to watch other folks doing it!”
It doesn’t dawn on me what I just said until I hear Biker rumble low. Lifting my head, I see his gold eyes blazing down at me, and I blurt out a question before my conscious brain realizes it. “Uh, why are you looking at me like that… and making that sound?”
Bikar takes a step forward, pushing into my personal space for the first time. The front of his body brushes against mine where we stand inside the threshold of my room.
Leaning down, he purrs. “Little doe, you just told me you are untouched. No other has ever known you the way a mate knows a mate.”
Keeping his eyes locked on mine, he slowly dips his head, giving me plenty of time to protest before his supple lips brush against mine.
When I don’t tell him to stop or step away, he takes it as permission to proceed.
The only part of his body touching me is his lips, but that doesn’t stop his hot mouth from plundering mine.
There are no grasping hands to make me panic, or weight on top of me to cause fear—only the sensation of his plush mouth teasing mine, quick pecks building to deep, passionate caresses.
Time loses meaning as he kisses me, and I feel the first stirring of what can only be arousal low in my belly.
I’ve never felt like this before, and it’s more than a little overwhelming.
Jerking away from him, I take a step back, my chest heaving as I try to catch my breath.
Lifting my right hand, I touch my mouth in bemusement.
That was my first actual kiss, and I’m a bit dizzy.
Bikar, to his credit, doesn’t move or try to follow me deeper into my room.
Movement above his head catches my attention, and I realize his wings have slipped from his back.
The sharp claws that tip their middle joint are wrapped around the doorframe, as if they’re the only thing holding him in place.
His massive chest expands in a deep breath, his eyes dilating right before a smirk spreads across his stupid handsome face.
Handsome? When did he become handsome?
“The scent of your arousal is the most delicious aroma I have ever smelled, little doe… but methinks you are still nowhere near ready to join your body with mine.” Tilting his head, his brows crease in contemplation.
“Perhaps you will allow me to review your choices of leisure data, and upload it to your personal device over a meal? If that is still acceptable to you, and I have not overstepped myself?”
He can smell that I’m aroused?
Studiously ignoring that thought, I focus on inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth, slowing my breathing before replying.
“Yes, Bikar. That sounds like a plan to me. I wasn’t really allowed to watch TV, movies, or listen to music…
so I’m not exactly sure what I like. Books, on the other hand, are a completely different matter. ”
Bikar folds his wings into his back and steps out of the way, allowing me to join him in the hall. Together, we walk toward the cafeteria. “You mentioned you wish to learn about visual and audio data, but that you know literature. How is that so?”
Lighting up at the question, I dazzle him with a cheerful smile. “Yes! I’m so happy you asked. Mrs. Cavanaugh was the town librarian where I grew up. She was one of the few people who would talk to the children that came from my… community.”
“Tell me of this female. Your tone implies she was of great importance to you.”
Bittersweet memories fill my head, but it isn’t lost on me that he caught on to one of the few good things about my old life. Locking eyes with him, I pause at the door to the cafeteria. “I’d love to tell you about her, Bikar.”