Chapter 20
Peony
Holy crap, Atem was hot.
Well, of course he was attractive. He always had been.
Since she'd gotten her first proper look at him when he stood from his cage, she'd been attracted.
But he had bathed and changed, just as they had, and the difference was stunning.
She almost forgot to breath as she found herself walking towards him, drawn like a moth to a flame.
The black pants he wore were loose fitting, billowing out a bit before they tucked into the gray leather boots that traveled halfway up his calves.
He was wearing an equally loose-fitting top that looked like a pirate shirt, but it was mostly sheer, allowing her to still see his fantastic chest and his skin tone as it camouflaged first to the cream of their walls, then to the deep maroon of the cushion he sat on.
His long hair had been washed and brushed out before being pulled into a simple tail at the back of his head, only a few locks escaping to frame his face.
Gray leather bracers covered his arms. His neck was adorned with a silver chain that ended in a rough, green crystal pendant.
She couldn't tell if that enhanced the pirate vibe, made him look like some kind of fantasy elf, or simply invoked the feeling of absolute sin, tempting her to take a bite of the forbidden apple.
Whatever he was, he was warm and comfortable as she leaned against him.
He gestured for her to take some of the food that was brought.
It was a complete spread of unknown meats and plant material that she honestly couldn't tell was vegetable, fruit, or even flowers.
Hattie was certainly eager to try a bit of everything and she was more than happy to explain what everything tasted like.
The difference in quality between what they had now compared to what they had on the ship was obvious, even despite not being familiar with what made up either.
Everything before them was freshly cooked, nothing looked like oatmeal mush, and most of it was delicious.
There were a few things that she couldn't stomach, but it seemed to vary by taste since quick experimentation showed that everything was edible and tasty to at least one of them.
Alanna, in particular, when she emerged wearing what looked like a glimmering, sheer, pink petticoat without a skirt wrapped around a skintight, white and silver dress, seemed to like everything. She sampled bites of each item and declared them all equally good.
Atem didn't shy away from eating either.
He picked up a few things and offered Peony a selection of what she guessed were his favorite.
She honestly couldn't tell what they tasted like though because he offered them with his fingers, pushing them past her lips with no sign of shyness.
Her heart was beating like mad, especially when she caught the knowing glances of the girls.
“So, this place is swanky, huh?” Hattie said when they had finished eating.
She was leaning back in her lounge cushion, one hand over her distended belly.
That had all eaten even more than when they had finally been given free reign over the food synthesizer on the spaceship.
Though, considering the difference in food taste and quality combined with their no longer being starved, that inhibition was hardly surprising.
“How long do you think the warm welcome will last?” Holly asked, picking at her sleeve. “Is it only temporary? Will he turn us out in a few days? A few weeks? I don't think it's wise for us to assume that he's going to take care of us forever.”
Peony frowned. It was a pessimistic thought, but she couldn't say that Holly was exactly wrong for thinking it. Being unable to communicate meant there was a great deal of unknown in their life right now.
But it was hard to think about that when, even now, she was leaning against Atem's side.
He had pulled her in close again when they finished eating.
His arm was wrapped around her, his hand resting on her side, his thumb gently caressing her bare skin.
He couldn't keep up with their conversation, but he had the lazy look of a lion resting at ease in its den.
Was he just treating them for the night?
For a week? If he threw them out tomorrow, she couldn't exactly claim it was unfair or wrong of him.
He had no obligation to them. Sure, they had let him out of his cage, but he had turned around and done the same for them.
As far as Peony could see, they were even.
If anything, they owed him after this feast and everything else.
“Let's worry about that when we have to,” Alanna said, waving away Holly's concern.
“We went through something traumatic. I think we should just take a moment and appreciate this break.
It's important to take the time to decompress and center ourselves.
Constant change and uncertainty isn't good for the spirit.”
“You heard the lady,” Peony chuckled, smiling at the others. “I don't want to think about it for tonight. At the very least. Tomorrow is soon enough to try to figure out what we do next.”
“Works for me,” Hattie said around a yawn before giving Holly a glance. The blonde girl was gnawing worryingly on her bottom lip. Hattie looped their arms together. “Do you mind sleeping with me tonight? I don't want to be alone yet.”
Holly looked surprised, then relieved, before nodding.
Peony had no doubts that Hattie had only offered because she knew Holly was the one who didn't want to be alone tonight.
But as much as Holly worried, she wouldn't want to impose or try to force herself on another.
She would probably worry about being demanding as much as she worried about everything else.
The two of them left together to Hattie's room. Alanna wasn't long to leave either. Scarlet was the last to remain, though she didn't linger. She stood up, wishing them good night, but had only climbed out of the sitting area before turning back with a cautious frown.
“Peony?”
“Yeah?” She smiled up from where she had been staring at Atem. He didn't look away from her.
Scarlet hesitated only a moment. “Look, I'm not trying to be insulting or anything, or judge you, but... Y-You know, you don't have to sleep with Atem, right?”
Peony cocked her head, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Just that, er... If you're doing this because you think you have to trade your body for our safety...”
“Scarlet.”
“I'm not judging you!” Scarlet held up her hands as though to fend off an attack.
“I just don't want you to think that you have to do this.
If you're with him because you want to be, then I'm one hundred percent supportive.
But you don't have to trade yourself for our safety. I would rather us brave the jungle as a group than sacrifice you for our comfort.”
A smile pulled up at the corner of Peony's mouth. “Aw, Scarlet. That's so sweet. Thank you. But I promise, it never even crossed my mind. I know none of you would want that, and I would never ask it of any of you either.”
Scarlet's shoulders relaxed and she nodded once. “Okay. Just, er, just making sure. We're a team. No matter what.”
“I know.” Peony beamed. “Goodnight, Scarlet.”
“Night, Peony. Night, Atem.”
He looked up as she waved at him, returning to her room. He had a consternated look on his face that made Peony chuckle. Taking hold of his cheeks, she turned his attention back to her. A slow smile spread across his face, fangs gleaming in the light.
“Just us now,” she whispered as though he could understand.
And maybe he could, because a knowing glint entered his eye. He pushed her off him so he could stand, rising from the lounging area. He turned back, offering his hand.
She didn't hesitate to take it, her heart already pounding in her chest. She knew what he wanted.
She could see it in the desire written across his features, in the tenting of his tight-fitting pants.
Already, the muscles of her lower belly clenched in anticipation of feeling him inside her again.
Filling her up. First with his impressive member, then with his warm seed.
Atem kept his eyes on her as he walked them into her room. He didn't look around, obviously not nearly as impressed with what must be familiar furniture as she had been. She hadn't tried out the bed yet, but she was eager to put it to the test now.
She pushed the button to shut the door behind her.
The moment it sealed – with a soft hiss as there was no latch to click – he was on her.
Putting one arm around her waist, practically bending her over it, as he claimed her lips.
The warmth of his rough tongue moving against hers made her shiver in excitement as she clenched his shoulders.
She actually felt her leg lift up like she was in some stupid romcom.
The alien man could kiss.
He threw his entire body into the act, as though it was something that deserved all of his not inconsiderable attention to complete. Consuming and powerful, just as he was. Her head was spinning in moments, and she broke it to gasp for air.
He didn't let his lips leave her skin. He kissed along her jaw, back to her ear that he began to nibble and tease, his warm breath making her shake as her fingernails dug into his shoulder.
Yes. Please. More.
She wasn't sure if she actually spoke the words or if they had just filled her entire being so much that they were all she could understand. Either way, Atem responded.
He grabbed her hips and jerked her up, allowing her to wrap them around his waist as he took her to the bed. He laid her back gently, his body covering hers as he once again claimed her lips in a devouring kiss.
Waiting no time, he grabbed the fabric of the stylized bandeau top and yanked it down, freeing her breasts. He messaged the round flesh with one hand while the other came up to pinch at her nipple. She moaned, rocking her body up into his.
That was as far as they got before a soft but persistent beeping started beside the bed.
Atem lifted his head, growling in annoyance. Surprised, Peony turned to follow the sound. There were no bedside tables. No alarm clocks she had seen.
However, there was now a tiny drone floating beside her bed. It looked so similar to the ones she had seen recording them outside, only smaller – about the size of her fist – that she cried out, covering her breasts with her arms.
Atem pushed some hair from her face, then leaned down to kiss her forehead.
He said something that she didn't understand but sounded comforting.
She looked up at him nervously, worried now about the potential of a camera watching them.
She might not mind the others knowing what she was doing, but she drew the line at recording it.