Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
“So there’s nothing?” Drakkal asked.
Arcanthus shook his head and turned his chair to face the azhera. “The Syndicate uses rather advanced encryption for their offworld communications, but I’ve been able to crack it. I can’t find any chatter about this situation. Locally, they’re fairly silent. I would guess they prefer face-to-face communications on Arthos to avoid leaving any more of a trail than they already do.”
Drakkal folded his arms across his chest. “Any logs of them sending word about it earlier?”
“None that I can find. And that worries me more. They have some big players here on Arthos, but there should’ve been something . The sort of firepower they threw at us doesn’t get used without someone up the chain approving it.” Arcanthus sighed and tipped his head back against the headrest. “I have a bad feeling about all of this.”
Drakkal snorted. “Of course you do. They tried to kill you, Arc. That’d give anyone a bad feeling.”
Arc turned toward his desk and stared at the screens. He’d spent hours hacking and scanning Syndicate communication channels. Though that was a small amount of time in the big picture, it was odd for him to search for so long without finding anything of significance. “There’s something more here. Something I’m missing, something I can’t see.”
“Guess that third eye really is for nothing.”
“This is serious, Drak.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you this whole time.”
“We can argue over who said what to who later. For now, we need to focus on the task at hand.”
“Ancestors, grant me the strength to spare his life,” Drakkal muttered. “The only thing I’m going to focus on right now is getting some food in my gut. You should do the same. You’ve been in here all day, and I know for a fact you haven’t had anything to eat.”
Arcanthus waved a hand. “I had a few of those Kalatharian nuts.”
“You did. Yesterday.”
“Oh. Well, I—”
Drakkal grabbed one of Arcanthus’s horns and dragged him up out of the chair.
Arc snarled.
“No excuses,” Drak said. “Being short a few limbs is no reason to treat your body like garbage.”
As soon as he gained his balance, Arcanthus yanked his horn out of Drakkal’s hold. Straightening, he faced the azhera and smoothed his hands down his robe, tugging the fabric into place before he swept his hair out of his face. “First you demand I get to work, then you demand I stop. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is trying to keep up with your ever-changing whims?”
“Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to be your friend, bodyguard, and mother all the damned time? ”
“I am quite capable of—”
Drakkal lifted a hand; Arcanthus stopped talking, brows falling low.
“As much as I appreciate a good laugh, Arcanthus, I’m too hungry to listen to your jokes. And I didn’t think I’d have to remind you of this after what you’ve put me through the last few days, but don’t you have someone you should be checking on?”
Arcanthus’s stomach sank as he verified the time again. It had been hours since he’d sent Samantha away—and even if she didn’t know it, he couldn’t help comparing his dismissal of her to the way he’d dismissed so many other females in the past, females who’d meant nothing to him compared to this one.
“I didn’t realize how satisfying that would be,” said Drakkal.
“How satisfying what would be?”
“Seeing shame on your face. Don’t think I’ve ever seen that before, and I’ve known you a long time, sedhi.”
Arcanthus scowled. “Let’s go, you overgrown sewer skrudge.”
They left the workshop and walked to Arcanthus’s room, where Arc left Drakkal in the hallway. His heartbeat quickened as he slipped into his bedchamber. Seeing her—especially if she were on his bed, or perhaps taking advantage of the bath—was a thrilling prospect, but, now that he realized what he’d done, he couldn’t shake the guilt of having essentially ignored her for most of the day.
Though she would’ve been well within her rights to be upset with Arc, he didn’t think she would be. Samantha was a kindhearted female—sweet, soft spoken, and compassionate. She already seemed to have forgiven him for so much. He understood how her nature had left her vulnerable to abuse, but he would never take advantage of her demeanor .
She wasn’t in bed. Arcanthus paused to lean over the rumpled bedding and draw in a breath, inhaling her lingering scent.
His anticipation heightened as he walked toward the bathroom. Her fragrance was enough to heat his blood and rekindle his arousal, and his cock already throbbed with the need for release. Now he could finish what he’d started earlier—and if anyone tried to interrupt, Arc would just mute the door alerts until he and Samantha had both been satisfied.
He was thus greatly disappointed when he found the bathroom empty.
The dress Samantha had been wearing lay on the floor beside the dusty, rumpled clothing she’d been wearing before she woke. The sight of it brought a small smile to his lips; it was reminiscent of the first time he’d entered her apartment. He still had her white panties tucked away in a drawer beneath his loincloths.
He bent forward and plucked the dress off the floor, holding it up by the shoulders for a moment before shifting his hold to its waist. He lifted the garment to his face and inhaled.
The scent of her desire clung to the fabric.
A shudder coursed down his spine, continuing all the way to the tip of his tail.
“Fucking Drakkal,” he growled.
He forced himself to place the dress inside the clothing cleaner, which was hidden within one of the bathroom walls, and adjusted the under fabric of his loincloth to prevent his cock from pushing farther out of his slit. Its ache spread through his groin and into his lower belly. Her old clothing went right into the trash chute; not only was it tattered and filthy, but she had no more need of it. He’d not allow her to hide in oversized clothes any longer—though the thought of her in one of his robes was tantalizing, to say the least .
After returning to the bedroom, he checked the closets just in case she’d somehow closed herself inside one. He noticed that her clothing had been moved, and one of the outfits was missing; it was oddly satisfying to know she’d likely snooped through his things. He’d have done the same were their places reversed.
He swept his gaze across the open space in the closet. Soon enough, he’d fill it completely with whatever clothing Samantha desired—and with whatever clothing he desired to see on her delectable little body. He’d have filled the closet sooner if he’d known things would move so quickly.
He exited the bedroom.
Drakkal stood in the corridor, leaning back against the wall. He frowned. “Where’s your terran?”
Arcanthus shrugged. “She probably went exploring.”
“So, bring up the surveillance feeds and find her.”
“But that would bypass the thrill of the hunt. I’d much rather prowl the halls in search.”
“I’m too hungry for you to waste that much time.”
Arcanthus arched a brow and gestured toward the end of the hallway. “You don’t have to wait on me, azhera.”
“I do. It’s the only way I’ll be sure you eat.”
Shaking his head, Arcanthus started toward the lounge, with Drakkal falling into place beside him.
“Are you going to start chewing my food for me, Mother Drakkal?”
“You keep it up, and I’ll have no choice. It’d be hard for you to chew anything without any teeth.”
Arcanthus laughed. “I’ll remind you that the one time we fought each other, I emerged the victor.”
Drakkal huffed. “That was a nonlethal bout. Doesn’t count.”
“Why wouldn’t it count? Because the big, bad beasty lost and had his pride wounded?”
“Because it was nonlethal. Had to hold back so I wouldn’t kill you.”
“Really? It’s strange you say that, because I was holding back so I wouldn’t kill you .”
“That why you were breathing so hard when it was done?”
“That’s why you were almost unconscious when it was done.”
Drakkal shrugged and lifted a hand, palm up. “Felt bad for you. You were trying so hard, I didn’t want to crush your spirit.”
The azhera stepped in front of Arcanthus when they reached the lounge entrance and pressed the button to open the door. Thumping music spilled into the hallway from within. Drakkal paused in the doorway, brows lifting and lips curling into a smirk.
“What is it?” Arcanthus asked.
“You’ll see,” Drakkal replied, shifting aside.
Arcanthus moved forward and turned to look into the room.
The music was coming from one of the entertainment screens. Kiloq, Koroq, and Sekk’thi were dancing to the rhythm while Razi, seated at one of the tables, was counting out a large pile of credit chips—likely his winnings from a game of Conquerors. It wasn’t until Kiloq’s dancing shifted his position that Arcanthus understood why Drakkal looked so smug.
The cren was dancing with Samantha.
And she wasn’t merely dancing, she was enjoying herself, with her eyes sparkling and a huge grin on her face. Her cheeks were flushed, and one of her sleeves was rolled up. Though the clothing covered her flesh, it didn’t mask her figure like her preferred attire.
Arc took a moment to appreciate the way the dark leggings clung to her shapely calves and thighs, the way her top hinted at the flare of her hips and the gentle slope of her small breasts.
At the same time, a pang of jealousy struck him. She was here to enjoy her time with him , not with them . He shouldn’t have buried himself in work—he should’ve been spending time with her, should’ve been making her laugh and smile, should’ve been showing her that he was here for her, that he belonged to her as much as she belonged to him.
“What is she doing?” Drakkal asked.
“Dancing,” Arcanthus grated.
“ That’s dancing?”
Arcanthus tilted his head and shifted his focus to Samantha’s movements instead of her body. There seemed to be little correlation between the music and the way she danced to it; her seemingly random, slightly unsteady motions were out of sync with the beat. But Arcanthus didn’t care. Her smile and her carefree laughter lit a fire in him that could not be extinguished.
He’d never finished his earlier business with her.
Arcanthus strode through the doorway. Drakkal said something behind him, but the azhera’s voice was muted and distant. Kiloq turned his face toward Arcanthus, eyes widening, and threw up his hands before backing away from Samantha.
The little terran didn’t seem to notice that her dance partner had retreated. She pumped her arms as she slowly turned in place, granting Arcanthus a view of her curved backside.
Without hesitation, Arc stepped up behind her and dropped his hands to her hips, drawing her ass against his pelvis.
Samantha yelped and slapped her hands down atop his. “No touching there! Only Arrrrr”—she squeezed his hands and turned her head to look over her shoulder, her lips lifting in a wide smile—“canthus! You’re here!”
“I am,” he replied, those simple words made infinitely difficult with her backside brushing the protruding tip of his cock.
“I’m dancing!”
“You are.”
“I never dance.”
He chuckled and slightly tightened his hold on her hips. “Can’t say that anymore, can you?”
“Nope.” She turned to face him, forcing Arc to release her hips for a moment, and settled her hands on his shoulders. She beamed up at him. “Are you here to dance with me?”
Her breath—like the room itself—bore the scent of gurosh . It was no wonder she was acting and speaking so freely, no wonder her inhibitions had fled.
Arcanthus glanced at Razi. “How much has she had?”
Razi shrugged. “One and a half, maybe.”
“That’s all ?” Arcanthus looked back at Samantha, arching a brow. “Are all terrans so susceptible to the effects of such beverages, or are you a special case?”
“No, not really. I just never touch the stuff.” She rested her chin on his chest and looked up at him with those big, brown eyes.
She was absolutely adorable.
“Did you mean it? Am I?” she asked.
He arched a brow. “Are you what?”
“Special?”
Arcanthus smoothed a hand down her hair to cradle the back of her head. The sudden vulnerability in her eyes surpassed any he’d seen in them before—and she’d been shy and self-conscious from the moment he’d met her. “Of course you are, my precious flower. You are my once-in-a- lifetime.”
Samantha closed her eyes and smiled softly. “I like the sound of that.”
“But I’m not here to dance with you.”
She opened her eyes, and her lower lip puckered. Arc was struck by an urge to suck that lip into his mouth.
“You’re not?” she asked.
“No. I’m here to steal you away. I’ve something different in store for you.”
He couldn’t resist any longer; Arcanthus dipped his head and caught her lip between both of his, taking it into his mouth and nipping it with his teeth. He kissed her after he released it, relishing her taste despite it being layered with that of the gurosh .
Samantha moaned and returned the kiss without hesitation. Her hands slid from his shoulders, up his neck, and through his hair to wrap tight around the bases of his horns. A jolt of lust swept through him as she tugged his head closer, deepening the kiss, and he dropped his hands to her ass to pull her against him.
Fuck, I need her. Now.
Without breaking the kiss, he lifted her off the floor and guided her legs around his waist. She clung to him. The warmth of her core pulsed into his skin through their clothing. Arcanthus turned and carried her toward the door, keeping his hands on her lush ass.
“Arc, you’re supposed to be eating,” Drakkal said as Arcanthus passed.
Oh, I will be .
Breath ragged, Arcanthus entered the hallway. He left only his central eye open to guide the way as he hastened Samantha through the long corridors to his bedroom—to their bedroom. Their tongues twirled in an intricate, instinctual dance, exploring each other’s mouths, sending tingling waves of pleasure across Arcanthus’s face and straight to his belly.
Samantha caught his bottom lip between her flat teeth, and Arc grunted, his cock twitching.
When he reached the entrance to his bedroom, he pressed Samantha’s back against the door and ravaged her mouth as he blindly felt for the open button. Samantha chose that moment to grind her sex against his slit and the tip of his shaft. A shudder wracked him.
Someone moaned; Arc couldn’t tell if it was Samantha, himself, or both of them in unison.
His groping hand slammed the button and the door opened. He stumbled inside, clutching Samantha against him, until his knees bumped the side of the bed. Sam giggled. She released his horns and dropped her legs from his waist, wiggling her hips when he didn’t release her.
He groaned deep, his fingers flexing on her ass.
“Put me down,” she said.
“Never,” he growled.
She pecked a kiss on his lips. “Please?”
All he could manage was a frustrated grunt. His body had no intention of relinquishing its hold on her—it needed this contact between them, needed her —but, somehow, he forced himself to comply. After he released her, his muscles tensed and strained. He clenched his fists at his sides to keep from grabbing hold of her again.
Samantha stood on the bed, leaving her half a head taller than him, and slipped her hands beneath his robe. Starting at his shoulders, she smoothed her palms down his arms, shoving the garment down. It fluttered to the floor a moment later.
She settled one of her hands on his chest, directly over his heart, and met his gaze for a moment. With a smile, she climbed off the bed.
Arcanthus turned his body to face her. When he raised his hands to reach for her, she shook her head.
“No. Not yet,” she said with surprising firmness. Following its path with her gaze, she slid her hand down his chest and over his abdomen, stopping at the belt of his loincloth.
His skin quivered beneath her soft touch, his lips parted, and he released a slow, shaky breath. This was a side to Samantha he’d not yet seen—a side that might’ve taken weeks to awaken without the aid of the gurosh .
“I am at your command, little terran,” he rasped.
“Good. Because I want to put my mouth”—she hooked a finger under his belt—“on you.”
Arcanthus’s eyes flared. His cock strained against the cloth holding it in place. “Tell me where, Samantha.”
She worried at her lower lip—which was already swollen from his kisses—and dropped her hand to cup his groin. “Here.”
He groaned against the shockwave of pleasure that blasted outward from her touch. The tip of his tail curled in delight. He wanted to give her control, to let her take what she wanted, but it was so difficult to restrain himself, so difficult to hold back.
“Show me,” he said.
Samantha removed her hand and returned it to his chest. She pushed him toward the bed. “Sit.” She hesitated for a moment before adding, “Please.”
Despite the discomfort born of his need, Arcanthus chuckled. She couldn’t possibly know what she was doing to him, couldn’t possibly know his desire was being rocketed into the cosmos. She couldn’t possibly know how sexy she was right now. He loved her bashfulness, loved how easy it was to make her blush, but he hoped she retained some of this confidence when she sobered up .
He eased himself onto the edge of the bed, settling his palms on the blanket behind him, and spread his thighs.
Samantha stepped closer, placed her hands on his knees, and slowly knelt in front of him. Arc barely held in another groan. Seeing her between his legs, knowing what she was about to do, was nearly his undoing.
Perhaps I should’ve taken myself in hand earlier. At least then I wouldn’t stand as much a chance of embarrassing myself before she even touches me again.
He met her gaze and held it. His tail brushed against her hip. “Do with me as you please, my flower.”
There was a glint of determination in her eyes as she scooted closer and moved her hands to his belt. She unclasped the buckles and peeled away the long front cloth, dropping it onto the bed beside him. Then her small, delicate fingers unfastened his under wrapping—the only thing keeping his cock contained in his slit. Anticipation welled in his chest; the pressure and heat within him were so immense, so powerful, he could scarce draw breath.
Her eyes flicked up to his briefly before she pulled the under wrapping away.
His cock sprang free of his slit. Though it eased some of the pressure, his discomfort only increased.
Samantha shrieked and fell backward, catching herself on her hands. Her eyes were wide and fearful as she stared between his legs.
Arcanthus’s brows fell. “It’s not going to bite you, Samantha.”
“It-It’s moving ! It’s split !” She slapped a hand over her mouth, leaving her voice muffled when she asked, “Did I break it?”
“It’s not broken!” Arcanthus grasped the loincloth on the bed beside him, meaning to cover himself, but stopped before he did. Though his pride was stung, he had to remember she was a terran who’d only recently come to Arthos; what experience would she have had with alien genitalia? He’d seen what male terrans had between their legs—their species was rather tame compared to some.
He softened his voice. “You haven’t even touched it with your bare skin, Samantha. How could you have broken it?”
“I-I don’t know.” Her gaze flicked down to his cock before returning to his. “Why is it…open and…moving?”
“The same reason you get wet when you’re aroused,” he replied. He hissed softly as he closed a hand around the base of his shaft, alleviating a little more of the pressure. The four prehensile tendrils comprising the end half of his cock quivered before squeezing together. “I want you so much it hurts . That’s why.”
Samantha eased forward, slowly closing the distance she’d opened between them. Her attention had fallen to his groin the moment he’d grasped himself and hadn’t moved away since. A spark of intrigue, curiosity, and desire lit within her eyes. She settled on her knees and pressed her lips together. The light in her eyes took on a trepidatious glint.
It was her hesitance that pierced the lustful fog within which Arcanthus was helplessly drifting.
“Look at me, Samantha.”
She dragged her eyes away from his cock and looked up at him.
He wanted her to touch him so badly, wanted her fingers, her lips, her tongue upon his flesh, and that want made his next words difficult to speak. “You have no obligation to me. You don’t need to do anything you don’t want to do.”
He drew his discarded loincloth over his thigh, but Samantha reached forward and caught his wrist.
A tremor coursed through her arm. “No! No. I want to do this. I want you . I want… I was just…surprised. You don’t look human at all, so I wasn’t expecting…”
He cupped her chin in his palm and brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “So long as you don’t recoil in horror again, little terran. My ego can only take so much of a beating.”
Samantha’s cheeks turned scarlet. “I’m sorry.”
Arcanthus released her and grinned. The amount of willpower it took to keep himself from displaying his discomfort, from succumbing to his overwhelming desire, was immense. “I’m sure you’ll make it up to me. I am yours .”
Samantha’s gaze dropped again. The determination he’d seen in her eyes before returned tenfold. She settled one of her hands on his knee and extended the other. Arcanthus’s breath caught in his throat.
Her finger touched the tip of his cock and brushed along one of the closed sections.
Arc gritted his teeth and shuddered; he didn’t know if he could withstand this torture. He released his cock and placed his hands on either side of him.
She moved her fingertip to the crease between two of his tendrils and traced it. The tendrils split and writhed, hungry for her touch. Sam’s breath hitched, and her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away.
Thank the fucking stars.
One of his tendrils curled around the tip of her finger as he clutched the bedding.
“What do I do?” Samantha asked.
Just the little bit of contact he’d already had with her was enough to threaten his tenuous control. “Whatever you want.”
Samantha stroked his open tendrils with her fingers before dropping her hand to the base of his shaft. She grasped it firmly. The tendrils snapped shut, and Arcanthus groaned. Whatever trepidation she’d displayed before vanished .
She stroked her fist up to the tip of his cock, maintaining her solid grip, then back down again, repeating the motions in a steady rhythm. Her palm rasped over the sensitive nodules lining his shaft, and her pale skin was stark against the blue-gray of his cock. Each stroke sent an electric thrill through him; he shuddered against the rapidly building sensation.
Sam moved her face closer, eyes intent. Her warm breath flowed over his skin.
Arcanthus clenched his jaw, breathing heavily through his nostrils as her lips neared his shaft.
Her eyes flicked up to meet his. Dropping her fist to his base, she tightened her hold and parted her lips, taking him into her mouth.
Arcanthus threw his head back and hissed through his fangs. He squeezed his eyes shut, struggling against the onslaught of pleasure and heat, against the delicious torment, turning all his willpower toward holding on. He refused to let this end so soon, refused to spill his seed without first taking as much pleasure as he could withstand.
“Ah, my precious flower,” he rasped. “Don’t stop.”
She tentatively took him farther into her mouth before pulling back slightly. When she drew him in again, she sucked him deeper still. Arcanthus’s chest rose and fell with rapid breaths, and his pounding heart echoed in his ears. His thigh muscles tensed and quivered with exertion in his battle to keep his hips down as she rolled her tongue, teasing the creases between his tendrils.
Samantha moaned, and the vibration amplified the sensations she was causing in him.
He forced his head up and opened his eyes, fixing his gaze upon her; he wanted to watch, to savor every movement, to relish in every tiny change of her expression. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were stretched around his cock, which glistened with her saliva.
She adjusted the pressure of her hold around his base and pumped her hand in time with her mouth. Arcanthus’s hips rocked in sync with her steady, maddening rhythm; he couldn’t keep them still any longer.
Samantha shifted her knees and pressed her thighs together. Though her position obscured some of his view, he saw her free hand dip low, nearing her pelvis; she lifted it at the last moment to grasp a fistful of her shirt’s fabric.
She was going to touch herself .
She’s as aroused as I am.
That knowledge was enough to shatter his tenuous control; Arcanthus convulsed and threw his head back as he burst. A guttural cry tore from his chest and clawed out of his throat. He shifted one of his hands to her head, twining his fingers in her hair, and forced his tendrils to remain closed, fighting their instinctual drive to separate even as he pumped his hips and pulled her closer, making her take him deeper.
Intense pleasure cleaved through him. He growled as his seed flowed through the tiny opening at the center of his tendrils in great spurts. Samantha froze and made a small sound of surprise, her mouth locked tight around him as she drank. She moved her hands to his upper thighs and dug her fingers into his flesh. Spasms rippled through him, locking his muscles tight, until finally, the pleasure ebbed, leaving him breathless.
Samantha slowly lifted her head and released his cock. That last brush of her lips made him twitch. Finally allowing his tendrils to separate, Arc opened his eyes to see her pink tongue dart out and lick her lips before she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Did I…do good?” she asked .
His lips stretched into a grin, and he said, “Oh, my beautiful flower, there are no adequate words.” He swept his hair behind his horns as he sat forward. “Do you trust me, Samantha?”
She reached up and lightly touched his cheek. “I do.”
Arcanthus settled his hand over hers and removed it from his face, drawing her up with him as he stood. He managed to prevent himself from wobbling; somehow, she made him weak in the knees, a feat that should’ve been impossible considering they were cybernetic. His cock throbbed with echoes of that ravenous ache and refused to sheath itself in his slit. Despite the indescribable pleasure she’d given him, he hungered. His tendrils craved the feel of her inner heat; his body would not long be satisfied with what he’d received. He would need more soon.
Releasing her hand, he skimmed his fingers over her cheek, trailed them up into her hairline, and tilted her head back. He roved his eyes over her face slowly, letting them linger on her pink, kiss-swollen lips.
“Good. Then it’s my turn, little terran.” He tilted his head to the side. “Onto the bed.”
Her eyes flared, and her little tongue slipped out again. She turned around and sat on the bed. Staring at him with those big, dark eyes, she placed her hands on her lap, one over the other, and slouched forward as though to hide herself.
Perhaps even the alcohol couldn’t fully eliminate her discomfort in her own skin. Either that, or the effects were wearing off. It didn’t matter—Arcanthus wouldn’t rest until she knew how beautiful she was.
He stepped in front of her. “Sit up straight.”
Her brow knitted.
“Now, Samantha.”
Flushed skin paling slightly, she straightened her spine and swept her shoulders back. Her nipples pressed against the inside of her shirt, outlining themselves clearly.
He caught his tongue between his teeth to keep from licking his lips in anticipation. He couldn’t wait to taste her, all of her, but he would delay it as long as possible—at least while that delay enhanced her pleasure. “Raise your arms over your head.”
Confusion lifted her eyebrows, and she hesitated for a moment before complying with his command, slowly raising her hands.
“Now, little terran, I want you to close your eyes.”
“Arcanthus, what—”
Arc caught her chin between forefinger and thumb. “ Do you trust me, Samantha?”
“Yes,” she breathed.
“Then close. Your. Eyes.”
She swallowed audibly and obeyed.
“Good. Now, you are mine .”