30. Bambi
BAMBI
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
I’m not sure I’m even breathing right now.
Should I be angry about this?
Feathering my thumbs across Bikar’s cheeks, I feel a slight tug against my skin and realize he has scales sweeping across his face, too.
“Let me get this straight.”
Bikar flinches at my sharp tone, so I jostle his face a little.
“None of that, I’m not going to maim you…
again. Well, not intentionally, anyway.” His low chuckle relaxes his shoulders, and they drop from around his ears, his body no longer braced for impact.
“Okay, so. I’m going to ask you some questions, and you’re going to answer with either a yes or no. Got it?”
Hesitantly, he nods. “Yes, little doe.”
“Endearments aren’t going to help you right now, buddy.”
Fixing my eyes on his, I maintain a firm tone. “Your body is not going to try to kill you if we don’t seal our mating bond?”
“No.”
“You wanted to go on dates with me, and try to woo me even though you’re under the impression that I won’t ever agree to be your mate?”
“Yes.”
“This is something you’ve known for a while and chose to keep to yourself, knowing that the truth might piss me off enough that I’d want nothing to do with you going forward. Especially since we had a chat about you keeping things from me.”
Swallowing audibly, he forces his answer out through stiff lips. “Yes.”
“Have you omitted or failed to tell me anything else?”
A weighted pause. “Yes.”
Curling my fingers into his beard, I firmly grab hold and give a little shake. Leaning down until our faces are inches apart, I maintain eye contact. “What. The. Fuck. Else. Have. You. Left. Out.”
Gold eyes bore into me and a hint of mischief flares. “Only that my hearts hold love for you within them.”
My lips part, and my eyebrows hit my hairline.
He… loves me?
Before I can say anything in return, he mutters. “Fuck it.”
When did he learn that?
Lurching forward and up, he seals his mouth to mine, taking advantage of my slack jaw and open mouth. A spicy, yet sweet flavor hits my tongue and my eyes close in response, tingles radiating through my senses. When I don’t immediately protest or push him away, Bikar presses his advantage.
Unlocking his wings, he pushes me back onto the plush bed and crawls over me, not breaking contact with my mouth, his tongue and lips continuing to plunder mine.
The size difference means his pelvis isn’t lined up with mine, so my panic doesn’t flare when the weight of his body presses me down—so I can concentrate on kissing him without his intimidating dick pulsing against me.
The spicy-sweet taste of his kiss is getting headier, and I can feel the tingling spreading down my body until my nipples bead, and my pussy starts clenching around nothing.
I can feel myself getting wet, and it’s a first for me.
Bikar’s hands haven’t moved from beside my head, exactly where he first placed them when he pushed me down.
He’s not taking overt advantage, even though he could if he wanted to.
Ripping his mouth from mine with a snarl, our chests are heaving as we both try to catch our breath.
All that from a kiss?
Eventually, Bikar breaks the silence. “I am not going to apologize for that.”
Snorting out a laugh, I bury my face in my hands and let out a frustrated screech. Parting some of my fingers, I glare up at him from between them. “If I wasn’t aware of how you were raised, I would ask you if your mother dropped you on your head as a child.”
Bikar flashes a smug smile before it morphs into something else entirely.
“There is no requirement for you to say it back, Bambi. Ruks grow deep feelings for their mates rapidly. I know this is not so for humans. Your species requires time, shared experiences, and knowing to develop strong feelings of devotion and love.”
My body goes lax, and I melt into the bed. But there’s something else I need to get off my chest if we’re going to move forward in our… relationship.
“Bikar, if you ever keep anything from me ever again, no matter how insignificant, I won’t be able to trust you. And my trust is a fragile thing. Treat it with care.”
Bikar nods, uncharacteristically serious. “I understand, little doe. No more secrets, I promise.”
Begrudgingly, I add, “All bullshit aside, I genuinely enjoy spending time with you. I can also definitely say that I don’t dislike you anymore.”
Chuckling ruefully, he pushes up off the bed and stands, pulling me into a sitting position.
“At this juncture, I will happily take your non-dislike. It is more than I hoped for after so short a period of courting. Now, I have taken up enough of your time this rotation, and I have a… bit of a problem I must take care of before I am fit to be seen by any other being on this shuttle.”
Waving a hand down his body, he gestures to the impressively sized erection straining the front of his pants. My face heats, and my cheeks turn crimson. “Oh, dear…”
Reaching down, he grabs himself and squeezes, attempting to adjust to a more comfortable position. Arousal is still simmering through my body, and I have to admit I’m a little curious about what he’s packing underneath his clothes.
My next words make him freeze in place. “Can I watch?”