Something passed in her eyes and her whole body seemed to relax. Tamara was clumsy and unassured as she scooted closer, nestling against my side and resting her head on my chest. I closed my eyes and let out a slow, controlled breath.
My human bride was finally in my arms. Afteryearspreparing for this, she washere. She was here and she was perfect.
She did not run away. I just had to be patient, and in time, she would open up to me. She would trust me enough to make her happy. To make her feel safe. And finally, to make her see stars.
9
Use me to get yourself off.
Tamara
Ifelt so comfortable despite the strange position my body was in. So warm despite the slight breeze brushing my cheek. Sosafedespite the tight hold around my body preventing me from moving or bolting away.
Why would I need to go away? I had never felt so relaxed in my entire life. Or at least, for averylong time.
My eyes opened slowly. People were talking and walking outside. Birds were chirping. The waves were rolling in the distance. All these noises sent more endorphins to my brain.
It felt good. For the first time in ages, I was able to breathe without feeling that most of my lungs were trapped by the weight in my chest.
At some point, the position I was lying in registered and I did not care enough to freak out. When I slowly lifted my head andfound Filbur’s gaze on me, I held it. His arms tightened around my waist and his eyes moved between mine, searching.
“Hi,” I said.
“Good morning.”
I fell asleep nestled under his arm, my head on his chest. Now, I was full on straddling the poor man. And hefeltmore than happy about it.
My throat suddenly became too tight.
Jake had been hard two times in my presence. After he’d slapped me for the first time only to plaster me against a wall the next second. And, when he had forced me to watch as he had sex with another woman.
This felt…different. Yet my brain couldn’t help but—
“Hey. Tamara. Look at me.” I blinked away the memories, the feeling of disgust and fear they had brought, and focused on Filbur’s bright reddish eyes.Hedidn’t repulse me. One of his arms released me so he could slide a hand along the side of my face. “Everything is fine. It is just…A natural reaction. It does not mean we have to be intimate. You do not have to do anything.”
My heart started racing. I didn’t? Maybe he wasn’t interested in me like this. Which was fine, right? Although I was clearly aroused, the idea of sex still terrified me. “Isn’t it the whole point of this—”
“We have time,” he interrupted. “This is something important for my people. Forme. It cannot be rushed.”
Important. Didn’t have to be rushed. Humans could learn a thing or two from Cancos…Or maybe, he needed time to wrap his head around it. Around the idea of…me. I looked nothing like Canco females.
“Really?”
He nodded, a smile stretching his lips. My hand moved over his chest, and that’s when I saw the purple moving in waves under his skin, following my touch.
“What is this?” I asked. “You said you would explain, but—”
“Ah.” He turned his face away, embarrassed. This had happened when we kissed. He’d looked embarrassed about it. His brother too, even though he had given me some weird explanation. His nieces, though…They’d looked confused. “It is uh…another natural reaction.”
I frowned, confused. His brother had called it “a good sign for the future of our relationship.”
“What does it—”
“It is just the way my body expresses how it feels,” Filbur continued. “You have been touching me for most of the night and it has been…nice.” He swallowed and I could swear his face turned a shade redder. “You are very attractive. And very soft. And your hair smells good. And then you have been…straddlingme, and moving and…Well, it has been a challenging night.”
Filbur looked absolutelytortured. Oh dear…How long had I been touching him like this? And here I thought that he wasn’t interested. That…Oh my god.
“I thought you didn’t want me,” I blurted out.
