Alien Breeder Page 16

  He laughed. “I should have known. Very well. I will move them.”

  “I can help you,” she offered.

  “There is no need.”

  And indeed, he didn’t seem to require any assistance. At her direction, he removed the big desk from the office to the garage, then brought down the two beds. As he was carrying down the second bed, the girls appeared, Tabby clinging to Jane’s hand and sucking her thumb.

  “Whatcha doing?” Jane asked.

  “You girls are going to spend the night with me. Would you like that?”

  “Yay!” Jane yelled, and Tabby gave her a small smile.

  “T’bukka is putting beds in here for you.”

  They followed her into the office. White painted bookcases lined one wall and a big bay window overlooked the street. With the desk removed and the picture of Jeff no longer looming over the fireplace, it would make a pleasant bedroom.

  “What do you think, girls?”

  “Can I have my bed by the window?” Jane asked.

  “Me too,” Tabby squeaked.

  She cast a helpless glance at T’bukka, but he just smiled and shook his head. Twenty minutes later, the beds had been rearranged to everyone’s satisfaction and T’bukka headed for the door a second time.

  “Thank you so much, T’bukka.”

  “You are most welcome. I have programmed my information into the communicator. Do not hesitate to call me if you need assistance.”

  “I won’t—but I hope I won’t need to.”

  He nodded, gave her a quick smile, and headed down the steps to his vehicle. It looked like an ultra-modern concept car—until it lifted into the air and departed with virtually no sound. She turned back to find the girls waiting.

  “I’m going to see if T’gana is awake and then I’ll get some sheets and you can help me make the beds.”

  “Unicorn sheets?” Tabby asked hopefully.

  “No, princess sheets,” Jane demanded

  “I’m sorry, girls, they’re just plain white.”

  When their faces fell, she couldn’t resist. “I’ll see if I can order some online.”

  “Yay!”

  They followed her through the house into the bedroom. T’gana might as well have been still chained to the bed—he hadn’t moved. When she approached the bed, she saw his nostrils flare, but he didn’t move.

  “T’gana, can you hear me? I just want you to know that we’re safe. You protected us.”

  Did his eyelids flicker? She waited for a few seconds but there was no further response.

  “When you’re ready, we’re here.”

  Tabby put a cold little hand in hers. “Is Tigga sick?”

  “No, sweetie. He’s just sleeping. Let’s go make the beds.”

  “I’m hungry,” Jane announced.

  Good lord, it was dinner time. “Then we’ll have supper first. What do you want?”

  “Pancakes,” Tabby said, and she thought there was the faintest movement from the bed.

  “I’m not sure I can make them as well as T’gana, but I’ll try.” As she herded the girls out of the bedroom, she debated closing the door, but in the end, she left it open. Hopefully, the normal sounds of life would give him a feeling of normality—and possibly even encourage him to join them.

  However, even the smell of burned pancakes didn’t seem to have an effect. She hadn’t realized how much of the time she had spent “helping” him in the kitchen had consisted of her simply watching what he did. Those observations failed her now. The girls eyed the misshapen lumps doubtfully, but in the end, they poured syrup over them and ate them without complaint. She would have to do better from now on.

  The rest of the evening disappeared in rounds of baths, stories, and bed. The girls were delighted when she put them in a couple of her shirts to sleep in, but she added nightgowns to her growing list of things to order. They both insisted on kissing T’gana good night, and once again, she was sure that she saw his face flicker, especially when Tabby whispered in his ear before she kissed his cheek.

  “What did you say to T’gana, sweetie?” she asked as she tucked them in.

  “That I love him, and I hope he’s better soon,” Tabby said solemnly.

  A lump appeared in her throat, but she managed to smile. “Those were good things to say.”

  “I can go say them too,” Jane piped up, starting to climb out of bed.

  “That would be very nice, Jane, but you can do it in the morning,” she said firmly. “Good night, girls.”

  Only after she slipped out of the room did she let a tear fall. Wiping it away, she went to clean up the kitchen—another task that usually consisted of her keeping T’gana company as he did the work. Then she settled down to place her online orders, but the deep silence filling the house made her unexpectedly nervous. She found herself pacing from the kitchen to just outside the bedrooms so that she could hear everyone breathing and know that they were safe. Turning on the television didn’t help because then she was afraid she would miss it if someone cried out. She tried reading, but none of her books kept her attention.

  When she finally gave up and decided to go to bed, she found herself hovering uncertainly outside the bedroom door. Should she give him some additional time? What if her presence just made it harder for him? But then she remembered T’bukka’s words, remembered how T’gana always responded to her. Like it or not, he was not going to stay in the dark alone.

  Entering the bedroom, she opened the curtains, letting the soft moonlight flood the room. After she finished her nightly bathroom routine, she deliberately undressed in the bedroom, letting the moonlight wash over her naked body. When she turned towards the bed, she thought she caught a flash of gold, but it was too fast for her to know for certain. She threw a robe over the end of the bed in case the girls needed her and climbed into bed naked.

  Every muscle in his body tensed as she slipped into her usual place against his side. Definitely not asleep. Instead of saying anything, she started stroking his chest—long, soothing strokes intended to comfort rather than arouse. Despite that, the feel of his hard muscles, the warmth of his body, his scent surrounding her—they all combined to stimulate her own arousal and she felt the familiar ache in her pussy. When she brushed a casual hand lightly over his cock, she could feel his arousal, but he didn’t respond to her touch and she refused to push him. Leaning up, she kissed him softly.

  “Remember that I love you, T’gana. I’ll be here waiting for when you’re ready to return to me. To me and the girls.”

  Settling back down against his side, she snuggled closer. Were his muscles less tense? They seemed to be, but she wasn’t certain. All she could do was hope. To her surprise, her eyes suddenly felt heavy and she found herself drifting off into sleep.

  She awoke to his mouth on her breast, sucking urgently, lips and tongue working her nipple into a tight aching point before moving to the other one. Her back arched, bringing her breasts closer to that demanding pull.

  “T’gana? What—” Before she could complete the question his mouth covered hers, kissing her with the same demanding intensity. By the time he lifted his head, she was breathless and on fire. The moonlight still shone through the uncovered windows, the light bright enough for her to see his face, set in hard lines, but his eyes glowing gold. She opened her mouth to speak, but he covered it again. As he kissed her, his hand descended between her legs, moving easily in the slick warmth as he circled her clit, sending shockwaves of pleasure up her spine. He probed deeper, forcing a finger into her pussy, the sudden thickness causing her to cry out against his mouth, but he didn’t pause. Strumming her clit with his thumb as he fucked the thick digit in and out, he brought her to a sudden rapid climax. She was still shuddering when he rose over her, horns gleaming in the moonlight, his face unreadable, and then his cock was at her entrance, pressing inexorably into the tight channel. As soon as he worked his way completely into her pussy, he withdrew, only to plunge deep again, setting an almost frantic
pace. Her legs came up to circle his hips, meeting his thrusts with the same urgency, until she felt him stiffen, felt the flood of warmth that triggered her own climax. His body came down over her, warm and heavy and relaxed, and for just a second his forehead rested against hers, but then he pulled away.

  He laid down next to her, his body stiff once more. For a moment, she felt hurt, but the hurt was quickly replaced by sorrow—for him. Ignoring the tension that turned his muscles rigid, she tucked herself under his arm again. His need for her gave her hope. He would need time, but he still wanted her, was still comforted by her. She could give him whatever time he needed.

  “I love you, T’gana,” she said softly, then closed her eyes. Tomorrow was another day, and it would be a better one.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  T’gana did not sleep. The blackness that had been momentarily relieved by S’rah’s soft body returned, accompanied by guilt. He had needed her so badly that he had broken through the walls of despair surrounding him. The previous day was a long blur, broken only by a few bright spots. His T’bitha whispering in his ear. His J’ne’s sweet goodnight kiss. S’rah’s love. Love he did not deserve. When he had heard her pause outside the bedroom door, uncertain whether to enter, his heart had cracked a little more. But she had entered, she had not abandoned him. Instead, she had revealed her sweet body to him in the moonlight, she had touched him softly, and she had whispered words of love.

  Aroused by her nearness, warmed by her gentle touch, he had controlled himself for as long as he could, but in the end, his need was too great and he had awakened her. Even then, she had been warm and willing in his arms. But as soon as his body had been satiated, his guilt had consumed him once again. He couldn’t stay here. He should leave and let her get on with her life. Let her find a worthy mate. Beneath the blackness what was left of his soul roared a protest, but he saw no other course.

  By the time sunlight crept into the room, he had made his decision.

  Against his side, S’rah yawned and stretched. She reached up to kiss him and her beautiful face smiled.

  “Your eyes are open. Do you feel better?”

  “I am fine,” he said. His voice sounded dull and lifeless in his ears. “I was waiting for you to awaken to tell you that I will be leaving.”

  “What? You can’t do that! You promised to stay with me for the entire thirty days.”

  “The breeding contract is not working. No one will force me to stay.”

  “No, but they can force me to find another male. Is that what you want?”

  No! “Perhaps it would be best,” he said.

  “No, hell, it wouldn’t. Dammit, T’gana, everyone leaves me. You can’t do it too.” Beneath the anger, the tears were clearly visible, and he hesitated. As he did, he heard a giggle in the hallway.

  S’rah leaned closer and whispered fiercely. “Now you listen to me. Even if you don’t care about me, those girls are on the verge of losing their father. You can’t leave them too. Promise me!”

  They deserved better but she was right. For now, he was all they had. He managed a nod.

  “Good.” Her eyes were still bright with anger and pain, but she managed a smile as the girls came rushing in.

  “Good morning, girls.”

  “Morning. Tigga, you’re awake!” J’ne bounced up on the bed, and he managed a smile although it felt stiff and strange on his lips. She frowned at him. “Are you feeling better?”

  “Yes.”

  “You don’t look better.”

  “Tigga’s fine,” T’bitha said firmly. She had climbed up on the bed too and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, a spot of warmth against the cold.

  S’rah cleared her throat. “What shall we have for breakfast?”

  “Pancakes,” T’bitha said.

  “We had pancakes last night.”

  “Not pancakes.” T’bitha shook her head and turned to him. “Tigga make pancakes?”

  He had caught the scent of cooking last night and she was right—those had not been pancakes. The thought of forcing his body out of bed—and of cooking—almost overwhelmed him, but his little one had asked.

  “Yes.” He pushed the words out.

  S’rah nodded, her eyes bright again. “Good. I must admit they didn’t turn out the way I expected. But you will have fruit and juice as well, girls. Now come along. You can help me set the table while T’gana gets up.”

  They left and his body stiffened, but he had promised. He made himself climb out of bed, even though the world felt shaky and distant beneath him. The ritual motions of cooking were surprisingly soothing, although twice he found himself starting to drift into darkness. Both times, T’bitha touched him and brought him back.

  Unable to eat, he cleaned the kitchen, then started to head back to the bedroom. S’rah grabbed his hand. The warmth of her touch spread up his arm and a little of his darkness retreated.

  “You can’t go back to bed. I need to wash the sheets. It’s such a nice day. Why don’t you help the girls get out their coloring books and take them out on the porch while I strip the bed?”

  He nodded and went to obey her request. After he carried everything outside, T’bitha tugged him down into a chair and perched herself on his lap as she began carefully coloring a tree an improbable shade of pink. J’ne colored over the lines in her book with a profusion of colors. The scents of the garden—the garden where he had worked so hard—drifted up on the porch, along with soft twitter of a bird. T’bitha was a comforting warmth against his side. His body gradually relaxed and his sleepless night caught up with him. He drifted off before S’rah returned.

  Sarah walked out on the porch to find T’gana asleep in his chair. Tabby looked up at her and pressed a finger to her lips and she hid a smile as she nodded. Even in his sleep, he did not seem at ease. While his body remained still, his face had not relaxed. He made a faint sound, and Tabby twisted around and gently patted his cheek. He quieted. Amazing.

  Struck by a sudden impulse, she moved behind the chair and ran her hand through his close-cropped dark hair. He seemed to move into her touch, like an animal that wanted to be petted, so she kept up the strokes until she finally saw his face relax. When T’bukka had said that he would need her touch, he had apparently meant it quite literally. Keeping one hand on him, she pulled up a chair at his side, and joined the girls in their coloring.

  Unfortunately, he didn’t sleep for very long, but his rest remained peaceful. When his eyes opened, he immediately focused on her and for a moment, she saw the familiar warmth. But then his face shadowed, and she could see him begin to distance himself.

  “I was thinking of making chicken strips for lunch. Can you help me?” she asked briskly.

  There was a long pause, but then he nodded, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

  The rest of the day followed much the same pattern. Each time T’gana attempted to retreat, she found some small task for him to perform. She also touched him as much as she could, and she noticed that both girls were doing the same. Jane took his hand to lead him through the garden in search of a lost toy. Whenever he sat down, Tabby would perch on his knee or nestle against his side.

  Tabby also talked him into going over his exercises with her. It was while the two of them were moving through the steps, that Jane finally asked about their father. They were sitting on porch crocheting as they watched T’gana and Tabby.

  “Sarah, how come we haven’t gone home to see Daddy?”

  “I’m afraid your father is very sick.”

  “Sicker than Tigga?”

  “Yes. He’s in the hospital.”

  “Oh.” Jane frowned down at her chain of stitches for a moment. “Mama was in the hospital. She never came home. We got Tabby instead. Is Daddy coming home?”

  She couldn’t bring herself to lie. “I don’t know.”

  “But we can stay here? We don’t gotta go anywhere?”

  “Yes, sweetheart. You can stay with me as long as you want.”

>   “And Tigga?”

  Sarah bit her lip as she watched the tall figure moving slowly and steadily through the exercises. There were definite signs of improvement, but he was still buried deep in his head. The thirty days would be up soon. Would he agreed to stay?

  “I don’t know, Jane. I hope so very much.”

  “Me too.”

  The little girl sniffled, and Sarah abandoned her yarn to lift her into her lap and pull her close.

  “I love you, Sarah.”

  “I love you too, Jane.”

  Together they rocked and watched T’gana and his tiny shadow.

  When the girls went to take their afternoon naps, she led T’gana into the bedroom. She felt him stiffen as they approached, but she ignored it and pulled him into the room and shut the door. Rather than heading for the bed, she pushed him gently into the big chair by the window and followed Tabby’s example by climbing into his lap. However, her intentions were not so innocent. As soon as she was settled, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Not a demand, but a gentle press of her lips against his. He didn’t respond immediately, but she didn’t let that discourage her. She pressed small kisses along his mouth, nibbled at his bottom lip, and ran her tongue along the seam.

  “S’rah,” he groaned. His eyes were starting to glow gold and she could feel the stiffness of his erection beneath her bottom.

  “Yes, T’gana?” she asked innocently.

  “I…” Words seemed to fail him, so she returned to the gentle kisses. This time, when she stroked her tongue across his lips, he opened for her. She could feel his urgency, but she kept the pace as slow as she could, even though her own excitement was building. Pulling back a little, she kissed a line along the harsh angle of his jaw until she could tease his ear. He shivered, and his hands came up to clutch her waist.

  “What do you say we get rid of this?” she whispered as she reached for the catch on his uniform top. Before she could release it, he covered her hand with his.