Stolen and Seduced - Christine Pope Page 0,376

out, but his spine stiffened and he straightened.

“Finish the bathing,” he muttered. “That is the rule.” He coated the cloth with oil and shoved the duckies so hard across the surface, a few hopped out of the tub. The cloth dipped down, into the water.

She closed her eyes because… “Holy fuck, don’t stop.”

Rough and lightly abrasive, he coaxed the material across her slit. He tweaked her clit then rubbed as if he needed to ensure the oil coated every available surface.

She bucked and pressed up against his hand, her brain turning to mush and her lungs on fire.

As she rose toward the peak, he withdrew the cloth.

She deflated like a popped balloon, and her eyes snapped open. “Why did you stop?”

He lifted his hand and ticked items off one by one. “I have worn the garlong and fed you a suitable substitute for tetria.” One finger was folded toward his palm. “I have bathed you, and though I lacked zinters, I have utilized the duckies and oil. We have exchanged touch and fluids.” Only two fingers left. “I have delivered the first, most basic level of intimate satisfaction.”

“Wait.” She grabbed the only available finger, his thumb. “There are levels to…satisfaction?”

His eyelids hooded. “Naturally.”

“How many?”

“Ten.”

“Oh, fuck.” She couldn’t imagine how she’d scream if they ever reached that level. But hold on. “One finger left. What are we missing?”

“My family tradition insists I cannot proceed further until I have made a sacrifice in your honor.”

She frowned. “How in the world are you going to do that? We’re in the middle of space. It’s not as if there’s a cat stuck in a tree you can climb to rescue or a youth center where you can volunteer, though that would be nice. Too few people are willing to give their time to help kids.”

He pressed his closed fist against his chest. “I will do this on Crakair.”

“So we’ll wait to do anything until after we arrive?” Why did the idea make her sad? She was the one who’d been telling him not to rush things.

It was easier when emotions were not involved. She didn’t love Gaje. Not yet. But she had a feeling she could.

He lifted her from the tub and standing her on a fluffy mat, rubbed her dry, bring her heat back into full focus.

“I admire how you wish to follow your family’s courtship rules,” she said. How could she be upset with a guy who wanted to treat her with respect before dragging her off to bed? But jeez, she was horny. “Any ideas for how we can complete that last bit before I turn fifty?”

“My minar will arrive,” he said, pressing his fist against his chest again. “I will seize it and sacrifice in your honor.”

“I guess I should get dressed then since I doubt sacrifice will involve rubber ducks,” she said, trying not to sound forlorn.

After dropping a new gown over her head and tucking her arms through the sleeves, he cupped her face and kissed her, long and deep and full of promise. “This time will pass quickly.”

“I’ll find a way to deal.” She took his hand as they left the bathroom. “Can you make me one promise?”

“Of course.” His fangs gleamed in the low light.

“After you’ve completed the last, honorable step of the courtship, and we’re headed to home plate, will you make sure we hit all the levels?”

“Level ten involves very creative…fucking. I do not know if you will be able to withstand the brisk movement.”

“Just try me.”

“Then yes, I will bring you to level ten.” He was leaning over for another kiss when a shrieking sound ground through the hull of the ship, followed by a bang that made the craft shudder.

His eyes widened.

Swearing, he hurried her down the hall toward the cockpit.

Chapter 8

Impact with a critical event in twenty seclars. Commence countdown. Nineteen…eighteen…

As the mechanical voice blared through the ship and lights flashed, Gaje made sure Thea had taken her seat and secured her four-point restraint. Then he smacked down and engaged his own.

Seventeen…sixteen…

“What’s going on?” she asked, her arms wrapped snugly around her waist.

He could tell by her tight face she was trying to remain strong, but her voice shook.

Fifteen…fourteen…

“Meteor cluster.” He disengaged the autopilot and took over the controls. While many of his fellow Crakairians would allow the ship’s computer to decide how best to withstand the impact, Gaje had a light touch and a lot of luck. He’d pulled himself through too many tough situations in the past to let