Total pages in book: 175
Estimated words: 166095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 830(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 830(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Impulsively, I press my lips to hers. I feel a bit like a wild animal marking its territory, as if I need to stake out that I’m here first. That Bethiah should be attracted to me and not Jamef because I was here first. Her mouth is just as soft as I remember, and I linger there, wondering if I’m absolutely crazy for imagining there might be more to us—
A hand slides to the back of my neck, cupping my head, and then Bethiah is kissing me back, her mouth hot on mine.
Chapter Twenty Four
BETHIAH
Waking up with a sweet mouth pressed against my own isn’t the worst way to rouse. I know immediately that it’s Dora, of course. I can tell by the soft feel of her lips, the scent of her against my skin. She gasps when I kiss her back, and I half expect her to pull away. Instead, she sinks her hands into my hair and slants her mouth over mine, her tongue brushing over my lower lip in a silent invitation.
Who am I to resist such a delicious invite?
It’s been so long since I’ve truly kissed another lover. Humans are the only ones to happily ignore sanitary laws in bedsport. They’d rather swap fluids and touch all over than settle for the anemic, hygienic embrace of most society. Maybe that’s what makes them so keffing appealing. When they love, they’re all in.
And I know I shouldn’t kiss her because the last thing I need in my life is love, but…kef it.
I stroke her small, smooth tongue with mine, and have to bite back a sigh when she makes a sound of pleasure. She leans into me, her lips nibbling against mine, and then Dora flicks her tongue against mine once more. “Bethiah,” she breathes. “I missed you.”
That brings me to my senses. Because I can’t have a human missing me. I can’t have her getting attached, because then I’ll get attached, and I know humans don’t stay. They dance around love, pretending that they want it as badly as you do, and then when a better offer comes along, they take it.
So I gently push Dora away. “Did he send you in here to distract me again?”
She recoils, the look on her face one of hurt. “Maybe I just wanted to kiss you. Maybe I was just glad to see you. I guess that was wrong.”
“Eh.” I shrug, and swing my legs over the side of the bed, sitting upright. Dora retreats to stand near the door, her arms crossed over her chest. She’ll forget about me hurting her feelings soon enough. “I’m glad to see you whole, fluffit, don’t get me wrong. But the fact that you’re not locked up with me tells me that you’re working with Jamef.”
I wasn’t wrong. Humans really do change their loyalties quickly. Dora’s already Jamef’s creature, and that stings far more than it should. I shouldn’t be surprised. I expected this, but did it have to happen so soon? I was enjoying spending time with her despite myself. I was enjoying her adoring looks, and her bright conversation, and the feel of her body against mine at night.
By the stars, I really am an idiot sometimes. They’ve both played me.
I suppose it’s time for me to play them right on back. I give Dora a bright smile, hiding my wounded sensibilities. First I get out of here. Then I take over my ship again. Maybe throw in a little flirting and a grind session with Jamef, though I’m feeling decidedly less willing to fool around now that I know he’s turned Dora against me. I can’t blame the little fluffit, but I can still be keffing annoyed by it. I turn toward the door and try my hand on the panel. Locked out. “So are we in space now or still at the station?”
Dora lets out a little huff.
That’s fine, she can be annoyed at me. I’m annoyed at her, too. To think I stressed for days over how to get her back only for her to betray me so quickly. “So what did you think of Jamef?” I ask. “He’s good with his fingers, isn’t he?”
“What do you mean?”
As if she doesn’t know what I mean. “So you went straight for the dick? Girl after my own heart.” I chuckle, even though I don’t feel like laughing. I use my thumbnail and pry up the control panel, then smile down at the tiny override chip that I’ve left in the panel itself. It’s not connected, and I stored it there for such emergencies. I connect it now and then replace the panel itself, swiping my hand across the front of the panel.
Override.
Dora gasps in surprise when the door opens. “Hey—wait! Where are you going?”
I shrug, glancing back at her. “Jamef wanted me back on the ship, right? I’m gonna go say hello. Maybe go have dinner with my traitorous boyfriend. See if he’s been missing me.”