Sol Read online

  “What do you mean? I was fucking worried sick, you jerk.”

  Even though my hand is still smarting, I thump his shoulder again. He grunts when I wince.

  Sheh, please try not to hurt yourself.

  “Whatever, dude. You shouldn’t have scared me like that.”

  He stares at me, his expression as close to confused as I’ve ever seen it. The fact that he has something resembling an expression is weird enough.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I let my eyes travel over his big, silver form. He stands still, his eyes intent on my face as I look him over. He looks okay. The firm muscles of his chest are glazed over with sweat and dirt. My eyes fall to his crotch. His little loincloth looks—secure. When I get to his right hand, I gasp.

  “Oh—oh my god. Is that food?”

  I could cry. I mean, I could literally cry. I feel the tears prick the back of my eyelids when they fall on the dirt covered root dangling from his hand. It looks like a white carrot. I hate carrots, and suddenly all I want is a carrot.

  This is why I left. I was looking for food for you. You should not have pretended that you were well when you needed nourishment. I am here for you, Sheh. I will take care of you. He holds up the carrot. It is a simple root, but it will provide you with necessary nutrients.

  I snatch it from his hand.

  “Are you kidding me? This could be a piece of celery, and I’d eat it. I could kiss you right now.”

  My eyes are fixed to the root as I do my best to brush off the dirt. It’s cold, probably frozen solid, but I’m not sure I can wait for it to thaw. I look over at the fire. I’ll roast it. A few minutes in the flames should do some good.

  I grab one of the sticks we’ve been using to feed the fire and jab it into the carrot. It doesn’t go far, but when I hold it up and test the weight, the stick doesn’t break. I lengthen it over the fire, letting the carrot hover above the flames, and the sweet, smokey scent of roasting veggies hits my nose. I damn near salivate.

  I very much want that if you are willing.

  I pull my gaze away from my dinner to find Sol sitting next to me. He’s close and peering down at me with another new almost-expression. It’s his second in two minutes, and it vaguely resembles anticipation. It’s just the tiniest lift of his eyebrows.

  I frown.

  “Want what?”

  To do this kiss with you.

  I choke on a laugh.

  “What?”

  I did not find you food so you would reward me, but I would very much like to do this kiss with you.

  He looks so serious, so completely unaware of how strange his request is that I find myself feeling a little charmed. He wants to “do” the kiss with me? I chuckle a little and then shrug.

  “Okay. I mean, sure. But after I eat?”

  Of course, Sheh.

  He gets up and walks to the other side of the fire where he settles down to watch me across the flames. I try to focus on my food again, but my mind is racing.

  I look across the fire and catch the bright orange of his gaze, and it occurs to me that I might, kinda want to kiss him, too. Just to see what it’s like. He’s so weird, but he’s also sweet in his own way. And that dream I had—whew—that was not at all bad. But also, I’ve been kidnapped, threatened with torture and death, and almost froze to death. A hot, packing alien bearing gifts of food wanting to kiss me doesn’t seem so bad.

  As all this shit flies through my head, I suddenly remember that if he wanted, he could see my thoughts.

  “Are you reading my mind?”

  I am not, Sheh. Do you want me to—

  “No, no, don’t. Don’t look unless you have to.”

  I will not.

  The distinct smell of charring reaches my nose, and my eyes jump back to the carrot. I was too busy looking at Sol to realized it had dipped into the fire. I quickly pull it out and hold it up.

  “Shit. I burned it.”

  I stare at the blackened root for another second before I shrug and sink my teeth into the tip. It scorches the roof of my mouth, and I yank it back out, rubbing my tongue against the sore spot. Sol shifts across from me.

  You are not very good at keeping from getting hurt, Sheh.

  “Sorry.”

  He continues to shift as I wait for the pain to subside. When it finally lessens, he stills.

  Please, be careful.

  “I will.”

  I make sure to blow first before I take a tentative bite from the tip of the root. I only just remember to pray that it isn’t poisonous before I start to chew.

  “Ohhh, my god!”

  Even though, right about now, anything would be delicious, this thing is actually really tasty. Burned and all. I take another, bigger bite. As I savor the sweet, crispy meat, I can’t stop myself from doing a little shoulder dance.

  “This is so good!”

  You enjoy it?

  He sounds surprised.

  “Dude, this is the best thing I’ve ever had in my life! What is it?”

  It is skua, a very simple root here, but it is dense in nutrients. It should last you for several days.

  I pause mid-bite and remove the root from my open mouth. It’s more than half gone. It was pretty big, but I was also pretty hungry. I lower it with a small frown. I want nothing more than to scarf down the rest, but it took him three hours to find one carrot. It’s probably a good idea to save some.

  I take a twig and break it into a few pieces, arranging them side by side, and then lay the carrot on top. I stare hard at it for a while before making myself look away. I really want to max that shit.

  Will we do the kiss now?

  I jump and twist to the side where Sol is once again sitting super close to me. For such a big dude, he’s kind of a ninja. He’s got his almost-excited expression. The orange of his eyes seems to linger on my mouth.

  “Oh, yeah. I mean, sure. Yeah.”

  Sol scoots closer until his face is right in front of mine and stops. His warm breath fans across my skin, tickling my nose. I angle my head away.

  “Okay, dude. If we’re gonna do this, you’re going to need to relax.”

  I am relaxed.

  I laugh.

  “No, hun, you are not at all relaxed. You’re so stiff. You have to loosen up.”

  His eyebrows twitch in confusion. Why am I not surprised he doesn’t know how to relax. I roll my eyes and shift onto my knees next to him, taking his shoulders in my hands. I can barely get a grip on the smooth, tight muscle, but I give him a little shake. Or try to. He barely moves.

  “Sol, you gotta let go a bit. You act like an animal about to pounce. You need to relax, relate, and release, my dude.”

  I do not know what this means.

  My head falls back and a frustrated groan erupts from my throat. I drop my chin back down to find him still watching me with that blank stare. Goodness gracious, I can’t let this alien wander around his whole life like this. It can’t be good for his health.

  “So, look, you’re like this,” I straighten my back, pulling my shoulders together in an exaggerated motion. I firm up my jaw and stare blankly ahead. I hold the position for a second before continuing, “but you need to be like this.”

  I let the air woosh out of my lungs and collapse my spine. I shake my shoulders out then drop them. I twist my mouth to work out the tension before pulling my cheeks into an easy smile.

  “See? Now you try it.”

  Sol’s eyebrows twitch, and he pulls himself up even straighter, which I didn’t think was possible. I’m forced to lean back as his large torso looms over me. A second later, his body retracts about a half an inch. He stares at me, waiting. I raise my eyebrows and wave my hands encouragingly.

  “Okay, now do what I did. Relax.”

  I have.

  This shit is hopeless. I take a deep breath and tap a finger against my chin as I try to figure out how best to translate relaxation to Big Bird Terminator. It’s not like he’s completely a robot. When I was cold in the forest, he held me. It gives me an idea.

  “Move.” I swat at his arms until he lowers them to the side and quickly straddle his lap, wrapping my hands around his neck. “I’m cold. Keep me warm.”

  Of course, Sheh.

  He folds his arms across my back and pulls me against his chest. The heat from his body radiates through my thin dress triggering an unexpected shiver and causing my nipples to perk up. I rub my hands over his broad shoulders and rest my face in the crook of his neck. He smells good. Like spring.

  “This is nice.”

  I settle against his hardness, running my hands across his shoulders and as far down his back as I can reach. Gradually, Sol’s grip eases. His fingers spread wide, and it feels like there isn’t a part of my back he isn’t touching. The muscles in his arms flex as he draws me closer and presses his face into my hair, inhaling deeply. This time when he exhales, his spine loses some of its rigidity. He slumps against me, the motion bringing his pelvis forward into mine. Unconsciously, I grind into his lap.

  Am I relaxed enough to do the kiss?

  My mouth curves up against the warm skin beneath his ear. He’s so cute. I could stay cuddled up with him like this forever, but I pull away only to be immediately caught off guard.

  He looks—different. The usually hard jaw is softer. The tightness of his mouth has slackened, revealing some pretty juicy lips. His face finally fits the gentleness that he’s been treating me with since he rescued me from the froggies. The only thing that’s still intense is the orange blaze of his eyes, and even that is doing some funny things to my girly parts.

  “I’m gonna kiss you now, okay?”

  His head dips in a slow nod.

  Yes, Sheh.

  SOLUANITIAT’TI SOMIITI’UN

  The feeling that has been simmering in my belly since Sheh pressed herself against me seems to explode the moment her mouth brushes mine. It is a small contact, but I feel it throughout my body. It is a tingling, almost painful sensation, but I do not want to pull away. I want more. When she retreats her lips from mine, it feels like loss, even though this is a feeling I have never experienced before. Not even when my parents perished. Then, I knew only acceptance that they had reached the end of their life cycles. But the second the smooth, plumpness of Sheh’s mouth lifts away, it is as if some grave injustice has been done to me.

  “Did you like that?”

  Her warm, hazel eyes are gentle. The lips that have caused so much turmoil in my body tilt slightly.

  “I think I liked it very much, Sheh.”

  The tilt pulls into a magnificent smile. Her head lowers quickly, and she bumps her mouth to mine, making a loud smacking sound, but pulls away before I can savor it.

  “Sol, you spoke!”

  Her eyes are wide as she laughs her loud, sharp laugh.

  “I would very much like to do the kiss with you again, Sheh.”

  Using my voice feels less foreign than it did the first time I spoke to her. If Sheh enjoys hearing me speak, then I will say all the words.

  But she frowns, and I worry that I have asked too much. Her eyebrow jumps.

  “Your voice is kinda sexy, dude.”

  As she says this, her body temperature rises. The pointed tips of her breasts, which have been straining against my chest, tighten further. A pleasant smell rises from between our bodies.

  “Is sexy good?”

  I speak carefully.

  “Oh my god! I can’t take it!”

  She falls heavily against me, pressing her face back to my shoulder. Her hips rotate forward, and she moans. It is a pained sound, and it triggers a different sensation in me. I wanted her to like my voice, and she does not. I believe what I am feeling may be disappointment.

  I will not use my voice if it causes you pain.

  She pulls back abruptly, and her scowl is fierce. She raises her tiny hand and strikes my shoulder. Like before, she winces in pain, eliciting a mild throb along my neck.

  Try not to hurt yourself, Sheh.

  Her head falls back and her hips twitch.

  “Duuuude! Say that out loud.”

  I am confused. I hesitate, and she slaps my arm again. Once more, she winces, and I echo her pain.

  Sheh, you must be careful.

  “Nooooo, say it out loud, Sol.”

  I do not understand her insistence, but I do as she asks. Clearing my throat, I speak the words as carefully as before.

  “Please, Sheh. I do not like to see you hurt. Try to be careful not to harm yourself. For me.”

  “Oh, my god!”

  Before I can process this exclamation, Sheh slams her mouth back to mine. Her arms tense in an effort to pull me closer, so I oblige and lean in. The tingle returns even as I am confused as to what has caused such a passionate reaction in her. She slants her head and continues applying varying pleasure to my lips. She pauses, and I feel something wet brush the seam of my mouth.

  “Open.”

  I do as she says, and her tongue sweeps past my lips sending a wave of razor-edged sensation rushing over me. I pull my head away.

  “What did you do?”

  Her mouth tilts.

  “That’s a kiss, boo.”

  “With your tongue? Is it meant to hurt?”

  Her smile drops, and she, too, angles away.

  “Oh, I didn’t mean to hurt you. That’s just the way humans kiss.”

  The sensation is till ricocheting through my body. It is like a million needles assaulting my insides all at once.

  “Perhaps my kind is not adapted to do this. It tingled intensely along my arms and throughout my stomach.”

  Again, Sheh’s head falls back as she laughs.

  “Dude, tingles are good. It’s supposed to tingle. That means you like it. Watch. It gets better.”

  She leans in slowly until her mouth touches mine. She presses softly, and the good feeling flares through me again, reigniting the tingles that had yet to subside. When she tilts her face and licks my lips, I hesitantly open my mouth.

  This time, she slides her tongue past my lips just a little, running it along my teeth and the roof of my mouth. I hold my body still as the tingling intensifies, but I do not want to move away like before. The longer I experience it, the nicer it feels.

  “See not so bad.”

  She murmurs the words into my mouth. It is not bad. It is good. I want more.

  Her tongue nudges mine, and I flinch. She nudges it again, and I understand what she is asking of me. She wishes me to engage my tongue with hers?

  The next time she nudges my tongue, I catch it, letting mine slide across the softly, textured surface of hers.

  “Mm.”

  Her moan emboldens me, and I open my mouth wider, flicking my tongue around and into her mouth. She tastes like the sweet skua flesh. I run my tongue along all the soft spaces. The tingle no longer feels like pain, but something else. Something that sends an urgency through me that I have never known before. I need…something.

  Sheh breaks our kiss and pulls in a great gasp of air.

  “I can’t breathe, but that was great.”

  She smiles wide as her chest heaves. I do not want to restrict her breathing, but I have not had my fill of kissing her.

  I press my face to the soft skin of her neck. I recall the urge I had to taste her before, and I give into it now, lapping at her sweet flesh. Her smell is dizzying, and it seems to be coming in concentrated waves from between her legs. I press my mouth down her shoulder and back up before moving to her chest and the narrow bones beneath her neck. I dip my tongue into the hollow. She tastes so good.

  “Hey, Sol.” I raise my head to find her watching me carefully. She tilts her head to the side as if considering something before she speaks again. “Do you want to be my first?”

  CHAPTER 8

  LASHAY

  Plot twist. Big bad Shay is all talk and no dick. If my sisters were here, they would roast the hell out of me, so I’m glad it’s just me and Sol cause he doesn’t know what the hell is going on anyway, and that means I don’t have to feel embarrassed. Something tells me he hasn’t seen much action, either.

  “I do not know what this means.”

  I fight the smile that pulls at my mouth, but I can’t ignore the desire that skitters over me when he speaks. His voice really is sexy as hell.

  “I’m asking if you want to fuck, but I’ve never done it before, so it’s gonna be my first time. You will be my first.”

  “Is the first good?”

  “Uhhh…” I consider lying, but then I remind myself that it’s not like he’s gonna catch feelings. Who better to get some practice in with? “Yeah, being the first is special. People remember their firsts, you know?”

  He doesn’t say anything for a while, and the familiar sensation of embarrassment fills me. If I can’t get the dude who actually has a crush on me to bite, I may just be a lost cause.

  “If I am your first, we will be partnered?”

  “Uh, I mean, yeah if that’s what you guys call it.”

  He nods.

  “I would like to be your first. I would like us to partner.”

  An unexpected sense of relief courses through me before I do a happy inside dance.

  “Shay’s about to get that D. Shay’s about to get that D. Aye!”

  I snap out of my head. Sol’s watching me. I narrow my eyes. He better not have been peeking.

  “You will also be my first. Is that acceptable?”

  A sharp snort escapes me before I can stop it.

  “My dude, if you bone anything like you kiss, I think we’ll be fine. Plus, you’re obviously ready to go.”

  I point down to the thick length of his dick tenting his little loincloth. He jumps and leans away. The heavy lid of his eyes lifts.

  What has happened?

  His voice in my head is the closest to startled I’ve heard from him. As I realize what’s going on, my own eyes get big.

  “Oh, wow.”

  ***

  “Uh, so that’s a hard on.” I angle my hands between Sol’s legs. I’ve crawled off his lap. We both stare at his junk, which doesn’t seem to be going down any time soon. “You’ve never had a hard on?”