But now, Serlotminden had charmed me with his smiles and enthusiasm, and I had formed a connection to him. One I’d never had with another living soul. Of course, this life-or-death situation had assisted. But I couldn’t fight the desire he’d ignited.
It was fucking annoying.
When he was done, I helped him pull on his other clothes, trying to look at him as little as physically possible. He kept ducking his head, like he was trying to catch my eye, but I wouldn’t let him. I needed to get a hold of myself first.
“Do you want me to wash your hair?” I asked.
“No. Tired.”
Nodding, I snagged the edge of the tent and helped Serlotminden to his feet. Arms hooked under his, I directed him to the mattress, and he grunted, panting, as he settled. I brushed his long white hair behind his tapered ear, touching the gold piercings that went down to the long dangly earrings thatpractically kissed his shoulders. Unable to stop my fingers, I cupped his cheek, and he leaned into me.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I didn’t know if I believed him, because tension pulled his shoulders tight and a deep divot resided between his eyebrows, but I let it go. He was an adult. Serlotminden could take care of himself. Whether he lied about if he was fine or not wasn’t my problem. Though I would keep an eye on him. Someone had to and his boyfriend wasn’t here.
Shaking it off, I slipped from the tent to start my own bath while I tried to banish any remembrance of his body.
Chapter 14
Don’t look.
It had taken everything within me not to react to Bartholomew’s gentle touch as he’d washed me. Stars above and by the Crystal’s light, when he’d scrubbed my tail, getting closer and closer to the sensitive base, I barely suppressed the urge to moan and drag him against me before rubbing all over him. I’d wanted the softness of his skin on my scales. I wanted to force my tongue between his plump lips and taste him.
I made myself take a deep breath to slow the rapid beat of my soul. I was attracted to Bartholomew. I couldn’t deny it. I could, but it was pointless because my cock had started to harden at the thought of him. Stars, when he’d taken off my trousers… If I hadn’t been injured, I might’ve tried to gather him close andrequest his permissions so we could fuck or at least taste each other.
How was this happening? Humans had never been of interest to me. They were too short and soft. This human was different, though. He was near my own height; he was soft, but it wasn’t the same with Bartholomew. I liked how he melted against me and how smooth his skin was against my scales. But we were friends. Nothing more.
Butwe could be friends who fucked, if Bartholomew was amenable. He hadn’t acted interested, but maybe if he saw me in a more attractive light, he would desire my body. I hadn’t been clean or put together before now. It would take time; that was it. Who wasn’t attracted to me? No one. Everyone liked me. After he started to be attracted to me, we’d discuss permissions and be fuck-friends.
With a smile, I grabbed the edge of the tent and pulled it back a crack to talk to him. I needed to know he was there, but more accurately, I had to confirm what I was feeling. That this whole situation hadn’t been a fluke brought on by him touching me.
My mouth dropped, and the words died in my throat. Bartholomew was shirtless. His ribs and the knobs on his spine stuck out through his skin. He slid his trousers off, and all thought fell from my mind so fast that all I did was gape. His butt was small and flat—thin like the rest of him—but he was so lovely. He cleaned his legs, which had black hair scattered over them, with a cloth and shivered in the cold. He didn’t turn around so his cock remained hidden from my sight, and I was disappointed. I wanted to see it; I wanted to see all of him. Stars, ordamnas the humans said, I really wanted to.
I needed to look away. I didn’t have his permission to see him like this. I had to stop watching. It wasn’t right. My hand didn’t so much as twitch to drop the fabric, even when I tried; my tail thrashed and my cock hardened in desire. He kneeled on hisshirt and bent toward the bowl of water, giving me an excellent view of his butt and his sack covered in black hair.
My breath turned harsh as I squeezed the tent, claws making holes in the flag.
He yanked on clean clothes, my clothes. They looked perfect on him, even though they were large and he had to tie the trousers up so they stayed on. Bartholomew turned toward the tent and started. My mouth opened, but nothing came out besides breathless moans filled with desperate need. I’d been caught watching, inappropriately so. I’d ignored all decency and permissions, taking what I desired. He was going to be mad, rightly so. I was furious with myself. Instinct and desire didn’t excuse what I’d done. I tried to apologize, but all that came out was a strangled groan.
Bartholomew didn’t say anything as he brushed past me and climbed inside the tent.
I tried to breathe through my arousal, but my cock was hard and obvious under the blanket; it was impossible to hide, so I didn’t bother trying. Bartholomew lay with his back to me and curled into a ball.
Guilt shredded me like a claw to the gut. “My apologies.”
Bartholomew lifted and lowered his shoulders.
I stretched to touch him, but I pulled back at the last moment. Bartholomew had consented to my touch, but he might not now. Consent could always be revoked. I wouldn’t break his trust or force myself on him when he wasn’t desiring of me. Instead of pulling him close, I stared up at the tent and scolded myself viciously.
I held my burning cheeks. Serlotminden had watched me bathe and had gotten turned on. My own dick was hard as a rock at the thought of him staring at me. I wanted to turn around and press against him, but I didn’t. I’d never been with anyone. I knew what to do, but I had no practical experience. What if I did it wrong? Or what if he wasn’t actually interested?
Both were possible, and I didn’t want to be rejected. Besides, he had a boyfriend, though they might not be exclusive or perhaps they had an open relationship.
Before I was abducted by aliens, I’d been my normal quiet self. I’d had friends, but the thought of dating and sex was something that made me squirm. Also, I’d never felt a pressing need to fuck. I liked jerking off, but my hand had been sufficient to meet my sex drive’s needs. Now, apparently that wasn’t enough. Though, actually, I hadn’t had a chance to jerk off in months. Vince and me living in close quarters made that difficult, and most of the time, I’d been too exhausted to masturbate. Here? Literally no privacy.
Mindy had changed everything. I wanted him, but I sure as hell couldn’t have him. At least, I didn’t think so.
