He broke the contact and rested his forehead on hers. “I don’t know if I can do it,” he admitted quietly. “My body is numb. The feelings are muted.”
“Is it me? Because I’m human?” She opened her eyes and looked into his face, so close. His eyes reminded her anew of everything that was different about For males. “Because I remind you ofher?”
He touched her face, cupping her cheek in his rough palm. “You’re perfect. But I can sense your fear. It won’t work if you’re afraid.”
“I’m just nervous.”
“Maybe you shouldn't look.” He spun her around. “This way you can’t see me.”
“I want to see you!” Addie protested.
His hand settled in the middle of her back and rubbed it in slow circles. “It’s better if you don’t,” he breathed into her ear. “You told me once you had a mate?”
His hand slid under her sweater. His gentle touch was calming, and she concentrated on that. “Yes.”
“Did you enjoy the mating part?”
“With Gordon? Yes. It was good for me.” Her nerves were settling. Zoark was being very gentle, and his touch was calming.
“What was your favorite part?”
“With my husband?” Technically, she still had a husband. Addie found it curious and strange, like it wasn’t she who had married Gordon on a sunny spring day in the middle of a botanical garden, and lived two years with him as his wife.
“Yes. Tell me.”
“I… it’s too intimate.”
“I want you to remember. Think about it. Guide me.”
“I…” His hand slid lower and caressed her bottom. Her body was stiff as a board. “I liked being touched.”
“Here?” He dipped his hand lower, sliding it between her legs, not invasive, barely pressing.
“Yes. And on my belly. My breasts.”
He pulled the sweater over her head by the hem, and she instinctively pressed back against his body, seeking his warmth.
“Pretend you’re with him. It’ll help you loosen up. I have to have you willing or there’s no point in trying. I have to feel your heat, the blood coursing through your veins. Think about your mate, Addie. About the pleasant parts.”
She took a deep breath. “Alright.”
Staring at the rock rising directly in front of her, she concentrated on what she could recall. How Gordon rolled over her, deliciously heavy and hairy. How they had sex once while hiking a nature trail. He had pressed her against a tree and took her standing, and the hard bark tore her expensive thermal shirt.
The rock blurred in front of her eyes. All those memories were flat, without dimension. That woman no longer existed. That life had blown away into the past. She felt no stirrings from the intimate memories; only a vague nostalgia.
Zoark pushed down her underwear and pulled the hem of her dress up to get to her private parts. She shifted to accommodate him, self-conscious and embarrassed.
He’d already seen what she had thanks to their Jat sand bath encounter. She remembered him looking, even though he had said he wasn’t interested. His eyes had flickered. She had caught that flicker, and it had scared her… it had excited her, andthathad scared her even more.
What if he hadn’t shown himself to her but let her continue? What if she had caressed herself into an orgasm not knowing he had been looking?
What if she had known he had been?
A delicious warmth slithered along her spine.
The encounter replayed in her mind, but differently.
Zoark, startling her, naked, in the Jat sand bath. She, with her roaming hands paused in their progress across her skin from surprise. They, looking at each other.
