Cold Blooded

Cold Blooded

I was tired, and the last thing I wanted to do was work.

It was still hard to believe that I was on a completely different planet.

It’s been a few months since I first arrived here, but the weirdness still has yet to subside.

I shuddered as the air kicked on. I was already living in a sweater on this planet. I don’t think I could handle being much colder.

I was sure my shift would be over soon.

I was practically the only here for the second shift. The clinic needed someone here at all times in case there is an emergency. I may not know much about the species on this planet, but I damn sure knew how to contact one of them if I really needed to.

No one else wanted to do it, and for me, it was the only job that would give me some time to myself.

I glanced down at my watch to check the time. It was still hard getting used to the different hours, but on Venus, it took years on Earth before the day even ended.

It just meant that the weather here was really… persistent. Long cold summers and unbearably freezing long winters. It was something I would have to get used to.

Honestly, I barely listened to what they were saying when I first arrived. I believe they mentioned something about terraforming Venus because this isn’t their original planet. I just wasn’t sure how or to what extent.

Fortunately, though, where I was staying had heat. Plus, I could speak to the woman two doors down from there and ask her to make me something a little warmer.

She was friendly, and she didn’t really expect much more in return for her services. That was the beauty of the Lhurs. They didn’t have the same buying and selling economy that we had.

Here people traded for the things they needed and helped others when they needed something. People on Earth are usually selfish and are too afraid to help others.

My watch made several beeping sounds before I turned it off. It was time to lock up. The night shift was over, even though it wasn’t night at all. The next wave of employees was on their way.

I waited by the front door until I saw Ahn, and I knew I could leave. She stepped through the door, and she gave me a mean look before walking past me to the back. I still didn’t quite understand the reasoning behind her hate for me. Last time I checked, I was a human that would only be on Venus for a little more than a year.

Ahn was pretty much in charge of the clinic. Her father ran it, and her grandfather was in charge of pretty much anything and everything health-related.

It was thanks to her grandfather that I even have this job in the first place. She just didn’t seem to care.

She didn’t even speak to me, and I didn’t bother trying to make friends with her anymore.

I smiled to myself as I anticipated snuggling into my bed.

It was probably irrational how much I missed the small blanket covered bed.

The family I stayed with didn’t live too far from the clinic, so my walk wasn’t that long.

Fifteen minutes to and from. No streets, no cars. It was still hard getting used to things here.

I followed a stone path towards the homes, and knew that my destination was drawing closer.

Once the small clay and stone home came into view, I felt relieved. It meant I could sleep sooner.

I didn’t hesitate to open the pale wooden door. It is never locked, so I never needed a key. I don’t think anyone here actually locked their doors.

Once I was inside, I looked around. I didn’t hear anything.

It seems like everyone headed to work already.

I sat at the small table, and I ate whatever fruit was left for me. That was courtesy of Rheana, no doubt.

She was the mother of the house, and well, she was kind and very patient. Though most Lhurs are, her son Ehloen along with Ahn, are the rare exceptions. Maybe I was just that lucky?

I shrugged off the thought as I ate. The fruit was sour, and some parts of it were sweet. It made me miss home.

I smiled lightly to myself while thinking about my mother and my sister, my father too, but it seemed like most of my memories of him were of him lecturing me on ways for me to be more like my sister. I shook my head to hopefully knock the thoughts out.

“You’re here.”

I looked up, a little startled.

Ehleon stood at the top of the stairs.

“Night shift is over,” I said before taking my empty plate to the sink to wash it.

“Is my sister home?” he asked me.

I looked back at him after drying the plate.

“I only just walked through the door,” I said, “I don’t know.”

Of course, I know I didn’t just walk through the door. Lhurs are more literal, so by the look on his face, I could see that he was bothered by my ‘Human speech.’

“I haven’t seen her,” I said, “She might have left when your parents did.”

He only nodded before he headed back down the stairs. I watched him for a minute before I headed down as well.

It was probably about time I went to sleep. I headed for the room I was staying in.

Once I was inside, I felt relief. My blankets and pillows were still there, along with all the things I was allowed to bring with me. I didn’t hesitate to lay down. My body relaxed almost instantly until I heard a light knock.

I was quick to sit up.

“Come in,” I said.

Ehleon opened the door, but stood outside of the room.

“You know why no one likes the second shift, right?” he asked me.

I made a face before shaking my head.

“It is considered rude to sleep while everyone else is awake,” he said, “And no one likes to stay awake all day and night.”

It was funny that they called after hour’s night, because it never really got dark. The weather did change, though. There were more clouds during the ‘night’ time that did cover everything in shadows.

“I am not trying to be rude,” I stated, “But I think most people will understand.”

He just gave me a dirty look before shutting the door.

I sometimes wondered if he just enjoyed being mean to me, like those boys in elementary school that would pick on the girls they liked. Though I was pretty sure Ehloen didn’t really develop crushes on girls, or anyone for that matter.

I stood up and walked out of my room to knock on his door.

I may have been tired, but the frustration from having him bother me again woke me right up.

“The door is unlocked,” he said from the other side.

I turned the knob, and I pushed the door open. I quickly had to avert my eyes.

“You wanted something?” he asked.

His pale blue skin is exposed. I couldn’t bring myself to stare at him shirtless.

“For starters,” I said, “Can you cover yourself?”

“No,” he said, “Are all humans this prude?”

“No,” I said back, “It varies from human to human.”

“Well, I don’t mind if you look.”

That was another thing I noticed about Lhurs. Not only were they patient and kind, but they weren’t ones to care if you saw them naked.

“What is it?” He asked, sounding a little frustrated.

That only bothered me.

“What is with you?” I demanded, “Why do you hate me so much?”

He just stared at me like I should know already.

“I didn’t want you here,” he said, “My sister was the one that signed up for the Exchange Program.”

Of course, I knew that already, but that didn’t mean he should be a d**k about it.

“So?” I asked, “Aren’t Lhurs supposed to be kind?”

“It varies from Lhurs to Lhurs,” he said.

I had to close my eyes for a second and take in a breath to calm my nerves.

“You’re frustrated,” he said.

“Am I?” I asked, obviously irritated.

“It is just us here,” he said, “We can both relieve our stress.”

I had to look at him like he just lost his damn mind.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“To humans, I believe you refer to it as a s****l act,” he stated.

A s****l act… I was speechless.

“What?” I demanded.

He looked back to me this time with no negative emotion that he usually portrayed.

“It has been a while for me,” he said, “Has it been long for you?”

I pressed my lips tightly together so that I didn’t snap at him.

“Has it been long since I have had s*x?” I asked to make sure that was what he meant.

“Yes,” he said, “It might be good for us to, what is it? Have the sex.”

I stared at him, baffled.

“You don’t just ask a girl to have s*x with you.”

“We do here,” he stated.

“And what if the girl is a virgin?” I asked.

He looked confused.

This had to be a joke.

“A what?” he asked after a minute of awkward silence.

“A virgin,” I repeated.

The word didn’t register with him. It was evident by the puzzled look on his face.

“A virgin is a person that has never had s*x before.”

“There is a word on Earth for that?” he asked.

“There isn’t one here for that?” I asked.

He shook his head, “Why would there be?”

“How often do people just have s*x here?” I asked.

“Well,” he began, “People just have s*x when they need to, for relief or for reproduction.”

It sounded like he was reading that from a textbook.

“And it isn’t weird for the girls?” I asked.

“Why would it be?” he asked.

“The first time is usually painful for a girl on Earth.”

“Why?” he asked.

Great, so now I needed to explain why most girls abstain for a while, or forever.

“The hymen,” I stated, “It is pretty much a barrier to the girls… You know.” I made hand gestures hoping that I wouldn’t have to elaborate further.

 “A barrier?” he asked, “Women here don’t have that.”

I guess that makes a little since then.

“Is it that bad?” he asked.

I didn’t really want to explain to him that I was still intact. The look he was giving me meant I didn’t really have a choice.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, “I haven’t done it yet.”

He looked at me for a moment before he spoke again.

“So, you are a virgin?”

I sighed at the word, “Yes, I am a virgin.”

“There must be a way for it not to be painful,” he said.

“I wouldn’t know,” I said, clearly.

“I’m not withdrawing my offer,” he said, “I am sure we could find a way for it to be pleasurable.”

“You aren’t the first guy to try,” I said.

He looked at me again. This time, there was an accusing look in his orange eyes, “Wouldn’t that make you not a virgin if someone has tried to take you?”

I sighed, “No, because they wanted to have s*x with me, but I said no.”

He nodded slowly, “Then say yes this time.”

“What makes you think I want to have s*x with you?”

He shrugged, “I’m here, and I’m offering. It is up to you.”

I gave him one of those fake angry smiles, and I turned around and went back to my room.

It took me a while to finally fall asleep. The anger running through me kept me awake a lot longer than it should have.

[ (  /  ) ]

It’s been several weeks since Ehleon pretty much asked me to have s*x with him. I was still angry about it.

It was worse because with him asking, it actually made me think about it. It was weird to think that a guy would have s*x with you and not actually do it because he wanted to do it. It was strange for there to be another reason for it.

Oh, hey, you’re mad? Let’s have s*x.

Hey there, human, are you bored? Let’s have s*x.

Howdy there neighbor, has it been a while? Let’s have s*x.

It made me mad to think that was how it worked here. Where is Lhaine when you need her?

I searched the large courtyard where she usually worked.

It took me only a few minutes to find her.

She was the girl that had her hair up and her breasts out.

“Hey, Lhaine,” I began, “Can I talk to you?”

She perked up once she saw me, “Sonya, yeah, we can talk.”

She set her basket down and led me away from anyone that might listen. She was kind like that. She knew I wouldn’t like an audience.

“What is up?” she asked with a warm smile on her face.

“Can I ask you a few personal questions?” I asked.

She looked like she was thinking about it, but she nodded only after a few seconds.

“Do you have s*x often?” I asked.

She looked a little startled by my question, but she let out a small laugh. “I know things must be different here. Did somebody ask you?”

I hesitated before nodding.

“Well, I wouldn’t take it the wrong way,” she said, “Men here are kind of like they are on Earth. They have to find you attractive before they can actually perform.”

That was in an odd way, kind of nice.

“But no, I don’t have s*x that often,” she said with a smile, “Though we don’t have the ability that humans do, to relieve ourselves.”

I made a face, “You guys can’t?”

She shook her head, “It is just the way that our bodies work. We need contact with another in order to feel pleasure.”

I felt sort of bad for being mean.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “For asking.”

“It is not really considered a personal question,” she said, “To you maybe, but to me, it is just a question of if I need it often or not.”

It still felt weird for me to ask.

“Do humans need it often too?” she asked me.

She answered my question. It was only fair if I reciprocated.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, “There are some people that develop an addiction to sex.”

“Is it that good?” she asked.

“For some people, maybe,” I shrugged.

She made a face at me. I think it was becoming obvious that I was being a little evasive.

“Have you never been with a man that could satisfy you?” she asked.

This was when things were going to get a bit more awkward.

I looked her in the eye when I started to speak, but the second the words left my mouth, my gaze drifted away so that I didn’t have to see the look of shock on her face.

“I’m a virgin.”

“Really?” she asked me, “Never?”

“Never,” I confirmed.

I was thankful that I didn’t need to explain to her exactly what a virgin was.

“Did you want to have s*x with the boy that asked you?” she asked me.

I opened my mouth to deny it, but nothing came out.

She grinned at me, “Just do it.”

I didn’t know how to explain to her that it was her brother, and I also didn’t want to explain the hymen thing again. That was embarrassing enough.

“Is it done the same way?” I asked her.

She looked at me for a moment to gauge if I was serious or not.

“Oh,” she said, surprised, “Yeah, we have the same basic anatomy that humans do.”

I sighed, feeling a bit relieved.

“You know what to do with his tentacles, right?” she asked.

Panic surged through me, “His what?”

She laughed a lot harder than I thought was appropriate.

“There are no extra parts, I promise,” she said, wiping at her eyes.

That was cruel. I was seriously about to freak out.

I smiled nervously at her.

“It’s the same, I swear,” she said, “p***s, v****a, bam.”

I mean, that sounded right to me.

Now was I supposed to ask Ehleon again, or was I supposed to wait until he asked me again?

Wait, what was I even thinking?

Why was I even considering having s*x for the first time with Ehleon?

It didn’t really matter right now. I got my answers.

I smiled sheepishly at her, “Thank you, for this.”

“You are welcome,” she said, “And before you go.”

I stopped turning to give her my full attention.

“Do you think that would work with Mathew?” she asked, sounding hopeful.

I didn’t doubt for a second that he would jump at the chance to be with her if he knew he could.

“As a fellow female,” I began, “Make sure you have him wear a condom, unless you want a half-human baby.”

“So,” she said, “Is that a yes?”

“It’s a yes,” I said, “Sorry, I thought it was implied.”

“That’s okay,” she said with a grin, “And besides, Lhurs women are only fertile at certain times of the year.”

That was new information, “And what about men?”

“They only produce sperm when the woman they are with is fertile.”

“Do I need to be worried?” I asked her.

She opened her mouth to answer, but then doubt crossed her face.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, “None of us have much experience in s****l relations with other species.”

“Do you guys even have condoms?” I asked her.

She shook her head, “We do have a fruit that we eat to stop a fertility cycle.”

I nodded, “I’m going to need one of those.”

She nodded before looking around, “Follow me.”

It was always better to be safe than sorry.

[ (  /  ) ]

I was looking at probably easily the nastiest looking fruit.

It looked like a cross between a potato and a dragon fruit.

Lhaine said I had to eat the whole thing, and that was the only way to disrupt my cycle. If that even mattered or not, I don’t know.

I took a bite out of it, and I was surprised by how sweet it was. I was able to eat it pretty quickly.

I took in a breath, and I heard my phone go off.

It wasn’t necessarily a phone, like how humans have a phone. It’s a device used to send written messages or to call others via video. Basically, a phone, but they call it a Contactor.

I have WCD. Wearable Contactor Device. It goes around my neck, but it appears like I am wearing a flat rock as a pendant. It’s a little smaller than the size of a human fist.

I held it up, and I was able to see a written message from Lhaine.

From: Lhaine – ‘Make sure you save the fruit I gave you for when you know for sure that guy is going to sleep with you. If it works on you the same way it works on us, then you will definitely need some help.’

I sat there for a minute, making sure to reread her words. I already ate it.

I was starting to panic.

Do I message her back, or do I not?

I felt a strange sensation run through me. I felt cold, and then I felt hotter than I ever have.

I looked around quickly before I stood up. I headed downstairs to where I knew Ehleon usually was.

He offered before. Maybe he was still interested.

I knocked on his door and waited for a response. I didn’t get one.

I knocked a second time, but again, there was no answer. I opened his door to see if he might be asleep, but he wasn’t in there at all.

I took in a deep breath before I pulled out my Contactor.

I scrolled down until I saw his name.

My eyes lingered on the letters of his name. I felt a little afraid to call him.

What if he just told me to f**k off?

The warm feeling only spread from my stomach lower.

If I was going to embarrass myself, it might as well be for a good reason.

I pressed the call button, and I waited.

There were a few dings before he picked up.

I could see his irritated face as if he was standing right in front of me, only a whole lot smaller.

“What do you want?” he asked.

I hesitated, “Are you, uh, free?”

He didn’t seem to understand what I meant.

“Why are you calling me?” he asked.

“Uh,” it felt like my throat had gone dry, “Ehleon.”

He made a confused face before he looked around.

I could see him moving, because the blur around him changed colors.

“What is wrong with you?” he demanded.

“I changed my mind,” I said, looking at him, “Can we meet somewhere?”

He didn’t look like he understood right away, but then it was clear a minute after thinking about it.

“You want to do this right now?” he asked, “Everyone is out and about.”

I didn’t really have a whole lot of options here. I messed up and ate that damn fruit too soon.

“I don’t think I can really wait,” I said, trying my best not to sound as desperate as I felt.

“You’re a little late,” he said.

I was ashamed of what I was about to say, but it needed to be said.

“Believe me, I would love to say I don’t want to,” I said a tough as I could, “But I messed up, and I ate that stupid fruit, and I don’t feel very good.”

“What fruit?” he asked.

Was it just me, or did he actually look a little worried?

“I don’t remember the name,” I said, “All I know is that it is used to disrupt a female’s cycle.”

He looked frustrated before he spoke, “And is that all you were told it does?”

I nodded. I was pretty sure that was all she said it does.

“It’s also an aphrodisiac,” he said like I should have known, “It is used in the winter when a woman isn’t ready to procreate yet, but her mate still wants to be with her.”

“Her mate?” I asked.

That was probably the only part that even made any real sense to me.

“What am I supposed to do?” I asked.

The panic I was feeling earlier was only increasing.

There was a pain that started to form in my abdomen. It felt like I was about to be sick.

“Do you know where the pools are?” he asked me.

I knew where the pool was, not the plural pools.

I shook my head.

He cursed under his breath in a different language.

“You know where the clinic is. Go past it until you reach the large trees that resemble your Palm trees.”

I nodded.

“I will meet you just beyond there,” he said, “Hurry.”

“Okay,” I said before the device shut off.

I felt stupid for what I was about to do, but in a way, I was going to do it eventually.

Part of me wasn’t ready yet.

I didn’t have a choice anymore. I needed to go.

It was strange to think that I could move as quickly as I did.

The usual 15 minutes to the clinic was cut in half as I walked as fast as I could.

Where to again?

That’s right. I had to walk past it to the trees that looked like… crap, what kind of trees again?

I took in a breath as I scanned the different trees.

There were only two types of trees back here, but only one of them looked like ones I have seen on Earth. I walked through them, and I kept on walking until I saw Ehleon.

He looked like he was probably mad at me, and that made me feel worse.

The pain in my stomach went lower, and the only thing I could do was try and pretend that I didn’t ache.

He opened his mouth but shut it.

It looked kind of like he was about to scold me.

Did I look that bad?

“Come on,” he said, leading the way.

“Where exactly are we going?” I asked him.

He didn’t look back as he kept trudging through the dirt.

“Ehleon,” I pleaded, “Where?”

He stopped to look at me before placing the palm of his hand on my cheek.

His hand felt cool against my face.

The face he made startled me. He looked worried.

“Just a little further,” he said.

I followed him up a tall hill and down part of another.

When he finally stopped, I could see it. There was a cave with dozens of openings all around it, and there was water on the inside.

“In there,” he pointed, “It will help cool you off.”

Cool me off? I placed my hands on my cheeks, and I could barely feel it. It was already warm enough before, but I didn’t realize just how warm I really was.

“Do people usually come up here?” I asked, looking around.

“I doubt it,” he said, “Most Lhurs don’t care about privacy, but that is exactly what we want.”

I made a face.

Since when did he care about privacy? Or was it really for me?

“Come here,” he said.

My body moved closer to him, and I didn’t care anymore about my pride.

I could only think about the descending pain, and him.

“Clothes off,” he said.

Again, my body just moved. I pulled the sweatshirt I wore over my head, and not too far behind was my shirt.

I stopped to see Ehleon staring at me.

“What?” I asked, feeling only slightly embarrassed.

He pulled his shirt over his head before quickly going for his pants. I didn’t wait, I did the exact same thing, and before I knew it, both of us were bare.

I barely had time to even look at him.

His pale blue skin looked paler in the sunlight.

“In the water,” he said, going towards the cave.

I was worried about being able to see, or if I even would be able to.

The crystal blue water was cold as I made my way deeper into the cave.

The loss of light wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. My hand could still be visible in front of my face, and besides that, it was hard to miss the glowing orange eyes in front of me.

The cold water felt amazing against my skin, and I made sure to submerge myself all the way to my shoulders.

“Sonya,” Ehleon murmured, “How do you feel?”

I looked up at him, and his glowing eyes were focused intently on me.

My hands went up to rest on the sides of his face.

His skin was cold against my fingers. I didn’t hesitate to press my lips to his.

He didn’t kiss me back, and I was quick to pull away.

I didn’t have the words. I thought he was okay with this.

“What were you doing?” he asked.

His fingers went over his lips, but his eyes were searching my face for answers.

“You guys don’t kiss here?” I asked.

“Kiss?” he asked, sounding the word out.

“When one person presses their lips to yours.”

“Lhaine told me something about it before,” he said, “But I still didn’t know what it was.”

I pulled his face close to mine before slowly pressing my lips to his again.

This time I felt his lips move just a little against mine.

“Do as I do,” I said before deepening the kiss.

A low sound erupted from his throat.

I pulled back to see if that was a good sound or a bad one.

“Why do humans kiss?” he asked.

I felt a little let down by his question.

“Humans kiss to feel closer,” I said, “It’s a way of being intimate without having sex.”

“But you kiss even while you mate,” he said, “Right?”

“Sometimes,” I said, “But a kiss can mean many things.”

“I didn’t get that impression,” he said.

I opened my mouth to retort, but I shut it.

“If this kiss makes you more comfortable with me,” he said, “Then I am not opposed to doing it again.”

I wanted to show him an amazing kiss. I just needed a chance.

I stood up so that he didn’t completely tower over me anymore.

“It would probably be better if you didn’t leave the water,” he said.

“I will be fine,” I said before resting my hand on the center of his chest.

His eyes went down to see where my hand would go from there, but I didn’t move it.

“Ehleon,” I said to draw his gaze back up to mine.

“The heat from your skin feels strange,” he admitted.

I was quick to withdraw my hand. Part of me felt bad that it might have hurt him. His skin was naturally cold, and I didn’t want to hurt him, not after he was already doing all of this for me.

He took in a deep breath before I felt his hands on either side of my face.

“I was told some humans use their tongue,” he said against my mouth.

I was surprised when his lips touched mine. I didn’t hold back this time. I kissed him with all the feelings that tore through me. I kissed him like I ached only for him. I kissed him like if I didn’t, I was going to suddenly fade from being.

His tongue was cool in my mouth, but the taste of him was sweet, like the fruit that got me into this whole mess in the first place.

I groaned into his mouth, and he pulled back to catch his breath.

My lips turned up into a smile.

The nerves I had earlier were gone, thanks to him.

I moved closer to connect my body to his, and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

His gaze met mine, and I felt him take in a sharp breath.

“Humans really do things differently.”

My hands went up his back, and the ache nearly consumed me.

A whimper escaped me once I was completely pressed against his cold skin.

“Do humans usually touch this much?” he asked.

I made a face as I looked up at him.

“Am I touching you too much?”

His eyes met mine again, “It is not what I am accustomed to.”

I dragged my right hand over his side and up to his shoulder.

“Touching,” I said, “Is another way of showing affection.”

“Affection?” he asked.

“That I care,” I said, “And that I want you to feel good.”

His lips pressed lightly to mine for just a moment before his hands went around my waist.

“How would I show you affection?” he asked.

“Touch me,” I said, “Wherever you want to.”

His hands went up my back, but they didn’t move from there.

“Ehleon,” I said, moving back just a little so that I could take his hands in mine.

“Here,” I said, guiding his hands to my breasts.

I was stopped momentarily by the glow emanating from Ehleon.

“What is happening?” I gasped.

He moved back a few steps, and it is evident that the glow was coming from him.

“I don’t know,” he confessed.

After a few minutes of us being apart, the light glow faded.

“That was…” he paused, “Odd.”

I felt dizzy, and the ache between my legs was unbearable.

I had to duck back under the water. I hoped it would help cool me down.

“Sonya,” Ehleon came forward and ducked down to be level with my eyes.

“It hurts,” I admitted.

I felt his hand under the water come to rest on my leg.

“We probably shouldn’t put this off much longer.”

“Yeah,” I nodded, looking at his eyes as he looked down at the water.

His hand moved to the back of my knee, and he pulled me forward. His other hand came up to pull me forward by my hip.

My body collided with his chest, and I gripped his shoulders.

“The fruit should make this next part painless.”

I was dreading this part, but if he was right about the fruit, then I would be fine.

“Alright,” I said quickly.

“Are you…” he began, “Are you ready for me?”

“I am,” I whispered.

I felt my knees dig into the small rocks and dirt on either side of his hips.

His right hand left my leg, and I gasped once I felt him at the crux of my legs.

“I will try my best to be gentle,” he said before I felt him slowly push his way into me.

It felt uncomfortable at first, but once he hit my barrier, he had to force his way through.

That was when I felt pain. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It was momentary just before I felt the entirety of his length.

I made a strange sound, and even to me, it sounded a little pained.

“Are you alright?” he asked, searching my face.

I didn’t know when I could finally see him clearly, but I couldn’t decipher the expression on his face.

It felt strange with him inside me. I felt strange and full.

“Sonya,” he said into my neck.

I grazed my nails over the back of his neck, and he groaned.

“Move,” I said.

He picked his head up before adjusting my position over him.

“How,” he said, looking down at the water.

My eyes followed his, and where our bodies connected, there was a glow emanating from him.

“What is that?” I asked.

“I’m not sure,” he said, “I think it is a reaction when your skin lingers on mine.”

I didn’t hesitate to pull his hands up to cover my breasts. This time I was not letting him pull away and ignoring if anything were to distract me otherwise.

“You’re…” he made a face as if embarrassed, “Soft.”

“Are Lhurs not soft?” I asked.

He opened his mouth to respond, but he didn’t say anything. I followed his gaze to my chest, at the light glow coming from his hands.

“Now we know for sure,” I said.

He withdrew his hands to look at them, and I could see the confusion and even the amazement on his face.

I was his first human, and he was my first everything.

“Ehleon,” I pleaded, “We have to move.”

He dropped his hands back into the water, and I felt them grip my knees.

Part of me wanted to ask how that would make a difference, but once he pushed my legs open, I felt his intentions.

He pushed me back a little, but he stopped.

One of his hands came up, and he pulled my hand to rest on his shoulder.

“Do the same with the other,” he said quickly.

I linked my hands together behind his neck, and he didn’t hesitate to move my hips forward to sheath his full length again.

I moaned as he repeated the same motion over and over again as he thrust in and out of me.

I wasn’t sure if it was because of him or because of the fruit, but I felt everything so intensely.

When he made contact with my skin, I felt every skin cell making contact with me. Was the fruit giving me extra sensation?

A strange sound came from Ehleon as he pulled me closer to him and gripped the back of my thighs.

I wanted to say something. I wanted to ask how he was feeling.

It startled me when he started to stand up with me still on top of him.

“Is everything alright?” I gasped.

He moved deeper into the cave before leaning me against a rounded rock.

I was out of the water except for below my knees. He pressed himself to me harder than before.

My skin was on fire, and I was still amazed that his skin reacted to mine.

“Kiss me,” Ehleon said roughly.

He didn’t need to tell me twice.

I leaned forward to connect my lips hungrily to his.

His hips roughly collided into mine, and he broke the kiss to moan into my mouth.

I gasped at the pain and the pleasure of his action, and I moaned.

My orgasm buildup was coming faster and faster, and when it hit me, I cried out.

He thrust into me a few more times before he let out a groan.

I think I was in a daze. I still felt warm.

He pulled himself out of me, and I could only shiver at the sensation.

“Let’s get you back into the water,” Ehleon said.

He picked me up again before setting me into the water and slowly inching me further into the cave.

The darker it got, the brighter the glow from his skin got.

“You’re beautiful,” I said.

His orange eyes stared back at me, and it felt strange, staring back at him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked me.

“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted.

Slowly the glow from his skin was depleting.

I raised my hand to rest on his chest, but he stepped back to avoid my touch.

His rejection hurt more than I would like to admit.

My brain shuffled through all kinds of excuses to leave until I finally decided to leave without one.

I awkwardly brought my hands up to cover my breasts, and then I moved around him.

It felt rude of me to leave this way, but he was already acting weird. Why did this need to be so awkward?

Part of me just needed to hurry up and get away from here.

I moved quickly through the now shallow water until I was entirely out of the small cave, and light poured over me.

“Sonya.”

I stopped, but I didn’t turn around.

His steps were loud as he followed behind me through the water.

“I don’t know what I am supposed to say,” he admitted.

I crouched down to pick up my hoodie, and I was quick to pull it over my head before I turned to face him.

His eyes seemed pale in comparison to earlier. It was like they glowed just for me.

I knew that wasn’t the case, so I was quick to push it from my mind.

He stood in the sun, completely bare, and I very obviously stared.

The blue tint to his skin was still hard to get used to, but it didn’t change the fact that he was beautiful.

His broad shoulders made him look bigger than he felt. I take one look at him, and I can’t help but see us in the dark lit up by the glow of his skin and feel the ghost of his lips on mine.

My gaze couldn’t help but land on his blue n*****s.

“Sonya,” he said again, “Are you alright?”

I nodded quickly before I even thought about it, “Yes.”

He didn’t once move for his clothes.

I felt guilty for staring.

“As I said before,” he said, “I don’t mind if you stare.”

The guilt increased tenfold.

“If you feel guilty, let me see you.”

“What?” I asked, feeling strange.

“Take off your clothes,” he said, “Let me see you.”

I found myself looking around, just in case there might be someone around.

“I haven’t seen anyone else here since I first found this place,” he said.

“I’m not sure you’ll like what you see,” I said.

“I’m pretty sure that should be up to me,” he said.

I took in a breath before I made my way closer to him.

Once I was practically in front of him, I pulled off the hoodie.

He was tall, so when I stood in front of him, I didn’t even reach the shoulders that I was admiring.

“The color of your skin,” he said, running his eyes over me, but they stopped, “Your n*****s are brown.”

I glanced down but quickly covered my n*****s with my hands.

“I wasn’t saying it as a bad thing.”

“Your n*****s are blue,” I said back.

He glanced down and ran his thumb over his n****e once as if trying to direct my attention to it.

Against my will, it worked, and my gaze was right there.

“Are your hands dry?” he asked.

I nodded. I knew they were because I had wiped them on the hoodie.

“Let me see your hand,” he said, holding out his hand for mine.

I gave him my hand without even thinking about it.

He directed my hand to his chest and placed it on his breast.

“Go on,” he said.

I thought it was a little strange, but I ran my hand over his chest.

“You asked me if Lhurs were soft,” he said, “What do you think?”

His skin was a little rough, but it was smooth. I enjoyed the feel of his skin. I ran my hand over his blue n****e and giggled a little to myself.

“What is so funny?” he asked unamused.

“It’s not really funny,” I said, “It is just a reaction to doing something that feels naughty.”

“It’s only fair then if I get to return the favor.”

I dropped my hand and puffed out my chest a little.

“You can use both hands if you want,” I say like he is trying to challenge me.

I half expected him just to start touching, but he seemed a little awkward.

“Go ahead,” I said.

He meets my eyes before slowly bringing his hand up. His fingertips connect lightly below my sternum.

My skin tingles under his touch.

I turn my gaze to his face, and I watch as his fingers slowly move up between my breasts.

His hand flattened out on the middle of my chest like he was really trying to feel my skin.

I brought my hand up to cover his, and slowly I directed it to my breast.

“It works better if you actually touch it.”

“This is a normal human act?” he asked.

“The situation varies.”

“When does a situation call for touching like this?”

“When you do what we just did,” I said.

“When you mate?” he asked, “You touch like this?”

His hand dropped back to his side.

“Yes,” I said, “It’s also part of foreplay.”

“For play?” he asked.

“Foreplay,” I nodded, “It is kind of like touching and kissing before s*x to make it more exciting.”

“Sort of like we did?” he asked.

“Sort of,” I said, “Except it starts with more passion, and that’s where the touching and the kissing start.”

He nodded as if he was thinking about it.

“And you have hair,” he indicates lower, “There.”

I made a face and glanced quickly to his genitalia, but I don’t see any pubic hair.

“Are we more different than you thought?” he asked.

“The only thing I am thinking about now,” I admitted, “Is putting my clothes back on.”

He smiled lightly, “That sounds like a good idea.”

The small smile made my heart flutter. I don’t know if I’ve ever really seen him make that kind of a face for me.

It was a little more difficult than I thought to tear my gaze away from him, but us getting dressed was probably the best thing to do.

Once we were both fully dressed, I found myself wanting to try one more thing.

“Ehleon?” I asked, just above a whisper.

He looked up to answer, but his WCD went off, and he was quick to answer it.

“What is it?” he asked in his usual tone.

I stood there for a moment, and it made me think how bad it would feel to go back to the way things were before this. Even though I wanted it to be better, Ehleon was who he was.

I wasn’t sure who he spoke with, but I knew I needed to go, and I needed to go now.

Before he had the chance to say anything, I was gone.

I felt myself practically running all the way back to the house. I needed to think about what just happened.

My brain needed to go over everything I had just done.

It didn’t help that a familiar pain was settling in my stomach.