Vic had never thought much of it before, because he had never found any female desirable. But the time he had spent with the organic half of his brain in charge, rather than the positronic half, seemed to have changed him. Or maybe it was just Torri herself who had changed him.
For whatever reason, he found that his shaft was hard and standing at attention as he remembered her soft, full curves so beautifully displayed by the thin, silky white gown. What would it be like to touch her? To cup those full breasts in his hands and tease the tight points of her nipples with his fingers or his tongue?
Would she pant and moan for him—beg him to do more? What would it feel like to cup the soft mound of her pussy and slide his fingers deep into her slippery depths? Would she get wet for him if he pleasured her? Would she come for him if he touched her just the right way?
“Gods!” Vic muttered to himself. He had never had these thoughts—these desires—before. Of course, having Kindred DNA, his first sexual instinct was to bring his female pleasure, and he knew all about female anatomy, but he had never actually been with a woman before. Mainly because he had never wanted to be with a woman before he had encountered Torri.
Now he found he had all kinds of desires and wants and needs of a sexual nature. Not to mention fantasies he wished he could act out with Torri.
But she has a mate, he reminded himself. Although, her mate was in the act of divorcing her—which still seemed strange to Vic. How could you just decide not to love someone anymore?
He had never experienced love himself, but he had seen numerous Kindred warriors and their brides and he understood the bond between them instinctively, because of his own Kindred DNA. The bond they formed was so strong only death could sever it. By contrast, the relationship that humans formed seemed to be weak and easily broken.
It made him angry at Torri’s mate. How could he hurt such a beautiful, precious female so wantonly?
If she belonged to me, I would cherish her, he thought, soaping himself up and trying to ignore his hard shaft. I would bring her pleasure every night—worship her with my mouth and tongue…
Gods, he shouldn’t have allowed himself to think such a thing! Images rose in his head that made his shaft ache—images of him on his knees before her, his face buried between her legs as he lapped her soft, sweet little pussy. He could almost hear her moans and gasps of pleasure—could almost feel her soft fingers tugging at his hair as she lifted her hips to meet him, opening her thighs wide to let him lap her swollen folds…
Can’t do that, Vic told himself, trying to yank the organic part of his brain away from the vivid fantasies. You know you can’t. If you taste her, you’ll want to try to Claim her and bond her. And even if that is physically possible, you would never be allowed to keep her. You have to go back into stasis and wait for the next generation of Kindred who need your scouting skills. You aren’t supposed to find a mate and live like other warriors—that is not your calling.
He knew it was all true, but the organic part of his brain continued to show him images of Torri with her legs spread for him, moaning as he stroked and sucked her pussy. As he finished his shower, he knew he wanted her as he had never wanted a female before…
Thirty
After Vic left, Torri slid under the quilt and between the cool, cotton sheets. She shivered, curling into a ball. God, she’d forgotten how cold it could get here on Fall and Winter nights! She hoped Vic wouldn’t take long in the shower—at the very least having his big, hard body in bed beside her ought to warm things up.
Right—you only want him beside you because you’re cold, whispered a skeptical little voice in her head. I’m so sure, Torri.
She tried to push the voice away, as well as the forbidden thoughts that went with it. Vic probably didn’t even feel anything like that for her. He was just being sweet—probably trying to take her mind off Chuck and the awful things he’d done.
But even thoughts of her ex-husband couldn’t get in the way of the desire she was feeling. Closing her eyes, she reached between her legs and rubbed the mound of her pussy through the soft silky nightgown she was wearing. God, it felt wonderful to be clean-shaven again! Her skin was so smooth and the feel of the thin gown against it was so sensuous. If only it was Vic’s hand touching her…
“Are you ready to sleep?”
His deep, rumbling voice made Torri gasp and open her eyes. Vic was standing in the doorway of her bedroom, wearing only the gray sweatpants. His muscular chest was bare and a few droplets of water clung to his broad shoulders. His blue-black hair was damp. In the warm glow of the single bedside lamp, he looked huge—and completely mouthwatering.
She pulled her hand out from between her legs quickly, wondering if he had any idea of what she’d been doing. Even though she’d been under the covers, she felt guilty—what if he had some kind of x-ray vision and he could see that she’d been touching herself? He had lots of other abilities—it was a definite possibility.
“Um, sure,” she said, trying to sound casual, though she could feel her cheeks heating with a guilty blush. “I see the sweatpants fit you,” she added, nodding to them.
“Yes, better than the outerwear they gave me at the other facility—thank you,” he murmured. “Er…do you mind if I get into bed with you?”
“Oh no—of course not!” Torri slid over a little to make room for him and patted the mattress beside her. “I was hoping you’d come to bed soon,” she added. “I mean, not because I wanted you, uh, in bed beside me—although I really don’t mind it. Just because you’re so big and warm and it’s cold in here,” she finished rather lamely.
“I’ll be happy to give you some of my body heat, if you need it,” Vic offered, sliding into bed beside her. “Would you like to come closer so that I can warm you?” he added, holding out a muscular arm invitingly.
“I would love to,” Torri answered gratefully.
She slid under his arm and pillowed her cheek on his broad chest, though she was careful not to press her breasts against him. She didn’t want to seem too forward—like she was coming on to him.
But Vic seemed to want her closer. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side.
“Is this all right?” he asked, looking down at her. “I was afraid you wouldn’t get warm enough the other way.”
“It’s fine. I mean, as long as you don’t mind the way we’re, er, pressed together.” Torri could feel her breasts pressing against his side, her nipples tight rubbing against his chest.
“Not at all. In fact, I like the feeling of your body against mine,” Vic rumbled. “I hope that doesn’t make you uncomfortable,” he added, looking down at her a bit anxiously.
“No. No, not at all,” Torri assured him. “I, um, like the feeling of your body against mine, too. You’re really big and warm and you smell really good,” she said, wiggling against him. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that.”
“I don’t mind.” Vic turned towards her, so that they were chest-to-to chest. “This is new for me, but extremely pleasurable.”
“I find it, uh, pleasurable too,” Torri admitted, biting her lip. “I mean, it’s just been a really long time since I’ve had a man hold me.”