Page 39 of The Dalgur’s Pet

“It is very good,” Thase said, and Vrix nodded in agreement.

Giselle wolfed down the rest of the fruit and discarded the pit.

“What’s it called?” she asked, trying to dispel the images of the long, rubbery tongues that were floating through her mind.

No matter what her body said, she wasn’t ready for another romp with either of them, not after what happened with Vrix.

“The name is slearo. They grow year-round in dense groves such as this one.”

“Well, I like it.”

Some of her anxiety was calming, though was that because it was being replaced with lust? Or was it impossible to be nervous in such a beautiful place?

“We will collect more for you to bring back to our home,” Thase said, then took her hand—now sticky with slearo juice. “Let’s get you washed up.”

He spoke to her like she was a child, though a part of her enjoyed it, being doted on, cared for, letting him take control as he led her to the pool.

Her body flushed with heat as if remembering the time on Umuna, Thase repeating his actions on the refueling planetoid as he stepped into the pool and lifted her into his arms.

Déjà vu, alright.

He walked them deep into the warm water, waves rippling around their bodies until she was up to her neck. It was deeper than she expected, but his grip under her thighs comforted her, his eyes glimmering.

Vrix observed from the bank. He stepped a foot into the water, but a moment later he was frozen, his body convulsing and his eyes rolling in his head. He swiftly retreated, Thase chuckling heartily.

“I told you to behave,” he said, shaking his head.

“Please. I would like to come in.”

Vrix’s voice was so sad, so pathetic, her chest clenching ever so slightly.

“No. Giselle is mine right now.”

The words sent a shiver up her spine, as did Thase’s tongue as it curled out of his mouth and brushed across her lips. She parted them on instinct, pressing herself closer to him as her arms circled his neck.

“You taste so sweet, dear one,” he growled.

Giselle smiled into the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth in a way so foreign and erotic. He was relentless, as he was with all things, brushing over tongue and teeth and rocking her against his hard abs. Relentless, yet gentle, careful not to prick her with his claws or bite her with his sharp teeth.

And then there was a prodding between her thighs, a moan escaping her as she pulled away. Thase wore a devious smile, and it was clear what he wanted. God, she wanted it too, that grin coiling tension in her stomach, her body begging for him as warm water surrounded them.

“No,” she breathed.

“No?”

Thase wiggled his hips so his cock rubbed against her clit, a jolt shooting up her spine.

Yes, her body wanted him, wanted both of them, but she needed to know they could respect her wishes. She needed time to think.

“I don’t want that.”

Her voice quivered, unsure that he would listen.

Why did she expect him to? They’d done nothing but brutalize her since that first day on the Starlet.

“Are you certain?”

Thase’s voice was breathy, his lids heavy as he ground against her.