Page 54 of Black Mamba

I freeze and shove my stem back inside my tail, closing my slit easily for the first time in weeks.

She’s searching for her sister.

I straighten and toss my hair back, an idea forming that will make me more than just convenient to Elena.

I need to find her sister.

TWENTY-FIVE

FRETFUL DECISIONS

Elena

I step out from my room and dash into the bathroom, aware that Lukys is more than likely outside my ship watching for me.

I can’t avoid him forever. I’m nearly out of water. I rinse my hands and face, quickly cleaning my body with a wet, soapy towel and wringing out the water in the sink. Afterwards, I dry and slip into the extra clothes I brought in with me.

I wish I could avoid him forever.

A blush forms and, for a moment, I debate trying to scrub it off, thinking it might be possible. Instead, I eye the closed bathroom door with a thrilling sense of anticipatory dread.

I have been beyond horny for days, stuck in my room, desperate for relief. I swear a strange sort of psychosis kicked in despite the lack of his scent. I thought I’d get better, not worse.

I need to try and catch Shelby on the radio. I run my hands over my head. I need to know more… like how long my symptoms will last, and if I happen to mate with a naga, do I have to commit for life?

Because the thought of having sex with Lukys, especially now that I’ve seen his cock, is no longer out of the question. I’m literally and figuratively warming up to it.

The problem… I don’t plan on staying here forever.

I need to speak to him to make sure he’s… okay. That, we’re okay. That I didn’t cross some barrier and now he expects more…

He’d hit the glass with his fist. He wanted me to let him in. He didn’t fight the barrier for long, and I hate admitting what fighting he did helped bring me to orgasm, but he didn’t scare me. I knew he wouldn’t break the glass. I didn’t think he’d reached that point, but then again, I wasn’t thinking at all. I groan into my hands.

Shaking them out afterwards, I step toward the door and open it, leaving behind the safety of the bathroom. Eyeing the dome, already searching for Lukys, I walk to the central panel and wait for him to appear.

When he doesn’t, I peer around. The rain is gone. The sky is partially cloudy and I can see blue between them. The trees, the meadow, the flowers and plants, everything is still drippy and wet, but those drips sparkle when the sunlight appears. The storm is over.

I command the AI to turn on the radio and play the broadcasts.

After a couple of hours and with no sign of Lukys, I open the hatch and set out my water bucket. Nothing.

Thinking he must be on a hunt, I spend my time reading and listening to the radio. I’m only interrupted by Greg who lets me know that he and Levy made it through the storm okay.

“Do you want to join us? If you think your arm can handle it? Lukys told us of a berry patch nearby. It’s not that arduous of a task, picking berries. Your head looks better.”

I stand and meet him at the glass. “You’ve spoken to Lukys?”

Greg scratches his bushy brown beard. “Not today, not since before the storm actually. Why? You haven’t seen him?”

“No… not since before the storm,” I lie.

“Maybe he’s holed up. Maybe his kind doesn’t like water.” He shrugs. “It’s not unusual to not see him for days at a time, though he likes to make his presence known to Levy and me when he’s nearby. I’m sure we’ll see him soon.”

“Yeah… You’re right.” He has no idea how much Lukys actually is around. He’s just not the object of Lukys’s desire. My cheeks warm again.

“If you’re afraid to come out because he’s out here, I guarantee I’ll keep my weapon between the two of you.”

“No. That’s not it. I was just wondering, that’s all.”