Alien Protector’s Mate (Latharian Mate Program #4)

Chapter 18

18

“ O h wow,” Jade murmured in wonder as she stepped through the door and into the lush greenery of the station’s park. Artificial sunlight filtered through holographic leaves, casting dappled shadows on the grass and creating the illusion of a perfect summer day. It was so realistic she could almost believe she was back on Earth rather than on a station in its orbit.

“This is utterly incredible,” she said, turning in a circle to take in the sprawling expanse of the park. “I never thought there could be something like this in space.”

S’aad smiled down at her, his full lips quirking up at the corners. “I’m glad you like it. I thought you might appreciate a taste of home. Most of the flora in this section is Terran.”

She nodded as her gaze drifted from the scenery to him, and she couldn’t help the slight catch of her breath. He was stunning… like supermodel or film star stunning, especially in the uniform of a Latharian warrior. The leather jacket accentuated his broad shoulders and lean torso, paired with tight leather pants that hugged his muscular legs. His light hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, revealing the strong lines of his stubbled jaw.

She swallowed hard, still struggling to believe someone like him could be interested in her. She smoothed down the front of her dress, the silky fabric feeling wonderful under her fingers. It was more beautiful than anything she’d ever worn, and even with S’aad’s compliments, she still felt a little out of place in it.

“Shall we find a spot to set up?” S’aad asked, drawing her attention back to him as he gestured with the picnic basket he carried.

She nodded and followed him down the path. He seemed to know where he was going, which was good because she was too busy looking around to pay attention to which way the path went. Finally, they reached a secluded area near a burbling stream, where he spread out a soft blanket on the grass. As they settled onto it, she paused and tilted her head.

“It’s so quiet here,” she said with a smile.

S’aad smiled at her as he unpacked the basket.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like,” he said, indicating the array of food that was making her mouth water. “So I brought a variety. What do you mean ‘quiet’?”

“It all looks amazing,” she assured him, her stomach already growling. “And I mean that low level hum. It’s there all the time. Can’t you hear it?”

He snorted softly. “I’ve been on one ship or facility for so many years it all kind of blurs into the background. You stop hearing things like that after a while.”

As they began to eat, he coaxed her into conversation, asking about her favorite foods and sharing stories about his own culinary adventures across the galaxy. She found herself relaxing, charmed by his easy smile and genuine interest in her opinions and reactions to the food he’d brought along.

“You must try this,” he said, holding up a delicate pastry filled with a shimmering, rainbow-colored cream. “It’s a delicacy from one of the outer systems.”

She hesitated for a moment and then leaned forward, letting him place the morsel on her tongue. The pastry melted in her mouth, releasing a burst of flavors she couldn’t begin to describe. A small moan of pleasure escaped her lips before she could stop it, and her cheeks heated with embarrassment.

His eyes darkened, his gaze fixed on her mouth. “You have a bit of…”

“Oh… do I?” She tried to pull back, but he shook his head.

“No, let me,” he murmured, leaning in.

Her breath hitched as he gently brushed his thumb across the corner of her lips, wiping away a smear of chocolate. He licked it from his thumb, holding her gaze the entire time. Heat washed through her, making her need to squirm where she sat on the blanket.

Time slowed as he leaned forward more. Her heart sped up, every nerve in her body aware of how close he was getting… how close he was. Her eyes fluttered shut as his lips replaced his thumb, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth.

Her thoughts scattered as he kissed her, long and slow. His large hand cradled her face as he explored her mouth with a tenderness that made her ache in the center of her chest. She reached out, her fingers curled around the edges of his jacket to anchor herself as waves of sensation threatened to overwhelm her.

He slid his hand around her waist, sliding beneath the layers of her dress to caress the soft skin of her side. She gasped at the contact, electricity sparking wherever his fingers touched, and arched into him. She needed more of his warmth, more of his touch. More… everything.

But then he pulled back, his chest heaving as he fought to regain control.

“We need to stop,” he said, his voice rough.

She blinked, her mind foggy with desire as she tried to process his words.

“Stop?” she echoed, confusion creeping into her voice. “Why? Did I do something wrong?”

He shook his head, his eyes still dark with a look that took her breath away.

“No, kelarris . You’ve done nothing wrong. It’s just…” He trailed off, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

She sat up, smoothing her dress back into place as she watched him wrestle with his thoughts. The air between them crackled with tension, and she held her breath, waiting for him to continue.

“If we don’t stop now,” he admitted in a low growl. “I won’t be able to wait for the end of the courtship period. I’ll want to claim you right here, right now.”

His words sent a shiver down her spine. She’d never felt this way before, never wanted someone so desperately. The intensity of her feelings for him both exhilarated and terrified her.

“What if…” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. She bit her lip, gathering her courage. “What if that’s what I want?”

In an instant, he moved, and she found herself on her back, the soft grass cushioning her as he braced himself above her. His powerful arms caged her in, his body a wall of heat pressing against her. Her breath caught as she looked up at him, seeing the fierce hunger in his eyes.

“Do you understand what you’re saying?” he demanded, voice low and intense. “Claiming you means more than just physical pleasure, little mouse. It’s a bond, a commitment. Once we join, there’s no going back.”

Her heart raced, and she was hyperaware of every point of contact between them. She could feel the hard planes of his chest against her softer curves, the strength in his thighs as they bracketed her own. Pinned her. Then his words sank in…

“I…” she paused, searching his expression. “I’ve never felt this way before. It’s all so new, so overwhelming. But when I’m with you, I feel… safe. Wanted. Like I belong somewhere for the first time in my life.”

His expression softened, and he cupped her cheek gently. “You do belong. Here, with me. But we don’t have to rush this. I want you to be sure. To be ready.”

She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes to savor the warmth of his palm against her skin. When she opened them again, she met his gaze with determination.

“I may not understand everything about Latharian customs or what claiming truly means,” she said softly, “but I know how I feel. I want you, S’aad. All of you.”

A low growl rumbled in his chest, sending vibrations through her body. Leaning down, he pressed his forehead against hers. “Are you certain?” he asked, his breath hot against her lips. “Once we start, I won’t be able to stop.”

Her hands smoothed over his shoulders, and she felt the tension coiled in his muscles. She marveled at his control, holding himself back for her sake. It only made her want him more.

“I’m sure,” she whispered, tilting her chin up to brush her lips against his. “Please, S’aad. I want this. I want you.”

His eyes darkened with desire as he captured her lips in a searing kiss. The world fell away as she lost herself in the sensation, her fingers threading through his hair as she held him close. Their bodies pressed closer, the heat between them building to a fever pitch.

Suddenly, he broke away with a groan, leaving her breathless and confused. Her heart sank. Had he changed his mind?

“S’aad?” she asked hesitantly, trying to stop her voice betraying her.

He pressed his forehead to hers, his breathing ragged.

“It’s not no,” he reassured her. “It’s just not here.”

Before Jade could ask what he meant, the sound of laughter and shouting broke through the peaceful atmosphere of their secluded spot. A group of young Latharian warriors burst through the trees, engrossed in a ballgame. They skidded to a halt when they saw S’aad and Jade.

“Our apologies, healer,” one said, bowing slightly to S’aad. “We did not mean to interrupt your time with your lady.”

S’aad waved off their apology. “No harm done. Carry on with your game.”

The young warriors moved away, and the two of them began clearing up the picnic, the air between them crackling with electricity. Each brush of their hands sent tingles racing over her skin, and she found herself hyperaware of S’aad next to her, of the heat radiating from his body and the scent of his skin. S’aad seemed just as affected. His movements were tight and jerky, as if he was fighting to keep control. Their eyes clashed and held. She saw a burning need in those vivid green depths that caught her breath.

As she reached for another container, his large hand covered hers. He used the touch as an excuse to pull her closer, swooping down to capture her lips in a searing kiss. She melted against him, her body molding to his solid frame like she’d been made to be there. A perfect fit.

He pulled away with reluctance, looking down at her.

“We should go,” he said, his voice husky with restrained desire.

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Her body tingled from head to toe, every nerve ending alive with awareness.

They left the park hand in hand, walking briskly through the station’s corridors. Her heart raced, and anticipation built with each step. She glanced sideways at him, admiring his strong profile and determined jawline. He was handsome as hell, and all hers.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked softly, pulling on her hand and stopping her in the corridor as they approached their quarters. Giving her one last chance to change her mind, she realized, and her heart softened at his caring. If she hadn’t already fallen in love with him, she would have in that moment.

She squeezed his hand. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

His eyes darkened, and he pulled her close, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

“Then let’s go home,” he murmured and, taking her hand, led her through the door and into their quarters.

Jade’s pulse raced as she followed S’aad through the door into his… their quarters. A charged silence stretched between them as he pulled her toward him, spinning her to face him. She collided with his broad chest. Their gazes clashed, locked, and for a moment she couldn’t breathe. Sliding her hands up his heavily muscled chest, she watched as his eyes darkened and grew hotter. An answering heat rolled through her as he bent his head. She closed her eyes as their lips met in a gentle kiss that sent shivers down her spine.

His kiss was warm, soft… exploratory. She leaned against him, lost in the moment, but she noticed the tension in his frame. Like he was holding back still. Scared of hurting her.

She didn’t want that.

She wanted more.

She needed more.

Moving closer, she rested against him and parted her lips, offering more of herself to him. She needed to know he wanted her just as badly as she wanted him. Tentatively, she slid her hands over his bare chest, exploring the smooth, hard planes of his muscles. He tensed, his skin hot to the touch, like a furnace burning just beneath the surface.

He broke the kiss to look down at her. His breath caught as she traced the scars over his body with her fingertips, watching his expression. S’aad hadn’t been in an accident at all. He’d had this done to him. Deliberately. To prove how good a healer he was… that he’d earned the skills that had allowed him to save her life when M’lak had nearly killed her.

“S’aad.” She lifted on her tiptoes to breathe against his lips. “Please.”

His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and she could see the struggle playing out in his expression.

“Jade,” he murmured in a voice rough with need and desire. “I need to know… is this your first time?”

He pulled back, his eyes searching hers, and she nodded.

“Yes… is that a problem?”

Sudden nerves hit her. Did the Lathar prefer their partners to be experienced? If so… yeah, the most experience she’d ever gotten was watching old holo-porn movies and exploring her own body. And even that had been cautious and sporadic due to the risk of being caught by the Morgans. The last thing she had wanted was Mr. Morgan looking at her in that way.

He cupped her face in both hands, his expression softer than she’d ever seen it. It was an odd dichotomy with the raw heat and need in his eyes.

“No, kelarris , it’s not,” he murmured. “Definitely not. I just know to be careful with you.”

“You won’t hurt me. I trust you.”

His answering smile was so tender it made her heart ache. He pressed his forehead against hers. “You are so rare and precious to me, Jade. I need to care for you…protect you. Even…” He hesitated. “Even from me. I’m Lathar. I’m so much larger than you, than any human. If I lost control…”

She touched a fingertip to his lips to silence him.

“You won’t lose control,” she said firmly. “You’ve never hurt me, not in any way. You’re always so careful and gentle with me. I’m stronger than I look.”

She lifted up on her tiptoes again and brushed her lips against his jaw.

“I want you, S’aad,” she whispered by his ear, her breath hot against his skin. “I need you.”

He growled low in his throat, a sound of pure male need that made her toes curl as he bent and swept her up into his arms. Darkened eyes locked on to hers, he carried her into the bedroom.

He didn’t stop until he stood in front of the bed. She’d only been in here once, apart from to peek through the door when he wasn’t here curiously, but now she only had eyes for him. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he let go of his grip under her knees and slid her slowly down the front of his body.

She felt everything.

Every hard ridge and hard plane of muscle.

The thick length of… she swallowed, her eyes widening… of his cock pressing against her lower belly. X-rated memories of the night she’d watched him in the shower tumbled through her mind, and her cheeks burned.

“I would love to know what put that look in your eyes,” he murmured as he reached for the ties at the neck of her dress.

With a slow, steady pull, he undid them, and the fabric slipped from her shoulders. She gasped, instinctively moving to cover herself with her arms, to hold the fabric in place. But… he’d seen her naked before, when he’d operated on her… or as near to it as possible. That thought and the warm reassurance in his eyes gave her courage, and she dropped her arms to her sides, letting the dress pool around her feet. It hadn’t come with any underwear, something he’d assured her Latharian women hadn’t worn, so she was as naked as the day she’d been born in front of him.

Biting her lip, she watched his gaze travel over her body, taking in every curve and line. The sudden, tight look on his face made her heart race. Feminine triumph rolled through her. She was the cause of that hungry look. Her. He growled low in his throat, a primal sound that sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine as he swept her up in his arms and laid her on the bed.

His gaze locked with hers as he began to strip, revealing his powerful body inch by inch. It didn’t take much since Latharians wore jackets but never shirts. He shrugged off his jacket, revealing the breadth of his wide shoulders to her, and then started undoing his pants as he toed his boots off.

Her eyes widened as his cock sprang free, standing tall and proud. She’d seen him in the shower, yes, but this was different. This time he knew for sure she was watching… he was showing off for her. It was raw and real, and he was all hers .

“I know you’ve already seen me,” he said, his voice deep and rough with desire. “But now you get to touch me. I want you to touch me. All over.”

Her breath caught in her throat as he crawled over her, his powerful body covering hers. Heat radiated from him, beating against her skin, and the hard press of his cock against her thigh sent a surge of desire through her so complete she felt weak from it. Reaching up, she smoothed her hands over his shoulders and then through the silken fall of his hair. It was as soft as she’d wondered but also not. It felt strong, just like him.

He watched her expression as he stroked along the sensitive skin of her inner thighs and then gently parted them, making room for himself between her legs. Her breathing caught as he parted her pussy lips, stroking her gently as he explored every inch of her.

Fire built in her cheeks as slick heat pooled between her thighs, her body responding to his touch. She’d never felt this way, never had her body react like this before.

“S’aad,” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. “Please…”

He leaned down, his lips finding hers in a searing kiss that sent shivers down her spine. He continued to stroke her, finding her clit and circling it gently to drive her arousal higher and higher. She arched her back, pressing herself against him, desperate for more.

Then there was no more talking. The kiss got hotter, more passionate, and her world became just him and the kiss. His touch explored her body, taking his time as he alternated between stroking her clit and cupping her breasts. He teased her nipples until they were hard and aching, until her body felt like it didn’t belong to her but to him.

She moaned, arching her back and mangling the sheets in her hands, writhing beneath him as he drove her need and arousal higher and higher. Tension coiled in her body tighter and tighter until she thought she was going to explode.

Still he teased her, touching her, stroking her.

“Please, S’aad,” she gasped, trying to wrap her hands around his strong wrists. “I need…”

She didn’t know what she needed. All she knew was that she needed him.

S’aad broke the kiss, looking down at her with fire in his eyes. “This is your last chance to back out, Jade. Because if you don’t, I’m taking you right now and making you mine.”

She looked up at him, soft tremors running through her, and shook her head. “No. No backing out. I want to be yours.”

With a groan, he positioned himself between her thighs. Her eyes widened, and her gaze locked on to his as she felt him nudging at the entrance to her body, his cock hard and throbbing. It felt huge. So big she wasn’t sure she could take it all.

“It’s okay, kelarris ,” he murmured, teasing her with soft kisses as he pressed forward.

Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly pushed inside her. He took his time, but she stilled anyway, trying to process the new sensations as he sank into her. Stretched her. Parted her around him. Her fingernails dug into his upper arms, but then he pulled back. Confusion filled her. Why wasn’t he pushing in? Was she doing something wrong?

“Wh—” She didn’t get the rest of her sentence out, his lips covering hers in a soft kiss as he pushed against her again. She gasped as he went deeper, aided by the slipperiness between her thighs.

“Just relax, kelarris,” he whispered against her lips. “I’ve got you. It’ll feel good soon. I promise.”

She nodded, her eyes on him as he rocked against her, working himself deeper within her with aching tenderness. She didn’t move until he’d filled her completely. It felt like he was splitting her in two as tears collected at the corners of her eyes.

He saw, and his expression tightened as he froze. “Oh lady, did I hurt you?”

She did a half shake, half nod of her head. “I don’t know… it feels odd.”

“I’m sorry, kelarris,” he rumbled in the back of his throat and slid an arm under her neck, cradling her against his body as he kissed her temple. He moved to pull out of her, and she gasped, grabbing his arms.

“No, stay there. That feels?—”

He stopped, looking down at her quizzically.

“Move again,” she whispered, her eyes wide as she listened to her body. He frowned but then rocked his hips. The movement sent pleasure rolling through her, and she moaned softly.

“Please, do that more,” she begged.

He smiled down at her, the expression tight. “With pleasure, kelarris.”

He began to move in slow rocks, and the sensation of oddness fled as if it had never been, leaving behind just a feeling of rightness. Soul-deep rightness. As if she’d always been meant to be here. With him.

“Oh god, yes,” she moaned as he sped up, his powerful body surging against hers, driving her higher and higher.

She clung to him, her nails digging into his back as she tried to match his rhythm, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. She felt the tension building in her core, the heat coiling tighter and tighter until she thought she might shatter into a million pieces.

“ Mine ,” he growled, his breath hot against her ear. “You’re mine. Mine forever.”

“Yes,” she whispered, her body trembling on the edge of something she knew would be amazing. “Yours, S’aad. Always yours.”

With a final thrust, he sent them both over the edge. She screamed as she shattered apart, calling out his name in pure pleasure.