Tempted by Celestial Bodies

Chapter 4

chapter four

Baxian’s armband granted them access to the elevator that accessed the private suites a level above. Hand-in-hand, they navigated to the door marked with the appropriate number. They’d been silent on the walk there, but not an uncomfortable sort of quiet—not that any place here was truly quiet with the dimmed hum and thumps of music seeping through the walls—but the kind full of so many unspoken words and heated looks that Aivey was painfully aware of how wetness soaked her underwear and her nipples peaked against her dress. In fact, all of her clothing felt more abrasive than it ever had, and she couldn’t wait for it to be gone. Assuming he actually wanted to do more than talk. Even if that was all, she’d be okay with that, too. She couldn’t wait to hear more about his thoughts on how mining practices were disrupting the delicate balance of nature in their mutually beloved mountains, or what parts of the range he favored, or his experiences there, or actually, anything about him at all.

The door slid open with a soft whoosh as soon as Baxian held his band against the panel just to the left of it. Beyond lay a massive room that had Aivey stopping short the moment she stepped through the threshold and the door zipped closed behind them.

The space was large, as big as some of the lounges off the main floor. A multi-piece seating area lay directly in front of them with chairs and sleek sofas that could seat at least a dozen and an assortment of various-sized little tables. A chaise sat beyond that, pushed near the floor-to-ceiling tinted windows that looked out directly at the glass platform hovering above the main floor where the orgy was still in full swing.

To the left was a massive bed, perfectly made and flush with pillows in multiple sizes. A full bar hugged the wall with the entryway. Bottles of various beverages and crystal glasses glimmered atop it in strategic pools of light. The right side of the room was clearly designated for play. There were multiple sleek benches with straps and bindings. Another set hung from a wall. A swing occupied a corner. The far wall held a rack flush with toys—several of which she couldn’t begin to know the use of.

All of the furnishings and accessories, from the chairs and tables to the bed and its pillows, were black with accents of silver. Even the carpet sucked up all the light, leaving the space dark despite the dimmed wall scones and the dancing, colorful lights filtering in through the windows from the main bar.

“Wow,” she breathed.

Baxian chuckled. While Aivey had been taking in the space, he’d watched her, seemingly documenting each reaction as she absorbed the various features of the room.

“Yes, it’s quite over the top.” He glanced toward the various toys and winced. “I forgot about some of that, actually. I’ve only been up here once, and that was for a party.”

“It’s fine.” Actually, knowing that he wasn’t a regular at using the room, but at least had enough familiarity to guide her, made her heart do a weird little flip-flop that it had no business doing given that they’d just met.

“If at any time you want to leave, just press the panel by the door. You have to have access to get in from outside, but it doesn’t lock on this side. A little safety feature of the club.”

Handy, that. And thoughtful of the management.

Aivey strode into the room, her heels making the softest thud against the floor. While they could hear the music in the hallways, in this room, it was barely audible at all.

“We can close the curtains if you like, if it’s distracting. The glass is one way unless we choose to make it transparent.”

The way he kept listing out the rooms features, filling the quiet with his voice, reminded her a lot of how Rima would ramble if something made her nervous. But Baxian couldn’t be nervous, could he? She was usually the apprehensive one, always over thinking things and pondering worst-case scenarios.

“I thought this might be a more quiet and comfortable place for us to talk, free of interruptions. We don’t even have to touch if you don’t want to. There’s plenty of seating.”

Aivey ran one finger across the back of the smooth leather-like material of the black sofa before looking back over one shoulder at Baxian. He still hovered near the door, the dim light of the room casting shadows across his bold features and shining off his hair and the black of his horns. “I want you to touch me, Baxian.”

He went absolutely still before loosing a heavy sigh. “Thank the fucking stars.”

A giggle caught in her throat. “You’re that surprised?”

“I wasn’t sure.” His powerful stride ate up the space between them before he stopped just in front of her and cupped her cheek, his long fingers threading through her hair. “I wanted. I hoped. But I was a little afraid you just wanted to hear more about my experiences in the Crathian mountains.”

Aivey laughed. “Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind that either, but there’s so much more I’d like to experience with you.” She leaned her head into his touch, his warmth, savoring the way that simple act had her whole body tingling. Without a second thought, she stretched up on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and met him halfway in a kiss. His lips were softer than she expected given the firmness of the rest of him. Soft—but hungry, eager.

Baxian wrapped his arms around Aivey, pulling her close. She’d suspected he was strong, but now, her chest pressed against his, there was no doubt. Embracing him was like hugging a one of the stone statues as the academy entrance. She’d done that once after a long night of drinking, but even then, those had never stirred anything beyond mild curiosity. Baxian lit her aflame from within as he conquered her mouth. His lips parted, and in the midst of their kiss, her tongue swiped against one elongated fang. It was her first time kissing a fanged male, but the oddity of it only enticed her further, beckoned her to discover what other unique features the male possessed.

The fingers toying with the back of her dress slipped lower to cup her ass. And then he was lifting her, hauling her up and further against him. Aivey wrapped her legs around his waist, holding tight and never breaking their kiss as Baxian backed her across the room.

Then they were tumbling backward, but never once was she afraid. Her back landed on the soft mattress, the feather-soft coverings tickling her arms as Baxian finally broke their kiss and stepped back. He rubbed his jaw as this gaze raked over her as if admiring a piece of artwork.

“Stars, you’re beautiful,” he said, his voice gone rough and low.

Aivey pushed up on her elbows. “You’re not so bad yourself.” Her attention dipped to the impressive bulge in his pants, her mouth going dry in anticipation.

Baxian noticed her stare and chuckled. The deep rumble in his chest made her thighs squeeze together to try and stifle the growing ache there. It wouldn’t do if she came apart the moment he touched her.

Or maybe that would be the perfect compliment to such a glorious male.

“Have you been with a Vriks male before?” That intense blue gaze still roved over her, lingering briefly on her chest and the juncture between her thighs as if he could peel back her clothing with his sight alone and see what lay beneath. She didn’t know a lot about his species but she didn’t believe they could do that. He certainly seemed to be trying, though.

The flush in her cheeks burned hotter. Would he mind that she hadn’t been with his kind? Aivey bit her bottom lip, and his gaze snapped right to that spot, his eyes flaring slightly wider. She shook her head slowly, watching him in return and waiting for his reaction.

The disappointment she feared didn’t appear. Instead, the upturn of his lips hinted at pleasure or amusement. “Then there’s something you should know before we go any further.”

Aivey sat all the way up as Baxian claimed a spot on the end of the bed beside her, their sides touching. His large palm came to rest on her thigh, his fingers rubbing the hem of her short dress as he spoke. “Vriks males need to come twice to achieve full release. It’s part of our mating ritual. The first time prepares our partner to receive our seed. The second release is the seed itself—not that we have to worry about any unintended consequences tonight.” He lifted his braceleted wrist for emphasis.

Her brows pinched. “And that’s a problem? Needing to have more sex?”

He shrugged. “I would hope not, but some only focus on their own pleasure, not their partner’s.”

Didn’t she know it. Unfortunately, she’d been with a few partners like that, they were the ones that always left her with regrets.

“For a male to be left in between is not ideal,” he continued. “My cock needs to be in the presence of my first spend to achieve the second. Otherwise, I’ll be in some discomfort until my body resets.”

How unique. She filed the data away in her brain for later. He worried it might be a turn-off, but the concept intrigued and excited her more than anything.

“Well…” Aivey turned, coming to straddle his lap. Her dress rode up, undoubtedly giving him a tease of her sodden underwear. She lowered herself onto his lap, her head spinning at the hard length of him pressing against her pussy. A small rock of her hips earned a deep groan from the male who had gone eerily still beneath her. “I’d like to think I’m not one of those people. I’m with you the whole way, Baxian. I don’t plan to leave you wanting.” Needing to fuck him multiple times was enticing. It meant even more chance of reaching her own release.

A deep rumbling, almost like a purr, vibrated his chest beneath her groping palms. Baxian grabbed her hips, pulling her tighter against his cock. He inhaled sharply. “Stars, Aivey.” The way he said her name, so full and rich, nearly made her whimper. “I can smell your desire.”

One large hand slid inward, his thumb finding the seam of her underwear and slipping beneath. “So wet for me. Fuck. No, you won’t leave me wanting, will you, little beauty?”

All sensation narrowed down to his digit stroking the sensitive skin at the edge of her pussy. “Never,” she promised.

His finger inched further, slipping across her clit, and she jolted against him.

His eyes widened. “Sensitive there?”

A breathy chuckle slipped from her lips. “I take it you haven’t been with many Earthean females?”

“None,” he admitted. “And I’m eager to discover what you look like beneath this dress.” Baxian’s finger retreated from between her legs to shove at the hem of her dress.

And she was eager to show him. Aivey rocked herself against him one more time before slipping off him. She kicked off her heels and then reached under her armpit to the little panel sewn into the dress. It registered her fingerprints, and the material shifted, expanding so that the dress loosened and fell to the floor in a puddle of silver. With the tech woven into the dress, she hadn’t needed a bra. Only her underwear remained, a scrap of translucent silk that teased more than it covered.

A sharp inhale signaled Baxian’s reaction before she glanced over at him with a shy grin. He gripped the bed coverings, bunching them up tight in his fists.

“Well?” She tossed her hair over her should as she turned to face him fully.

He blinked. Once. Twice. “Stunning. Absolutely stunning.”

The honesty ringing in his praise gave her the courage to slip her fingers through the hem of her underwear and draw it down her legs.

“Fuck, Aivey.” He rubbed at his jaw and leaned forward. “I can see your pussy glistening.”

She drew her bottom lip between her teeth. “Do I get to see you?”

Baxian was on his feet in a heartbeat, reaching inside his jacket. A moment later, his clothing loosened like hers had and slid down his body like a loose sheet of obsidian. Not one scrap remained on him. She knew his clothes were fancy, but she had no idea they could that . All pieces at once? How new.

But the wonder of his attire paled in comparison to the form he revealed—all navy blue, lean sculpted muscle. Defined abs. Narrow hips. Powerful thighs. And between them… Aivey’s knees went weak. Saliva flooded her mouth. His proud erection jutted forward, long, thick, and a shade darker than the rest of him toward the bulbous tip. The smooth skin nearly glistened like a polished stone.

She licked her lips and closed the short distance between them. “May I touch you?” Aivey looked up at him under her lashes.

“As long as I can touch you.” Baxian’s fingers traced the curve of her ear, slid through her hair.

She grinned up at him before dropping her attention to his impressive cock. The shape was similar to that of Earthian men, but his girth and length would put them to shame. Little horizontal ridges ran along the top of his length, and she reached out a tentative finger to touch them. Like much of his skin, he was harder there than an Earthian would be, each ridge a little bump under her finger as she stroked the tip down his length. Stars, he would feel amazing inside her, if he could fit. She wrapped her hand around his length, her forefinger and thumb not even close to meeting.

Baxian let out a soft moan and rocked his hips, thrusting his shaft through her hold. “Your hands are so soft.” He trailed the back of his down her neck, along one shoulder. “All of you. Soft, delicate, and so delightfully scented, like sweet berries.”

Up and down, she caressed his length, her other hand running idly across the hard planes of his stomach, which tensed under her ministrations. Baxian covered her hand with his own and used the other to tip her chin up. “Too much of that, and you’ll have me spilling early.”

“We don’t want that,” she replied, dropping her hands. Especially if that meant he might not be able to find full release this night.