Tomlin (How the Aliens Were Won #8)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

T hree years later…

Tomlin sat on the porch of their house watching his son Grethin play with T’kar, S’kal’s son. Like Tomlin, Grethin appeared human enough but he was as fast and strong as the larger T’kar. The two boys were inseparable, but they still had their squabbles, and they were currently wrestling over a ball. T’kar managed to snatch it away from his son, accidentally sending Grethin sprawling in the process, and he saw his son’s eyes begin to glow blue.

Firmly resisting the urge to intervene, he remained on the porch and watched as Grethin closed his eyes for a moment, his lips moving silently. By the time T’kar reached down to help him up, his eyes had returned to their usual brown and he responded with his usual good humor.

Good boy.

Grethin looked over at him for a moment, smiling as he felt Tomlin’s approval, and then the two boys raced for the trees, dispute forgotten.

“His control is impressive for one so young,” S’kal said quietly.

“I wish it were not necessary but it’s the way things must be.”

Grethin’s Krythian side had revealed itself when he was less than a year old. He’d hoped it wouldn’t be as strong in his son but he’d begun teaching him to control it, just as his mother had taught him, and Grethin had adapted easily to the routine. Aside from those occasional flashes, his son had inherited his mate’s even temperament.

And speaking of his mate…

“Will you watch the boys for a while? I need to take Etta something to eat. She is in the middle of a new experiment.”

“Of course.” S’kal gave him a thoughtful look. “Although if it takes you as long as it did last time, I will expect you to return the favor when Evie gets back.”

His friend cast a somewhat disconsolate glance in the direction of Naffon’s house, invisible through the trees. Evie and Naffon’s mate Dora were having a “girl’s day” and he knew S’kal didn’t like having her out of his sight for that long. He was grateful that Etta was content to remain in the lab attached to their house.

“Of course. And yes, T’kar can spend the night. I know you wish to have sufficient time to show Evie why she shouldn’t leave you alone for so long.”

S’kal grinned at him.

“You are right, as always.”

He smiled back, the smile that came so easily these days, and went to find his mate.

Etta reached absently for her mug of tea and discovered it was empty. Never mind. She would just have to wait -

Tomlin appeared at her side, replacing the empty mug with a fresh cup, and she smiled up at him. Even after all this time, his anticipation of her needs still surprised and delighted her. In fact…

She gave him a speculative look and he laughed. She loved seeing him so happy and at peace. He still maintained his outward composure, but there was an ease to it now that hadn’t been there when he first arrived at her lab. At least he continued in that role when he was around other people. When they were alone as they were now, he was completely open to her.

“How long?” he asked, his eyes already beginning to glow blue.

“Five minutes.”

Her voice came out low and husky and the blue intensified. The five minutes she needed to complete the experiment felt like an eternity.

“How are the boys getting along?” she asked, trying to distract herself.

“As well as usual.” He hesitated. “Grethin’s other side flared up but he handled it perfectly.”

She knew he still worried about their son, but she gave him a reassuring smile.

“I’m not surprised. He has his father to guide him.”

“And his brilliant mother,” he added but she saw him relax a little.

Just as well, considering what she was about to propose. Oops. He suddenly tensed, his eyes focused on her face, and she realized that her longing had been strong enough for him to read.

“You want another child?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

“Yes, and this feels like the right time. I’ll be finishing up this project in a few months and then I can spend some time writing up my research before starting on the next one.”

Or at least she’d try. She started getting restless whenever she was away from her lab for too long.

“Three more minutes,” he growled, stalking towards her.

They couldn’t pass quickly enough, especially when he wrapped his arms around her from behind, nibbling on her neck as his talented fingers worked her nipples. She started to turn towards him, tempted to forget all about her experiment, but he held her in place.

“Concentrate on your work, little scholar.”

Concentration was almost impossible as his hands continued to travel over her body but she clenched her fists on the countertop and hung on. By the time the alarm finally sounded, she was shuddering with need. She reached out blindly to throw the switches and he finally let her turn to him, his hands reaching down to grab her hips and pull her against his erection.

“Time’s up -”

She hadn’t even finished speaking when he lifted her onto the counter and spread her legs, yanking her skirt out of the way. He’d already freed his erection, the mating lines glowing a deep intense blue, but she only caught a glimpse of them before he drove into her in one long, hard stroke.

She cried out, his size momentarily overwhelming her despite how ready she was, but he kept pushing, filling her so completely she could barely breathe. She was already on the edge, the strength of his desire enhancing her own as he began to move, driving into her again and again, his cock striking her in exactly the right spot each time. His hands tightened on her hips, holding her in place to receive the hard, demanding thrusts, and she felt the faint distant prick of his claws.

“Come for me, sweetheart,” he growled, and pleasure engulfed her, sweeping her away as he followed her over, his hips slamming against hers one last time as he spilled himself deep inside her.

He collapsed down over her, and she wrapped her arms around him, relishing the steady beat of his heart and the love flowing through their connection. Finally he eased back, making sure she was steady before pulling out. They both gasped as he slid free, and he gave her a wicked smile.

“Are you ready for part two?”

Part two?

She barely had time to process what he meant before he buried his head between her thighs, his tongue sliding between the slick folds. He sucked gently on her clit, then pressed his thumb against it. She shuddered as she climaxed again, hard and fast, but he didn’t stop, continuing his ruthless pursuit of her pleasure.

He held her steady through two more orgasms before finally lifting his head, smiling at her dazed expression even as he slid his once again enormously erect cock over her sensitized flesh. He looked down at her and she felt his momentary hesitation when he saw the marks on her hips.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly.

It wasn’t the first time it had happened, and while it still troubled him, she enjoyed the evidence of his passion and he’d gradually let himself believe her assurances. She tugged him down for a kiss, their shared taste lingering on his tongue as he slid slowly into her. The urgency of their earlier lovemaking was replaced by something slower and deeper, each thrust bringing them closer and closer until the moment when they tipped over the edge together.

Their bond shimmered around them, binding them together as tightly as the physical bond between their bodies, and she savored its warmth as she traced her fingers through that not quite human hair.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“And you’re all right with the idea of having another child?”

“I thought I showed that quite clearly,” he said dryly, and she laughed.

“Yes you did, but I still needed to ask.”

He brushed his thumb gently across her lips. “You have brought me so much happiness, my mate. I hope we have a daughter just like you.”

“That sounds nice. How quickly do you think it will happen?”

His eyes glowed with happiness as he began rocking his hips against her.

“We’ll just have to experiment and find out.”

“I can’t think of a better experiment,” she agreed and surrendered to his kisses once again.