Ice Planet Honeymoon by Ruby Dixon

4

GEORGIE

Ifeel…free.

It’s a strange feeling, to wake up after crashing into a pile of furs the moment we got back to the hunter cave, and not feel the weight of obligation on my shoulders. I don’t feel the intense guilt over the deaths of the three women, or the endless worry that I made the wrong decisions and caused their deaths. I don’t feel that ache of sadness over leaving Earth behind.

I’ve left it all back in the graves up on the mountain, where Krissy, Peg, and Dominique have finally been laid to rest.

I did what I could, I saved myself and as many others as I could, and we have a new life here. It’s enough. We buried our dead, and I’ve buried my past - Earth included. I’m free to move forward with my mate.

My wonderful, wonderful mate.

As if he knows I’m thinking about him, Vektal’s arms tighten around me and he holds me closer. He’s all warmth, entirely naked under the furs, and I love curling up against him. “It is early,” he murmurs, stroking my arm. “Go back to sleep.”

“I will,” I promise, but I’m rather awake. My thoughts are buzzing and I feel free. I’m excited about what the day holds, what the month holds, what the future holds.

I touch my lower belly, wondering how long before I start showing. Before it puffs out with the baby inside and my breasts grow and everything changes. Is it weird that I’m looking forward to morning sickness? I want a sign that the baby inside me exists. I want some sort of proof, more than just a missed period or a change in the sound our khuis make when we come together

“Georgie?” Vektal murmurs, moving his fingers through my hair. “Are you all right?”

“I’m great,” I answer him, and it’s the truth. I feel like a wound has been lanced - a wound I didn’t even know I had until recently. Now the bad things have been forced out and I’m ready for the healing to begin…actually, I already feel pretty healed. “I’m just thinking.”

“About?”

There’s a wariness in his tone, as if he expects to hear something sad or troubling from me. I don’t blame him for that wariness - I promised him a sexy honeymoon and gave him a funeral instead. I snuggle up to my mate and put my chin on his chest, seeking out his glowing eyes in the dim light of the cave. “Thinking about our baby. Our future. The tribe. A bunch of stuff.”

He grins, his eyes sleepy slits of blue light. “I like these thoughts.”

“Me, too.” I skate my fingers over his abdomen and brush them over his sides, loving the way he tenses. Ticklish. “I wanted to talk to you about things, too. About the graves. Let’s not tell the others what we’ve done, all right?”

“You think they would not want to know? Or that they would not approve?”

“I think they would approve,” I say. “But I also want them to move on, to move forward like I plan on doing. I feel like if we bring it up it’ll just remind them of our losses. If someone asks, we’ll share, but if they don’t ask, I don’t want to be the one to volunteer it. We all need to start fresh.”

“Very well.”

“If they ask, we just had a sex-filled honeymoon where we barely left the furs.”

“So we…make up stories?” He grins down at me.

I wince. That was my original pitch to him, wasn’t it? That we’d run off together and just fuck like bunnies until the cows came home. This has to be a disappointing trip for him even if it was a necessary one for me. “I’m so sorry, Vektal. This wasn’t a very good trip for you, was it?”

“You needed this trip. I have no regrets. I am just glad the sorrow is gone from your eyes.” He runs a finger lightly down my cheek, then traces my jaw. “I knew my Georgie had something troubling her, and if this is what it took to fix it, then I am very happy.”

“It was exactly what I needed,” I agree. I’m feeling…curiously frisky, too. I run my fingers along his side, tickling slightly, and love that he squirms and his tail thumps against the blankets like an irritated cat. “You know…we’re still alone. We don’t have to go back just yet. We can still make this a sexy honeymoon.”

He chuckles. “Not if you are not feeling it, my mate. I am content to wait.” He brushes his fingers over my cheek again in the gentlest of caresses. “We have all our lives to mate. It does not have to be now if you are not in the mood.”

Sweet Vektal. He’s totally misunderstanding me. “When did I say I wasn’t in the mood?” I give his chiseled stomach a kiss. He’s got washboard abs, rippled with both muscle and those hard, protective plates. I kiss lower, where a happy trail should be, and then move even lower, making a bee-line for one of my favorite parts of his body.

My mate groans, his hand tightening in my hair. “Georgie—”

“Shhh. I’m having myself some honeymoon fun.” I flick my tongue against his spur and then move even lower, gripping his cock in my hand. He’s so big and thick around that my fingers don’t quite meet when I circle him, and just giving his girth a squeeze makes me all hot and bothered. “I love how thick you are.”

“My cock loves your mouth.”

I chuckle, because that’s such an absurd thing to say to a girl, but on him it’s somehow sweet. I know he doesn’t mean it in a creepy way like an Earth guy would. He means it because he loves all of me and how I touch him. I think of the first time I went down on him and blew his mind. Even though he loves to eat pussy - and boy, did I score on that angle - he’d never had a blowjob and every time I give him one, he acts like he’s being given the greatest treasure ever.

Which just makes me want to do it more.

I take the head of him into my mouth, lightly running my tongue along the crown. The taste of pre-cum hits my taste-buds a moment later, and I moan, lapping at his cock-head. “My handsome alien,” I purr, loving the feel of my khui as it starts up, gently rumbling in my chest in time with my mate’s arousal. “My mouth loves your cock, too.” And I lick him, from root to tip.

He shudders, groaning, and I absolutely love that reaction. God, this man. How is it possible that he’s such a damn beast, ferocious and unafraid, and yet so gentle that he holds hands with me and carries me like I’m a princess? How did I get so lucky?

I want to show him how lucky I feel. So I lick him again, letting my tongue glide over those glorious ridges on his cock, and then take the head of him into my mouth again. I suck lightly, and when he’s panting and twitching, unable to stay still underneath me, I ease my mouth lower, trying to meet the hand I have gripped around the base of his shaft. It’s an impossible task because he’s so huge, but I’m going to give it the old college try. I ease down on him, working my mouth and my tongue as I try to go lower and lower, until I hit my gag reflex and come back up for air. I make the most awful sound as I do, but Vektal only groans as if I’m the sexiest thing ever, and I laugh, wiping my lips. “I’ll try again,” I murmur, already leaning forward. “But you’re too big for me.”

That elicits another pained groan from my mate, his hand curled tight in my hair. He’s not shoving my head down, though I know he really wants to the way his fingers flex against my head. As I lick and suck at his enormous shaft, I take two fingers and tease his spur. He keeps telling me it’s not sensitive, but I know when I rub it like it’s a mini-cock, he comes unglued. Vektal growls, his hips bucking as I do, pushing him deeper into my throat. I whimper, aroused at his responses and the heady pleasure of going down on him, my senses filled with his scent, his taste, his touch.

“Georgie,” he grits, pumping his hips again and shuttling against the back of my throat. “I need to stop—”

I give the base of his cock another squeeze and rub his spur even as I sink deeper.

His breath erupts in a little grunt, and then he’s coming, and I can feel him shooting down my throat without even tasting him, he’s so deep. I try to swallow and have to lift my head, my mouth filling with his release.

I drink him down, wiping the corners of my mouth, and when he’s done coming, I lean forward and clean his cock with my tongue, loving the little shudders that ripple through him with every touch. When I’m done and there’s no more to lick up, I keep tonguing him anyhow, just because I’m aroused and needy and his cock is so amazing. Since meeting Vektal, I’ve had more sex in the last few weeks than I’ve had ever, and I’m always hungry for more. There’s something about him that just makes me crazy with lust.

Well, I’m sure the khui has something to do with that, but even now, when the khui’s sated, I can’t get enough of him. Physically, he does it for me. Mentally, he’s got a sweetness mixed with his brawn that I find utter catnip. Emotionally? I’ve never been so loved.

It makes me want to do dirty, filthy things to him all the time.

His cock twitches under my tongue, and then he grabs me and hauls me forward, a breathless laugh escaping him. “Do you mean to lick your mate until he stiffens for your greedy mouth once more?”

“Is that a trick question? I thought it was obvious.”

“Your mate has a mouth, too,” he murmurs, sliding lower even as he pulls me up. “And he wants to use it. Come and sit on my face.”

Now I’m the one that’s moaning. I’m wearing only my sleeping-tunic, and my legs are thankfully bare of everything, panties included. It takes no convincing for me to move up to where my mate’s eager mouth awaits, and to slide a thigh over his shoulders. He grips my ass, steadying me over his face, and then leans in and gives me the same long, slow lick I gave him.

I shudder, moaning. With one hand, I clutch at one of his horns, steadying myself as he begins to make love to my pussy. I hold one of my breasts, teasing the nipple through the leather of my tunic and arching against his tongue when it hits me in just the right spot. I’m wet and slick with need, and it doesn’t take long before I’m rocking against his mouth, close to my own climax. I want it to last longer, but there’s no way I’m going to be able to stand it. It’s too much, and I’m too turned on. I love the groans he makes as he licks me, as if I’m the best thing he’s ever tasted, and I know he loves it. Hasn’t he woken me up dozens of times with his mouth between my legs, just because he wants to?

God, I really am the luckiest woman alive.

He drags a finger along the crease of my backside, one hand stealing closer, and I moan again. He loves to tease me in all the naughtiest of places, and when his finger presses against my butt, I lose it. I come against his sucking, teasing mouth, arching and crying out his name.

I collapse over him, sated, a laugh rising from my throat. He rubs my buttocks, kissing the insides of my thighs and dragging his tongue over my pussy even though I’ve already come.

“Are you good, my mate?” he asks, breathless.

“Oh yeah,” I manage. “I’m amazing.” I really am, too.

“Good.”

A moment later, Vektal sits up, lifting me into the air. I’m on my back - gently - in the furs a moment later, my knees pushing up to my chest. He moves over me, and I’m giggling even as he presses the hot, thick length of him into my core.

“What is so funny?” He asks, sliding one of my ankles up to his big shoulder. He runs his hand up and down my leg, that possessive, delicious look in his eye.

“I can’t believe you’re ready to go again, that’s all.” I smile up at him, and my smile turns into a gasp when he drives deep into me.

“I will always be ready for you, my Georgie,” he tells me in a ruthless growl…and then he claims the hell out of me once more.

* * *

We stay out for a glorious,sex-filled week after that. The little cave in the mountains becomes the honeymoon I promised to Vektal, and there are plenty of days where we don’t even leave the furs. It’s a vacation, and a great one. We relax lazily, hanging out in the cave, and I share with him my memories of Earth and he tells me stories of growing up in the tribe, which was much bigger once upon a time. There’s always more to learn about my mate, and I’m looking forward to a lifetime of discoveries.

Eventually, though, we need to head back. I thought I’d be a little disappointed when we start the long walk back to the home cave, but surprisingly, I’m not. It’s been a wonderful, refreshing time alone together, and I feel more connected to my big, burly alien than ever before. Even so, I’m excited for what the future holds for us, and I look forward to rejoining our tribe. I can’t wait to see their faces again, and I know Vektal feels the same.

I’m excited to go home.

I’m excited to rejoin our people.

And by the time we round the last bend toward the home caves, I’m practically dancing with excitement.

Vektal laughs with amusement as my steps pick up. “Now you walk fast?”

I laugh, enjoying his teasing. “Uh, yeah. I want to see if anyone resonated while we were gone.”

He snorts. “I have told you, my mate, resonances are a rare thing.”

“Because you’ve never had so many hot, single ladies hanging around your cave,” I tease back. “Your cooties won’t know what to do with all that estrogen in the air.”

“Est-roh-what?”

“Girl stuff,” I tell him with a wave of my hand. “I admit, I’m a little anxious to get back in general. I want to make sure no one fell apart while we were gone. I worry about some of them.” I think specifically of Ariana, who’s the tribe’s resident weeper, and Kira, who seems sad and distant all the time. And Tiffany, who had plenty to say when we were captive but now that we’re free seems to have clammed up entirely. We all have baggage, of course. It’s to be expected. But I want to be there for anyone that needs a friend or a shoulder to cry on. I’m going to be chieftess to Vektal’s chief and I want to be the best damn chieftess I can possibly be.

“Ho,” a familiar face calls as we approach the cave. It’s one of the big blue guys, walking out to greet us, and I recognize Haeden by the scowl on his face. He nods at us.

“Ho,” Vektal replies easily. “How fares things?”

He shrugs. “All is quiet.”

“Quiet is good,” I say, smiling at him. He just stares at me.

Vektal puts a possessive arm around my waist. “Who is out on the trails hunting right now?”

We pause as the two men discuss herd patterns and who’s out far from the cave and who’s staying close by. Vektal listens to all, nodding, and eventually looks over at me. “It will be my turn to go out on the trail soon. Tomorrow. But tonight, I have one more honey-moons with my pretty mate.”

My face gets hot. I’m pretty sure he’s using the word ‘honeymoon’ in place of sex, and now he just told Haeden that we’re going to go fuck.

“Honey-moons?” Haeden asks, curious.

“Long story,” I say before Vektal can speak. I take my mate by the hand and drag him inside. “Let’s go, honey, because I’m starving and I smell something good on the fire.”

Haeden’s frown increases. “Hemalo is dyeing skins over the fire.”

Oh. Okay, yeah, that’s probably what I smell. No wonder he’s looking at me like I’m crazy. If it’s the cocktail I remember, the skin dye is made up of pee, brains, and some other unsavory crap, all boiled into a horrific mush.

I tap my nostril, determined to make this lie stick. “Must be my pregnancy nose thinking it smells good.”

“Ah.” He gives Vektal an odd look but claps him on the shoulder. “Glad you are back, my chief.”

“We are glad to be back,” Vektal says easily, and puts a hand at the small of my back to lead me inside the cavern that is now my home.

Immediately, the temperature grows warm and slightly humid. I look at the busy cavern, smiling at the sight of familiar sa-khui faces and human faces, too. Over by the fire, Hemalo is stirring something thick and sludgy, all right, and Josie’s at his side, helping him. In the center of the cave, Ariana is in the water with her mate Zolaya, and Nora wrings her hair out and sits on the edge, buck-ass naked while her mate Dagesh rubs her shoulders. I see Kira carrying a basket and doing her best to ignore Aehako, who trails behind her. And off in a corner, I see Claire hanging on Bek’s arm, blinking big eyes as he tells her a story.

No one’s falling apart. No one’s a mess. Everyone looks…happy.

I’m so relieved.

“Well well,” calls a familiar voice. “Look what the cat dragged in.”

Vektal immediately looks around behind us, no doubt searching for a snow cat of some kind. I just laugh and open my arms to hug Liz. “Hey, you!”

She gives me a hug in response, but her expression is a little guarded. Our friendship suffered a bit of a break when Raahosh went into exile and I sided with Vektal. I had to. I can only imagine how dreadful things would have gotten if we’d allowed Raahosh to just cart away Liz with no repercussions. Bek would have stolen Claire away next, and Aehako Kira, and then it would be a nightmare. These people think differently than we do and even if it’s not meant maliciously, it’s also not fair to the girls.

I think Liz gets it. Or pretends to get it. Either way, she’s firmly on Team Raahosh, which I suppose I get. Sure enough, when I pull back from our hug, he’s there nearby, arms crossed and scarred face glowering at me and Vektal.

Liz gives my shoulder a punch. “Where ya been, fearless leaders? Someone said you were on a mooning trip but I thought that couldn’t be right.”

“Oh. Did you guys just get in?” I brush my hair back off my face, since the humidity in the cave is making my curls stick to my skin. “We went on a honeymoon to get away just the two of us. A little bonding time.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Really.”

Liz is sharp. I don’t know if she’s going to believe me or want to know more details. I think of the graves we left up the mountain, and how I left a lot of my own grief and doubt up there with them. I asked Vektal not to mention it, but it’s not entirely for the others. I want to leave that part of the past behind myself, and rehashing the fate of our three dead friends and their grave for each person in the tribe will be difficult.

“Honeymoon? Where?” Liz asks.

“The cave we first met,” Vektal says, his hand sliding to my waist and he pulls me close. “It was a good trip. Fine weather. Great company.” And he grins at me, fangs flashing.

Liz frowns at me again, and I wait for her to ask. Wait for her to pry into why we needed to get away so quickly after resonating. But then she just sighs. “Well, now I want a romantic honeymoon, too.”

“Eh?” Raahosh moves to her side, his grip tight on her arm. For a moment, he looks as if he wants to snatch her away from all of us and hoard her to himself. “You want to travel out into the mountains just to mate? Do we not do that right now, female? It is called exile.”

She rolls her eyes. “Where’s your sense of romance, Raahosh! This is a trip specifically for sexytimes. We could play ‘wampa that discovers a helpless Luke in a cave’ but this time you’d get to eat me.” She wiggles her eyebrows at her mate. “Or we could play ‘Gollum finds his precious’. Really, the possibilities are endless.”

He just frowns at her.

Liz sighs and looks back at me. “Clearly I need to get him on board with such an idea.”

Raahosh’s mouth flattens and he looks at Vektal accusingly, as if this is somehow my man’s fault, and lets Liz lead him away.

I watch them go, biting back a smile. I would say Liz runs roughshod over Raahosh, but I think he’s the only one that tolerates her crap and gives her back just as much. It’s a surprisingly good pairing, because Liz is definitely a bit acerbic and headstrong.

“You look tired, my mate,” Vektal says.

“Do I?” I look over at him in surprise. I don’t feel tired. It was a long trip, sure, but I…oh. He’s giving me a slow, wicked grin that I recognize. “You did say you were leaving me tomorrow, didn’t you?”

He nods, pulling me so close that my boobs brush against his chest. “I must go out on the hunt like all the others. It is my duty. But it will make my return twice as sweet to know you and our kit are waiting for me.”

It’s an aspect of life I’m going to have to get used to. I nod, smiling. “Until then, you did mention you have time for one more honeymoon night?”

“I do,” he murmurs, gaze intent on me and a promise in his eyes.

“Maybe we should play Gollum and his precious, then,” I say, fluttering my lashes at him as I take him by the hand and lead him back toward the nook of our cave.

“As long as you tell me what it is, I am game.”

I chuckle. “It involves lots of rubbing.”

“All the best games do.”