“Learning how to cook? Kind of boring, actually. I didn’t really want to but she insisted I should have those skills. I’m glad I do now.”
“What was it like having a mother?”
Her humor fled quickly. It reminded her of his upbringing in a cold setting by Mercile Industries. “My parents were terrific. They remained together until I was in my teens before they got divorced.”
“What is that?”
“They decided they’d grown apart over the years and stopped living together. Both of them met great people though and remarried. I get along great with my stepparents.”
A look of horror wrinkled his face. “They stopped living together and are with other mates?”
“Yes.”
A low growl rumbled from him. “That’s wrong. Mates are forever.”
She took a deep breath. “Humans tend to get divorced often. Fifty years ago not so much but these are modern times. People grow apart and they leave if they are unhappy to be with someone else who makes their lives better.”
“You aren’t leaving me. You’re happy.”
She was stunned.
“I’ll kill any male who attempts to lure you away.”
She decided against being disturbed by the threat, knowing he wasn’t exactly like other men.
Alarm bells would normally be going off inside her head if anyone said that to her. “I’m not your mate,” she gently reminded him.
Dark eyes narrowed and another gruff growl burst from his slightly parted lips. “You’re mine.”
It was time to change the subject. “What do you want to do today?” She glanced around.
“There’s so much for you to learn. I know you have the television remote control down pat but I could teach you how to use the other stuff in my house.”
“Why?”
“You’ll be assigned to the men’s dorm at some point. They’ll have someone teach you basics but we could get a jump on it. You should learn how to use a vacuum, a mop, and how to do laundry.
Otherwise you’re going to have one messy home with no clean clothes to wear.”
“Is it important to you?”
“That you don’t live in a pig sty? Sure.” She set down her coffee. “You want to be self-sufficient so you aren’t dependent upon others.”
“I know that term. I have you.”
“I’m not going to be your maid.” She laughed as she left her chair and stepped into the living room. The humor died quickly though when she remembered she wouldn’t be around to do those things for him even if she wanted. “You need to learn how to care for yourself.”
“What is a maid?” He followed, stalking her with a grace that reminded her of a cat. His bare chest was impressive and he wore the only clothes he had—the sweatpants from the day before.
“It’s someone you pay to do your housework.
They clean, sometimes cook your meals and wash your clothes if that’s a service they provide.
I had one before I moved here. I worked so many hours it was the only way anything got done. She even ran errands for me.”
“What are those?” He tracked her until she found herself backed into a corner.
“Errands? Um, buying food and taking some of my stuff where I needed it to go. I don’t think you have to worry about dry cleaning here at Homeland though. I know I’ve nearly forgotten what it’s like to have neatly pressed clothes.”
He stared down at her and sniffed.
“What are you doing?”
“You smell of food again.”
“So do you. You used my shampoo and conditioner. It’s scented with vanilla and coconut.”
“I’m hungry.”
“You just ate all my eggs, sausages, and had six pieces of toast. I have to order more groceries.
I could make you a sandwich or five. You sure have a big appetite.”
He surprised her when he dropped to his knees and gripped the waist of the nightshirt that fell to her knees. “For you.”
Alli’s heart rate accelerated as he nuzzled her belly. Firm hands slid down to grip the hem of her shirt and push it up. He made a sound of displeasure when he discovered her pink panties.
“I don’t like these. They are in my way.” He glanced up. “Stop putting on needless clothing.”
“People wear them.”
“You won’t.” One hand flattened to hold her shirt up while he hooked the fingers of his other hand at the waist of her panties, just giving them one rough jerk. Material tore.
“Those were expensive.”
He didn’t look impressed as he tossed them behind him. She watched them land on the coffee table. “They aren’t made well.”
“Silk isn’t much of a match against someone as strong as you.”
He gripped her inner thigh, lifted it and nearly knocked her off balance. Her hands opened on the walls in the corner to stay upright. He hooked the curve of her knee over one shoulder and dipped his head to brush his mouth over her bellybutton while kissing lower.
His tongue was warm and a little rough as it darted out to lick her skin. Her breathing increased as her eyes closed. Obsidian turned her on. Her nipples grew taut and her breathing increased, knowing where he headed as his chin rubbed against her mound.
“We should go in the bedroom.”
He paused. “Here. Now.”
She looked down at him just in time to watch him lower his body to sit on his legs. He pushed at her thigh until she rested her heel on his shoulder, her leg bent up to give him freer access to her exposed pussy. Nothing could hold back the moan when he fastened his mouth over her clit.
She was grateful her back rested against the corner since the leg supporting her weight nearly collapsed when Obsidian growled, the vibrations and his tongue playing hell on her system. He hadn’t been kidding about being hungry if the aggressive way he manipulated the bundle of nerves was any indication. Her hands fell away from the wall so she could slide her fingers into his silky hair at the back of his head, holding him in place.
One of his fingers drove inside her, adding to the pleasure. He didn’t go in slow but thrust in fast and deep, triggering a new, wonderful sensation. Her breathing increased when he withdrew it and inserted two fingers. The feeling of being stretched and taken a little roughly made her cry out his name. It seemed to urge him to fuck her faster with both digits, his mouth and tongue frantically suckling her clit.
Alli couldn’t think beyond trying to remain upright when all she wanted to do was sink to the floor. Moans and pants filled the room, growing in volume as he found the spot inside her pussy that drove her insane. She was going to come hard and fast as the climax built.
“Slow down,” she begged.
He ignored her plea. Her hands tore out of his hair as she reached up, grabbing her own breasts, just to soothe the achy feeling of them. Her fingers gripped the mounds through her shirt, pinching the taut tips between her fingers. The added sensation was all it took to send her over the edge.
“Fuck,” she gasped, her body seizing as spasms tore through her belly and lower, the intense pleasure coursing straight to her brain. Her head hit the wall hard when she threw it back but it didn’t hurt. She was too focused on her release.
He rose, shoving her foot off his shoulder. She would have collapsed but one arm hooked around her waist and she was hoisted off her feet. It was tough to keep her eyes open when all she wanted to do was close them but Obsidian was in her face, his gaze locked with hers a second later.
“Wrap around me,” he demanded harshly.
Her body was sluggish to respond. Her hands were trapped between their chests where he’d lifted her, still cupping her breasts, although loosely now. A dizzy moment struck when he suddenly spun and took her with him. He quickly strode down the hallway and into her room. She hit the bed when he dropped her on it to sprawl on her back.