Light Speed by Arkadie, L. (accelerated reader books .TXT) 📕

Na’ta darts downwards to entera corridor that’s cut into the crop circle beneath us.

Here we’re surpassed by tall blades ofcoarse grass. The first thing I notice is that it’s warmer downhere than it was up there. It’s never like that in Enu. Thetemperature stays the same whether in a cave, a valley, amountaintop, or under the seas.

“And don’t touch the grass,” Na’tawarns.

“Duly noted,” Chex says as he slips off hisjacket and spreads it open on the ground. Just as I thought, he’scarrying daggers and other sharp instruments. He has hundreds ofthem lined up and kept in place by loops from one hem to theother.

“The infamous arsenal,” Na’ta says studyingeach instrument carefully.

He lifts one side of his mouth into thatlopsided grin, showing teeth. “You’ve heard.”

“But none of that is going to work againstthe Olligark. I’ll be back.” And without another word, Na’tainvokes the power of speed and she’s gone.

Chex and I are once again alone. Thelingering silence is awkward.

“I must say…” he starts as he rises out ofhis squat to stand. Then, he hesitates once I make eye contact withhim, “I like how you handle your sister. She comes off all badass,but you’re the real badass.” He’s leering at me.

I do wonder what desires are veiled by thelook in his eyes, but I am more curious to learn the meaning behindhis words. “What is ‘badass’?” I ask.

Still gazing at me in that manner, he movesto face me and he’s quite close. “A badass is someone with realcontrol,” he says. “You control me. You control her. Hell, you evencontrol Ktkl!”

I smile. “You said his name.” I’m happy hedidn’t call such a remarkable creation like Ktkl and his species‘water people.’”

“You like that?” He asks in what I’ve notedis his seductive tone of voice.

And rendered speechless, I’m only able tonod.

“I like you,” he whispers.

My head feels like it’s floating away frommy body and I gulp the air that’s trapped in my throat just toremind myself that I’m still in control of that part of my body. “Ilike you too,” I croak in a squeaky voice.

It’s silent. We stare into each other’seyes. I wonder what he’s going to do next. Is he going to ask totouch me? Maybe kiss me?

Instead he says, “I still hate that you’rebonded to Exgesis. I hate it a lot.”

I touch his chest where his heart used tobeat, without consent. “I don’t choose these things. If I could, Iwould choose you and not him.”

“Shit,” he sighs, and instantly his lips areon mine and his cold tongue is in my mouth. This action between us…it’s like a slow and steady search. The longer we exercise, thewarmer our mouths become. My heart, my head, and every cell of mybody beg him to merge into me. And he’s lifted me up off my feet,pulling me tight into his hollow chest, and long, firm sexualextremity.

Suddenly he stops and presses his foreheadagainst my mine. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you,Ad’ru,” he exhales and then takes a deep inhale. He’s drinking inmy fragrance.

His eyes are closed and he faces the sky tofight a growl that wants to escape him. I watch him closely, andI’m no longer frightened by the way his fangs touch his supplebottom lip. Oh, how he just kissed me! I’m all flesh and blood andbreath; he stirs the human that I am.

We stand still, waiting for these impulsesto pass. When he’s recovered, he opens his eyes and gazes deep intomine.

“No one’s ever gotten to me like this.Ever,” he divulges.

“Me neither,” I say likewise.

“No,” he shakes his head. “You don’tunderstand. You’ve been in Fairytale Land. I’ve been a goddamnedvampire. I don’t fuck and drink the thirst away; I kill itaway.”

“I’m confused,” I say, frowning. “I don’tunderstand how you’re using the word ‘fuck.’ You sometimes use itas a verb, other times you use as an expletive, and also anadjective. Na’ta only uses it as an expletive and sometimes anadjective.”

He throws his head back and releases a heftylaugh—I love the sound of it. The tone enlarges my smile. But thensuddenly I’m on my back, on the prickly soil, and he’s on top ofme. Our lips are connecting and tongues dancing again. This timehis hand is under my shirt and he’s indulgently kneading mybreasts. A moan crawls up my throat and escapes past my lips. Ourtongues are no longer touching because he is now sliding it aroundmy firm and tingling nipple. What he’s doing to me is very sensual.The sharp tickling in my thighs, my private parts, and my breastshas returned.

He takes my hand and guides it to his groin.“You feel this?” he asks throatily.

It’s hard, like a rod. “I do,” I whimper; mywords are slippery.

“I put this…” His hand is now inside thepants I’m wearing and it touches me in a very hot and wet place.I’m being devoured by pleasure. “In here.” He slips a finger insideof me, and out of me, inside and out, and circles it and repeatsthe action.

I’m panting. I can’t think. What is this? Iexpand my eyes and try to look down to see what he’s doing but thisintensity is wakening deep inside of me.

I hear a high-pitched cry and I can hardlybelieve that is surely myself who is originator of such a shriek. Idon’t grow silent until that sensation subsides.

“Hey,” Na’ta grunts. I flick my eyes open.She’s standing over us.

Chex steadies me quickly onto my feet andI’m standing with wobbly legs. He has an arm wrapped around mywaist to steady me.

“I can’t leave you alone with her for fiveminutes, can I?” She says, directing her anger at him.

“She’s defiling me. It’s not the other wayaround,” he says, simpering at her.

“Whatever.” She throws the black canvas bagat the arm he’s using to embrace me. He lets go of me to catch itbefore it hits me, which was her intention.

“See… She can stand on her own twofeet,” she says snidely.

Chex sniffs dismissively and then puts hisfull attention on the bag as he pulls the drawstring. It unfolds,revealing an arsenal of peculiar objects attached to the material.Chex runs a finger down