“You’ve improved.” Leo takes a step back as he compliments me, and I sweep his leg out from under him. He dodges and lunges, rolling us as he grabs me, so I land on top of him. My breathing hitches, our faces inches apart. He leans forward to kiss me, and I knee him in the gut—gently, of course. He groans, and I take the opportunity to recenter myself, standing. “That was dirty. Good, you shouldn’t fight fair.”
“You’re cocky for someone who just had his ass kicked.”
Leo’s eyebrow cocks, an unspoken acceptance of the challenge I posed. He unleashes an onslaught of jabs, crosses, and feints. His speed increases as I’m on the defense, unable to keep up. He grabs my braid, firmer than his playful tugs and enough to make me hiss in pain. His hands pulling my hair sends desire sparking straight to my core, distracting me. “You want it rough, baby?”
I snap out of my lust-induced haze, snapping my head back as Leo dodges just in time. I retaliate, kicking towards his chest once, then towards his face twice. Leo latches onto my leg, yanking it towards him. Losing my balance, I crash into him and send us tumbling. He cradles my body as we hit the ground before pinning me with his hips. Dirt and dust linger in the air from the skirmish.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmurs, looking at me with such adoration that I feel my heart split open. “The moment I saw you, something in my very essence drew me to you. I haven’t been able to look away since. Your drive, your fucking sassy mouth, your spirit… I didn’t stand a chance.” A feeling of rightness stirs deep in my soul. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. The kiss is slow and sweet, yet I pour every ounce of passion I’m feeling. Leo breaks the kiss, burying his head in the crevice of my neck. “If you keep that up, I’m going to need to take you, right here.”
He comes up for air, looking into my eyes, and the world pauses. I forget what has transpired before this; I don’t worry about what’s coming—there is only now. “So take me.”
Leo’s pupils expand and darken. “Here? Are you sure?”
I’ve never been more certain. “Yes,” I finish my response with another kiss, this one faster, more needy.
Leo groans into the kiss. His voice is rough as he whispers in my ear, “Are you ready for me?”
He plays with the hem of my camisole. “Have you been aching for me like I have for you?” He leans back, sitting on his heels.
I kneel before him slowly, stripping off my shirt. “Come and find out.”
Chest exposed to him, Leo wastes no time pulling off my tights before exploring my body with his hands. “I take the monthly preventative medication.” Lunara also offers this to males who aren’t ready to impregnate their partners.
“Great. Now come here.” I help him take off his shirt before he shoves his pants down his body; both of us are quiet as we roam and learn each other’s bodies.
With a gentle push, I coax him to lean back and lie on the hard ground. His fingers dip into me, using the wetness gathered at my center and spreading it on my aching nub. “Fuck, Zellie.”
I take my rightful spot atop him, stroking his thick, proud length. He lets out a husky moan, his fingers finding my nipples as he lightly pinches and caresses. I line myself up, meeting his gaze before slowly lowering myself. I gasp and pause, adjusting to the fullness as he stretches me. “Stars, Leo.”
“That’s it, baby. You can take it. Take all of me.” I slide down to the hilt, the feeling overwhelming. He immediately reaches for my entrance, finding my clit and working me as I find my rhythm. I circle my hips, grinding down while letting myself get lost in the feeling of him, of us together. Leo alternates between gentle rubs and harder flicks to my throbbing bud.
I lean forward, chest to chest. We both moan as the pressure in my core spreads throughout my limbs. “I’m going to—” my breathing catches as a tingling sensation shoots up through my body, my climax peaking.
“Fuck.” Leo grips my hips, hard enough to bruise, as he takes control, pounding into me relentlessly as I continue to clench around him. He’s frenzied, wild, and I fuckingloveit. He finds his release with a deep groan, the sound ingrained in my brain.
We’re dirty, slick with sweat, panting. But this moment is perfect—one I never want to forget. I can’t help but feel that everything has changed.
Thirty-two
On the sixth day of the cycle, Leo and I explore the city. There are countless shops to explore and unfamiliar scenery to take in. I’m going to miss all the sights, sounds, and colors when they inevitably send us back to our home planets. My stomach drops at the thought. Leo doesn’t live on Lunara. I’m never going to see him again. We'll be sent back to our assigned planets, squeezed into the small boxes the Kosmos has designed for us, and expected to comply, conform, and grind through the same exhausting routine, day after day. Leo’s fingers are intertwined with mine, and as I glance at him, it’s clear he’s not having the same internal meltdown that I am. He looks… happy. Content. There’s a slight smile on his lips, and it might be the most beautiful sight I’ve seen. This week has beenbliss. Granted, it’s been a week of avoidance and shutting out the real world, but what a happy little bubble we’ve been living in.
I push the thoughts away, placing them in a box deep within me to be consulted at a much later time. Leo holds the door to the apartments once we’ve returned. “Hungry? I can make us something.”
“I would never pass up your cooking.”
He laughs, opening his door and letting me in first. I take two steps before freezing on the spot, Leo crashing into my back. His arms protectively wrap around my waist. Pluto and Portia sit expectantly at the island, with no signs of our sponsors in sight.
“Oh, good, you’re back.” Pluto and his fucking goatee say calmly, too calmly. He doesn’t look kind anymore. Portia joins him; she holds her hand out, arm extended, and a gust of air closes the door. She then walks slowly yetdeliberately towards the exit, blocking us in. Leo pivots our bodies, placing me slightly behind him.
“There’s no need for the dramatics; this is a friendly visit.” Leo tenses, and I grab his forearm, irritation radiating off of him. “Sit,” Pluto demands.
I squeeze Leo and walk over to the couch. Taking my time, I sit and cross my legs, poising my arm against the armrest, and lean my head against my fist. I work to control my inner turmoil, remembering thattheycan sense emotions. “To what pleasure do we owe the visit?” Thankfully, Leo followed suit, his presence a silent support beside me.
Pluto and Portia stand before us, leering down as if we are two children to be scolded. I fucking hate it. “It has been brought to our attention that the two of you have not been taking part in training sessions. Care to enlighten us why?” Portia clasps her hands in front of her as she awaits our response.
Leo speaks up before I have a chance. “We no longer wish to participate.”
“You no longer wish to participate,” Portia repeats each word slowly, as if she misunderstood us.
