“Oh.” Piper chuckles. “Am I mated to a perfectionist?”
“I do not know this word, but I will admit to liking things a certain way.”
She skips over to me and we mouth touch. “I think it’s cute.”
“This makes me glad to hear.” I grab her bag and set it next to the empty chest. “Are you ready to eat? It is still a long while until the midday meal.”
“Sure.”
For so long, I have envied all the mated couples who walk together through the village. Now, I am the one walking with my mate at my side. Other than Daveel and Zalik, the only unmated males of our tribe have not yet reached their maturity. I send up a prayer to Deeka that my two tribe brothers find their mates soon.
We reach the central fire where kokkra cooks in several large pots over the flames. Because scouts and hunters leave at different times, the morning meal is not spent with the entiretribe together. Rather, all members of the village come and go as they please. I grab two bowls and dip enough kokkra in each of them for us and add shurup nectar to mine.
“Would you like to sweeten yours?”
Piper thinks for a moment and nods. “I’ll try it.”
“There are a few tribespeople who do not care for the flavor, but it is my favorite way to eat my kokkra.”
We sit, and I pass my mate her bowl, anxious to know if she enjoys the meal or not. I wait patiently for her to take her first bite.
She chews for several beats before her eyes widen and she makes a sound of pure pleasure that goes straight to my cock. It does not help when she licks the implement she eats with and repeats the noise. I shift at the sudden, uncomfortable tightness of my leg coverings.
“Oh my god, this is so good,” Piper exclaims. “It tastes kind of like the maple syrup I used to eat on the ship from Earth.”
She continues making sounds that have me wanting to sweep her in my arms and carry her back to our tent. I want to hear them while I pleasure her.
“I am glad you enjoy it.” My voice is raspy with need and desire.
Once we have finished eating, I take Piper’s bowl, along with mine, and place them in the pile near the fire to be cleaned later.
“As much as I do not wish to leave you already, I should get to the training arena to assist Benham. He does not like to be kept waiting by anyone other than Maeve. I will stop by their dwelling and let her know you have arrived.”
“Be careful down there, please.” Piper strokes my shoulders and down my arms.
“Always. I shall see you near the midday meal.” I mouth touch with her once more. “Will you wait here for Maeve or at our dwelling?”
“I’ll go to our tent and start putting my things away in case she’s busy right now.”
“I will let her know.” Only a few steps later do I pause and glance back. “My heart is full with you being here.”
Piper smiles. “Mine, too.”
I quickly make my escape, because I fear if I do not leave now, I will follow mykeeshlaback to our dwelling and we will spend the rest of the morning kissing and touching each other.
Chapter 14
Piper
I’ve just placed the last of my clothes in the chest Katem left for me when a shadow crosses in front of the entrance I’d left open to help circulate air. If it got too stuffy in my tent back in the settlement, I had more trouble breathing so I learned early on to keep the flap pinned back.
“Knock, knock.”
I pivot and find Maeve standing just outside with a baby secured against her chest—facing outward—both of them waving. I wave back and gesture her in. “Good morning. I just finished unpacking so perfect timing.”
“Wonderful. It’s so lovely to have you here, officially.” She strokes the infant’s blond hair. “This is Graham.”
It’s obvious who the baby takes after considering how big he is, but there are definitely hints of his mother, including the round, human-like pupils of his bright blue eyes.
