It’s not arousal. Not really. More like it’s a tenderness I’ve never exhibited until now. But then, it’s not as if I’ve owned anyone before this moment. Even though I have a few cows, they never really felt like mine. The ranch hands did everything to and for them while I focused on the agricultural side.
Seeing as females do not please me, I was happy to give them over to more experienced Icorians. Besides, what do I know of humans? Even if their anatomy is so very similar to mine, there’s bound to be some differences. They are aliens after all.
I keep my voice low as I examine my new acquisition, not wishing to add to his torment. “How is it a male happened to be on board? Surely his breasts are not suitable for bringing forth milk.” His pecs bunch and ripple a moment as if in response to my question.
Again, that tendril of arousal drifts through me, a hollow whisper of sensation that has me clenching my thighs in need. Of all the men they could have procured, he really is such a pretty thing.
Glancing up at the sentinel responsible for keeping the bovine in check, I watch as he glances about as if he is ashamed. “The technicians are still trying to figure that out. The best they can surmise is that he was on top of the acquisition they really wanted, and he was collateral damage.”
The bull’s nostrils flare as he looks over at my other cow, the one who’s also detoxing. It makes sense they’d be together if they’re both suffering right now. A shard of jealousy slices through me as they continue to gaze at each other. It doesn’t matter what they were on Earth. He’s mine now.
What in all of Icora is wrong with me? I’m normally so calm, so easy to please. Now, all I want to do is drive this bit of competition off my ranch and into some other herd. But that’s insanity. I need every drop of milk her large breasts can produce.
“Take the cows to be milked,” I snap over at Draagor, instantly regretting the sharpness of my tone.
It’s not like me to get so worked up. I know it, and he knows it. Thankfully, he’s a good enough employee that he refrains from speaking on it in front of others.
Softening my voice, I ease myself up from the ground. “Make sure a Medical Rancher is aware of what’s going on with her. I don’t want my cattle to suffer needlessly.”
The sentinel looks over at him and shows the thin, nearly translucent screen. “It says alcohol and flunitrazepam?Rohypnol is in parentheses after it followed by roofie.” He then glances at me with a confused look on his face. “I am not familiar with these. Much like what’s in his system. We have no way of understanding the purposes.”
My bull’s face is pale, nearly completely white. “That’s impossible,” he mutters under his breath, his eyes wild as if he’s not fully able to see.
The sentinel raises his hand as if to strike my property, but I intervene, stepping between them in one fluid movement. “You will not touch my bull,” I seethe, drawing my brows down into a fierce frown.
“But the rules-”
“Are to be followed, yes. But that is for me to discipline him. He is no longer a ward of the government. That ended the moment my credits were transferred into their coffers. Send a copy of the drugs in their system to Draagor. He will work with the Medical Ranchers to make sure my herd is cared for. That is all.”
As he walks away, my bull stares up at me, a look of shock on his face. “Thank-”
“Silence. You will not speak until asked. If you cannot control your mouth, I will put the gag back in. Are we clear? The rules were already given to you before the auction. They do not end now that I have purchased you. Now say, yes, Mistress Rancher. I understand.”
“Yes, Mistress Rancher,” he coughs out. “I understand.”
I turn to Draagor as he drags the other two heifers behind him. “Tell Morthran we have a difficult case and to be prepared when we arrive.”
Shaking my head, I pick up the leash attached to my bull and tug on it gently, urging him to get up. His steps are shaky as he follows me, as if he’s about to collapse. This is honestly the lastthing I need. I purchased him because I thought he’d be a strong asset for me. Now, I realize he might just be a huge liability.
As I lead him to the milking barn, my mind whirls at the speed of light. Though I’ve never seen to the cows’ needs, I know what the machines do and how they work. In order to be a proper Mistress Rancher, I made sure to know every single thing on my ranch.
From what I remember of the machine, there’s nothing there that will assist in milking his cock. Does this mean I need to milk him by hand? I’m no stranger in the art of sex, but it’s not something I’ve enjoyed participating in. Besides, with him being a human, will the mechanics even be the same?
This was a stupid idea.
As I bring him inside the enclosure, I continue to curse my lack of foresight. Strong muscles and a chiseled jaw don’t directly mean he’ll translate into being an asset for me.
Once we’re alone, I sit down on the milking bench and cross my arms. “You are allowed to speak, but only because we’re alone. To reiterate the rules, when you’re in the presence of other Icorians, you are to moo only. Normally, when you work on a ranch, you’re not even supposed to speak to unless spoken to. Because we’re going to spend a lot of time together, it will make things simpler to let you talk when it’s just us. I will first start with your human name.”
The bull towers over me, an odd feat seeing as I’m not much shorter than the Icorian males. I know it’s only because I’m seated, but for the first time, I actually feel small and delicate, more like what my sisters feel. It’s an odd sensation, one that has my heart racing like a schoolgirl with her first crush but also puts a pit of dread in my stomach.
“Ethan,” he grumbles out, his voice deliciously low and deep.
“Ethan,” I repeat back, savoring the sound on my tongue. “Explain to me your reaction to the human cow. The one with the blonde hair.”
His face turns an odd shade of red, and for a moment, I debate on calling for a Medical Rancher. Nothing else seems amiss though. His breathing remains the same as does his ability to stand.
“She was my friend with benefits. A groupie that wanted to come home with me.”
