Vor chuckled. “How would you like me to speak to you?” He moved closer, backing her up until her calves were pressed against the toilet, and he was only an inch away. His shining silvery-blue gaze dropped to take in her body before settling on her eyes. “Shall I speak to you as if we're lovers?”
Lena shoved at his chest, but he didn't budge. “Nethren don't love.”
Vor flinched and backed up. “No, we don't. But we take lovers, Lena.” His gaze narrowed. “Not for emotional intimacy, but for the physical release. Everyone needs sex, even Nethren. It's biological, the urge to procreate. I speak more casually to the women I have sex with. I speak coarsely, using foul language. Is that how you want me to speak to you—as if we're fucking?”
“Yes, do that.” Lena narrowed her eyes back at him. If he thought she'd be cowed by some foul language, he was an idiot. “It will help me remember that you're my enemy, not someone gentleman courting me.”
“Fuck!” Vor swung around and punched the wall to the side of the door.
Lena jerked back as the stone crumbled and cracked, debris clattering onto the counter.
Vor stood before the damage, head bent, hands clenched, and panting. “You're not a woman I just want to fuck, Lena.You're my future.” He turned to look at her. “I don't want to speak to you like that. Nor do I want to issue commands to you. But I will do what I must to ensure that you are safe at my side.” He kicked off his boots, pulled off his socks, and then straightened to unbutton his shirt.
Lena couldn't look away as Vor peeled back the sides of his shirt and shifted out of it. It was customized for him, with one long sleeve and one short to accommodate his metal arm. But she barely glanced at the falling shirt, too fascinated by his solid chest, sprinkled with golden hair. It looked so Medean. Normal. And thick. Muscular. His dusky nipples tightened when the air hit them. Perfectly normal for any Medean man. But then Lena saw where the flesh of his shoulder ended and the metal arm began. It was a seamless transition; the flesh darkening to gray and then becoming metal. Gears in the elbow and pistons in the forearm moved as Vor reached for the button on his pants.
Lena swallowed. She didn't look away. Couldn't.
Vor turned fully toward her, his breath coming faster and louder. One metal hand and one hand of flesh worked the fastenings of his pants. They pushed down. Revealed thin fabric. The fabric bulged at his crotch and then extended; his arousal obvious. Still, Lena didn't look away. The pants fell to the floor. Vor reached for his underwear. Pushed.
Lena gasped as a long, thick piece of flesh—manhood like any Medean man would have—emerged to bounce in the most tempting way. Vor bent, briefly blocking her sight of his shaft, and pushed off his clothing. Then he stood. Hands out to his sides. Silent.
Utterly captivated, Lena took in Vor's soldier's body. Her gaze went from his impressive manhood, nestled in golden curls,to his thick thighs and up to his tight belly. A hint of metal showed at his hips, emerging where his hip bones should be, and there were metal cords showing on his right calf. But the rest of him was glorious flesh, pale gold and stretched over thick muscles.
Lena suddenly realized that Vor was posing for her. Her gaze shot to his face as blood warmed her cheeks.
Vor's expression was one of barely restrained lust, his steel eyes gone molten and his lips parted on harsh breaths. He turned slowly and showed Lena his back. It was just as breathtaking as his front, slabbed in muscles that drew her eyes down to a pert, round ass. His short hair hid nothing of his massive shoulders, and his biceps in both flesh and metal twitched as he lifted his arms out to the sides.
Lena finally looked away.
As if Vor felt the absence, he turned back to her. “Don't be ashamed. I am yours as you are mine. Look your fill. I want you to feel comfortable around me.”
Lena remained silent. Comfortable? He thought this would make her comfortable?!
Vor sighed and went to the shower. He turned on the water and waited with his hand below the spray, just as Lena did every time she showered. What surprised her was that he held his metal hand there, not his flesh one.
Too curious to hold back, Lena asked, “Isn't water bad for your metal parts?”
Vor chuckled and looked over at her. “No. As I said, the tech is a part of me. It isn't normal metal, but a living metal.” He held his hand out to her. “Please, Lena. Touch me.”
Lena shuddered. Vor's words felt seductive, but they also held a hint of longing. It was almost enough to sway her. And that scared her. She huddled against the wall and looked away.
“I understand,” he murmured and got into the shower stall.
Vor left the shower door open.
Lena looked up, her gaze going to the mirror above the counter—right across from the shower. The reflection showed the most intoxicating and terrifying view Lena had ever seen. Vor wet. Glistening. His hands moving over his hard body. Gears moving smoothly. And then his metal hand went between his legs.
Eyes popping wide, Lena shifted her stare up to find Vor watching her through the mirror as well. He didn't speak or even give her a taunting look. Vor just stared at Lena as he stroked himself.
Lena yelped and dropped back to perch on the closed lid of the toilet, her knees bent, feet on the lid, and arms covering her head—much as she had done when that explosion hit.
Chapter Five
Vor
Commander Vor knew it was wrong. He shouldn't be pushing his woman like this. But the way Lena had looked at him when he undressed had done something unexpected to him. Cool reason turned to steam under her heated gaze. His blood caught fire. Lust, as he had never felt before poured through him. Vor preened for her like a bird, turning to show her all of his feathers. But then Lena looked away, and even though he wasn't facing her, Vor had felt her shame.
Lust had vanished, and the need to protect had risen in him again. Vor tried to reassure Lena. He even offered himself to her in return for claiming her, but she wasn't ready to accept what they were to each other. He understood. After all, he had months to process that his woman was a Medean. Lena had only known for a few hours. She needed time.
