A nervous laugh forms, but I manage to swallow it down. “Can you also read minds?"
His lips curve. “No, but your charge changed, and your eyes darted toward the door."
If it weren’t for the bars between us, our bodies could touch. I’d be able to put my hand on his chest instead of on the bar. I could let go of the bar and do that, but it feels like a step too far.
However, there are no guards coming. It’s just us.
I lift onto my toes and press my lips to his, giving in to the curiosity and hunger in my blood. His tongue brushes against my lips, demanding entrance. And I obey, parting my lips for him.
Our tongues meet and slide, and tangle. I feel his fingers on my hip a moment before he drags me closer. Held by my head and hip, I feel as though I cannot get away. As though I am his. His teeth rake over my lower lip, and his low growl reverberates through me.
“Now, I understand why my brother did not care that the women we took were not Honey. Your lips are soft and welcoming.”
I have no idea if the translator device messed that up, or if it’s meant to be a compliment in his culture. For a few seconds, I don't know what to say. “So any woman will do?”
He laughs. “No, we are very careful about who we accept as mates because it is forever."
“And what makes that bond specifically?” With every breath, I’m filling my lungs with his scent. He doesn’t smell like a human man, there’s something else…as though his skin or his sweat somehow smells warmer. A small part of my brain reminds me that I should take a sample. But I don’t want to move. I like the way he is holding me, even though the bar is pressing into the side of my breast rather uncomfortably.
"Sex.” He takes another kiss.
"And how do you know if there is a bond?"
"The male goes into rut.”
He seems to think he's explaining, but each time he answers a question, more form. "What is the rut?” I mean, I've heard the term when referring to some Earth animals when they have a breeding season, but the translator might be using the nearest approximation it can find. And that's assuming it's guessing correctly.
His grip on my head and hip eases, and I miss the pressure of his claws. I never knew I liked claws until a few seconds ago.
I shouldn't like claws.
I kissed an alien.
"It's part of bonding. Our markings glow as a warning to other males, and we need to be with our mate.” I don't understand his actual words, but the tone of his voice and expression on his face reveals what he truly means.
"You need to fuck?”
The heat in his eyes intensifies and for a moment I'm sure I'm going to combust. "Yes. The rut also causes other changes."
“Such as?"
"We become stronger, to better protect our mate, and the pleasure bumps become more pronounced."
"And does the woman go through rut?”
"No. Only males."
Interesting. In a society where there are too many males, when they mate, it is for life and there are physical changes that also make it painful for the males when they are away from their mate. "And how long does the rut last? And how often does it happen?"
"Only once. Why would it be more than once?” his head tilts as one eyebrow lifts.
I tap my ear. "I think the word choice is not the best. The word usually refers to a repeated mating cycle.”
"A mated warrior will need his mate every moon."
"And if he doesn't have sex with his mate, then it starts to hurt?”
“It does more than only hurt, it can kill.”
