“How will we find our way back to the ship? And how will we even find our way to the crash site when you’ve never been there?” I asked Kex as we crossed the white-marked trees and entered Monai’s forest.
Kex launched into a detailed explanation of wayfinding as we hiked through the forest, and I only half listened, mostly thinking about how much I missed his leaf covering. His ass still looked great in the woven pants, but the leaf had left a lot less to the imagination.
Having Rainair along for the journey was a little annoying, because it meant I couldn’t convince Kex to take sex breaks throughout the day. Or maybe I could have, but it felt weird. I wasn’t much of an exhibitionist, all my romantic endeavors before Kex having taken place with the lights off.
When Kex exhausted the topic of navigating the forest, Rainair took over, telling one of his favorite stories, which nearly made up for his cockblocking presence. Really, I’d never been this consistently horny in my life. Was it something in the water, or just my big teal alien’s presence?
Rainair didn’t tell his story quite as detailed as a book might be, but it was close. He spoke with the even tempo of a narrator, and it filled the hours with something to focus on. The story was sweet and funny, with lots of yearning, and when he got to the sexy parts, he described them briefly but graphically. I couldn’t help but snicker when he had to stop and explain the genitalia of the male lead when I couldn’t quite understand the mechanics.
Kex sighed at our antics, but he was obviously enjoying his friend’s presence.
They didn’t seem interested in discussing the war they’d both survived, but it was clear their history had bonded them deeply. I was glad to know Kex wasn’t completely alone in the world.
As we walked, I spent my time thinking up excuses to wander into the woods with Kex after we made camp and before bed. But even with Kex carrying me for the second half of the day, I was exhausted by the time we made camp. Kex woke me long enough to make me eat something, and then, tucked up against him, I once again fell asleep.
eighteen
. . .
Kex
I awoke early,just as the sun peeked through the trees. I was warm and comfortable with my mate pressed against me, and the forest I woke in brought me peace and memories of my grandfather. There was little more I needed. Unfortunately, responsibility once again weighed on my shoulders.
I carefully extracted myself from my mate’s side and rose to begin the morning chores.
Before long, Rainair awoke, grumpy as ever first thing in the morning. I handed him a mug of tea and took a second to my mate. I woke her gently, and once she was sitting up, handed her the tea.
“Take a few minutes to wake, my mate. Then we will set off.” She yawned and stretched, and I watched her breasts press tight against her shirt, her nipples forming points. She sipped her tea, and I broke eye contact with her breasts and fetched her breakfast.
We broke down camp and set off. It would take us a few days to reach the crash site. It took the protectors two days to reach the site, then send someone back to update the report and request more help. When we left, backup had not yet beendispatched. It would take us a few days longer, even with me carrying my Emily for part of the day.
“Would you allow me to carry you the full day?” I asked my mate when we stopped for a brief break.
She sighed and picked up her pack, hers much smaller than those carried by me and Rainair. “Am I slowing us down that much?” she asked.
“No,” I told her truthfully. “No one is expecting us, and we will arrive when we arrive. Your friends have other protectors helping them, and while our supplies will be appreciated, they are reasonably safe.” I ran my hand over her cheek. “I ask because I know traversing the forest tires you, and I want you to save your energy for the life you are creating.”
She snorted. “Our baby is barely a cluster of cells, I can manage. And—” She looked down at her shoes. “I feel bad with you carrying me. You need your strength too.”
I gasped. “My mate, you wound my warrior sensibilities.” I grinned, and she smacked my chest. “Truly, you are such a little thing, your weight is nothing but a warm comfort on my back.”
She smiled softly. “You know, on my planet I’m considered huge.”
I frowned at her. “Your people are so short?”
She laughed. “No, my height is about average for a woman. I mean I’m fat. Like, very overweight. Some human men would, well, have, said I’m grotesque.”
It was my turn to snort. “Human men sound stupid and weak. I like your soft bits. And besides, in my arms you are a small thing.”
She smiled, and I picked her up. She wrapped her legs around me and I held her with one hand on her ass, while running the other through her hair. “Their loss is my wonderful gain,” I said, and kissed her.
“All right, break it up,” Rainair hollered as he returned from his personal break. “This isn’t your mating trip.”
“It could have been if you hadn’t joined us,” I growled, and resumed kissing my mate.
“What luck I joined you then. It would take you a month to reach the crash site without me to hurry you along.”
My mate laughed and dropped her legs from around me. I reluctantly set her back down, but rearranged my pack to my front and made her climb onto my back before we set off again.