TOMMY

Once I close the door behind me, I lean on it, slightly weak in the knees. Oh my god, that was hot. I never thought that a possessive streak would be - could be - sexy, but damn. Quickly, I start the shower, get in and clean up. I'm well aware that he could smell Pina on me and I'm going to make sure that's gone before I leave this room.

Pina and I agreed not to tell Dar or Zedd what happened out there, mostly because they really don't need to know or they'll insist on going with us when it happens again - and it will. I don't know what all the powers told her, but they told me that she's going to have a rough patch coming up soon that I'm going to have to help her deal with. Some kind of a blood lust thing. Apparently, it's common for her kind, but it usually only happens when on Phaedos. With the link that this planet has to that one, and the fact that she hasn't gone through it in a very long time - well, it's going to be ugly. I'm really going to have to focus hard on training and healing so that when it comes, I'm ready.

I shake off this line of thought for now and return my thoughts to my mate. It's almost amusing how easily I've taken to the term. Mate, mating - these terms seem to fit so much better than most of the Earth words that could be applied to what we have. Of course, it could be that it appeals to the remnants of the scientist in me. I sigh as I realize that I'm going to have to clear up that small misunderstanding. I never said that I had no interest in researching - I just know that I have no business doing it anymore what with the mess my research caused on Earth. As for teaching - I can take it or leave it. However, I really wouldn't mind helping research wise where his business is concerned, if he wanted me to.

Either way, that conversation can wait for another time. I have someone special waiting for me. I shut off the shower, grab a towel and quickly dry myself. Abruptly, I realize that I'd never grabbed anything to wear after my shower. Slowly, a wicked grin spreads across my face. Considering intimacy is my next goal, why get dressed? I wrap the towel around my waist and tuck the end in. I quickly finger comb my hair into place, take a deep breath and head into the bedroom.

Pretending to ignore Zedd who looks to be waiting poised and ready on the end of the bed, pants now unfastened and shirt gone, I cross over to the dresser and rummage through the drawer. I can see he's noticed my lack of dress and I can't help but smirk to myself. Gotcha. "What are you doing?"

Feigning ignorance, I give a shrug to his question. "Just looking for something to wear."

Practically hearing his teeth cracking under pressure, his response is, much to his credit, given with a good bit of restraint. "Thomas, if we're going to pick up where we left off, there's no need to get dressed."

"Maybe not now, Zedd, but I usually don't go to sleep without at least underwear."

Somehow, I'm not all that surprised by the growl and the almost command. "That can wait."

I give a very put upon sigh and abandon the dresser. "Well, if you insist, but it does get chilly at night and by the time I'm ready to sleep you may have to get up and find me something than so I don't freeze to death."

"I'll make certain to keep you warm. Now come here, please."

Hearing the strain in his voice I make my way around the bed as his eyes follow me. I'm fairly certain that he can see my own arousal as clearly as I can see his. I climb on the bed, crossing over to him. I straddle his lap and gently caress his face as he sets his hands on my hips. Softly, I set my lips on his, kissing him like I did in his office that day as his hands wander over my body, making my skin tingle rather pleasantly.

Lightly, I run my tongue across his lips. As he opens for me, he slides his hands lower and behind me, gently kneading and caressing, causing me to rock against him slightly. I can't help but moan into his mouth. As much as I want him, I don't want to rush through it this time. I slide my fingers through his hair, lightly stroking his scalp. He groans back as his hands tighten on me, pressing me more firmly against him. Pulling my mouth from his briefly I give him a heated look. "If I knew taking off with Pina for a few hours would get you this worked up I'd have done it a long time ago."

"You have no idea, just how worked up I am, Thomas. You coming back with her scent on you, it...it's very hard to hold back right now, as all I want to do is have you."

"You do have me." Knowing that's not exactly what he meant, I never the less want to prolong the matter just a few minutes more, as I am greatly enjoying myself, and by his look he doesn't seem to want to protest it either. I have no idea how much time passes as we continue to kiss and caress each other, allowing desire to build slowly. I'm aware that at some point, I've lost my towel and he the rest of his clothes. Gradually, my hands work their way lower and he sucks in a breath when I reach my goal, lightly wrapping my hand around him. I nip kiss my way to his ear. I gather my courage and whisper, "Zedd, please touch me." He starts to move his hand from behind me. "No. Not there. You said you want to have me - I want that too. Touch me. Please."

I press my lips against his throat and I can feel his heart skip a beat as he understands what I'm asking. His voice is husky as he says, "Thomas-"

I can hear the longing in the one word. "Do it. I want you to."

I keep kissing him and I can feel his hands trembling - with restraint, I'm guessing - as they creep closer and closer. I let my other senses take over and fill my mind. I'm determined to banish this fear and if I can associate it with the sound, smell and taste of my lover instead - more the better.

His touch, when it happens, is light and gentle. When he makes no immediate move to penetrate me, I relax even more and focus instead on the new sensations that he's creating in me. They are overwhelming and - wonderful. I moan against his mouth and receive an answering moan in return. I make a snap decision and drop my barriers on the bond, allowing him to feel my joy and pleasure as I tighten my grip on him.

He jerks back from my mouth with a gasp, eyes wide. "Oh hells, Thomas. Too much. I'm going to-" He cries out as his unexpected orgasm rushes through him. His hands tighten on me and I can feel the tip of his finger slip into me, but there's no pain - only more pleasure and he groans loudly again.

I catch the feedback loop of his pleasure. With the greatest of willpower, I barely manage not to follow him over the edge. I feather kisses over his face as he recovers and I calm down myself, which is honestly no easy task right now. Though I will admit his muttered string of what I'm certain are curses in his native language do help a bit as does the slight amusement of getting someone always so in control to completely lose it. Once he seems to have caught his breath and resettled, I say, "Zedd, more please." He obliges my request, pressing in a little further but stopping when he feels my discomfort. He backs off slightly. "Don't stop, Zedd, please."

"I'm sorry, Thomas, but I have to. Your species isn't designed for this and I didn't think that you'd be ready for this so soon. I- don't have anything to make this easier for you." I can hear and feel his frustration as strongly as my own. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I don't care." I can hear the stubborn tone in my voice. I groan in frustration when he moves his hands from back there entirely.

"I do care, love. I'll not rush into this, maybe hurt you and you not be willing - or worse, unable - to try again."

I hate that he's right. It is a very real possibility and we both know it. If only I hadn't opened the bond just then- "I'm sorry, Zedd. It's just that things were going so well-"

He kisses me firmly, stopping me. When he pulls back, he says, "And they will again. You asked me once to be patient with you and now I ask that you give yourself the same courtesy. Be patient. You only get one first time and I want it to be the best it can be for you." Opening my mouth to protest that he's not the first person I've been in bed with, I stop as he shakes his head. "I know I'm not the first mate you've had, love. I recall you telling me of the damn pink cat girl, but I'm fairly certain it was you taking her yes?"

"I think we'd have had to have a talk and her an anatomy lesson if it wasn't" I agree with a slight smirk.

"Right, so technically at least for this it'll be your first time and I'll be the first male who's done it to you. I don't want it to go badly for you - or me to be honest." Fair enough I suppose. "I can feel how disappointed you are, but I promise - we will get there. For now, though, will you let me take care of you?"

I nod, still heavily disappointed. He lifts me off his lap, sets me next to him, grabs my abandoned towel and cleans himself up quickly before turning back to me. Gently, he urges me to lie down accompanied by small kisses. It's not long before it seems like his hands and mouth are everywhere - well, everywhere except where I want them. I can't help the whine. "Zedd, please-"

As if that's what he was waiting for, he (finally!) pays some attention to the neediest parts of me. Even then, he teases as much as he arouses, bringing me to the edge and then back. I'm fairly certain that none of my prior partners put so much effort into making it this good. Never mind the centuries of knowledge he has to back it up. And then - oh god - he takes me all the way in and it's all I can do not to thrust up into that wonderful cavern. He's no longer teasing as he brings me to the edge, once more touching me and triggering the new sensations which launch me into a freefall of pleasure. I bellow as my body gets the release it's been craving, going completely limp and stunned once it's over. He gathers me into his arms, lightly stroking his hands over me, soothing me. He speaks softly, but in Eltarian. In my highly sated and relaxed state, I can't even argue that I don't understand what he's saying. I can feel - something - through the bond, but right now I can't figure out what it is. Just before I drift off, he switches to English and says, very softly, "I love you, Thomas."

"Love you too."