Free Engulf [New World Book 5] by C.L. Scholey Page A

it seemed like magic. Raiden slipped on his pants.
    “It would seem Cobra is anxious to hear my report. I’ll be back soon.”
    Raiden left and Abri curled up on the bed. She lay on her right side and listened to the sounds of the ship. She had never even thanked him for saving her life. Except now she was alone again. She had no idea where Sam was. Life sucked.
    * * * *
    The planet Bagron was much the same as the one Abri had been on. The foliage was lush and breathtaking. The structure she gazed at was built like a massive beaver dam without the water. Once inside, Abri was amazed. Like the ship, there were a number of levels that soared high under the dome. The walls were huge trees woven together like braids. Panels with bright lights lit the entrance to each level. Black cone-like objects were scattered about.
    Raiden scooped her up and took her high into the domicile. The room they entered was large and airy. There was an adjacent room leading to a beautiful pool surrounded in more lush vegetation. Abri stopped dead in her tracks when she saw movement. She looked at Raiden curiously when three white rabbits hopped into view.
    “Holograms,” he explained. “They never leave this room. We have a few on Bagron that are alive. These don’t poop.”
    “It’s beautiful in here. Quiet and peaceful.”
    That made him smile. His look then turned serious. “Abri, this is healing water. We tried aboard the war vessel but neither of us was healed of hearing loss. There may be another way.”
    “How?”
    “We didn’t join properly. Cobra seems to think if we join it may heal us.”
    “Raiden, we just met.”
    “We are mated. I love you.”
    Abri frowned. How could he love her? When his hand touched her face Abri could feel his secretions invade her. Were they one? People you loved died. If she let him get close would he die? He said they would die together. How was it possible for a man and woman to die at the same time?
    Mom and Dad died together.
    The idea formed so quickly Abri couldn’t shake it. But Raiden looked so hopeful. “Are you saying if we have sex, we might be able to hear properly?”
    “Yes, it’s possible. I am a warrior, Abri. I need to try. By joining with you, I can help us bond—even if we never get all of our hearing back. It is important for you to trust me. There is no other more selfless act as a female trusting a mate with her body.”
    Raiden had saved her. He had given her half her hearing. Sacrificing a night of sex wouldn’t kill her. It was also kind of sweet the way he worded his sentence. Abri tucked the blanket she wore closer to her body. Though the replicator on the ship had made him clothing it had been taken off-line to fix a problem. As far as Abri knew they could still be working on it.
    “I’ll have sex with you, Raiden, if you really think it will help. But please don’t expect a declaration of love.”
    Again the taste of sadness filled her mouth. Abri swallowed it down. She had lost too much already. They may be mated for life, but it didn’t mean she had to like it. He could try his tactics all he wanted.
    “You don’t have to love me. But you need to know it isn’t just my hearing I want. Immortality is a long time. It might take a while, but maybe one day you will love me,” Raiden said.
    Abri hoped not. To love was to lose. “Let’s just get it over with.”
    She tugged her blanket lower exposing the tops of her creamy breasts. Abri thought it was the strangest material as it clung to her and warmed her. She didn’t need to hold it to keep it from slipping lower. She had pulled it down far enough to give him a good view. He could pounce on her and hopefully once he had his hearing back, he would leave her alone. Following her lead, Raiden slipped his black pants down over his hips. Abri tried not to notice his magnificent cock.
    He didn’t pounce on her. Raiden cupped her face in his palms and leaned down to kiss her. His lips were soft and roamed over