“Urgle,” she repeated.
He opened his mouth to tell her what he thought of her orders, and she shoved the bit of meat inside. He intended to spit it out, just to make a point.
But damn, it was freaking delicious.
She pressed another piece against his lips. He drew his head back and took the meat from her fingers. “I can feed myself.”
She sat back, nodding and watching as he ate. He held the husk out to her. “Want some?”
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head, pressing against his hands, as though indicating he should eat more. He took some more meat, but it felt kind of awkward to eat while she just sat there, watching.
“Aren’t you going to eat any?” he asked.
She tipped her head to one side.
“Right no comprehendo. Um.” Feeling a little foolish, he gestured eating then pointed at her. She shook her head and pointed back at him.
He sighed. “Fine, but if you’re feeding me up just to put me on the spit next I am going to be seriously pissed and when I’m pissed I…” He what? What could he threaten her with? He couldn’t threaten to make her wish she’d never been born. No doubt she already felt that way considering the primitive way she lived.
When he was full, he handed her back the husk which was still half full of meat. “I hope you people eat some sort of vegetation as well. Otherwise, your arteries are going to get clogged, and you’ll be dead by thirty.”
Was he seriously lecturing her about taking care of her health? She grabbed up the husk and started to quickly eat the meat. She shoved the meat into her mouth making him think that she’d either been starving or she had atrocious manners. She gave a soft burp. Maybe a bit of both.
“Why’d you wait until I ate? Why not just eat?” he queried. Why did he continue to talk to her even though she couldn’t understand? Maybe he did love the sound of his own voice. His sister had accused him of that often enough, perhaps she was right. Not that he’d ever tell her that.
He just hoped he had the chance to speak to Annabel again.
Of course, he would. These primitive beings wouldn’t defeat him. He was Reginald Richmond Rogers. His name alone brought him respect wherever he went. All right, so his reputation was a bit tarnished after a failed attempt to wrench leadership of the Earth Council from High-Councillor Duncan’s hands. But he was rich, smart, and powerful.
Sure, he’d kind of ran away from Earth after learning that High-Councillor Duncan wanted him gone. Permanently. He’d hidden out on Zerconia with his sister and her over-sized ape of a mate until his people could find evidence that High-Councillor Duncan was embezzling funds from the council. That would put Duncan away for good.
And as soon as he found a way out of this current situation, he would take his revenge and his rightful place as the leader of Earth.
Princess stood and moved away. He had to squash the urge to follow her. Even if she couldn’t understand him, he preferred her company to sitting here on his own. But then, he guessed she didn’t care much about his feelings on the matter.
But she returned soon after with another husk in her hands, this one filled with water. She held it out to him once more.
“I hope that taking care of my needs first isn’t symbolic of something. I’m not going to find myself mated to you or kept as your sex slave, right?” Images of those long, lean legs wrapped around him as he thrust inside her filled his mind. Okay, so being her sex slave might not be the worst idea in the world.
“More than likely you’re just trying to fatten me up for the stew pot. Don’t think I haven’t noticed there aren’t any men in your group.”
She pressed the husk against his lips. He grabbed it from her quickly, before it all spilled down his front. Not that he cared about the state of his clothing. His shirt was ripped and covered in dirt, and his pants weren’t much better. He took a sip of the drink cautiously, hoping that damn computer had been right when it said this place was habitable for humans. But it just tasted like water, and he gulped down the whole lot gratefully.
She disappeared again then came back with another husk filled with water. She held it out to him, and he shook his head. With a shrug, she gulped it down. Was it weird that he was turned on from watching her drink? That shouldn’t be a turn on, right? Especially when she wiped her mouth with her arm. He was generally attracted to sophisticated, well-mannered women. You know, ones that used napkins and didn’t belch like a drunken sailor on a bender.
“Obviously, it’s been too long since I’ve had sex,” he muttered to himself.
The golden-haired female turned as one of the other females called out something. It sounded like Layla, but with more emphasis on the second l. Was that her name?
She spoke briefly then turned back to him. He pointed at her. “Laylla?”
Her eyes widened with surprise, and he warily watched as her hair rose then settled around her head in some sort of complicated knot. That was going to take some getting used to. Still, it was less freaky than the alien with the three giant penises who’d propositioned him during his last stop to refuel.
He was not into men, and even if he had been, three penises were more than he was willing to take on. He shuddered.
“Laylla,” she repeated and touched her chest. He smiled and pointed at himself.
“Rich.”
“Reach?”
“Rich,” he repeated more slowly.
“Rich.”
“That’s right.” He smiled at her. “Laylla.” He pointed at her then himself. “Rich.”
She nodded then barked out something he couldn’t understand. The smaller female with the limp appeared and handed his female an animal skin.
His female? What was he thinking? She wasn’t his. Although it kind of appeared she’d claimed him as she placed the skin around his shoulders. It was surprisingly soft and warm. With the sun sinking, it was getting decidedly cooler. Was she taking care of him?
She moved away before he could protest that he didn’t need looking after. What sort of male did she take him for? Rich was all for equal rights. He believed women could do anything men could. But while he might not be a fighter, not physically, he still had his male pride.
He took note of the guards she’d appointed to watch over the camp. He’d need to move carefully to avoid them. While his female might have atrocious manners, she walked with a confidence that spoke of command.
Fuck, he was turned on.
When she returned, it was fully dark, only the light of the red-tinged moon and the flickering of the fire lit the darkness. She moved in next to him. Shit. She didn’t plan on sleeping in here, did she?
She laid down on her side, then said something.
Rich turned towards her, and her hair flicked out circling his wrists. Suddenly, he found himself dragged back, his arms held above his head while she loomed over him. He licked his lips, a mix of fear and arousal filling his blood.
Okay, what now, genius?
What if she wanted sex with him? How could he stop her? Did he want to stop her? He was attracted to her, but beyond her name, he knew nothing about her.
And since when had that ever stopped him from fucking someone? Except in those other instances, he’d always been the one in charge. The one calling the shots.
He pushed against her hold on his wrists, the golden threads of her hair were soft but firm. He couldn’t move. His heart beat fast, his breath coming in harsh pants as she ran a hand down his chest. She moved her hand under his shirt, reaching up to flick a tight nipple. His breath caught, and he groaned slightly.
She stilled then moved her hand to his other nipple. Something moved against his cock, and he looked down, just able to make out another coil of hair pressing against his cock through his pants.