Soleil

Despite my overpowering desire to be with Fray and Elodie, I feel the deep need to return back to the place I despise most. Not because I enjoy living there. Not at all, but my Mom is still stuck there.

I toss and turn thinking about it, and thinking about Fray. I don't want to leave him. I only just got a translation chip, and there's still so much I want to learn about him.

I've spent my whole life trapped like a caged animal, put in a bubble and not learning anything about the world, and now I have the chance to learn of a whole other world that's far, far away from here.

After hours of trying to fall asleep, I realize that I can't. I pull the covers back, running a hand over my face and wishing I didn't have to think about the Group anymore, and that I didn't have to go back to the school. I hate the thought of it. I never want to go back.

Part of me knows that I need to eventually. I have to face the music, I have to tell them about Fray and his people, and I need to get my Momma back.

The idea of it puts a rotten pit of anxiety in my stomach. It's tearing me up inside. I've somehow convinced myself that if I end up in those walls again, I'll be forced to marry someone in minutes.

But the only person I want is down the hall.

Fray assured me before I went to bed that he was only one door away, and that I could come to him if I needed anything. The only thing I need is him.

I put my fingertips on my lips, remembering the way his felt against mine. That kiss, it was my first kiss, and I can't imagine that it could get any better than that.

Even if I haven't known him for long, I feel like we should be together. The bed is so lonely with just me. It's cold and empty and I know that it would be so much cozier if I was in a different bed with a companion.

Biting my still warm lips, I stand and rush to the door on my bare feet. I stare at the electronic door with confusion, touching the light up pad on the side of the wall. It has a keypad of buttons. I press one, and nothing happens, and then another and it still stays put. I sigh. I decide to try each one until it finally slides open.

I force myself into the cold hallway once I'm free, and I find myself stopped in front of Fray's door in a moment's time.

In my head I come up with several reasons why I should not be here. I shiver, and I run my hands up and down my arms to create some friction.

I don't know if he wants me here or not. Oh well, it's too late to turn back now. I probably wouldn't be able to figure out how to get back in my room.

Raising my hand, I timidly knock on the metal material door. I wait, becoming more unsure as the seconds tick by.

I don't have too much time to overthink, because the door opens to reveal an alert looking alien man. I stumble back at Fray's massive height. I'm not afraid of him, I could never be scared around him, but his extreme size is something I need to get used to.

And his naked chest is another thing. That's new.

"What is it, Soleil? Are you injured? What happened?" He reaches for my shoulders, his big hands gripping me as he scours my body for any signs of trauma.

I stare at his muscled chest that's exposed to the air. I haven't seen Fray without clothes on before. His pecs sit right above my head, his six pack looking me right in the eyes. I peek up at his worried face as he continues to hold me in a steel grip.

His dark gray hair is tousled from sleep. It only makes him more handsome.

"Nothing, I'm fine, everything is fine...." I trail off, feeling awkward.

This isn't me. I'm not one to be a shy little dove by any means, not even around Fray. But our kiss kind of shook me. He didn't speak to me much after, and it has me second guessing myself a little bit. I've never been faced with a situation like this before.

"I can't sleep, and I was wondering if you would want to..."

Fray's dark eyebrows lift. A small smile grows on his lips. All I want to do is kiss him all over again.

"You wish to share my nest with me?" He offers, and now it's my turn to be confused. I cock my head to the side.

"Nest?"

His face furrows.

"Where I sleep? What do you call it?" His explanation makes me giggle. Fray's smile broadens at my reaction. He has yet to release my shoulders, but I don't mind. His touch warms me.

"A bed." I supply, and he laughs, a loud bark of a noise.

"How odd." He quips, and now that he mentions it, it is kind of weird. Nest makes more sense. That's what we call where animals sleep, so why not call our own beds that?

Fray let's go of me, and my disappointment is replaced with excitement when he steps back into his room and moves to the side so I can come in.

I grin, stepping inside and surveying the new room. The commander's suite, I suppose, is the best room on board.

The room is simple enough, and similar to mine in color. But it's much larger, and so is the bed. Or nest, I guess. It has to be enormous to fit such a big guy. And enormous it is. It's larger than any bed I've ever seen.

"Why is your nest so much bigger than mine?" I wonder out loud. If they don't have women on their planet, why would they have beds that are my size?

Fray stalks over to his dark gray bed sheets, fluffing one of the pillows.

"We brought some smaller beds built for kits. We have plenty, since there aren't any kits any more. Our young are about your size when they are 7 rotations. We assumed it would be more comfortable." He gives me a pointed look. "I guess we were wrong."

I chuckle, moving closer to the bed that looks so enticing. Despite the odd words he uses, I understand what he's saying. I'm the size as a child on his planet. I knew I was short, but I can't imagine a 7 year old being as big as me.

Fray let's me hop on the bed before him. I snuggle under the heavy covers, taking a deep breath in and moaning. The scent of Fray is overwhelming. I love it.

The bed remains still, and I flutter my eyes open expectantly up at my companion. His eyes are wide, his silver hair glints in the dim lighting. But I can see his expression loud and clear. His adam's apple bobs as he swallows.

For a moment I wonder why he's acting like this, and then I remember the sound I just made. I blush.

"Sorry about that." I say, embarrassed. I just feel so comfortable around him, so uninhibited. I enjoy it. I can finally be myself.

Fray simply nods. He climbs under the covers and scoots close to me, but not close enough for my liking. I crawl towards him like a tiny predator, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing.

He stiffens, and I back away a little to make sure he's okay. I don't want to make him uncomfortable, but his warmth and strength are nice.

"No, it is alright, you can touch me." Fray assures me, and I go back to snuggling the massive alien. He exhales, his chest moving under my cheek.

"I just love being with you." I admit, shrugging my shoulder as if it's no big deal. I've never told anyone something like that. It's a bigger deal than he thinks.

I wait for him to respond. He doesn't say anything for a long while, but I'm not worried. His long fingers trail against my back in a gentle pattern. It's a minute gesture of affection, and I eat it up.

"It could be like this all the time.. if you wanted." Fray's voice is rough, and somehow strained.

I prop myself up on my elbow to look down at him. I resist the urge to touch all the angles of his face until I have them memorized.

"What do you mean?" I ask, my voice trembling with curious excitement.

Fray pauses, orange eyes flicking away and then back to my face. He purses his full lips.

"If you want to be my mate, it could be like this all the time." My heart skips a beat, and I can't help myself anymore.

I jump forward to kiss him again. I push my lips hard against him until his head smooshes into the pillow.

Just like the first time, he doesn't react for a few seconds, but pretty soon he's setting me on fire with his passion. He kisses me back, and his arms go behind me to crush me against him. Pretty soon he has me flipped until I'm on my back. His massive weight presses me into the bed as he hovers above, holding himself up on his elbows to keep from breaking me.

Before too long I'm panting, and I break off the kiss. I try to catch my breath, but then Fray begins attacking my neck, sucking on the skin and kissing my shoulder.

"This is where I'll put my mark." He murmurs huskily in my ear. He doesn't sound breathless at all. I grin. Then I realize what he said.

"Your what now?" I demand, and he lifts himself to stare down at me.

"My mark. I'll bite your neck and leave a scar to show all warriors that you belong to me." He says, like it's obvious. His words are dark and possessive, and I don't mind at all.

The biting seems almost sexy, as messed up as that sounds. I don't however enjoy the idea of being in pain.

"Well, as enticing as that is, you can't do that just yet. I have to go back to the group." The name of my home puts a rotten taste in my mouth.

Fray flinches. He knows I have to go back. I have to convince as many "females" as possible to come back to Rytaria with us.

He lays down on his side, holding me tightly to his naked chest.

"I will come with you. You do not need to worry over it." He insists, always protective even when he doesn't need to be.

"No. I have to go by myself. They wouldn't let me back if I brought you. They don't trust you. I have to get in there and convince them."

Fray doesn't look very happy over my explanation, but he doesn't argue, probably because he knows that I'm right.

"Well I will stay outside and wait for you to return to me." He supplies. I slap a hand to my face in aggravation.

Fray is so unbelievably sweet, and I hate to shoot him down, but we cannot afford to screw this plan up. We can't let our emotions get the best of us.

And even though the guy is twice my size and stronger than any human man, I hate to see disappointment in his eyes that I put there. I hate to hurt him. It hurts me.

"No, I don't want you to worry about me. It will probably take a while to convince some of them to come with me. Plus, someone has to protect Elodie. I don't like that Locanas guy at all."

Fray's mouth twists into a firm line, and I feel like I've said something wrong. But he quickly stamps out my fears by dragging me against him and burying his face in my neck.

"I agree that is best, but it is hard for me to let you go." I know what he means, and I'm touched by his concern for me.

I've never felt anything close to how I feel for Fray, not for anyone. I think I'm falling in love with him. The thought is shocking, and a little unsettling, but electric. I tamper it down, but keep it burning in the back of my head as I fall asleep.

"I'll be alright, Fray. Everything will be okay. You'll see."

Double update

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