Chapter Thirty-one

FOR A MOMENT, MAIA froze, taking in the sight. Although she had touched Taylor here before, she realized that she had never taken the time to look closely, to memorize the details. Taylor’s anatomy was similar to hers, but the color was deliciously alien. Her inner folds were a reddish-brown color, different than the rest of her skin, and they glistened with wetness. Slowly, Maia trailed her fingers through them, entranced by the silky feeling. She smiled when her fingers hit the hard point of Taylor’s clit, causing the human to gasp. Maia ran her finger over the tip, and her heart jumped in her chest when Taylor's thighs twitched.

Taylor moaned softly, inclining her hips toward Maia’s retreating touch. "Don’t stop," she murmured. Maia began rubbing in slow circles, noticing the way Taylor’s breath became uneven. She kissed along Taylor’s exposed thigh, sucking the skin in between her teeth momentarily and swiping her tongue across it. She continued up along Taylor’s muscular leg that way, alternating between light kisses and small bites. Taylor began to tremble, and while she was distracted, Maia removed her hand.

Before Taylor could whimper at the loss, Maia closed her mouth over the point of Taylor’s clit, sucking inward and lashing her tongue across the tip.

"Maia!"

At the sound of her name, Maia moaned against the swollen bud trapped between her lips. She could catch a few traces of Taylor’s flavor this way, but after a moment, she couldn’t resist moving down. The taste became heavier when she slid her tongue past the tight ring of muscle at Taylor’s entrance, curling it forward to coax out as much delicious salt as she could.

Taylor groaned, and Maia felt the grip on the back of her head tighten. Every time her tongue swirled or pushed forward, Taylor’s hips rose off the bed. Sensing that she was close, Maia moved back up to her clit, sliding a hand between Taylor’s legs and pressing two fingers forward to take the place of her mouth.

"Is this all right?" Taylor answered by groaning and rocking against her fingers, so Maia slid them inside, curling forward. She was absolutely fascinated with Taylor's responses. Wetness spilled around her fingers, coating her hand along with Taylor's inner thighs. It was lovely to have such physical proof of Taylor's arousal.

She released Taylor’s clit for just a moment, grinning when she heard Taylor huff at the loss. "I have wondered what this would be like for a while," she murmured, continuing to push her fingertips against the spot inside of Taylor that made her stiffen and clench down. "To see all of you, to know all of you...to explore you at my own pace."

"Explore to your heart's content," Taylor breathed, continuing to run her fingertips over the dips in Maia's fringe. Maia smiled. This might be the last chance they had, and she was determined to enjoy it. Her touches were exploratory as she coaxed Taylor into rocking against her mouth, but there was urgency behind them as well, a desperation for closeness, for lost time that had slipped by them.

Maia could see and feel the tension coiling in Taylor's abdomen, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before she brought about her lover’s release. Taylor arched further with each swipe of Maia’s tongue, every push of her fingers. "Maia…oh God, Maia." Taylor’s grip on the back of her head faltered. " I’m…"

Taylor pulsed between Maia’s lips, and Maia rejoiced as the warm silk of her inner muscles tightened and fluttered. Maia kept up her slow thrusts, drawing forth as much pleasure from her lover as possible. Taylor moaned above her, and her hands clutched desperately at any part of Maia she could reach. Maia hummed with pleasure as more wetness coated her tongue.

As Taylor’s contractions subsided, Maia withdrew her mouth and slowly pulled her fingers back. Taylor reached down, beckoning for Maia to join her. She crawled up and settled against Taylor's side, resting her head on the human's sweat-slicked chest. Taylor’s heart was still racing, although her breathing had begun to slow down again

"Maia..." Taylor whispered, cupping her cheek and lifting her chin. She looked up with soft, trusting eyes, and Maia felt her heart break and begin to mend itself at the same time. She let her thumb brush over Taylor's cheekbone, then her lips, shivering slightly when she realized that her fingers were still covered with Taylor's wetness. On impulse, she urged Taylor's face closer, bringing their mouths together in another kiss. They melted into each other, sharing the taste.

When the kiss broke, Maia whimpered in protest, but Taylor surprised her by rolling her over, easing her onto her back. Taylor's lips trailed down her throat, covering it in a line of light kisses. She was a mess of emotions—confusion, desire, fear, and affection—but she smiled through all of them. She wouldn’t give up this moment for anything. "Taylor," she breathed, running her hands up and down along the human's lean back. She could feel Taylor’s muscles moving beneath her palms. "You make me feel so much that I..."

"I want to make you feel," Taylor pleaded as one of her hands slid between their bodies. She started with Maia's stomach, tracing patterns around her navel, gradually dipping lower. All the while, she kept her eyes focused on Maia's face, as if to make sure there were no signs of doubt or reluctance. And then her gaze flicked down to the collar cutting into Maia’s throat, and Maia felt her pulse flutter above the tight band. She knew what Taylor was thinking, but she didn’t dare to hope.

"Hold still," Taylor whispered, lifting her wrist. She was still wearing her comm unit, and in total silence, she entered the code that would unlock the front of the suppressor. It opened with a hiss, and Maia felt the sides of the collar pull apart. There was still a soft indent in her skin where the collar had been, outlined by a faint purple ring. Taylor glared at the collar with a look of hatred before tossing it aside, not caring where it landed.

Maia couldn’t breathe. She stared into Taylor’s eyes, feeling tears well up in her own. She was free. That in itself should have been exhilarating enough, but somehow, Maia was even more touched by the fact that Taylor trusted her. She knew that Taylor was going against everything she had been taught, and the orders she had been given. All for her.

"I…I cannot believe…" Taylor silenced her with a kiss. Their mouths opened to each other, giving and taking, and for a moment, everything else in the world faded away. Finally, they pulled apart, breathless but happy.

"I should have done that a long time ago," Taylor said, skimming her fingers down along Maia’s abdomen. Maia whined when they paused just above the juncture between her thighs. She parted her legs, praying that Taylor wouldn’t make her wait any longer. Taylor took her unspoken invitation, sliding her fingers forward and grazing the tight ridge of Maia’s clit. She traced it with the pad of her thumb, still gazing into Maia's eyes.

Maia bit her lip, pushing up into Taylor’s hand. Taylor's fingers slid over her with every subtle movement she made. They brushed past her entrance every time, but didn’t push inside. "Taylor..." Maia tightened her grip on Taylor’s back. "Please, take me."

Her plea was enough. Taylor's fingers slid inside of her, filling her at last. She pulsed, squeezing down around them as Taylor took her mouth in another kiss. It was a perfect rhythm. Feeling their bodies press together only made her ache more. Her mouth broke away from Taylor's, and her lips sought skin, sucking and nipping at the sensitive flesh along her lover's neck. The soft moans she drew from Taylor made her heart swell.

"I want you to come," Taylor whispered, her hot breath washing over Maia’s cheek. "Please. For me."

The words sent a spike of arousal through Maia’s core. She was ready to surrender herself completely She brought a hand to Taylor’s face and drew her gaze up. Their eyes met, and she smiled. She wanted to say something, to tell Taylor how much this trust meant, but no words would ever suffice. The ache inside of her was growing unbearable, and she desperately wanted to come so that Taylor could share her pleasure.

Taylor pushed deeper, trying to find the best angle, and Maia could hold back no longer. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to swim in every sensation. The waves of her release were powerful, but steady and sure, just as Taylor’s thrusts were. Maia sought Taylor’s neck, kissing and biting every available inch she could reach. Tears crawled down her cheeks, and her inner walls rippled desperately around Taylor’s fingers. She needed Taylor to fill her, to be with her.

Finally, the storm began to break. She and Taylor melted into one another as they settled into the mattress, a mess of limbs and slick skin. Both of their heartbeats hammered together, and Maia suddenly realized her predicament. The burn of lust had eased, and she knew that desire hadn’t been her sole reason for making love with Taylor. She had wanted something else, and the thought of what that might be was terrifying.

Her heart sank as she realized that no matter what she was feeling, or what she might want, the known universe was against them being together. More tears welled in her eyes. This time, they were full of loss and regret instead of pleasure and belonging. She buried her face in Taylor's chest, crying against her shoulder.

Taylor stiffened above her, but instinctively tried to soothe her, pressing their foreheads together and stroking the side of Maia's face with her free hand. "Sweetheart, please don't cry," she murmured.

Maia shuddered beneath her, fighting back sobs. "Taylor, I…I cannot...We cannot..."

Taylor removed her fingers as gently as possible, pulling away from Maia so that their bodies wouldn’t have to touch. "Oh God, Maia...I'm so sorry, I…"

Maia propped herself up on her elbows and reached out to prevent Taylor from leaving the bed. "No. Stop. Please do not diminish what we just did. It was...everything I wanted."

"It was? Then what’s wrong?"

Maia drew in a shuddering breath. "I cannot lose you after this. I…"

"I’m right here," Taylor said. She eased her weight onto her elbows and nuzzled her face into Maia’s neck, placing light kisses against her gills. "You won’t lose me."

That only made Maia cry harder. Her leg wrapped around Taylor’s waist, and her hands clung desperately to her back. "They are going to send me away," she said through half-sobs. "I will be taken back to the Dominion, and they will kill me."

Taylor lifted her head away from Maia's warm skin. "I’ll explain your research better to the generals. They won’t get rid of you if you’re an asset..."

Maia sniffed, and though she didn’t sob anymore, a few tears streamed down her cheeks. "Taylor, these humans see me as currency. They are not like you. They will send me back to Korithia." She left the rest unspoken.

Taylor was silent for a long moment. Finally, she rolled onto her back and pulled Maia close, kissing her forehead. "I don't know what's going to happen, but I won't let anyone hurt you. Not the generals, the Dominion, or anyone else. I promise."

Maia relaxed, easing into Taylor's embrace. They rested against the pillows, breathing evenly although neither of them could fall asleep. Tomorrow, they would have to face reality, but lying in Taylor's arms allowed Maia a brief window of fantasy. She wanted just a few more hours of pretending that they could find happiness together.