I stare at his mouth, hardly able to believe the words. They’re too perfect, too beautiful. “But—”
“No buts, Piper. I haven’t had a good feeling about that job ever since I met you. I realized over the last few days that I don’t want to be a bounty hunter. I don’t want to wander the stars. I just want to be seen. I want to have someone that means something to me. And I want that to be you.”
I’m too stunned for words. “But…you said you weren’t a farmer.”
“You said you can learn, so I can, too.” Vordigar gives me a mischievous grin. “From what I’ve seen, it’s working with a lot of machines, and I’m good at wiring that sort of thing. Usually without the owner’s permission, but I promise to use my skills for good.”
It’s too perfect. It almost feels like a trap. “What about the baby? Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I know I want you.” He turns my hand over and rubs his cheek against my palm, his eyes closed. “I want you more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. I promise I’ll keep you safe and take care of this farm, praxiian or no praxiian. You don’t have to have a baby if you aren’t ready. We can wait as long as we need.”
Oh. I hesitate. I’ve already paid for the shot, which was costly enough that it’s eaten into my profits for the next year. It’s going to take a long time for the farm to recover from the amount I spent, but it was a gamble. I consider waiting for the shot to run out…and I don’t want to. Out of all this hell, the only thing I had to look forward to was a baby to love. “What if I still want to get pregnant? Does that change anything for you?”
Vordigar pushes my skirts up, his hand moving between my thighs. “I’d say we should get started, then. I want you good and pregnant for when we get married, so no one can tell us no.”
I chuckle, sliding my arms around his neck. “With the right bribe, no one will tell us no anyhow. Are you sure you don’t mind a baby?”
He pauses and looks down at me. “I am the least qualified male to be a parent, but the thought has appeal.”
“You’ll be wonderful,” I say softly, and I know it’s true. If he’s half as caring and tender with our child as he is with me, he’ll be the best of dads.
“So,” he murmurs, sliding his fingers through the folds of my pussy. “A baby, a wedding, and a farm. It’s a bit of a change, but I’m game.” He leans in and nuzzles my cheek. “When you look at me like that, I feel like I can do anything.”
“Thank you, Vordigar,” I whisper. There’s no talk of love—yet—but I’m sure it’ll happen, given the right time.
“I should be the one thanking you.” He traces his fingers over my folds, grazing lightly over my clit in the way that makes my entire body dance. “You make me feel like I’m someone, Piper. I’m addicted to that.”
“You are someone,” I say, leaning in close. I want him to kiss me so badly that I’m aching. “You’re the kindest man I’ve ever met.”
“The kindest.” He snorts even as he teases my folds, working my body like a musical instrument. “You’re going to ruin my reputation.”
“The kindest…and you have the biggest dick,” I say, straight faced, and then break into giggles at the pleased expression on his face.
“Listen to that sweet laughter,” he murmurs as he traces circles around my clit, sending jolts of sheer pleasure through my body. “I love hearing you laugh. You deserve laughter every keffing day, Piper.”
“I’ll settle for kisses,” I say, touching his cheek. “If…if you don’t mind.”
Vordigar looks surprised at my request. “Kisses? What are those?”
“Humans show affection by touching mouths,” I say, a little uneasy. I know a lot of aliens have weird laws about touching and many consider human gestures like kissing unclean. If he isn’t comfortable with kissing, I’ll understand. It’ll be disappointing to have so much and not that, but I’ll still be the luckiest woman on this planet if I get Vordigar at my side, smiling and laughing and making me happy every day. That’s more than enough.
“With mouths?” He grins. “That explains why you’re always staring at mine. Thought you found my teeth strange or something.” He grins, showing those fangs that are another mesakkah trait that humans don’t have. “How does one ‘kiss’ then? Show me.”
“All right.” I feel shy as I touch his cheek, guiding his face toward mine. I graze my lips over his, and when he doesn’t jerk back in disgust, I glide my tongue over the part of his lips, encouraging him to open up and let me truly kiss him. He groans as my tongue slips against his, wet and teasing, and then his tongue tangles with mine and he’s kissing me back, and it’s so intimate and wonderful that I whimper low in my throat.