Initiation (Xylon Warriors 1) by Ruth D. Kerce Page A

his thoughts. A woman doing what she believed was her duty, was his first thought. He hoped that wasn’t the case, and it was just that she was filled with as much nervousness as he was. “It’s all right, Alexa. Relax.” He needed to heed those words himself. On his part, the nerves weren’t based on not knowing if this was the right thing to do, but on his anxiety that he might not be able to make it an orgasmic experience for her. He wanted her to want this, want him. He certainly wanted her, with a fierceness he’d never known. He would use all his sexual skills to bring her the greatest pleasures, so she wouldn’t regret what was about to happen.
    He wasn’t going to conduct this ceremony like some cold, impersonal rite. And he’d be damned if that’s how she ended up remembering it. He turned and sat down on the side of the bed. “Come here, Alexa.”
    Tentatively, she approached him. “Do you want me to take off my clothes now?” Her gaze settled somewhere along his shoulder and stayed there.
    The question contained no enthusiasm. She seemed lost in her own thoughts. Kam’s words gave him hope. Sexually and emotionally attracted to him, the man said. He kept those words close to his heart. She was just nervous. That’s all. Even though she’d agreed to the Initiation, she still had to be wary. And he understood that. It was time to take control. As soon as he touched her, everything would be okay. If not, he’d back off and find an alternate plan. “Look at me.” His voice came out low, husky.
    She raised her gaze to lock with his, and tangled her fingers together. She looked a little pale. He wanted to take her in his arms, hold her tight, and tell her everything would be all right. Except that would be putting too much emotion on the line. And emotions weren’t something he dealt with well, not his own anyhow.
    “You will do everything I say. Understand?”
    Silence greeted his question. She pulled some more on her fingers, interlacing and releasing them.
    “Alexa…it’s necessary. I promise you will feel only pleasure. You need to let go of whatever is holding you back and trust me. Can you do that? If not, we need to stop this right now.”
    “No. I want to do this.”
    Still, she looked uncertain as to what to expect. He didn’t blame her for that. But he knew how to fix it.
    Time to get her thoughts away from her worries and onto her body. He skimmed his fingers down the front of her covered breasts, watching for her reaction.
    She gasped at his touch. Her nipples pebbled beneath the thin sweat shirt and bra. Her whole body trembled, and surprise crossed her face. He smiled at her reaction. Good. She liked his touch.
    This wasn’t going to be two strangers completing a rite. This was a man and a woman bonding themselves together forever in the deepest way possible. Alexa just didn’t know that…yet.
     
    Alexa’s heart pounded. She had to calm down. But Braden’s touch was as no other. So sensual, like in the erotic vision. She wanted him to touch her again. And again. The explosion of desire that raced through her when he brushed her breasts was unexpected and more powerful than she thought possible. Braden was the sexiest man she’d ever known. And behind the intensity of his eyes, she saw his tenderness. He let it sneak out from time to time, and she wondered what would happen if he ever allowed that emotional wall to completely crumble.
    Deep down, she needed everything the Initiation represented. To break free. Experience what it would feel like to be wild and unfettered. To live a different, more fulfilled life. Braden, and the group he was a part of, could bring her that. She was still undecided about the breeding part. But she’d deal with that later. She wanted to visit their world, explore, and learn everything she could about Xylon and other planets. And most of all…she wanted Braden, fiercely.
    “I’ll do as you say.” The tearing down of her own emotional and