Mated by Ria Candro Page B

had time to become accustomed to the idea.
    When the Spygian females had still lived, bonds were created instantly amongst a
    female and her mates. It had simply been accepted that the mating bond was unerring
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    and unbreakable. But his female had not been raised the same way. What level of
    uncertainty must she be feeling now, wondering if she made the right choice?
    With a muttered oath he rose from his bed. He needed to see her right now. Though
    it tortured him that he would not be able to have her in the way he wanted her until the ritual could be completed, he still felt the desire to be near her.
    “I will simply not touch her.” He shook his head, uttering a harsh laugh. “Well, at
    least not overmuch.” He’d be lying to himself if he said he would be able to keep his hands off her completely.
    * * * * *
    Natalie took her time soaking under the hot spray of the shower. She’d woken
    feeling relaxed and energized. Pretty much the way any woman might feel after having
    had the best sex of her life.
    Times twenty.
    Just thinking about Andros, about the way his eyes had glittered with emotion as
    he’d stood over her, made her knees shake. She knew she was attractive, but she’d
    never considered herself particularly beautiful. But somehow she’d managed to attract these perfect specimens of manhood. And the way they looked at her, with obvious
    unbridled desire, made her feel that she truly was beautiful. Figures they’d be out of this world, literally.
    She finished her shower and put her tunic back on, looking in the vanity mirror and
    coloring once more. Did they expect her to wear this all the time?
    As exciting as the notion of easy access might be, they couldn’t expect her to be
    having sex all the time.
    Somehow, with those three lusty aliens, she had a feeling that was exactly what she
    would be doing if she walked around dressed like this.
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    The door leading into the bathroom slid open. Natalie jumped and whirled around.
    Zafron was on the other side. Seeing her in her tunic, he leaned against the entrance to the bathroom, his eyes glittering as he said, “Natalie.”
    “Wha—What are you doing here?” She crossed her arms, trying not to appear too
    nervous.
    “I but came to see how you were doing,” he said innocently, lowering his lids so
    that his eyes were half-closed.
    She thought he might be scared of frightening her away with the naked desire so
    evident in them. “Really?” she asked suspiciously.
    “Of course, female. It must be frightening to be leaving your planet and the only
    home you have ever known. I but wanted you to know that you could confide in me,
    should you wish to do so.”
    Natalie’s heart skipped a beat. That was very sweet of him, to be considering what
    this journey would mean to her. Even if his impatience was shining through in his eyes.
    “Thank you. It is a little scary, but exciting too.”
    “You are a brave one, my beautiful flower,” he said in an admiring tone. “That is as
    it should be for a Spygian mate.”
    “I…” Natalie felt a hot blush coming to her cheeks and looked down for a second.
    Just the way he said the word “mate” made her think all sorts of naughty thoughts.
    “Thank you.”
    Zafron smiled, his expression taking on a faraway look. “Wait until you see Spygia.
    It is a beautiful place. Our forests are a veritable rainbow of color, with so many
    varieties of flower and plants that it boggles the mind. To my mind, it is the most
    beautiful of the planets we have come across, though yours does come in at a close
    second.” He looked over at her confidently. “You will like it there.”
    She inhaled at the look of childlike happiness on his face. He was devastatingly
    handsome simply just standing there. But when his face took on that expression of such 73
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    innocent delight, it made him absolutely breathtaking. “How many other planets have
    you seen, besides Earth and your