She watched his face as eagerly as he studied hers, taking her cues from his unfettered response. Gradually, she scaled up the intensity and pressed, working him faster and then she delved into his body, something he’d never done, judging by the way he jolted. But he didn’t pull back, giving himself into her care with a desperate gasp. He held nothing back from her as she pulled more and more sex noises from him. With growing urgency, he moved with her, becoming responsive and uninhibited as he chased satisfaction.

“Does it feel good?” she asked.

“Yes.” He swallowed audibly. “Can you go deeper?”

Suddenly, he pressed his forelimbs over hers, sharing the experience on another level, and the additional contact galvanized him as she surged deeper into his sex while still stroking him firmly. His body locked, and he climaxed twice in quick succession, simultaneous internal and external release. Evidently overwhelmed by the dual sensations, Helix stumbled against her, letting her bear his weight while he recovered. Oddly, she felt replete, as if his satisfaction was powerful enough to complete her. Qalu steadied him, rubbing her face against his.

“Your turn,” he said then. “I hope you’ll be patient while I learn, as it’s unlikely I’ll be as proficient as you.”

Something in his tone troubled her. She shifted, angling her face so she could see his. The light in this storeroom was insufficient for her to judge his expression visually, but she remained convinced that it would be a mistake to proceed without gathering more information.

“What’s wrong?”

“It is truly frustrating that I can conceal nothing from you.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“You’re good at this. And I wonder how long it took you to perfect those skills.”

“Are you wondering if I’ve had many partners?”

“I shouldn’t be. I know that. But yes, I am. I look Tiralan, but I’m not. I don’t know if I can form a healthy love group either. Signs point to no, since I’m bothered by the idea of you providing pleasure to others, even in retrospect. That seems most unfair, as you’re my first in nearly every respect.” He looked away, shifting his body from hers. “Give me a moment. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Qalu tipped his face back toward her, craving a deeper connection even when he was upset. “There is no shame in your feelings. As you say, you are not Tiralan. And I’ve confided my fears already—that I’m unable to meet the usual standards. Regarding your oblique query, I’ve had a few companions, but the one I have touched most, apart from myself, is you. The rest are shadows, long forgotten and never missed.”

“Is that true?”

“I’ve never lied to you. I won’t, either, even if the truth is uncomfortable.”