The pause allowed him time to demur, but he shivered, a breathless “please” escaping him as plea and permission. Qalu caressed him with one forelimb and then the other, easing into the duality. She watched his face with eager eyes, devouring his surprise and the subsequent excitement that made him tremble and twist, straining toward her with urgent motions. His tendrils went frantic, writhing against hers until she could scarcely think, too much stimulation sparking through her, again and again.

Soon, she’d lose control entirely.

Perhaps he wanted that.

“You did this before,” he gasped. “And I was the only one who…benefited. I…it’s hard to think. Stop a moment.”

“Helix?”

“Let me learn what feels good to you.”

He was right, Qalu realized. She’d wanted to give him pleasure since physicality was new to him, but she should let him explore as well. Deliberately, she fell back and he followed, taking a more dominant position. Copying her movements, he caressed her sex as she had his, stroking and delving with delicious confidence. Soon, the sensations built to a sparkling crescendo and just before she dove headlong into pleasure, he paused. She let out a quiet protest.

“Don’t torment me.”

“I want to join with you. Can we…?”

“Yes.”

Then he came down on her, gliding in with fluid sweetness. His body stilled, trembled against her, and she patted his chest, waiting for him to sort out the bombardment of sensations. “My brain stopped,” he whispered.

“You don’t need it that much for this. The feelings matter more.”

“I suspect that’s for the best. I’m currently…unable to do calculus.” A quiet sound as she angled, reaching to stimulate his other sex as he quivered within her.

Helix jolted.

“Too much?”

“No. Unexpected but exquisite. I want more. More.” He shifted to permit a deeper caress, and she could feel the delicate throbbing, his body and hers, joined in twin fashions.

Lower limbs entwined, taking and being taken, their head tendrils surged again, eliciting another sound from Helix. His pleasure drove hers, until it burst like a star, all heat and light, and so strong that she feared it might obliterate everything that had come before. When she came to herself again, she was clinging to him, completely limp with satiation. To her chagrin, she had no notion whether—

Oh. The fluid indicated that she hadn’t been alone.

“Now we’ve mated,” he said, sounding utterly pleased by that.

“Undoubtedly. And while it will be difficult to tear myself away, we ought to use the hygiene facilities and put on our swators, before Aevi wakes.”

“Doing the right thing has never sounded less appealing.” Despite his muttered complaint, he followed her out, where they tidied up quickly.