Disclaimer
The characters in the story are a product of my own imagination and hopefully have no resemblance to any living persons. But if it does it is entirely coincidental. Some of the places mentioned are either fictitious and or adapted to suit the plot of the story.
Sex: This story contains sexual content of a graphic nature between consenting adult women, thus if you are not 18 years old and not allowed to read content of this nature, please move on to other suitable stories.
Archiving : This work is copy written and should not be posted anywhere else with the writer's expressed permission.
Special thanks to my betas rleef and Steph.
Feedback: Constructive criticisms is greatly appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com or sent me a friend request on Facebook .
--------------------------------------------------------
PART 5
Palmer was enjoying herself tremendously as she sat between her two daughters. As the girls regaled her with tales of their childhood, she felt herself falling deeper and deeper in love with them. Recalling Hem's short summary of their daughters, it amazed her how well Hem had summed up the girls. Elyst and Kalt can easily be mistaken for identical twins by their looks, but their personalities were so diverse.
Elyst was very outspoken. She reminded Palmer a lot of a younger Taffy—gregarious and sure of herself. As she spoke, Palmer couldn't help but drown in the twinkling blue eyes that held hers steadily throughout their conversation.
“It seems you girls had a lot fun growing up,” Palmer said softly and threw a quick glance over to Kalt. Kalt smiled back at her shyly and Palmer felt herself yearn to touch the beautiful face of her first-born. Kalt was like her in every way—careful, quiet, and extremely observant. She had watched Kalt out of the corner of her eyes during the meal as the girl quietly listened to Elyst regaling their escapades when they were younger. She only answered when she was addressed directly, but at those times, she was almost eager to take part in the conversation. A quick glance across the table at Nael brought a slow smile to her lips as she watched her mother cajole tiny smiles from her stoic daughter.
“We did,” Elyst answered as she drank from her goblet. “Mother never made us feel like we were any different from the other children.” Elyst looked at Kalt and smiled. “There was that one time that one of the bigger children dared Kalt to a steal the egg of a Juilkler.”
Kalt blushed lightly. “The girl didn't like that I always surpassed her in class.”
Palmer's eyebrows shot up. “Class? You attended school with the other children?”
Elyst shrugged. “Of course. Mother didn't want us to grow up isolated. She actually opposed the Council's ruling that we should be educated by a tutor within the walls of the Palace. We only get additional history classes from Mother that isn't part of the school's curriculum.”
Palmer's heart swelled with pride at how dedicated a mother Hem was. Not that it would ever happen…again…but had she been here, she doubted she would've been strong enough to let her girls loose in the general populace. People in power have the uncanny tendency to make enemies and Palmer knew she would've been too paranoid to let her girls out of her sight.
“So, I take it you are the brains of the outfit,” she teased Kalt and smiled when the girl blushed again.
“Not…not really.”
“That's a blatant untruth,” Elyst said quickly and Palmer was charmed by the pride that shone in Elyst's eyes as she looked at her sister. “Kalt is a genius. On more than one occasion she had been called upon by the Scientific Council to advise them.”
This time Palmer didn't hold back and placed her hand over Kalt's where it lay in her lap. Had they been alone, she swore she wouldn't have hesitated hugging the shy girl.
“That is quite an achievement, honey,” she murmured.
“That's nothing, mother. Elyst is the best translator and she accompanies mother on many missions,” Kalt added quickly. By the nervous tick of the hand under hers, Palmer knew that the girl wanted to move the spotlight from her. Reaching for Elyst's hand too, she squeezed both girls' hands gently.
“I'm so proud of you girls,” she said and didn't hide the emotion in her voice. This time Elyst blushed too. “Tell me about Nael?”
It surprised Palmer when Kalt cleared her voice, intrigued that she chose to answer the question. Interesting? She gave the nervous girl an encouraging smile as she sat back so she could see both girls' faces.
“Nael is just…Nael. I mean she's the one who takes care of us when mother is off planet.” A soft smile came over both young faces. “People are a little wary of her because she is so serious most of the times, but she is really a lot of fun to be with. She is a great warrior—second best only to mother, but also extremely gentle and patient.”
“Yes,” Elyst added. “When that girl dared Kalt to steal the egg, Nael stepped in and warned the girl off. Since mother was not on the planet to put a stop to it, Nael dared the girl's mother to a combat.”
Palmer sat up in alarm. How unfair to have a teenager take on a full grown Pharmac? “What…what happened? I hope Nael wasn't injured too severely.” As she questioned the girls, her worried gaze moved to where Nael sat in quiet conversation with her grandmother. With acute protectiveness her eyes roamed over the girl's striking face. There were no marks in her face. Just the thought that some woman had put her hands on her daughter made Palmer bristle.
“Nael won.”
Palmer's gaze swung back to Kalt. “She won? But how?”
Elyst chuckled. “We don't know. The one moment the warrior stood ready for attack and the next she was out cold on the ground.” Kalt shrugged again. “We never told mother about it because she would be angry knowing Elyst and I could've prevented a fight, especially Elyst with her superior diplomatic skills.”
Palmer's eyes travelled back to her daughter and this time she saw a peculiar look on Nael's face. Nael gaze was not focused on her. Following the girl's gaze, Palmer's heart stuttered in her chest.
Hem's piercing gaze rested on her. It was almost as if she could see right through Palmer. Hem unexpectedly surged to her feet and an abrupt silence fell over the dining hall. Hem looked irritated and Palmer felt the blood drain from her face.
“Mother?” Nael said and Palmer saw the girl rising to her feet.
Palmer was scared now. Hem usually looked so composed, but for a fleeting moment, Palmer could read abject misery on the Pharmac's face.
“Hem?”
Hem didn't respond. Instead she nodded curtly and strode out of the dining room. On both sides of her, the girls also surged to their feet. Their faces revealed their alarm. Nael was already skirting the table when Palmer shot to her feet.
“Let me go to her,” she said quickly, surprising herself. She didn't know what she would say to Hem, but all she knew was that Hem was looking at her before she started acting strange.
The girls gave her a suspicious look and for a moment, Palmer revelled in the protectiveness of the girls.
“Please…let me try first. If she doesn't want to talk to me, I will call you. Okay?”
Three sets of blue eyes skewered her as the girls evaluated her request. Elyst was the first to give in, followed by Kalt. Nael threw a quick glance in the direction her mother had disappeared. Long powerful strides brought Nael to stand before Palmer, towering over her.
“She's hurting.”
Palmer swallowed hard. “I…I know. Let me go to her.”
Nael nodded. “Just make her hurt less.”
“I promise to try to do my very best.” She didn't wait for a response from the girls but rushed to the exit of the large hall.
************************************
Hem didn't know how she got there, but she was surprised to find herself in the library…alone. The Library was open to the public and it was rare to find it deserted at any time of the day. The other explanation could be that she might've scared off the other patrons. Looking around she noticed that a few books still lay open on the desks. For a moment she felt ashamed for having been the reason they had left in such a hurry. With heavy feet she made her way over her favourite chair and threw herself into it.
A frisson went through her and she closed her eyes. Her daughters were worried about her and so was Palmer. She felt their anxiety so strong that it was almost tangible. She rarely if ever acted out of character and the reason for her current state of mind could only be traced back to one beautiful Starship captain. Maybe inviting Palmer had not been such a good idea. She could've told the girls that their mother was not available, but since they were born, Hem had tried everything in her power to not make them feel different from the other.
Palmer was not present for most of their lives and in a way Hem had made up for it by always giving them everything they needed. She wasn't oblivious of it and knew that they were in the past provoked because of their other mother's absence. But she made a point not to coddle them too much. They were after all expected to act like royals and their first priority would always be toward the people. They had made her proud on many occasions. Their strength had always been in numbers and the love they had for each other.
Then Palmer came into the picture.
Hem saw Palmer again as she had looked at dinner, talking with their daughters. The girls, even Nael, kept on throwing sly looks at Palmer, thinking their scrutiny had gone unnoticed. Hem noticed and she felt happy for her them. If only she could also enjoy Palmer's presence the way the girls did. Instead, she was in a state of constant arousal and had, on many instances, to remind herself that Palmer was here only because the girls needed her. For that sacrifice, she will always be grateful to Palmer. Tomorrow evening, her daughters will enter the Warrior circle with pride and their heads held high. All the teasing and ridicule they had to endure will be thrown back into the faces of their tormentors.
But what about her?
The other parents will enter the circle holding hands and sharing delighted kisses. She will not have that.
“The palace is huge.”
Startled, Hem looked up to find Palmer standing a few feet away. The blue eyes were wary as they regarded her. “But you are bigger and that's how I've managed to track you down.”
Hem smiled faintly. “And pray tell how you managed to find me in this huge palace.”
Palmer slowly came closer until she stood before Hem. “I just followed the stream of people exiting this room.”
“Ah,” Hem exclaimed softly. “I didn't mean to scare them off. I can't even remember how I ended up here.” She pointed at a chair. “Would you like to take a seat?”
“I would, thanks.” Palmer pulled a chair closer, grunting at the weight of the large furniture. Hem came to her feet, picked up the chair and placed it close to hers. Palmer smiled her thanks as she sunk into the plush chair. “Everything in the palace is so…luxurious.” Palmer looked up and smiled and Hem felt her heart melt at the familiar twinkle in the blue eyes. “Except your suite.”
Hem lifted a brow. “You've noticed?”
“Of course.” Palmer cocked her head to the side. “Why's that. You are the Principal, after all.”
Hem shrugged. “One of the reasons is because I don't spend much time in there. We don't sleep much remember.” Hem saw Palmer's eyes darken slightly. “Yes?”
A faint blush touched Palmer's cheek. “What makes you think I want to ask another question?”
“Because your eyes are exactly like the girls' and theirs usually go a shade darker when they burn to ask me something.” Hem tilted her head slightly as she studied Palmer. “We've spent a night together and I had more than enough opportunity to notice how your eyes change depending on what you…” Hem looked away. "needed at that moment.”
*********************************
Palmer barely stopped the gasp that almost escaped her lips. To this day any references to that night still make her pulse race. She remembered Hem's steady perusal as they had strolled through the streets of Pendulum . She couldn't see the expression in the Pharmac's eyes because of the reduced lighting, but she could feel those piercing eyes on her all the time. The scrutiny intensified when they were lying in bed together. It was almost as if Hem was couldn't stop looking at her, reading her. It was the same for Palmer.
There she was a young, insignificant space cadet, enjoying her last night as a civilian on an alien moon base only to go to bed with the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on. She made sure that night that she etched Hem's face to her mind, mostly to make sure she wasn't dreaming and secondly because she'd wanted to drag up Hem's face again and again when she lay alone in her cold bunk in the barracks.
Hem turned back to look at her and Palmer had to reluctantly drag her eyes away from her study of the alien.
“Do you?” Hem asked.
“Do I what?” Palmer asked back, her voice a little shaky after her short trip down memory lane.
“Do you have another question?”
Palmer quickly backtracked until she picked up their last threat of conversation. She blushed even deeper when she realised that did have another question in fact. But could she ask it?
“Well…”
“Just ask me, Palmer,” Hem said as she leaned back in the chair. “I have no secrets.”
Clearing her throat, Palmer shrugged. “A bedroom is for more than sleeping. But I guess you know that.”
Hem's eyes darkened slightly, a slow smile playing on her full lips. “I do.”
Hypnotised by the look in Hem's eyes, Palmer struggled to look away. “That's good,” she murmured lamely and wracked her head for another topic. She focussed instead on the spine of a book with alien symbols. If only she could read those weird markings on the book. It would've been a great topic to break the sudden tension in the room.
“After I give birth my priorities changed. I served only my daughters and the people,” Hem offered quietly. “There had been no time for anything else.”
When Palmer looked back at Hem, it was just in time to see a flash of loneliness on Hem's face. But it was gone just as quickly.
“I know how duty can take over one's life,” Palmer whispered.
For a moment they sat in silence. Palmer was back to trying to decipher the alien markings, but was acutely aware of Hem studying her. She suddenly remembered why she was here. The girls would want to know if their mother was doing fine.
“The girls are worried about you. Are you okay?”
Hem shrugged, the look on her face unreadable. “I am sorry if I've alarmed you all.”
Palmer's hand reached out and without thinking she placed her hand over Hem's. She felt the alien stiffen at the touch and prepared to pull her hand away when Hem, with a quick move, grabbed hers. Their eyes met and held. The most exquisite sense of belonging coursed through Palmer as she savoured Hem's touch. It was identical to the feeling she'd experienced in Hem's arms earlier. She wondered what was going on behind those incredible eyes.
“Do you want to talk about it? I would like to help.”
Hem suddenly let her hand go and Palmer almost cried at the unexpected feeling of loss. She watched as Hem's face hardened.
“I'm fine.”
Palmer nodded as she came to her feet. It was obvious that Hem wasn't in the mood for talking.
“I understand. I didn't mean to pry, Hem,” she said in a quiet tone.
Hem turned to look at her and then away again.
“I will give you some privacy for a moment. The girls wanted me to report back on how you were so I'll go tell them that you're fine.” She rose to her feet.
“Did they send you?” Hem asked without looking at Palmer. Palmer fought the urge to push her fingers through the dark hair at the concern she heard in the deep voice. She doubted she would've been half as good a mother as Hem was. The girls were lucky, indeed. It was weird to think that the universe quaked in its boots when Hem scratched her nose, but no one will believe how deeply loving and honourable the Pharmac leader was. No one would believe the story of the gentle mother who had sacrificed her life so she could raise three beautiful daughters alone.
“I've asked to be the one to talk to you.”
This time the dark head turned and black and gold eyes met hers. There was mixture of hope, confusion, and gratitude in their depths.
“Why, Palmer?” Hem asked quietly. “You don't even know me. You fear me.”
Palmer swallowed hard. “Fear you?”
“Yes.” Hem sounded so desolate sitting there and looking at her with an almost cruel smirk on her face. “You humans fall over your feet to defend yourself against a threat that doesn't exist.” The gold and black eyes hardened. “The only threat you have is that dying planet of yours. Instead of saving your planet you focus your attention on me.” With a soft sigh Hem turned her head away. “That time in Pendulum , I passed by Dues 23 , hoping to catch one last glance of you. Even with your fleet patrolling the parameters, I slipped through. I saw you. You were in that Station Commander's office.”
Palmer gasped, tears welling up in her eyes. “How?” Hem heard everything.
“You won't see me unless I want you to,” Hem answered in an almost bored tone. “But that is in the past.”
Looking at Hem, Palmer decided to throw caution to the wind. If the alien felt like hurling her across the room, then so be it. Steeling herself, she moved over to where Hem sat, her head turned away from her. Biting her lower lip Palmer carefully lowered herself on Hem's lap.
The dark head swirled with dazzling speed to meet her eyes and Palmer held her breath bracing herself to be tossed across the room. Hem's eyes were wide in shock as she stared at her, her mouth slightly open. When after a moment, she wasn't airborne yet, Palmer leaned into the wide chest and rested her head on Hem's shoulder. The room was as silent as a tomb, the only sound being Palmer's ragged breathing. For a brief moment she closed her eyes, taking pleasure in the contact. Hem's body was warm and she smelled like faintly of rain. What an unusual smell for an alien.
“Palmer…?” Hem sounded puzzled and listening closely, Palmer could hear an undertone of something that sounded a lot like dread.
She slowly lifted her head so she could meet Hem's eyes. “I didn't…don't fear you, Hem. I couldn't.” She lifted a shaky hand to Hem's cheek. “I had no choice but to adhere to the directive to steer clear of you and any Pharmac.”
Palmer watched Hem looking at her. The alien was silent but her eyes burned with unsettling intensity. Palmer quickly lowered her head back against Hem's shoulder.
***************************************
Hem had only twice been taken by surprise before in her life. The first time was when she approached Palmer in that bar eighteen years ago and the second when she found out she was expecting.
“What is this, Palmer?”
The blonde head was lifted off her shoulder and Hem searched the blue eyes. Palmer's eyes were hooded.
“Do you want me to move?”
Even as she asked the question, Hem felt Palmer's arms tightening around her. “Why are you doing this?”
Palmer smiled faintly. “Because I want to.”
Hem snorted. “And you expect me to believe that?”
“Believe what you want, Pharmac.” Palmer lowered her head on Hem's shoulder and sighed softly. Hem suppressed a shiver as the soft warm breath tickled her neck. “I've missed being and feeling this close to anyone outside of my family.”
A small ember caught fire inside Hem, warming her heart. She tilted her head slightly so her nose was tickled lightly by the blond locks. She inhaled the soft, sweet and strangely familiar scent. She closed her eyes when she recalled why it was so familiar. Elyst and Kalt smelled exactly like this.
“The girls use the same hair products as you,” Hem said, wondering why she had to impart that little titbit of information.
Palmer's snorted. “They have great taste.”
“They do. Nael is more partial to the sandalwood aroma, like myself.”
“No surprise there,” Palmer quipped as she pressed loudly sniffed Hem's neck. “It suits you.”
For the next few minutes they sat in silence. With her enhanced hearing Hem could clearly make out Palmer's heartbeat. It was strong and steady, with a slight hitch in between. When aroused all her senses were super intensified, almost like when she goes into battle. Her eye sight and hearing become sharper than normal and her sense of smell and taste exaggerated. Her skin becomes so sensitive that the mere brushing of the wind against it causes her to tremble. She remembered that night so long ago. It was as if Palmer were aware of that. The blonde wrung a massive orgasm out of her within a few minutes while sucking on her nipples. Hem could make out the soft suction sounds and the soft guttural moans of pleasure coming from deep inside Palmer's throat. The blonde's hands were all over her at the same time, impatiently rubbing Hem's hips, her thighs and her sex. To Hem's hearing the room was a build-up of groans, moans, and racing heartbeats.
“Tell me about the Yram ,” Palmer said.
Hem was abruptly brought to the present. She was still trying to push the erotic images from her mind when Palmer spoke again. The blonde head lifted and wide blue eyes met Hem's.
“Oh my…you…we don't have to do weird rituals on them, do we?”
“Like urinating on them,” Hem asked casually, her head cocked to side.
“Well?”
Hem smirked. “I'm sure Elyst and Kalt will be slightly baffled if you decide to urinate on them. They are in our young diplomats' training program and well acquainted with the Hispalat culture. Nael, on the other hand, is a warrior. She might not take kindly to being urinated on.”
For a moment blue eyes met gold and black ones. Hem blinked when Palmer suddenly burst out in giggles. Speechless, Hem could only stare. With her eyes dancing with mischief and her face pulled into a mask of glee, Palmer was exquisite.
“At least I have you to protect me against Little Hem.”
“Little Hem?” Hem asked, puzzled. As if realizing what she'd let slip, Palmer clamped her hand over her mouth, her eyes darkening with pleasure.
“That's what I call Nael. She is like you in so many aspects. I actually think that she wants to be like you.”
“Explain.” Hem was eager to hear more. She never tires of talking about her daughters.
Palmer leaned back into Hem. Hem bit back the sigh that threatened to escape at the soft warmth of Palmer against her chest. She didn't know what they were doing. She doubted Palmer even knew what was happening.
“For starters, she looks like you, except for the eyes of course. Then there are the physical resemblances.” Hem's breath caught in her chest when Palmer's hand patted her chest. “You are both strong and beautiful and mysterious.”
Not sure she heard correctly, Hem lowered her head so she could look into Palmer's face. That impish look was back. But there was something more, something she couldn't put her finger on. The Palmer sitting on her lap was the one she'd met all those years ago. What happened to the sombre Starship captain she‘d confronted four days ago? The wine at dinner was the best they had and also the strongest in their cellars.
“You're not drunk, are you?” Hem regretted the question as soon as it passed her lips. The twinkle in the blue eyes fled, making way for a look of utter humiliation. “Palmer…” she began, but the blonde slid from her lap, her back turned to Hem. The narrow shoulders were stiff under the blue uniform.
“I'm not drunk.”
***********************************
Palmer's hands were fisted so tight, she could feel her nails bite into her palms. Trying not to show her distress, she forcefully measured her breathing. From the moment she'd met Hem's eyes after her fainting spell, something had shifted in her. Hem was probably not even aware of it, but the concern in her eyes as she'd stood there, looking at her, did something to her. It was like those years ago when they had walked down the streets of Pendulum . It was the first time away from home for her. She had felt mature, free, and a whole lot scared. Then this strong, playful woman crossed her path and promised her within a short space of knowing her, coaxed the real Palmer to the surface. Hem had set her free. She felt like this again tonight.
Sitting in Hem's lap, even without those strong hands around her, she'd felt young again. She'd felt safe. She'd almost felt…loved. For a moment during the many brief silences they'd shared, Palmer examined the emotions that coursed through her as she immersed herself in Hem's nearness. She realized something astonishing and that was what made her feel even closer to this powerful woman.
Hem would never allow anyone to take such liberties with her person. Palmer, too, would never allow anyone this close. Just as she was thinking that they both wanted…needed…the other one close, Hem had to break the moment with that question. It sobered her up, soaking up the intoxicating effects Hem had on her. Maybe she was wrong and Hem wasn't feeling what she was feeling.
“I've offended you.” Hem's voice was soft. “Forgive me.”
Palmer turned to face the towering alien. Hem had a sheepish look on her face that seemed so out of place when one took in the regal bearing of the woman. She stared at Hem, taking in her strong beautiful face. Her eyes touched upon every expanse of Hem. The alien stood still and quiet under her perusal. When Palmer's eyes lifted back to meet the glowing black and gold gaze, she had an epiphany. Hem's eyes sharpened with concern and Palmer knew she was probably as white as a sheet. Except for the fact that Hem's was the mother of her children, Hem was also the woman she loved.
She loved the most dangerous being in the known universe. She stumbled towards Hem. Depending on the Yram , they would leave soon and she wanted to…What did she want? Hem's arms were already spread to accept her. Just as she was about to walk in the outstretched arms, there was a throat clearing behind her.
Palmer spun around to find the same woman who'd earlier walked into Hem's suite and stood unnecessarily too close to Hem. Feeling like she'd been kicked in the stomach, Palmer threw a cool look at Hem from over her shoulder. Steeling herself, Palmer prayed she didn't collapse from the strain she put on herself as she walked away from Hem. The other woman's eyes were tracking her as Palmer approached her where she stood in the door of the library. The woman was beautiful and tall and Pharmac, all the attributes another Pharmac would probably feel attracted too. She held the woman's deep, dark, almond shaped eyes as she walked past her and out into the hallway.
Outside in the hallway she stood, her thoughts still jumbled and her body trembling slightly. Looking back she saw that Hem stood next to the woman as she was listening attentively to what the woman had to say. She heard voices coming down the corridor and saw her mother, Elyst, and Nael coming toward her. Elyst and her mother were holding hands while a very uncomfortable Nael held a gurgling Joshua in her arms.
Nael had a look of absolute horror on her face as a string of drool slipped from the boy's open mouth and landed on her hand. Palmer turned back and looked at where Hem stood talking to the other Pharmac. Even as Hem was listening to what the woman was saying and pointing at on the electronic device in her hands, the gold and black eyes were fixed on Palmer. As her family drew near, and with Hem's eyes on her, Palmer made a decision. She spun on her heel and walked back into the library. As she drew nearer to where she stood, Palmer could see Hem's eyes widen in confusion. When she reached Hem, she calmly pushed herself between Hem and the Pharmac, throwing the woman a withering glance. Maybe the tall, beautiful cow didn't know that Hem was spoken for, but she will in a minute.
“Palmer? Did you need something else?” Hem asked carefully.
“Yes.”
Hem's cocked her head to the side. “How can I assist you?”
Palmer reached out and locked her hands behind Hem's head, her fingers buried in the cool dark tresses. Not giving the woman a chance to react, she pulled the Hem's head down and slanted her mouth over the chiselled lips. The first taste of Hem after such a long time, rocked her foundation. With a soft groan, she touched her tongue to Hem's lips and sighed in pleasure when the alien's lips parted. Palmer's tongue slipped in immediately went in search of Hem's. From the slow reaction of the woman, Palmer could tell that Hem was still in shock. Instead she brushed her tongue over Hem's before she pulled it into her mouth, sucking gently. The hair in her nape stood up when Hem let out a soft, shaky groan. Palmer ran the tip of her tongue under Hem's tongue, causing a violent tremor to course through the tall body. When she broke the kiss and stood back, Hem's eyes were still closed. When they opened, Palmer was the one to whimper softly at the look of hunger in Hem's eyes. She let go of Hem's head and stood back.
“If you need a place to sleep, you know where to find me,” she said. Hem was still in a hunched position as she studied Palmer's face with dazed eyes. “Goodnight.”
As she walked away, Palmer could feel both Hem and the other Pharmac's eyes on her. As she approached the door, she saw her mother, Elyst, and Nael staring at her, slack jawed. Since Joshua was the only not having been turned to stone, she held out her arms to him and he fell into them with a sharp squeal of pleasure.
“Come, little man, you're already way past your bedtime.”
As she walked down the hallway, she flicked the tip of her tongue over her lips and smiled. Hem tasted as divine as she remembered.