Page 83 of The Red Woman on Mars

By the time she came out of the bathroom, Xavier had completed a laundry cycle and handed her the same black Catena-style clothing to slip back on, now clean. He wore his own laundered pants with a bare torso as he stood in the small bedroom rummaging in a first aid kit.

“How are your injuries?” Vivian asked.

“Healing well.”

Vivian moved closer to peer at his marred brown skin. “They’re almost fully scabbed over. So fast.”

Xavier taped a new bandage in place with brisk efficiency. “The liquid stiches were first rate. That was quick thinking on your part, to get a medical kit.” He sat down on August’s neatly made bed. “Come here.”

Vivian sank down beside him, suddenly shy. They had been through so much together and yet, in some ways, were still strangers to each other.

Xavier took his palm and held it upright, against her hand. He threaded his long fingers in between hers.

Vivian trembled. “I thought Martians and Earthers couldn’t hold hands.”

“We can, with trust and careful communication.” Xavier’s dark brown eyes held her gaze. “I am in your power, Vivian Bowen. If you squeeze your hand too tightly, you might sprain my fingers. You may even break something.”

Vivian took note of his rapid breathing, the way his lips parted slightly. “This excites you?” She hadn’t quite figured out the contours of his confusing sexual desires, but she found she was interested in further exploration.

“To surrender to another person is the ultimate form of intimacy. Tighten your fingers, just slightly.” Vivian obeyed. “Stop,” he gasped. Vivian tried to pull her fingers away, but he held onfast. “Do you see? I put my body quite literally in your hands, but you gave the power back to me by obeying my limit.”

“I do,” she said slowly. “But that doesn’t mean I want to hurt you.”

Xavier smiled slightly. “I have no interest in being hurt. What I want is for us to surrender to each other. To give power and receive it.” He disentangled his fingers and put one hand behind her head. “Will you try that with me?”

Vivian nodded, unsure of what she was agreeing to.

Xavier leaned forward and brought his lips to hers. He kissed her like he was drowning in her, his tongue exploring her mouth and his teeth biting her lower lip. Vivian surrendered to the kiss, letting him take control. Her body stayed attune to the movement of his lips and hands, her mind fully present in the moment.

He pulled her back on the bed, positioning them side to side. Vivian gently ran a finger along the edge of his dense close-cropped hair, down his neck, and his bare chest, featherlight on the bandages. She reached the vee of his lower stomach and lifted her chin to meet his eyes.

“Would you—touch me?” Xavier asked.

Vivian nodded, wordless. He pulled off his remaining clothes in one smooth motion. She let her eyes move over his naked body and then brought her hand over his thigh and took him in hand.

She watched his face as she moved her wrist, observing the way his lips parted, and his breath came out in short huffs. She understood, then, what he meant about giving power and receiving it. In this moment, with his pleasure under her control, she felt powerful.

“More, please,” he murmured against her neck. “I have no bones to break on that particular appendage.”

Vivian tightened her grip and saw how his breath came faster. She liked hearing the little moans coming out of his mouth. Sheliked watching this proud, controlled man come undone in her hand. Finally, he clutched her thigh and let out a short, loud groan, shuddering.

Xavier opened his eyes and grinned at her. With one long hand, he reached to the side of August’s bed for a tissue and cleaned her hand and his stomach.

“Is that what you meant by surrender?”

He threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her face close to his. “In part. May I show you more?”

Vivian nipped his lower lip. “Are you going to ask me every time?”

“Until I understand your boundaries. I have no wish to coerce you into an act you don’t enjoy.” His lips moved to her ear. “I want you on top of me.”

Vivian hesitated. “I—I thought that was dangerous.”

Xavier’s eyes gleamed. “That’s what makes it fun.”

Vivian pulled back slightly. “I’m beginning to think you have a death wish.”

“You won’t crush me.” He put a hand on her hip. “Climb on top of me but don’t touch me.”