Three Square Meals Ch. 088

Surprised at his tone and the way he was restraining her, Irillith faltered, suddenly unsure of herself. "It seemed like a much nicer way of breaking the news... but I didn't want you to spend hours recording over a hundred separate messages."

John lifted his hand to her throat, gently caressing her as he ran his finger down her neck. "You've been a very good girl and deserve a reward..." He adjusted the position of his fingers so he nearly encircled her neck, making Irillith's eyes widen in excitement. "Soon..."

Her pupils flared with arousal, knowing exactly what he was promising her. He saw the fierce look of defiance in her eyes and knew she was warring with her instinctive urge to submit to him. Releasing her as quickly as he had restrained her, he saw her momentary confusion before she gave him a smouldering look.

"I'll be ready whenever you are, Progenitor," Irillith purred, violet eyes flashing dangerously.

He nodded slowly, meeting Irillith's penetrating glare, only allowing himself a smile when she turned away and sashayed out of the door. Looking down at Tashana, he marvelled that two girls who looked absolutely identical could have such radically different personalities. Tashana yawned and stretched like a cat, her eyelids fluttering open and meeting his inquisitive gaze.

"What?" she asked, suddenly embarrassed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was just admiring your beauty and appreciating how different your personality is to Irillith's," John replied honestly.

Tashana let out a little sigh. "I wish I was more like her. She's so strong and confident."

"I only said different; you have a strength all of your own," John said firmly before gaving her a tender kiss. "Besides, I like you just as you are, I wouldn't change a thing!"

"Coming from a Progenitor, that means a lot," Tashana said with a smile, snuggling closer and wrapping her arms around him.

He laughed and nodded. "Yes, exactly!"

Her violet eyes stared intently into his for a moment before suddenly softening. "Talking of changing people, I know what you did for me and my sister. Irillith spoke to me about it before dinner yesterday; she told me that when you rebuilt Edraele's mind, you made her just like Calara's mother."

"They aren't exactly the same, but Maria was definitely the inspiration behind the bedrock that forms Edraele's new personality," John admitted.

"Why did you do that?" Tashana asked quietly, tracing a finger over his chest.

John carefully brushed her long white hair away from her face, so that he had an unimpeded view of her enchanting eyes. "I didn't know about you then, but I'd seen how much Irillith had suffered at the old Edraele's hands. I wanted to try and make up for that and give Irillith something she'd never experienced before... her mother's love." He smiled wryly as he continued, "Irillith's been sceptical of course, but I'm hopeful she'll eventually come to trust that Edraele's feelings for her, and for you, are quite genuine."

Tashana looked touched by his words, but she slowly shook her head. "No, I mean, why do you care so much about making us happy? I understand how the psychic connections work between us... you become stronger the more devoted we are to you. But you rail against doing that the easy way, when you could just use your powers to make us love you. Instead, you bend over backwards to earn that love the hard way. Why go to all that trouble?"

John cupped her face and gave her a tender kiss. "I'd never force that on you, it goes against everything I believe in. Earning your affection makes it worth so much more... that way it's something you've given me of your own free will, not something I've taken from you."

She gazed at him as she murmured, "What I feel for you goes far beyond affection..."

"I didn't want to be presumptuous," he said with a gentle smile.

Tashana gave him a coy look in return. "Maybe I could show you instead..."

"Now that's an appealing offer," he said, trailing his fingers down her back and leaving a line of goosebumps in their wake. He was about to roll over with her so that she was underneath him, but decided against it and patted his thigh instead. "Why don't you show me what you had in mind?"

She caught that momentary flicker of hesitation but did as he asked, straddling him with a thoughtful look on her face. "I know we ran into... difficulties... that first time we were together, but you don't have to treat me like I'm made out of glass. I trust you completely, I know you'd never hurt me."

"I don't want to risk doing anything that might remind you of bad experiences, not until I'm sure you can handle it." John smiled, beckoning her closer as he whispered furtively, "Can I let you in on a little secret?"

Looking intrigued, she lay down on his chest, the warm weight of her breasts pressing against him. "What is it?"

"I've enjoyed being very gentle and protective with you, easing you into this physical relationship. It's different and exciting," he admitted, wrapping his arms around her toned back.

"What if I want something more vigorous than that?" Tashana asked, her eyes sparkling with growing arousal.

"Like I said... show me," John said, arching his eyebrow as he challenged her with a look.

She grinned at him when he released her from his embrace, sitting upright and positioning herself over his throbbing cock. Taking hold of his shaft, she eased her way down, pushing his hard length into her eager body. Her eyelids fluttered as he sank deeper, shifting her body to ease his progress until he filled her pussy. She gasped as he went deeper still. Tashana only paused when he was fully hilted inside her and she placed her hands lightly on his torso, gazing down at him with a look of satisfaction on her face.

John paused to admire her stunning figure, his hands roaming from her sleek thighs, up her flanks to her impressive breasts. He cupped them in his hands, gently massaging the pert flesh and enjoying the contrast between their skin tones. Tashana had paused her movements to indulge his exploration of her body, murmuring her approval as he gently caressed her. When he glanced up at her face again, he was surprised to see her studying him with a thoughtful expression.

"What is it?" he asked, reaching up to brush his thumb against her cheek.

Her striking violet eyes seemed to burn with a sudden fierce intensity. "You've worked so hard to encourage my trust in you, and I do trust you with all my heart, but I was just wondering... do you really trust me in return?"

John gave her a curious look. "Of course I trust you."

"With your life?" she asked him, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes, absolutely," he agreed, his reply firm and unwavering.

Tashana leaned forward against his chest so that her face was only inches above his. She gave him a mysterious smile. "Roll with me..."

Feeling her body shift to the left, John did as she asked, rolling with her so that he was on top. Wary about squashing her under his heavier weight, he lifted his chest off hers, holding himself up with his arms. "Is that okay?" he asked, worried about frightening her with another flashback.

"Perfect," she purred, her thighs lifting as she rested her calves across his buttocks. Her slender blue fingers ran over his arms for a moment, feeling the reassuring strength of his biceps.

John watched her in fascination, his curiosity piqued by this bolder, more assertive side to her that he'd yet to experience.

"I burned you before," she said unexpectedly, a hint of shame in her eyes. "I was strong enough to hurt you then, but I'm far more powerful now... Do you really trust someone who nearly killed you?"

"You're not that same person, not any more," John said, his voice throbbing with conviction. "I trust you implicitly."

Tashana's eyes started to glow brighter and after a final caress of his arms she pulled back her hands. She held one between them, staring at it as a lick of flame sprang up in the palm of her hand. John flinched backwards instinctively and Tashana gave him a knowing look. "You remember the searing pain..."

He nodded slowly, his eyes drawn to her fingers as the fire began to spread, more of the amber flames bursting into existence until her whole hand was burning. "I tried to shut it out, but the pain was too intense..."

"Do you trust me?" she asked again, her eyes shining bright now, her gaze riveted on his.

Trying to steady his racing heartbeat, John nodded, meeting that piercing stare. "I do."

Tashana turned her hand towards him, the flames burning with a fierce hunger now. She brought it towards his chest, while closely watching his face, seeing the internal fight within him. John fought down the overpowering urge to lurch backwards, lifting his eyes to meet hers. He gasped when she placed her fingers against his chest, expecting that scorching heat to sizzle his flesh, but her touch was cool and reassuring. His eyes widened as he saw the flames dance outwards, spreading out over his body until his chest and shoulders were wreathed in a halo of fire.

"Embraced by the flames," she crooned, her pupils flaring as she stared at him, angular eyes going wide. "I literally hold your life in the palm of my hand..."

John felt his heart hammering in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He knew it was true, she could incinerate him in an instant if she chose to.

He'd never felt more alive.

He could see that same passion in Tashana, her eyes smouldering with lust for him.

"You passed the test," she gasped, her breath quickening. "Now it's time to claim your prize..."

Pulling back his hips he thrust forward again, watching her nod, an eager smile on her face as she massaged his flanks with her thighs. Her smooth tummy felt soft and warm underneath him, and he raised himself higher so he could look down at her slim abdomen, watching it ripple with the bulge of his cock as he drove it inside her. He wanted to claim her body, fill her womb with his cum, breed this intoxicating woman and make her his own.

"Do it... make me yours," she gasped, arching her back and using her thighs to pull him deeper.

John thrust into her with long, powerful strokes, riding her lithe young body and losing himself in her lustful cries. He was dimly aware of the flames flickering around his torso, but she kept him safe from their scorching heat, surrounding his body with her fire and passion. They fucked each other with a primal intensity, savouring the gift of life, so fragile, so precious, so thrilling...

Tashana peaked first with a keening wail, clinging to him with a savage strength as he pounded her into the mattress. Impaling himself up to the balls, John roared out his release, the cum blasting out of his quad like a geyser as he pumped her womb full of spunk. Her belly rapidly expanded to house everything he gave her, rounding out with his inhumanly vast load.

He collapsed on top of her when he was spent, the flames winking out as he slumped forward. John was too wrung out and exhausted to roll clear as he normally did. They panted together, chests heaving as they struggled to regain their breath, both revelling in the blissful afterglow of their climax.

"I should move," he finally gasped between pants.

"No, don't go," she said softly, wrapping her arms around him to gently hold him in place. "This feels wonderful..."

He relaxed in her loving embrace, Tashana's mane of white hair tickling the side of his face as she kissed his cheek. They stayed like that for a while, her lips trailing kisses to his ear until she breathed quietly, "I love you..."

John lifted his head to look into her eyes, seeing the vulnerability in those bewitching violet orbs. "I love you too," he replied, sealing his declaration with a tender kiss.

She gave him a soft, beautiful smile that lit up her exquisite face and made his heart skip a beat.

"Let me hold you now," he said as he returned her smile, easing himself out of her.

They moved fluidly together so that John was spooning Tashana, savouring the chance to wrap her in his arms. She snuggled back against him and let out a happy sigh, feeling protected and loved in the security of his embrace. It didn't take long for them to fall into a light doze, both enjoying the comfortable intimacy.

When John awoke a short while later, Tashana had shifted in his arms, turning so that she was facing him now. As his eyes opened, she leaned in to kiss him. "Hello again," she said with a smile.

He placed his hand on her rounded tummy and grinned at her. "So I didn't just dream all of that then?"

"No, that was real," she replied, placing her hand on top of his.

Interlacing his fingers with hers, he lifted her hand to his lips, where he proceeded to kiss her fingertips. "Your control was incredible... how did you stop the flames from burning me?" he asked, still astonished by it.

She blushed slightly. "I just thought of you as being part of me. I knew I could keep you safe."

"It was thrilling to put myself in your hands like that." He didn't ask if he'd stirred up any bad memories with their heated coupling because he didn't need to, there'd been nothing but passion in the way she'd reacted.

"It meant so much... seeing you place your trust in me so completely," Tashana replied, stroking her thumb against his. "I got totally lost in the moment."

"I know exactly what you mean." He glanced down at her swollen belly with a wry smile on his face. "I had planned on giving you breakfast this morning. I hope you can forgive me for getting so turned on that I lost all control."

"You're forgiven. I love feeling so full there, it's different to when I swallow," she said, following his gaze to the curvy evidence of all the cum he'd packed into her womb.

"It's good for you to get used to being stretched like that," John said, sharing a gentle kiss with her and enjoying the doe-eyed look she gave him. When they parted lips, he relaxed back on the bed. "What are your plans for today, beautiful?"

Tashana gave him a shy smile. "It's not too late for breakfast. I'll enjoy this feeling for a little while longer, then see if Jade can help. After that, I'd like to do some psychic practice with Alyssa."

John looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "Actually, there's something I could use your help with when you aren't training. I was wondering if you can search through all your old Progenitor research notes and see if you can find any mention of the Astral Plane, or the monsters that live there."

"I can definitely check for you, but I don't remember any references," Tashana said, a slight frown on her face. "It's possible I might have missed something though. Perhaps some oblique note in Valada's files that I didn't understand initially."

"That's just what I was thinking," he said, stroking her arm and giving her a grateful smile. "Anything more we can find out would be helpful."

She nodded, giving him a supportive smile. "How about you, have you got anything important planned for today?"

"Breakfast in bed sounds like a lovely idea," he said enthusiastically. "After that, I want to catch up with a few of the girls; Sakura, and Calara specifically."

Jade's voice carried across the bedroom from the doorway as she said, "It looks like Alyssa sent me at just the right time then." She glided in, carrying a plate with a full cooked breakfast and prowled over to the bed. "I hope I'm not interrupting?"

John and Tashana shook their heads, beckoning the Nymph onto the bed. Jade slipped off her shoes and climbed onto the covers, moving with feline grace as she joined them. She handed the plate and a set of cutlery to John, then cuddled up behind the Maliri girl. His stomach rumbled as she passed over his breakfast and he let out a happy sigh as he got stuck in.

"Have you been having a good morning, Jade?" Tashana asked the Nymph, who was lovingly caressing her expanded waistline.

"I have, although I haven't been having quite as much fun as you and Irillith," Jade said, a lop-sided smile on her lips. "Your sister was quite vocal about how much you were enjoying sex with John."

Tashana blushed furiously. "Those shared orgasms are so embarrassing!"

Jade shook her head. "Irillith wasn't embarrassed, she appeared to be having a marvellous time!"

"Apart from watching Irillith, what else have you been up to, honey?" John asked, spearing a piece of sausage and taking a big bite.

"I was going to help with Faye's body, but it's intricate, painstaking work. Her new chassis is far more sophisticated than the maintenance robots. It's beyond my ability to construct, so Dana decided to work on it herself." Looking pleased, she added, "Dana's been keeping me busy constructing more Quantum rifles. By the time we reach Trankaran Space, the weapon racks will be fully stocked in the additional locations we discussed."

"I might check in on her and see how she's getting on," John said, before continuing to plough through his breakfast.

When he was done, he kissed both girls goodbye and disappeared into the shower to freshen up. He'd only been in there thirty seconds when Alyssa appeared in the bathroom, quickly stripping off her clothes so she could join him.

Upon seeing John's surprise, she moved into his arms and gave him a passionate kiss. "I did promise you that you wouldn't have to shower alone. The rest of the girls are busy at the moment, so I volunteered myself; not that I ever need any encouragement to shower with you!"

"This was only meant to be a quick one. I was going to see if Sakura and Calara wanted to do some sparring," he explained, before remembering that she knew exactly what he was planning.

Her knowing smile confirmed that for him a moment later. She continued to give him lingering, tender kisses, her arms roving over his body as though she'd been missing him terribly.

"Are you alright?" he asked, startled by her overt, but not unwelcome, display of affection.

She laughed nervously, slipping her arms around his waist and holding him tight. "I had no idea Tashana was going to do that! I'm glad you got a thrill out of living on the edge, but I was having kittens! I nearly rushed down here to come and rescue you!"

"I'm sorry we scared you," John said, tilting up her chin to give her a soothing kiss. "I think she needed... I don't know, forgiveness maybe? I could see how much it meant to her, knowing that I trusted her like that."

"The sooner I bond with her, the better," Alyssa murmured, nuzzling into him. "Everything's so much easier when I know exactly what the girls are thinking."

"Is she ready to bond with you?" he asked, stroking her back to comfort her.

Alyssa hesitated and shrugged imperceptibly. "Tashana feels different to the others. It might be because of the protective blanket you used to suppress her old memories, but I can't tell for sure."

He nodded, holding Alyssa close as they stood under the streams of hot water. "It's still early days, there's plenty of time for that." He smiled as a sudden thought came to him. "Were you telling Tashana what I was thinking? She seemed awfully intuitive all of a sudden."

Alyssa met his curious gaze with a playful smile. "I might have been freaked out, but I still wanted you two to have a great time. I'm just surprised you didn't knock her up, she was really pushing your buttons!"

"I've got pretty good at suppressing that desire, no matter how much you girls turn me on," John said, leaning in for a kiss. "I've had to, otherwise you'd definitely be eating for two right now."

"Not long to wait," Alyssa purred, giving him a sensual kiss. "Only a few more months and you can start breeding all of us..." Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she added, "I wonder if we'll get another award ceremony when we save the galaxy? If we do, we should definitely postpone it for a few months until we're all showing..."