Kiss the Stranger

I slept late, and when I woke, the sun was already high overhead. I opened my eyes first and lay there for a moment, blinking in sleepiness. In my blurred vision I saw a broad chest rising and falling rhythmically. Slowly I lifted my gaze from those thick pectorals, and recognized the familiar, composed face above them. It was Kamar.
It was hard to believe that this peaceful slumbering man had held me so fiercely until dawn. Every morning felt like a miracle—lying together on the bed, the way his heavy arm draped over my waist as though it belonged there, the gentle innocence on his face that belied what he’d done just hours before, and above all, the impossibility of this situation.
I’d never imagined a morning waking beside another person would feel so ordinary.

A tickle of warmth fluttered in my chest, and I smiled softly. I watched Kamar’s face for a long moment.
He was still in a deep sleep. His features were beautiful, as I’d thought the first time I saw him—the strong jawline, the smooth bridge of his nose, the sculpted cheekbones, all perfect. And the violet eyes hidden beneath his lashes—when they caught the sun and glinted golden, the sweet scent that spilled from him left me breathless. It had been the same yesterday. Even after his rut ended, we clung to each other whenever we could. In the sweltering midday heat we stayed inside the hut; when night fell, we embraced out on the sands. Every time I opened my eyes, I found myself on the bed—he must have lifted me there before drifting off again.
I smiled to myself, and Kamar frowned, sensing my gaze. He lifted his lids and our eyes met.

“Hello.”
I greeted him with a smile and kissed his lips. Dazed, he blinked a few times, then returned my kiss with a grin.
“Good morning. You’re already awake?”

“My eyes just opened on their own.”
I curled into his embrace, and he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist as if he’d been waiting for that. I felt his erection pressing insistently against me. Sure enough, he bent his head to kiss me again. But we were not alone in the hut.
“Ah!”
Something tapped my head sharply, and I snapped fully awake. I raised my head to see Rikal batting at my hair with concealed claws.

“Sorry, Rikal. I’ll feed you right now.”
Guilt pricked me as I’d momentarily forgotten him. I hurried to sit up, but Kamar held me by the waist. He murmured against my back,

“We need to eat, too.”
I patted his head reassuringly, then tried to stand—but it wasn’t easy. My hips always ached after the night’s exertions, and today Kamar was still clinging to me. I gave his arm a gentle smack.
“Help me instead. Let’s finish quickly and then kiss more.”

“Mm?” He sighed, then reluctantly let me go. I stumbled upright, and behind me he said,
“Kissing won’t be the only thing.”
His warning tone made me nod eagerly. I knew he meant it—we always started with kisses but never stopped there.

Turning my back to him, I busied myself preparing breakfast, trying to cool the flush in my cheeks. Maybe because I was an omega, my body still burned with desire even outside my heat. Fortunately, Kamar’s appetite matched or even exceeded mine. He’d held me first, claimed my body wherever we were. I’d welcomed him every time. It felt as if we were in heat all day, every day—and maybe we could stay like this for a year.
“Ah.”
As always, Kamar crept up behind me and yanked me backward. I gasped, then reached back to stroke his hair resting on my shoulder.

“I’ll be quick.”
His familiar warmth surrounded me. Since last night, his sweet scent had lingered around me, catching me off-guard and leaving my mind blank. It was subtle the rest of the time, but during our intimacy it flooded out so strongly it stole my reason. It felt like pheromones, though it couldn’t be—if he were an alpha, I’d have smelled it long ago. And the scent had only begun recently. I couldn’t think why, but perhaps it was simply because I was utterly enthralled by him.
I love Kamar.

A small cry of embarrassment escaped me. I pretended to hurry, gathering the bowls and utensils while avoiding Rikal weaving between my legs, and managed to finish breakfast preparations.
In the afternoon, Rikal sprawled in one corner of the hut while I collected the rumpled cloths from the bed.
“What are you doing?”
Kamar asked immediately. He’d obviously expected me to lounge on the bed, and his confusion was clear. I smiled and answered,

“I’m going to wash laundry for the first time in a while. Let’s change clothes too—it’s time.”
He snatched the cloth from me and frowned.
“Do it today?”

“I’ve been putting it off since yesterday.”
My hand injuries had kept me from working properly, but now they’d healed enough for mending. He scowled at my reminder.
“The cloth is stiff and it hurts.”

At that, his expression softened. It wasn’t fine fabric to begin with, but it had grown unusually rigid from use—and I’d reached its limit.
“Let’s sleep on the new bedding tonight.”
I soothed him and carried out the pile of clothes. We planned to wash and bathe together. Under the shade of a tree, while I washed, Kamar assisted by fetching water and tools. He alone strung the line between branches and hung each piece. When he passed me the last garment, he shrugged off his own clothes without hesitation. I was scrubbing mine, and when I glanced over, I caught him frozen in place. Unfazed, I said,

“You too, Kamar. Let’s wash and bathe together.”
He said nothing, simply watched me. I ignored him and continued scrubbing with all my might.
“Here.”

After a long pause, Kamar stripped completely and handed me his clothes. I reached for them, then looked up and stopped. Under the bright sun stood the naked man who’d claimed my body countless times. It was the first time I’d seen him so exposed in daylight.
My face burned. I averted my eyes and hastily took the clothes, working to finish the laundry. He still stood there, watching me. I completed the rinsing and held the garments out.
“Here—hang them.”

Kamar blinked in surprise. I thought he was staring at me, but apparently I’d been wrong. I teased him,
“What were you looking at so intently?”
Instead of answering, he glanced past me. I turned, but there was nothing but sand. He shrugged, said nothing, and walked over to hang the laundry.

When I’d tidied up, my skin tingled from every chore. The sun had dipped lower—I needed to bathe before dusk. I stepped into the oasis, wading into the lukewarm water and washing myself. Suddenly I felt eyes on me. I looked up and met Kamar’s gaze—he, too, was naked. My mouth went dry and my heart pounded.
I swallowed hard, my throat catching loudly. I fought the urge to look at his erection, [N O V E L I G H T] but I was too shy to meet his eyes. I didn’t know where to look, yet I couldn’t look away. It felt like confronting a predator ready to strike.
I took an involuntary step back—and in the next instant, Kamar closed the distance and pulled me into his arms.