“Why are you embarrassed?” He stepped closer and cupped her face, peering into her eyes. “Your face is very pink.”
“This is still new to me.”
“There is no reason to experience shyness or embarrassment. I think you are beautiful and perfect, my Kelsey. Kiss me.” He leaned forward to brush his lips over hers. “I am yours.”
Kelsey couldn’t resist placing her hands on his chest and exploring him as he deepened the kiss. He was so talented at it, making her sex ache, and even her breasts. She leaned into him, rubbing against his body, wanting more.
Crath broke the kiss, leaving her breathless. He practically ripped his own clothes off until they were both naked. Her gaze lowered to his muscular chest…and lower.
He had the best body she’d ever seen. And he was hung. He took her breath away. Kelsey’s hands twitched, wanting to touch him again. She only hesitated for a second. His skin was firm and warm as she brushed her fingers lightly over one of his nipples. It beaded tight, and he growled low.
It turned her on more. Everything about him did.
He gripped her waist and helped her lay back on the bed.
“I’m going to feed from you. Your scent of need is driving me insane. I want a taste now.”
His voice had deepened, and she spread her legs, giving him access. Crath didn’t hesitate to grip her inner thighs, push her legs farther apart, and then his hot, wet mouth was on her. She moaned his name as he licked her clit and growled. The vibrations it caused felt incredible.
Kelsey slid her fingers into his thick hair, needing to touch him. It didn’t take long for her to climax. He was too good at knowing exactly how to get her off. He lifted his head, and she stared into his eyes as he rose up and came down on top of her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he slowly entered her pussy.
She gripped his shoulders, trying to remember not to dig her nails into his skin too hard as his cock slid inside her. “Yes!”
“Mine,” Crath snarled.
He took her hard and fast, driving his hips into the cradle of her thighs. All Kelsey could do was cling to him and feel the ecstasy build until another climax struck, making her yell out his name. She felt him coming as he drove into her deep and stayed there. His body bucked a few times as liquid heat filled her.
Kelsey smiled as they caught their breath. “Mission accomplished.”
Crath watched her, his face inches above hers. “What mission?”
“You said you wanted to please me,” she teased.
“Always. As many times as you want.”
“Be careful of what you offer. I’m no longer employed, so I have a lot of free time on my hands. This could become my favorite pastime. I might keep you in bed permanently.”
“I’d be honored.”
She loved that he could make her laugh after sex. Her laugh turned into a yawn. “Sorry.”
“Never apologize. We should sleep. Computer, lights to twenty percent,” Crath called out. The room dimmed considerably at his command.
She thought that kind of technology was pretty damn useful. Rich people on Earth had voice-command technology to help run their fancy homes, but that had been way out of her budget. Now that she was in space…neither of them had to get up to turn down the lights.
Crath helped her sit up and he pulled down the covers. They both climbed under them and he drew her closer. Kelsey ended up snuggled against his side, using his chest for a pillow. It was a great one.
She yawned again, exhausted. That didn’t stop her from spinning with questions.
“Will your family let us know if they hear anything about the missing woman who went after my friend Nexis? I feel a little guilty that I’m safe and secure while they aren’t.”
“I can make certain they do.”
She started to get off him so he could get up. He tightened his hold on her. “I’m doing it now. No need to move.”
She lifted her head to stare at his face, seeing that he’d closed his eyes…but that’s all he did. “You are? How?”
“I’m thinking at the Pods.”
“What are those again, exactly?”
He smiled. “Aliens. Small ones that resemble eggs with arms and legs. They can read minds if you concentrate your thoughts directly at them. I’m asking them if Marrow has reached out yet.”
There was no sound besides their breathing. Kelsey waited a good ten seconds before speaking. “I’ll take that as a no. Damn. I hope they’re okay. I actually begged that blue guy to buy Nexis because she thought she’d be safe with him.” Guilt ate at her.
Crath opened his eyes. “Parri males are mostly honorable. Marrow can and will handle him if he turns out not to be. She is a ferocious fighter when provoked, one who escaped a bad planet where females weren’t treated fairly. I’ve seen her spar with York a few times. She’ll handle that Parri and bring the Titian to us. We’ll worry if we don’t hear from her within another twelve hours. The crew and my family are already looking for the buyer’s vessel. I have every faith that they will find it.”
He paused, closing his eyes again. “I’m telling the Pods to wake us as soon as they have any updated information.”
“These Pods communicate with thoughts? Will they like, shout inside your head?”
“Not exactly. They can only read minds.”
“That is…disturbing. But cool too. Do they work with you? That must make your job a hell of a lot easier to catch the bad guys. They can just scan the minds of any suspects to tell you if you’ve got the right perp or not.”
“The Pods rarely leave The Vorge. The risk of them being kidnapped is always high. Most of their kind never venture off their home world. There are a lot of ruthless criminals who would pay a fortune on the black market to buy a mind-reading slave.”
“Did you save them too?”
“Cathian and his crew freed them from slavery. It’s their story to share, but the Pods wanted to remain here. The Vorge is their home.” He chuckled. “And yes. I would have loved to experience their assistance on some missions I’ve been on.”
Kelsey yawned again. “Sorry. I’m really wiped out. My brain is going a hundred miles an hour but my body is hitting the brakes.”
He cuddled her in his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We will talk later. Sleep. Dream about a future with me.”
“You don’t give up.” She smiled though. “I’m starting to like that about you, instead of finding it annoying.”
“I will never stop wanting you to always be in my life.” He started to gently caress her back. “Rest, my heart.”
Crath knew the second that Kelsey drifted into a deep sleep. Her breathing slowed and her soft body turned utterly lax. He pressed another kiss to her forehead, enjoying having her wrapped around him. It was where she belonged. He just needed to convince her of that.
She was law enforcement on her planet. He needed to do something impressive to show her that he was a worthy male to bond with. Earth had sold her. That betrayal would leave a deep wound on her soul. She’d want justice for the crime committed against her. That would be important to her, and to him as well.
He snuggled her closer, thinking about how he might have lost her because of the Cristos. He really hated that race. Most did, at least if they were sane and decent. He stared at the ceiling of his cabin, contemplating the auction—and what Earth was doing to their women. A plan formed, and the more he thought about it, the wider his smile grew.