They watched the astronaut leave the ship. He wore a sleek, black-and-white spacesuit with a streamlined helmet. He flew gracefully through space until he reached the first satellite. He opened a panel, adjusting something on the control panel.
“This is Storm Team One. The satellites are in position.”
Finley blew out a breath. This was it. She watched the astronaut return to the shuttle.
“Initializing StarStorm orbital test,” a female voice said.
Finley’s mouth was dry now. The Kantos were coming. They wouldn’t stop. They had to get the StarStorm working.
But she couldn’t help but feel like she needed more time. That they were rushing things.
The countdown started.
She held on to Sabin’s hand.
“Oh my God, my nerves are killing me,” Gemma said, from behind Finley.
The first laser fired.
Finley sucked in a sharp breath. It looked so different in space.
More lasers fired, the net forming.
“It’s working,” Ian said.
Finley’s chest expanded. The net was beautiful.
“The final laser is failing to fire,” the female voice said. “But the others are successful.”
Gemma squealed and hugged Ian. His cheeks went red. Finley turned to Sabin and grinned.
“Just one small glitch, but it worked.”
“Congratulations,” he said.
Finley squealed and threw her arms around him. He lifted her off her feet, then his mouth was on hers.
She didn’t care about the others, she just kissed him back. His tongue stroked hers and he took his time.
When they lifted their heads, Gemma and Ian were grinning at them.
Finley fought a blush, but she didn’t care.
For however long she had him, Sabin was hers. She’d cherish every minute.
He set her on her feet.
“The test was a success,” Sabin said.
“But one laser failed. We still need to do some fine-tuning.”
“Let’s get to work.”
“Ahh.”
Sabin lifted his head and watched Finley throw her old-fashioned notebook across the lab. It hit the wall, then smacked to the floor. She slumped in her chair.
“Finley?” It was just the two of them. Gemma and Ian had worked with them all day, but left for the evening an hour before.
“This was supposed to be an easy fix,” Finley said. “But I can’t do it all from down here.” She blew out a breath.
Her jaw was tight and her shoulders stiff. He walked to her, and massaged her shoulders. “You have a team to help. You don’t have to do every little thing yourself.”
She grunted. “I need the orbital team to manually adjust some of the weapons systems.”
“So send them the instructions.”
“This isn’t their specialty, and the StarStorm is completely new. What if they get it wrong? What if—?”
“They get it right.” Sabin crouched in front of her. “I know this is your project. I know you feel a great sense of responsibility.” He rested his hands on her thighs. “You are not alone.”
“I know.”
“Send the instructions.”
“Now?”
“Yes. So you don’t stress and stew on it.”
She huffed out a breath, then tapped on her computer. Finally, she hit send.
“There. Detailed instructions sent to the orbital team.” Her computer chimed and she leaned forward to read the message. Her lips quirked. “They’re going to start work right away.”
“See?” Sabin stroked her thigh.
Her gaze dropped to his hand and lingered.
“You can relax now,” he said.
“Hardly. I’ll still worry about it. And if the damn Kantos assassins attack again…”
Sabin had seen the mess of the fight with the assassin in the other lab. His gut clenched. She could so easily have been killed. Ian had detailed the fight for him and how courageous she’d been.
His. Sabin’s helian pulsed. She was his to care for. To protect.
He stroked his hand higher and she stilled. He flicked open the button of her sensible pants.
“Sabin.” Her voice was half shocked, half aroused.
“I want you to relax.”
“Anyone could come in—”
“Everyone is gone for the night. They were exhausted trying to keep up with you.” He stroked his fingers along the seam of her pants and she gasped. “Do you like that, Finley?”
“I like any time you touch me.”
He gripped the sides of her pants and tugged. She clutched the arms of her chair and lifted her hips. “Sabin, if someone does walk in—”
“I locked the door when Gemma and Ian left.”
She licked her lips. He knelt in front of her and slid his hand up her bare legs.
“Touch yourself,” he said.
Her cheeks turned pink, but she slid her hand down her body. She had a sensual streak she kept hidden.
His blood pulsed, his cock surged. “I love looking at you.”
She touched herself and moaned softly.
Desire roared higher. Sabin pushed her hand away, then leaned down and put his mouth on her.
“Sabin.”
He licked and sucked, watching her writhe under his touch. He loved pleasuring her.
She panted, whispering his name. A hand slid into his hair, holding him to her.
“Oh, yes.” Her body shook as she came.
Sabin slowed his kisses. He pressed a kiss to her inner thigh and she shivered.
Then he pulled her out of the chair, lifting her into his arms, making sure her lab coat covered her lower body.
“Sabin, my trousers—”
“I’ve got them.” He carried her out of the lab. “Now I’m taking you to bed.”
She slid her arm across his shoulders. “To sleep?”
He grinned. “Eventually.”
In their quarters, he took his time stripping her. He wanted to savor, not to rush. They’d done fast, now was the time to indulge. To touch, taste, and stroke every part of her. When they were tangled on the bed, he moved inside her—slow and deep—their gazes locked together.
They came together, her crying out his name as he groaned out hers.
They fell asleep, naked, and wrapped in each other.
It felt like only minutes later that his communicator chimed.
Sitting up, Sabin turned on the bedside lamp. He saw that they’d been asleep for several hours. He grabbed his communicator. It was a call from Malax.
“Sorry to wake you, Sabin,” his war commander said.
Finley sat up just out of view, and pushed her hair out of her face. She stayed quiet.
“It’s fine, Malax.”
“You’re all healed?”
“Yes. And there’s been no sign of the Kantos.”
“I wish I could say the same.” Malax’s face was set. “What’s the status of the StarStorm?”
“We’re close. The orbital testing went well. The Space Corps astronauts are making some adjustments.”
“We’re out of time,” Malax said.
Finley stifled a gasp.
“What’s happened?” Sabin demanded.
“The Kantos fleet is headed for Earth.”