Airen cocked her head. “You never wanted to mate.”
His gaze fell on Finley. “I’d never give her up. She’s everything.”
“We’ll talk later on how to make it work for you both,” Malax said. “Now go, be with your mate.”
Sabin strode across the bridge. “Can I steal my mate?”
Wren smiled at him. “Go. Finley, we’ll catch up soon. We’ve got lots to talk about, including my tips on dealing with Eon warrior mates.” She winked.
Finley smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Frowning, Sabin pulled her off the bridge.
“You must have so much to do.” She pushed her hair back behind her ears. “I can—”
He cupped her face. “Right now, all I want to focus on is my mate.”
She licked her lips.
“Finley, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
If she rejected that bond…
“You never wanted to mate.” Her voice was hushed.
“It was your trust and encouragement that let me trust my abilities.”
“And you have duties here, responsibilities—”
“I love you.”
Her lips parted.
“Being with you has changed everything, and opened my eyes.”
“Sabin—”
“It was fear that drove me not to want to mate.” He smiled. “With you by my side, I’m not afraid of my extra senses.” He lowered his voice. “I want to use them on you, every moment I can.”
She blushed. “My work is on Earth, yours is here.”
“We’ll work it out. The Eon-Terran alliance isn’t going anywhere, so there will be lots of opportunities. And to be with you, I’ll do whatever I have to do.”
“Oh, Sabin.” Her face softened. “I love you so much.”
He lifted her off her feet for a kiss. He pulled the taste of her in. He’d never get enough of her.
Suddenly, a cramp hit him. With a grunt, he set her down. Heat washed over his skin.
“Sabin? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“No.” This was pure hunger. Hunger for his mate.
He closed in on her and backed her up. She gasped and her shoulder blades hit the wall.
His lips took hers. She melted against him and moaned into his mouth. When he lifted his head, his control was ragged.
“Sabin?” Her lips were swollen, a dazed look on her face.
“This is the mating fever.”
“Oh?” She cupped his face. “I know you’ve dreaded it. Are you—?”
He grabbed her hand and pressed it to his pants, right over his straining cock.
She cupped him and bit her lip.
“I’m not afraid. I need you, Finley. So much.”
“I’m yours.”
Sabin scooped her into his arms and carried her down the corridor. He marched into a lift and hit the buttons.
Finally, they reached his cabin and he pressed a hand to the electronic lock.
He strode into his cabin and dropped her on his bed. He stood beside the bed, and his armor retracted. Finley’s did as well. Then he tore off his uniform.
Her gaze was on him, inflaming his senses. He dropped his clothes on the floor.
“Take your clothes off, Finley.”
Her gaze dropped to his straining cock. She lifted her chin. “You take my clothes off.”
With a growl, he was on the bed, yanking her to the edge. A husky cry broke from her.
“This is going to be a little rough,” he warned.
He reached out and opened the front fastening of her spacesuit, lowering it down over her breasts, her belly.
She shivered. “I’m okay with that.”
“Rough and long.” He pressed a kiss to her sternum. Her breasts quivered.
“How long?” she panted.
He tore her panties off, leaving his curvy mate naked.
“The mating fever usually lasts a few days.”
Her eyes popped wide. “Days?”
He covered her body with his. “I promise you, you’ll enjoy it.”
Then he took her mouth with his and they were both lost.
She couldn’t move.
She would probably never move again.
Finley would just have to stay in Sabin’s bed aboard the Rengard, forever.
She was on her belly and she languidly turned her head. Sabin was sleeping deeply beside her. She guessed they’d been locked in his cabin for about two days. She had vague memories of food being delivered, and his doctor friend Thane checking on them.
Sabin had been insatiable. Hell, she’d been insatiable. She made a contented sound.
It had been amazing. They’d made love every way they knew how. He’d shown her a few decadent new things, and she was pretty sure they’d invented a few others together.
She’d been totally wrong. Sex was the most amazing thing ever.
Finley shivered and moved closer to him. She pressed a kiss to his strong back.
She loved his body. She also loved his brain. She loved everything about this warrior. Her warrior.
They’d work this out. She knew they could.
He stirred, the muscles under her lips flexing. He rolled and then pulled her against his chest.
“How’s my prickly garva?” He pressed a kiss to her hair.
“Alive, but my legs may never work again.”
His hand skimmed down beside her thigh, and her leg twitched.
“It’s a miracle,” he said.
She smiled at him, taking in his body. He was fully healed. He’d proven that over the last couple of days.
“I suppose we should check in,” she said.
Everyone would know exactly what they’d been doing. She tried not to feel embarrassed.
“Soon.” He took her lips in a lazy kiss.
The door chimed. With a squeak, Finley dived under the covers.
“A friendly visit from the ship’s doctor.”
Thane entered, a smile on his face. The man was extremely attractive, and she fought her embarrassment.
“You’ve both eaten?” the doctor asked.
“We haven’t wasted away.” Sabin sat up.
“Good.” Thane held up a handheld scanner. “Your biosigns are perfectly healthy. The mating fever’s passed?”
Sabin nodded. He yanked Finley onto his lap. “We’re great.”
“Excellent. For a man who never wanted to mate, you look happy.”
“I’ve never been happier,” Sabin said.
Finley thought she saw a flash of pain in Thane’s eyes, but then the doctor smiled at his friend. She looked at Sabin and happiness burst inside her. She knew he meant what he said. Being with him was one of the best things of her life. She wasn’t sure what her family would think of her being mated to an Eon warrior, but if she was happy, they’d be happy, too.
“Well, I have a message for Finley,” Thane said. “From a Gemma Neely and an Ian Cho. They’ve organized a celebration party at the Woomera Range Complex. All the Rengard crew are invited.”
Sabin groaned. “Terrans need little excuse for a party.”
“You both deserve a celebration. For the success of the StarStorm, for your mating, and for surviving the Kantos.”
She met Sabin’s eyes and they shared a smile. “A party might be nice.”