Page 71 of The Pregnancy Pact

“Mmmm?” When had my eyes closed? The nearby balcony and my fear of heights seemed worlds away.

“The Coalition has been officially presented with the request to decimate the wild humans.”

“Ugh,” I groaned. Shifting a little, I pressed my forehead to his chest, as if by hiding my face I could also hide from reality. “What way did you vote?” I asked, albeit part of me didn’t want to know. I didn’t want this sweet moment to end. Didn’t want my perceptions of him to be spoiled. Didn’t want…

“I did not vote.”

His hand lifted to the top of my head, and he trailed a palm over my hair, down my neck and back, making me shiver.

“You didn’t?”

“There has been no vote as yet. We discussed the matter. Some of us were for the measure. Some directly opposed to it. I’ve…not made up my mind, as yet. I was asked to provide an alternative solution and submit it in writing when we convene in two days.”

At this, I raised my head to study his face. “So, you’re not really in favor of it then?”

“I am not,” he agreed, shaking my head. “I would prefer a different solution.”

“And you have two days to come up with one.”

“We have two days.”

I felt myself still, even as his fingers pressed against my waist, urging me closer.

“We?”

“You are my wife from Earth, Lorelai. This concerns your species. I was hoping you would assist me.”

“You—you were?”

His request felt worlds away from the beginning of our relationship, despite its brevity. Charged with sexual heat, no knowledge of each other, and fueled by alcohol and loneliness. Now, a Lead Advisor of the entire Interstellar Coalition was asking for my advice on a critical matter. I was so shocked I could barely think.

“I have only a brief window of time,” he said. “You are better acquainted with Earth and its humans than I. Will you help me?”

If he’d asked, “Will you strip naked and come to bed with me,” I don’t think I’d have been more emotionally charged. I felt this crazy surge of—I don’t know. Affection, respect. Appreciation.

“Yes,” I said, almost breathless, feeling as giddy as a schoolgirl in the presence of her crush. “I’ll help you with anything.”

I guess I should have worded it better. I realized my mistake when a slow smile spread across Ellax’s beautiful face, deepening the lines around his mouth. “Anything?” he teased.

The pleasure at his asking me to assist him in something so extraordinarily vital altered into a hint of embarrassment at where this was headed.

“Well, um…” A sudden surge of boldness had me throwing caution to the wind. I slid my hands slowly up his chest, around his neck. “Maybe. Maybe anything.”

I felt his body tense against mine.

“Lorleai…” he said. His voice had gone husky. “Do not tempt me. I know our pact is secondary in importance to what we face. However, if you do not wish to lie with me, you must tell me now.”

My lips parted, then shut as I studied his face. No, I hadn’t known him longer than a couple of days. But there was an undeniable pull towards him, like nothing I’d felt before. I think he felt it too. Beneath the trappings of myself as an angry divorcée, and him as a playboy, there was real, solid ground to build on. I sensed it. Leaned into it.

“You know what, Ellax Pendorgrin?” I whispered, lifting a hand to trace his mouth with the tip of my finger. “I’m more than ready to lie with you.” I couldn’t help a soft giggle at the old-fashioned expression. “We don’t know how much time we’ll have together. We certainly don’t know what tomorrow holds—considering the craziness that’s ensued since we met. If all we have is right here, right now, this moment…us…”

I lifted my other hand, framing his face with my palms. He didn’t move. Raising on tiptoe, I pressed my lips to his.

No need to finish the sentence. He caught on immediately to what I was inferring. Before I quite knew what was happening, he’d broken the kiss, but only to reach down and sweep me up in his arms in a sudden movement that had me gasping, seizing his shoulders.

“Hey,” I laughed. “What’s all this?”

“This,” he said, walking swiftly, despite his burden—me—"is the commencement of our mating. I will carry you inside. I will take you to my bed. I will remove your clothing. I will remove my clothing, unless you wish to do it for me, and I will join you on the mattress and we will join our bodies together.”

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