Page 74 of The Pregnancy Pact

“I think the latter. But also, both? The universe, the stars, or whatever powers that be, have determined that you and I should be together. Mates, fated by destiny. Which means, no matter what, I will always…”

I stopped.

The words “love you” had almost escaped. On the one hand, that seemed ridiculous after a mere few days’ acquaintance. On the other, look at where our lyven-fueled mistake had led. To a marriage, the discovery of my mate, the moment I’d joined my body with hers, and the unshakeable certainty that this was right, as surely as Asterion’s twin suns would rise the next day.

“Be yours,” I finished, stumbling over an admission of love. Did I even know what love truly was to tell her that? “And you will be mine.”

“Even if I can’t get pregnant? Even if the pact fails?”

“Even then,” I assured her. Leaning over her, I tipped up her chin with my free hand, sealing the promise with a kiss. “Even should the stars burn out and the universe be plunged into darkness, even then I would never leave you.”

“Wow,” she chuckled. Despite the attempt at humor, I saw the moisture glimmering in her eyes. “I guess we didn’t need a signed, sealed, and witnessed pregnancy pact after all.”

“It brought us together,” I said. “I will never regret it.”

But the mention of the pact had reminded me of our next vital purpose. Tearing myself away from my wife, I rose, going so far as to slip into my clothing, discarded on the floor, to help edge out any further distractions.

“Time for work,” I said.

“Gosh, just when play sounded so good.”

I was on my way to fetch the screenpad off the nearby desk. When she said this, I turned to study her. She was lying back against the pillows, stretching her arms over her head. I couldn’t help noticing how her breasts moved with the shifting of her arms. How inviting they looked. How inviting she looked, half covered by a sheet and smiling at me.

My body signaled again that enough time had passed.

My mind told me I should work on the presentation.

My heart told me to go to my mate.

As I stood there, staring at her, she rolled over on her side, propping her head up on her hand.

“You know, we’ve got several more hours before the night is over,” she observed. “And we’ve got tomorrow too. What’s delaying the proposal a little bit going to hurt?”

I glanced over at the screenpad. I glanced back at my wife.

I was aching now, with needs only she could fulfill.

I could not resist her. Why had I assumed that I could?

“You’re right,” I said, turning and walking back to the bed. “We have time. Delaying will hurt nothing. Nothing at all.”

As soon as I seated myself on the edge she reached up and caught my shoulders, drawing me down for a long kiss. I obliged—happily—kicking off my pants as I moved into position over her. The night was young. At that moment, wrapped up with Lorelai, trouble seemed very far away. I was content to let it remain that way.

Chapter 42

Lorelai

Hours later, Ellax and I were in a dreamlike state between desire and rest, still recovering when his phone on the nightstand began to buzz.

“That’s yours,” I murmured sleepily.

I think he was as tired as I was, although he would never have admitted it. Too much pride in his skills and himself to admit defeat.

I grinned at the memories we’d just created, pulling the blankets up to my chin, snuggling down deeper into the delicious warmth of the sheets and my alien husband’s body heat. Unfortunately, the luxurious moment was broken by Ellax picking up the phone, saying, “Ellax.” Then, “They what?”

I froze. His tone had changed entirely.

“I had two days to present an alternative proposal,” he said.

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