Page 117 of Stars in Aura

She wrapped her arms around him when he returned to Perseus on a lander and slumped into bed in his quarters beside her.

He sunk into her, worshiped her, and adored her.

Everyfokkin’ time.

20

Shifting Starlight

Ki’REMI

The night was long.

Surgery after surgery, rounds upon rounds, one critical patient after another, until the Falasian mission wound up, and the landers ascended for a final time.

In hours, the Perseus Prime left the planet’s airspace and now burned to Galicia to pick up medical supplies.

Giving the extensive teams a break from active care so they’d focus instead on reporting, winding down, and catching lost sleep.

Ki’Remi powered through his files in his office, pushing through exhaustion with sheer will.

By the time his shift ended, the artificial lights of the dreadnought had diminished to simulate night.

Most of the ship’s personnel were in their quarters, the corridors quieter, the background drone and beeps of machinery the only companion to his tired, heavy steps.

Issa was already there when he stepped through his door, waiting for him.

She sat on the edge of his bed, wearing nothing but another of his black tees.

Her wild curls tumbled over her shoulders, her legs bare, skin aglow in the dim light of his chambers.

He exhaled, locking the door behind him.

She tipped her head, studying him as he stripped off his jacket, slides, and scrubs.

Leaving him naked.

She sighed at seeing his dark complexion etched with shifting metanoid tattoos, silver and gold glowing and moving in languid patterns.

‘Tired, love?’ she murmured.

He didn’t answer because the moment she reached for him, her hands traced up his torso, over his corded muscles, and up his shoulders, he groaned.

The kiss started unhurried. A teasing brush, a whisper of warmth.

She nuzzled his neck and sighed. ‘You showered after surgery. You smell so good.’

‘You’re wrecking me up,kidaya,’ he rasped. ‘I missed you so damn much today; I might have to put a ring on you ‘cause when I lay it down, you’ll know with precision who you belong to.’

‘Slow down, Rider,’ she chided with a husky laugh and licked his lower lip, tipping him over the edge.

The Sableman had no patience left in him for a languid pace.

With a growl, he cupped the back of her head. Dragging her into the heat of him, deepening the kiss until she melted against him, her body molding to his.

His hands skimmed under the hem of his shirt that she wore, which hung loose on her, palming the bare skin beneath. They slid up the curve of her waist and the dip of her spine.

A shiver coursed through her.

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