Page 65 of The Alien Warrior's Mate

“There is no need for that,” he said in a low, hungry voice. They’d been interrupted by the brood’s cry this morning, but he had not forgotten all the ways he wanted to tease and taint her.

After one night with Sah-ah, Korben was addicted. Consumed. Hooked on her scent, her touch, and her quiet little moans. Whether his insatiable hunger was a side-effect of the mating ritual or not, he wanted her more now than he had yesterday.

It made no sense to dirty more of Ga Eun’s clothes if he only intended to tear Sah-ah’s tunic off at the closest opportunity. Sah-ah must have sensed his intentions because she did not argue.

Turning to Ga Eun, she returned the cup. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Easing closer, Ga Eun whispered, “You’ll find a hammock there. Don’t be afraid to use it.” She winked. “That net is as strong as the bed.”

Sah-ah’s nostrils flared in quiet embarrassment.

Korben folded his arms over his swelling chest. “Thank you, Ga Eun.”

He planned to claim Sah-ah until he had banished this strange tension between them. Until his name was the only one on her lips. Until her body knew whom it belonged to. A hammock would suit his needs just fine.

Enthara lifted her head from the end of the desk. Her eyes flashed a pure glowing red and Korben realized with dismay that she was reflecting his lust. Sometimes, being so connected to his zapten was rather inconvenient. He could not hide his feelings from anyone.

Rune coughed. “Why don’t you get going, Korben? The waterfall is very beautiful. I’m sure you will have a goodtalk.”

“Yes.” Korben turned to Sah-ah. “Shall we?”

She nodded.

Her sudden muteness made him frown. Was she in pain? Or had he said anything to offend her? Last night, she’d rubbed her essence all over his hardness and begged him to invade her. Today, he felt such a frigid air between them that it made him shiver.

“Come, Enthara,” Korben said, gesturing to his zapten.

Enthara leaped off the desk and the entire spaceship vibrated. Kenzi, Rune’s brood, giggled and stretched her arms out toward the mechanical beast. Enthara tilted her head and sniffed Kenzi’s hand. Liking what she sensed, the zapten lowered her head and allowed the brood to pet her.

“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Ga Eun said.

Korben allowed the brood to admire his zapten and then he took Sah-ah’s hand and walked out of the spaceship. Enthara’s loud, clanking steps echoed behind them.

Once outside, Korben wrapped his hands around Sah-ah’s waist to hike her on Enthara as usual, but she stepped out of his reach.

“I’ll do it myself,” she said.

Unease made his hands hover in the air. With a frown, Korben backed off and allowed his mate her independence. After three tries, she succeeded in mounting Enthara’s back and shot him a victorious smirk.

His annoyance melted away like hardened dama in a heat spring. Her beauty fogged his mind and Korben knew that he had fallen completely under her spell. At this point, he would make himself a fool for her in a heras-beat.

Korben got on behind her and grunted when Sah-ah tried to wiggle away. He flattened his hand on her stomach, pulling her until her body was on top of his.

She let out a little squeak of protest. “Korben.”

“Yes, my heras?”

She turned and their eyes met. He saw the desire flashing in her gaze before she hid it away. His mate had thrown up a wall in front of him, but Korben knew of no wall that he could not scale.

Taking her chin in his grip, he sucked her lips in that smooth, slow way she’d liked last night. Her lashes fluttered closed and she leaned toward him, her long limbs reaching around his back and her pulse hammering against the pad of his thumb.

He pulled away, knowing that if he continued to suck on her, he would have to yank her down, drape her against Enthara and invade her heat right here in front of his zapten. As Enthara had never seen mating up close and personal before, he was not sure how she would take it.

His breath thickening, Korben stroked her cheek. “It is an honor to speak with you, my Sah-ah.”

Her lips trembled and she gave no reply.

No matter. There would be plenty of time for discussion later.

---