Page 69 of The Alien Warrior's Mate

Sara reached out, latching on to him like chewing gum on a shoe. Korben rolled her over and coated her with his kisses. Her neck. Her chest. Her shoulders. Her stomach.

Finally, when she was just about to beg for him, he released his pants and the fabric fell away. She tensed, preparing herself for his invasion. From last night, she’d learned that adjusting to Korben took some time. That first contact was always a little too hard and a little too much.

Korben grazed his fingers lazily over her lips as he began his onslaught, but this time, he went slow. Achingly slow. Little by little.

Her body lit up with a million tiny flames and she dug her nails into Korben’s back as the hammock rocked gently. He was so exquisitely tender that a tear slipped down her cheek. She held on to him for dear life and realized that she would offer this alien warrior everything.

Her heat. Her life. Her womb. He already owned it all.

She was no longer in danger of losing her heart. It was gone.

Sara was his.

Twenty-Eight

Korben

His mate remainedlimp and boneless in his arms as Enthara carted them back to Rune and Ga Eun’s spaceship. He stroked Sah-ah’s arm gently, nuzzling his cheek against her hair. Enthara’s upgrade allowed him to keep his arms around Sah-ah instead of steering, and he was enjoying himself very much.

His mate let out a contented sigh when he landed Enthara in front of Rune’s dwelling. A spurt of electricity charged from his neural connector, triggered by the sound. Sah-ah’s contentment filled his mind so clearly that he knew it was hers and not his emotions.

What was that? Had his neural connection overheated?

Before he could investigate, his interface lit up. A red glow bounced off his arm, indicating that Lans was trying to check in.

Guilt immediately flooded Korben. He had sensed that Sah-ah had questions about his intentions and, though he’d been honest when he told her that he would never hand her over to the Heronas, that had not always been the case.

He needed to inform his tribas of the change of plans and focus on rescuing his brother. He was pushing close to the deadline and, if he continued to be distracted, he would put not only his brother but the entire tribas in jeopardy.

Though it pained him, he nudged Sah-ah away. “My heras, I must speak to Lans.”

“Can I tell Emma hi?”

Korben licked his lips nervously. “Another time.”

Her head tilted and she studied him. “Is something wrong?”

“Why do you ask?”

“There’s this weird feeling in my head. Not my feelings.” Her eyes bore into him. “Yours.”

Korben rolled his fingers around the interface device and avoided her eyes. “I will be right back and then I will answer all your questions. Can you wait for me inside?”

She nodded slowly.

Korben could feel Sah-ah’s eyes on his back as he walked away from her. Enthara huffed, starting to come after him, but Korben pointed to Sah-ah. The zapten eased back and stood protectively in front of his mate, making her look extra fragile beside the massive beast.

As Korben left them behind, he lifted his hands. The weight of the planet seemed to rest in these palms. Lans would want answers, and Korben had none to give.

His thoughts revolved around Sah-ah. He could still feel the sharpness of her gaze as it burrowed into him. Her mistrust zipped through his neural connector and filled the width of his mind.

Denizi.

Were females always this complicated? He’d just spent the better half of the evening thrusting his assurances into Sah-ah’s fragile little body. He had suckled all her sweet places and drowned himself in the parade of her sighs, moans and long, tortured groans.

Gently. Gently. He hadn’t pushed this time. He’d waited for her to get used to him before he pushed harder and deeper. Before he soaked her. Before he tried to find the end of her.

Perhaps he hadn’t been tender enough.

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