The moment she climbed on top of him and kissed his lips as punishment, Lans knew that it was time for mating.

He slid his hand down her back, itching to feel her soft skin against the pads of his fingertips rather than the slippery material of the suit. “You look frightened, Eema.”

“I amnot.”

“Your eyes say differently. They have grown in size.”

“Is this how you want to start the mating? By making fun of me?” She huffed.

Lans smirked. “You are not too angry to mate.”

“You say that like you know what I’m feeling.”

He nodded. “I do.”

She scoffed. “You’re a little too cocky for me.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “You’re not my type.”

“What is your type, female? Tell me while I undress you.”

She laughed. “That’s not how it works.”

Lans gave her a wicked smile. “I knowexactlyhow it works.”

She bit down on her bottom lip.

The red flush stole into her cheeks again.

Impatience made his blood rush faster.

He enjoyed every conversation with Eema, but he was finding it harder and harder to concentrate on words when all he wanted was to dive between her legs and taste her sweet places.

“Mm-mm.” Eema swatted at his hands when he tried to find the slit in her clothes.

“Would you rather undress yourself?” Lans would be much faster at it, but he would give her the privilege if she so chose.

“No. These clothes are staying on.”

His eyebrow nubs cinched together. “Eema, you realize how difficult it will be to mate with your suit on?”

Neh. Not just difficult.

Impossible.

She wore black fabric from the neck down. The suit had been designed to protect her in case a weapon slipped past the exoskeleton.

And now, it was keeping every inch of her from him.

An injustice.

His tongue and fingers needed access to her heat.

Now.

She wiggled a finger in his chest. “No, no, no.”