Page 71 of Ren: Warlord Brides
His tattoos itched as they sparked to life, pleased at the sight of her in their shared bed. He did not understand how a dishonorable male such as himself had such a wonder of a mate. Her temper sparked and flared like a flame dancing in the breeze, beautiful and dangerous. She captivated him. She could warm him against the cold night air or burn him to cinders. She was a marvel, and for some reason he could not explain, she tolerated him.
He would win her affection. She already had his heart.
Emry
The bed dipped as Ren sat at the edge.
“It’s late,” she said, rolling to her side to face him. In the darkness, he was a hulking shadow. Only the most gruesome features of his face picked up the dim light.
“There was much work to do.” He adjusted the sheet, pulling it up to her neck.
Emry tugged it back down; the ship’s temperature was kept just shy of stifling. Being tucked in all cozy and snug only made a sweaty mess.
“We located the source of the messages,” he said.
She jerked upright, completely alert. “That’s wonderful! When do we leave?”
“You must remain here.”
“No. This is my sister,” she said.
“This is reconnaissance. We do not know what we will find. It is better for you to remain here, where I know you will be safe.”
“I don’t want to sit and wait and be useless.” She wasn’t pouting. Sure, that sounded like a pout, but she just woke up. No one sounds like a ray of sunshine when they first wake up.
“The situation could be dangerous, and there are too many unknown factors.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “You are too precious to risk.”
“Fine, when you say it like that, I’ll wait.” Not that Emry had any useful skills to bring to a rescue mission unless they planned to bomb the bad guys with cupcakes. She didn’t like being left behind, but she’d only get in the way.
“There are many good shops on the surface. You will purchase whatever pleases you,” he said. He pressed a credit stick into her hands. “Use my account. Do not be concerned about the cost.”
“You want me to go and spend all your money while you find my sister? That doesn’t seem fair.”
Ren’s tail swayed behind him. “Purchase what you require for the kitchen. I know you are unsatisfied with it.”
Right there. That moment. Emry felt herself go all soft and fluttery again. Ren saw her, he really did.
She squeezed the credit stick in her hand. Not a token of bribery, it was a symbol of how he understood her needs—with a pinch of bribery. “Trying to woo me with a new set of pots and pans?”
He leaned in, his mouth to her ear. “Is it working?”
“Mmm, trying to distract me is sweet, but I’m going to worry about you. New pots and pans won’t stop that.”
“I will return to you, Emmarae. I swear it.”
Emry grabbed his hand and tugged him forward into a kiss. “Come to bed,” she whispered, her lips nearly touching his.
Chapter 18
Ren
The shuttle left Tholla’s atmosphere and joined the congestion orbiting the planet. While the moon was a close destination, navigating a collision-free path through the shipping lanes was slow going. Once clear, Havik brought the shuttle into the moon’s orbit.
As the shuttle settled into a stable holding pattern, Havik unfastened his safety harness. He swiveled his chair to face Ren, a foolish grin on his face. “That female—”
“Do not,” Ren warned.
Havik appeared positively gleeful. “Your mate.”
