Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

BaOBy

He watched his mate turn in her seat and see BinjaOB for the first time. Binja had the same body they all had. The same hair and eyes. The same trim beard that many of the brothers wore. But the Father created their Master of Stealth for the darker side of life. His skin was silver and he could camouflage. Hiding anywhere. He was their assassin. The one the brothers called on to bring the worst criminals to justice.

Gliding soundlessly until he was right in front of Catalina, he kneeled before her and gently took her hand in his. Binja's voice was deep. Mesmerizing. "Newest sister. Please allow me to do this small thing for you. Your health comes first. I will take great pride in ridding this planet of one who is so evil. A being who hurt you and these other women in such a villainous manner. Several of my brothers have prepared one of our new hovers with medical beds. They are waiting for me to assist them. We plan to go in silence and invisibility. To park right beside the house. Our only goal is to rescue the women and take them right to the DoMicile. I could finish this mission before you even head to the med bay. Let us take care of this important task."

Catalina filled her lungs with air. His mate tightened her grip on BinjaOB's hand. "The guards all sleep in the rooms at the back of the house. Once their door is closed, they never check on us. My window is unlocked. Jay…" she trailed off.

Binja nodded. "Jay will be with us."

"Good. He knows which window is mine. Go out my door and into the hall. The women are in the room that is behind the first door on the left. Once you have them, you can take them right out the front door. I ask a favor?" Cat hesitated until Binja nodded. "In the bathroom that is joined to my bedroom, above the shower, you will find a loose tile on the ceiling. If you push upward, you'll find a small bag. It holds my favorite dagger, some money I secreted from the Andaran, and more digital files detailing his atrocious acts. Will you retrieve it for me if you can? If not, don't worry about it. I have others hidden in places outside the house." Cat smiled at Binja and patted their joined hands with her free one. "Thank you for saving them."

Bowing, Binja stood and shot him a look. One that said Bao had better take care of this woman. He was pretty sure it was because his mate had asked his brother to retrieve her favorite weapon. That said a lot about somebody.

Cat asked, "Will you tell Baby when you have them?"

Binja choked. But didn't laugh. "Yes, sister. I'll tell Baby when the women are safe," he promised and left the room.

"I have one more question for Cat," Grace said. "When was the last time you ate or drank anything?"

"This morning. The guards insisted I have fruit and bread."

"It is night there, correct?"

Cat nodded.

Grace smiled. "Then you are ready. Don't drink or eat anything until this is over. Let Cameron help you get ready. She knows what to do. Cameron, if you could contact me when it's over? Goodbye, everyone. Let Falcon know when your spaceship is on the way." And her screen went blank.

BaOBy handed the formula to Lan. "Have someone check the medical storage here and lay out the ingredients in the lab. If something is missing, get it from the DoMicile. I need to talk with Catalina for a moment. When we've finished, I'll bring her to Cameron."

As they headed out the door, BaOBy heard the Father ask, "Why did you all shave your heads?"

Catalina laughed as he tugged her down the hall.

"This is the Captain's quarters. So, it will be our home. Feel free to change anything you want." Bao turned and faced her.

Grinning, Cat said, "This is where the girls gave me the dress. The room looks like it was made for you. I don't want to get blood on this." She picked the skirt up with her fingers.

"No. It looks beautiful on you. Let me see if they put anything else in here. Oh, look. One of my shirts and a soft pair of pants that should fit you. That will work. Would you like to change before or after we talk?"

Taking the clothes from his hands, she tilted her head. "Before. I'll go into the bathroom. Which is also very nice, by the way. Big for a ship, I think. There is even a bathtub."

It didn't take her long to come back out. She hung the dress in the closet and sat next to him on the couch. "What's wrong?" she asked solemnly. Her eyes looked worried.

Bao smiled at her and leaned in to kiss the tip of her nose. "Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to make sure you understand what all this means. About the mating bands. They exist, not just to heal you, but to provide a close connection between mates. Between me and you. Much of what they do will tie us together for the rest of our lives. Those ties are emotional and physical. Once you heal, you will sometimes feel the bands on your body. They don't hurt. But they are there."

She frowned for a moment. "Do you want me?"

Bao pulled her into his arms. "So much. I know this is right. I'll tell you what the Father told us when we discovered BrOdByc's bands chose Casey. Up until that happened earlier this month, we thought our tattoos were simply identifying marks. Casey was a surprise. The Father said, ‘ I didn't want to leave your choice of female to fate. So, the first thing I did was mix my DNA with genetic material from the dragon king on Megoth. That is where you get your mating bands. The bands will only react to the perfect woman for you. They also ensure that you are the perfect man for her. ' I know you are perfect for me, Cat. You'll be committing your life to me. I just want to make sure I'm perfect for you."

The room was quiet for several moments. Bao let her think things through. Soon, she demanded. "Kiss me."

Bao didn't ask if she was sure. He lowered his head and claimed her lips. Putting his heart and soul into the kiss.

Breathless, Cat pulled away. "I've never felt this way before. I'm willing to believe in fate and the bands. I already believe in you."

Smiling, BaOBy rolled up his sleeve again. He turned toward Cat. "Whenever you are ready, all you need to do is touch my arm beside the bands."

There was no hesitation. Cat traced his bands with her fingers and then set her palm beside them. Within moments, the smaller dark markings slipped down onto her hand and disappeared under the skin. She sighed. "I guess that is it."

He hugged her to him. "For now… yes. I think tomorrow there will be more to it."

Catalina

Catalina woke… feeling amazing. Nothing hurt. Or felt different. Did that mean the process didn't work? Or did the mating bands heal her? She remembered little from last night. She dreamt Baby carried her to bed. If that were real, she'd like to do it again when she was conscious.

Rolling over, she came face to face with Baby. His eyes were open, and he was smiling.

"Your bag is in the corner. BinjaOB and the brothers rescued the women. They are safe."

She frowned. "Who is taking them to Grace?"

"Several brothers left when it was still dark. They took the women in the DoMicile. We will stay here for a few weeks and help with anything Binja needs. You heard Falcon, it will take us half the time to travel the same distance. You'll be with them soon."

"And me? Did everything go okay?" Cat whispered. Slowly, she moved her hands down to feel her stomach. It was flat again, the small bump was gone.

Baby lifted his hand, and with a fingertip, pushed the hair out of her eyes, smiling at her. "Yes. You are safe. Cameron was pleased with how well it went. The bands healed you while you slept. How do you feel?"

"Really good. Better than good. So, did you want to explain more about the mating bands?" she hinted and scooted a little closer to him. Then frowned. She looked down and raised the blanket. Cat turned to him, shocked. "I'm naked."

Grinning, he leaned in. "Let me see." He lifted the blanket and laughed. "So, you are. I am too. Naked."

Cat laughed and pulled her hand out of the covers. She cupped Baby's face and gasped. "Look at my wrist! Now I have tattoos that look like yours."

"You have the marks on both wrists. Want to see what I can do with them?" he asked.

Cat frowned. He was acting weird. Like her answer wasn't important to him. When it really was. "I do. Show me."

Baby reached toward her and slid his hand down her arm. Lightly, he stroked the mark on her wrist. Catalina felt it vibrate, and then it disappeared. Her entire body clenched. "Oh," she gasped. " What was that?"

Her eyes widened. "Baby?" Her voice shook when she felt the bands move through her body. The sensation was incredible. She wanted more. "Do that again!" she demanded.

Baby laughed. Cat curled closer to his side and pressed her naked body against his. His deep groan made her grin. Curling his much taller body around her, Baby put a finger under her chin, tilted her head back, and leaned over to capture her lips.

That first kiss unraveled her. Catalina's tension disappeared. In all her life, she never thought about sex—other than as something to avoid. She was lucky none of her owners wanted that from her.

But this wasn't sex. It was love. The softest touch. The gentlest kiss. She knew love would escalate to sex and the breathtaking excitement would grow. She was ready for it. In fact, she demanded it. "More!"

As he kissed her, she could feel the bands settle at her breast. Pulling away, she panted. "The bands. I feel them—" She palmed her breast. "—here. It feels... amazing." She panted.

Baby grinned. "I can make it feel even better," he murmured and bent his head.

She didn't stop him. Her body tensed when his hand came up and cupped her flesh. It felt incredible. Desperate for more, Cat bent into his touch. Moaned and shifted, pressing into his palm. Then the bands vibrated. Moved as Baby feathered a thumb over her nipple. The mating bands responded to his every whim, driving her need higher.

Catalina's eyelashes dropped, and she sighed with delight when he laved her nipple. The bands thrilled her for long seconds, then moved again, this time heading south. But she didn't care. Her entire focus was on his mouth.

He kissed her, touched her… everywhere. Catalina squirmed in his arms. The bands kept moving, discovering erogenous zones she didn't know existed. Baby feathered his lips over hers. A flicker of the bands inside made her gasp. It seemed as if the bands inside her... communicated with him. These living tattoos amplified each caress of his flesh against hers.

She had no idea this much pleasure existed. It was addicting. "It's not enough. I need more," she begged. Frantic for his touch.

BaOBy

He studied her body as though it were a map of the universe. His slow exploration made Catalina shudder and beg. He discovered how hard or fast she liked his touch. Bao made sure she would remember this night. That she would want to belong to him. Now and forever.

Leaning down, he flicked her nipple with his tongue. After a long moment, he tore his mouth away. The silky smoothness of her flesh mesmerized Bao. He saw a deep blush bloom across her face and breasts. Breasts crowned with dusky pink areolas and temptingly puckered nipples. He licked and suckled, taking pleasure in forcing her hips to dance underneath him.

Setting a hand on her thigh, he pulled her leg up, opening her wide enough he could move between her thighs and rub the tip of his cock through her slick folds.

She panted beneath him. Thrashed her head from side to side. Her body strained upward. Her demands delighted Bao.

Suddenly, his mind filled with information about their mating. It was as if the knowledge had always been there, but this moment unlocked all the secrets that would ensure their happiness. In order for Catalina to become his true mate, their minds needed to connect. They needed to entwine their souls and hearts together. His life span was much longer than hers and to keep her with him forever, Bao needed to tie her life and health to his.

There was no hesitation. He would claim her body to create that bond. Leaning down, he trailed his lips, teeth, and tongue over her skin—exploring the bounty of her flesh. Smoothing his hand down her belly, he wrapped his fingers around his cock. Then slid the tip over the trim curls at her mound and dipped into the sweet warmth between her thighs. Each time her breath hitched—his mind reached for hers. Getting closer.

Her mewling cries and seeking hands told him just how badly she wanted him. Flexing his hips, he played the tip of his cock over her clit. Teasing.

"Please, Baby. Oh, please, do it!" she demanded.

With his body over hers, he kept her locked in place. Open to him. Depending on his every touch and stroke. Placing his lips at her ear, he whispered, "Feel me, Catalina. Feel me love you. See how good we are together?"

Bao rocked forward and buried his thick shaft to the hilt. His pubic bone rubbed her clit, sending shockwaves of unimaginable pleasure jolting through her body. He withdrew, only to plunge repeatedly into her tight sheath. As he moved inside her, the mating bonds aroused her flesh even more.

Green eyes sparked with passion. Cat gasped for breath... and demanded, "More!"

Catalina's acceptance of their love allowed the mating bands to slip into her mind and tie them together. Her eyes widened, and she groaned at the surge of pleasure. Bao was thrilled with the unbreakable connection. They could only feel this level of closeness during sex. But it was strong enough he would know when she was in pain, or deeply afraid.

He felt the shift and shimmer of his bond markings as they reacted to the joining. Bao grinned. Moving inside her, the bonds discovered areas only they could touch. One of her bands shifted into his flesh and circled his cock. It created bumps and tiny appendages that would stimulate pleasure points and trigger a stronger release in his mate.

Others rubbed across her nipples and clit, joining his fingers to drive her wild. She would always crave this. The fierce, unmatched pleasure only Bao could give her.

Catalina screamed and exploded around him. Her fingers dug into his back, holding him to her. She didn't need to worry. He wasn't going anywhere. And he certainly wasn't finished exploring pleasure with his mate.

No, not yet… BaOBy planned to show his mate how much he loved her. He planned on it taking hours.