Chapter 21

Taryn’s eyes snapped open at the sound of the door sliding open, her heart beating rapidly as she sat up in the small room where she had been held. Her initial fear turned to relief when she saw Losax enter.

But her relief was quickly replaced with concern as she took in his bruised face and disheveled appearance. She rushed over to him, ignoring her own situation as she checked on him.

“Are you okay?” she asked, running a hand gently over his injured cheek.

Losax pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close as if seeking comfort himself. “I’m sorry, Noctis,” he said, his voice filled with regret. “I should have come for you sooner. This never should have happened.”

Taryn clung to him, feeling the tension in her body release as she took comfort in his familiar embrace. “What happened?” she asked, her concern shifting from herself to him.

He reluctantly let go of her, meeting her gaze with an earnest expression. “It was just as you suspected,” he explained. “The three women were not sick when they arrived here. Their governments gave them supplements that would make them ill after ingestion, hoping it would convince other governments to drop out of the agreement.”

“We’ve removed those three governments from the program,” he continued. “They tried to blame it all on the women, but we’ve made it clear that any further attempts at deception will not be tolerated.”

“What about the women involved?” Taryn asked.

“They will make a full recovery, according to our healers,” Losax replied. “But they will be removed from the program and likely shunned by potential Synthari mates due to the dishonor associated with their actions. However, they will not be sent back to Earth. We have good reason to believe they will be harmed if we do.”

Relief surged through her. That had been her biggest concern. She absorbed the information, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. She was relieved that the situation was not as dire as she had feared, but frustrated that the actions of a few had put the entire program at risk.

“How did you get hurt?” she asked.

“I tried to fight my way here when I found out what was happening and that you were being held captive,” he admitted, looking slightly ashamed. “I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. I’m sorry that you got caught up in all of this.”

Taryn’s heart swelled with gratitude and affection for him. His actions showed how much he cared for her, risking his own safety to rescue her.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “But we need to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Losax nodded in agreement. “Prince Anuth is aware of the situation and taking steps to prevent any further issues.”

Taryn took a deep breath, her mind already formulating a plan. “I need to speak with Prince Anuth,” she said firmly. “This changes everything and could jeopardize the entire mating program. We have to address it head-on.”

“I’ll see if the Prince is available,” he said. “I have no doubt that he will value your perspective and recommendations for moving forward.”

She nodded, grateful for Losax’s support and the prince’s willingness to listen to her input. “Before we go see the Prince, I need to freshen up. I want to make myself more presentable.”

“Of course, follow me,” Losax said, leading her through a long corridor and outside to a nearby transporter.

In no time, they arrived at his quarters. He guided her straight to the bathroom and started the shower for her.

“I know it may sound strange, but I feel unclean after being held against my will,” Taryn admitted, shuddering at the memories of her captivity. “Maybe you could help me?”

She hoped she didn’t sound too desperate, but being away from Losax had taken its toll on her. She needed him by her side and wanted to feel safe in his arms again.

Losax stepped back slightly, looking into her eyes with concern. “I’d be happy to help,” he said, untangling himself from her enough to lead her towards the shower—not concerned about the clothes they wore.

Taryn felt relieved and grateful as she stepped into the warm water. But her thoughts were soon interrupted as Losax joined her in the shower, pressing her against the wall and kissing her passionately. His hands wandered over her body, causing a delicious shiver to run down her spine.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you while you were held captive,” Losax admitted between kisses along her collarbone. “I was afraid for you.”

His words only made Taryn more determined to never let anyone take her away from him again. “All I could think about was getting back to you,” she replied, running her hands over his body.

He lifted her up against the wall and she wrapped her legs around his waist. The hot water cascaded over them as they continued to kiss and touch each other in the shower. Taryn felt like she was melting into a puddle of pleasure under Losax’s skilled hands.

“I want to make tonight all about you,” he whispered, turning her around so that he stood behind her. “Just relax and let me take care of you.”

Taryn couldn’t remember ever feeling so desired and cared for. And as they explored each other’s bodies in the steamy shower, she knew this was only the beginning of their passionate reunion.

She slowly opened her eyes. She could feel the heat and steam of the shower creeping up towards them, but for now, it was just the two of them. Her dark hair was tangled and damp from the shower, clinging to Losax’s shirt as he held her close.

“I’ll never forget this moment,” she thought to herself as she looked at their intertwined reflection. His muscular arm enveloped her, his tanned hand roaming over the fabric of her shirt. She could see the desire in his dark eyes, matching her own.

He began to unhook her bra with ease, placing a gentle kiss on her exposed back. As he continued to undress her, the steam from the shower covered their reflection in the mirror.

With one swift motion, he removed her bra completely and pulled down her remaining clothing until all she had left were a pair of unflattering panties that Losax seemed not to notice or care about. She trembled as he hooked his finger in the waistband and dragged them down her trembling thighs. A soft gasp escaped her lips as he placed a kiss on her stomach before stepping back.

She clung to him as he shielded her from the hot water, using a handheld sprayer to rinse off before removing his wet shirt. As he went to undo his pants, she couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Let me,” she whispered, pushing his hands aside and working on undoing them herself. “I want to taste you.”

* * *

Steam rose up from the water around her, enveloping Taryn in a slow-motion beauty shot. Her dark hair was curled by the heat and she was already undressed, not even bothering to grab her precious shower cap—a lesson he had learned the hard way. The water cascaded down her body, outlining every curve as she moved. He couldn’t resist joining her when she’d asked to take a shower, knowing that he would do anything she asked after the scare she had just gone through with his kind.

Her skin felt like silk against him as they embraced under the warm spray. They both knew that he couldn’t refuse her, especially not tonight when she needed this release so desperately. His clothes were quickly discarded until they were both naked and pressed up against each other under the hot water.

She dropped to her knees in front of him, kissing and licking every inch of him with slow thoroughness. Every touch of her tongue and nails sent shockwaves through his body, making every muscle clench with anticipation. “Taryn,” he moaned as she brought him closer to the edge.

But he couldn’t let himself go just yet. There was something else he wanted to do first. Something that would make her feel loved and cherished—something that would erase all her fears and unpleasant memories.

He pulled back. When she blinked up at him, she moved as if to kiss him again, and he had to hold himself away for a second to pull it together.

“I want to be inside you when I finish.” He dropped to his knees with her. “I want to be everywhere at once.”

In fact, it seemed imperative to make her feel good all over. To erase every fear and unpleasant sensation and replace it with pleasure. He wrapped his arms around her waist and bent down to kiss her breast, taking his time to savor every inch of her soft flesh. Taking his time, he lingered over his feast, scarcely coming up for air until she whimpered and dragged his hand down her body. Right to the juncture of her thighs.

He drew back enough to take in the full-body flush of her skin, the parted lips and half-closed eyes.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he moved his hand down towards her sex, feeling her warmth and dampness beneath his fingers. “When I first saw you, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Not just because of your curves, but because of your uninhibited joy in life despite all you’ve been through.”

She looked up at him with dark eyes full of desire as he circled her clit with his fingers. “Really?” she gasped, arching her back and urging him on.

He couldn’t resist any longer. He needed to feel her tightness around him, to give her the pleasure she deserved. He pushed to his feet before holding his hand out to her. The moment she took it, he tugged her to her feet before lifting her into his arms, causing her to gasp. She wrapped her legs around his waist to make room for him. With one swift motion, he buried himself inside her, feeling her walls clench around him as they moved together under the water.

He wanted to be everywhere at once—touching and kissing every inch of her body until she was completely lost in pleasure.

Taryn ran her hands through his damp hair and pulled him closer, desperate for their bodies to connect. She moaned and arched against him, feeling completely consumed by their passion. He held her face in his hands, their gazes locked as they moved together in perfect harmony.

Their bodies molded together, becoming one in a dance of pleasure and desire. The water from the shower cascaded over them as they lost themselves in each other’s embrace.

He’d never felt so connected to anyone. There was a fire in her eyes that called to him.

Challenged him.

Losax responded by thrusting deeper. He touched every part of her, possessing her for however long she would have him.

Her eyes slid closed and he focused on the building pleasure, the keen tension already so taut he thought he’d snap with it. Heat flooded his back as water swirled around them and sloshed against the protective barrier surrounding them.

Taryn’s fingers clenched his shoulders as if to help hold herself up—not that she needed to. She was light by Synthari standards.

He thrust over and over, finding a rhythm that tightened the knot inside him until it became sweetly excruciating. Her legs wrapped around his waist, holding him in place. She cried out as her release hit her, racking her body with shudders.

He followed an instant afterward, unable to hold back another second. Their shouts mingled as seamlessly as their bodies, the sound echoing through the shower and the bathroom as they moved.

Long minutes later, when he stopped seeing stars, Losax remembered why they were there in the first place. He would take care of her. Then they would talk to Prince Anuth.