Chapter 14

Chigs knew they needed to get the data chip back to the Icarus as soon as possible and work on a plan to rescue the women, but he was sorely tempted to prolong their stay on Aleigh. Thoughts of the future weighed heavily on him—a future that wouldn't include Emmy—and he wasn't ready to move on.

Emmy, however, seemed all too eager to leave. "The sooner we get the chip to Doug for decryption, the better," she announced while stuffing the last of her clothing into her suitcase. "Dafari hinted that the lab might move soon."

The honeymoon suite was brightly lit, as if trying to chase his uncertainty back into the darkness where it belonged. Yet it was becoming more and more impossible for him to believe his true mate was among the women at the lab. Not when a mere glance from Emmy sent both his hearts into overdrive.

He grabbed his bag and hurried toward the elevator after Emmy, reaching for her suitcase. "Let me carry that." When she opened her mouth to protest, he insisted, "You're still my beloved bride until we get back to the Icarus."

What looked like a flash of pain filled her eyes, but she nodded tersely, turning away to stare at the elevator doors. "Right. We need to keep up the ruse a little while longer."

The ruse. His chest felt tight as they rode down to the lobby in silence. They caught a ride to the spaceport and booked passage on a cargo carrier scheduled for a turn-and-burn to Jarboa, maintaining their story of returning home. From Jarboa, they'd grab a shuttle and rendezvous with the Icarus just outside Syndicorp space. The carrier was leaving immediately, forcing them to rush down a narrow gray corridor to reach their minuscule cabin before liftoff. Two beat up nav-grav seats took up most of the space, their dull gray fabric frayed and stained, along with a small lavatory and an overhead luggage rack that forced Chigs to stoop. He secured their suitcases and turned to find Emmy glowering at the chairs.

"I'm not looking forward to this," she said. "These units look like they were salvaged from a dump. You think they actually work?"

"I can extend my ionic shielding to reduce the effect of the jump for you." He held out a hand and moved toward the nearest seat. "Let's double up." The trip would only take them a day, but would require three burns in rapid succession. He wasn't looking forward to the taxing itinerary, but at least he had his ionic power to shield him from the worst of it. She'd only have the nav-grav unit.

Emmy's eyes widened, and for a moment he thought she might accept. But then she shook her head. "No, I can handle it."

"Have you ever actually experienced a turn-and-burn?" he asked. "It can be excruciating for humans."

She bit her lower lip and again eyed the dilapidated seats. "No."

He stepped closer and took her hand. "Let me help." He sat and pulled her onto his lap. A spark of heat arced between them as her curves settled against him.

"Chigs, I don't think—" The deck shuddered, making her words wobble as the ship left the spaceport.

He tightened his arms around her protectively. "This isn't a luxury cruise liner, Emmy. You need to be functional when we reach the Icarus. Everyone will want to hear what happened with Dafari."

She stopped struggling and took a deep breath, though she remained rigid. "I suppose. But you need to keep your strength so you can rescue your mate."

The reminder echoed inside him like a hollow drum. "Let me worry about that."

The announcement to prepare for burn came over the intercom, ending the argument. Chigs increased the intensity of his ionic shielding to create a cocoon of protection around them. Even so, the sensation of space folding in on itself invaded his senses, and lethargy spread to his limbs like a drunken wave. He closed his eyes, riding it out. It was a good thing he'd insisted on holding Emmy, because these ancient nav-grav units were almost useless.

Emmy swayed and let her head fall back against his chest, obviously feeling the effects as well. He held her firmly but gently, all too aware of the bare skin of her arms beneath his fingertips. Unable to resist, he lowered his cheek against her hair, breathing deeply. Soft floral notes blended with a scent that was all female—all Emmy.

The timeline of a burn was an indefinite thing, and it seemed to both last forever and be over too soon. As the ship resumed normal propulsion, the pressure against his ionic shielding eased and he was able to relax his control. He kept his arms loosely around Emmy, though, unwilling to let her go quite yet. Holding her satisfied him in a way he'd never imagined possible.

Eventually, Emmy roused and stood. "Thank you. That really helped." She looked at him with concern. "How are you doing?"

"I'm great. Don't worry about me." His hands itched to grasp her hips and pull her back onto his lap, but he stood and stretched. "The next burn is in just a few minutes. Do you need privacy for a moment?" He gestured toward the small lavatory.

"No, but a drink of water might be nice."

Happy to have a task, he hurried to the ship's galley and located a packet of water, making it back to their cabin with a few minutes to spare. "Here you are."

She took several long swallows before offering it back. "Do you need any?"

He wasn't thirsty, but took a sip anyway. "Thank you."

She finished the packet and wedged it into the luggage rack until they could find a recycler.

"Ready?" he asked, settling into the nav-grav seat and holding out a hand once more.

This time she settled into his lap more readily, her body molding against his like it was meant to be there. He wrapped both arms around her softness and raised his shielding as the countdown to burn began. The dizziness came and went once more, this time with an added prickle of heat. Within the cocoon of his ionic shielding, his and Emmy's scents mingled into an intoxicating blend of desire, and he couldn't stop his cock from hardening against her ass.

Long moments after the burn was complete, he remained frozen with his arms lockout around her, his breathing shallow, thighs tense. He couldn't seem to make himself let go.

Emmy didn't seem to be in any hurry to stand, either. Ever so slowly, she turned to look over her shoulder at him, lips but a breath from his. It was all too much. Mission be damned. He couldn't resist this any longer. Closing the distance, Chigs brushed his mouth against hers. Her lips parted in invitation, and she leaned into the kiss, igniting a plasma burn through his veins. He slid his tongue over hers, tasting her sweetness.

So sweet. So soft. So mine.

He gripped her tighter, crushing her softness against his chest.

Her scent spiked with arousal. Lips still locked with his, she squirmed, grinding her ass against his hardening cock. Twisting so she sat semi-sideways, she shrugged one hand free of his embrace to grasp the back of his neck and pull him closer.

He half groaned, half growled, probing deeper into her mouth and letting one hand slide over her breast. Her nipple hardened to a point through the fabric of her shirt, and he pinched it gently, eliciting a gasp from her that only made him crave more. He wanted to hear her cry his name in ecstasy.

Emmy reached down with her free hand and rubbed the thick shaft of his cock through his pants. The pressure made his balls ache with pent-up need. She rolled her hips against his cock again, parting her thighs as if in invitation.

Uminaq, yes. His hand left her breast and slipped into the waistband of her pants, delving beneath her panties to find her hot and wet. He cupped her mound, one finger slipping easily between her slick folds. He began moving in a slow circle, stroking the velvety inner lips and gliding over her swelling clit.

A low moan welled in her throat. She tilted her hips toward him, legs wide and inviting. He dipped one finger into her channel, loving the tight heat clenched around him. Adding a second finger, he slid in and out while flicking his thumb over her clit.

She whimpered, hand fumbling under her hip toward the closure of his fly. Much as he wanted her to free him, he was intent on one thing now, and made no move to assist. "Come for me," he murmured against her lips as he increased his rhythm, plunging his fingers as deep as they would go. She pulsed against his hand and moaned, bucking to meet his penetrating thrusts.

He curled his fingers, catching the sensitive ridges deep inside her until she cried out, "Chigs!"

Her walls spasmed, but he continued thrusting until her shudders subsided. She slumped back against his chest, panting. "Oh, my God."

He cradled her against him, breathing shallowly. His balls ached, but he was used to restraining himself; he hadn't been with a woman since before the destruction of his planet. Right now, he was content to enjoy the aftermath of Emmy's pleasure. He gently moved a lock of hair that had been stuck to her flushed cheek and feathered kisses against her temple.

Emmy inhaled deeply, one palm roaming up his chest to his beard, running along his jaw. He angled his head down, preparing for another kiss, when she sat up suddenly, opening a cold chasm between their bodies. Her eyes were wide as she shot to her feet and turned to face him. "We can't... that can't happen again."

Chigs's chest tightened as the full realization of the moment hit him. Ellam Cua, what am I doing?