14. Lis

14

LIS

T he room cleared, everyone scattering to do last-minute prep. Nox grabbed Lis's wrist and hauled her into a room, shutting the door behind them.

A light flickered on overhead, revealing a tiny closet filled with paper products and unopened boxes, colorful alien writing on the sides. With the door closed, the space was almost too tight for both of them, leaving her squished up against him in order to fit. Perhaps, if he was smaller, his shoulders less broad, his muscular frame less muscly, they wouldn't need to be so close. But she wasn't complaining.

Her arms wrapped around his waist, she rested her cheek on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. She took a moment to breathe in his intoxicating scent. The outline of his stiff cock pressed against her hip. Heat pooled in her belly. He wrapped a hand around her nape, his strong fingers massaging the muscles.

Within his arms, she felt safe and, dare she say it, loved. She saw the way Sona and Tan interacted with one another, exchanging small touches of reassurance and looks that held entire conversations in a split second. Feriq told her they were newly mated, but they acted like they'd been together for ages, time filled with love and support, long enough to get to know one another on a soul-deep level. If that's the way a mating bond worked, no wonder Nox was so keen.

If she accepted Nox and all he offered, could they build something like Sona and Tan? Granted, every relationship was its own beast, but the possibility of having even just a pinch of that synchronicity with another being was enough to encourage the bond's golden ribbon to glow brighter.

"What are we doing in here, Nox?" she finally asked, her voice low and husky.

"Just wanted to check in with you before the mission." He slid a hand down her back and squeezed her ass.

"Check in, huh?" She huffed out a laugh, tipping her head back to gaze up at him. "Why?"

"I thought perhaps you might need reminding of how precious you are to me." He placed a soft kiss on her lips. "And for you to be careful out there. Those trolls are dangerous, especially in a group."

"I can take care of myself." She couldn't resist nudging a leg between his thick thighs, bringing them even closer. How was it that something as simple as the slow stroke of his hand over the curve of her backside was enough to set her entire body on fire? "You don't need to worry about me."

"Oh, I know that very well, my lovely mate," he said with a low laugh, his fingers skirting the edge of her waistband. "But I always will. It comes with being mated to a warrior woman."

The muscles in her stomach contracted at his touch. "A warrior woman, huh?"

"Those trolls won't know what hit them," he whispered in her ear before nipping her lobe.

Snickering, she shifted, a hand sliding over the thick leather covering his hard cock.

"Goddess, fuck," he groaned. "Do you even know what you do to me, woman?"

"I mean, you pulled us into a closet to ‘talk'." She licked her lips, watching his gaze darken with passion as she stroked him. "What did you think was going to happen?"

With a low growl, he grabbed her arms and pulled them behind her back, clasping her wrists in one large hand. He made her feel petite when he did things like that, something she definitely wasn't, at least by Earth standards. And she liked it when he caged her with his big body, towering over her, dominating their play. She knew he'd never hurt her. Plus, it was kind of fun to surrender, especially when she could take back control any time she liked. The give and take of it made her hot and squirmy with need.

"Well," he said, reaching between them to unfasten her pants, "I was planning to kiss you before we risk possible death and dismemberment at the hands of those trolls, but perhaps…?" He slid his hand into her panties, his fingers gliding over her clit.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she arched towards him. "Perhaps what, Nox?" she asked, her voice rough with need. "You want to bang one out in the supply closet? I mean, I'm down, but I'm not sure we have time for you to get in and out of those tight pants of yours before someone comes looking for us."

With a slow grin, he slipped a thick finger into her pussy, thumbing her clit like a maestro. "So you like my tight pants, do you?"

Her hips moved in time with the delicious tempo of his fingers. "Absolutely." She was having a hard time focusing with all the delicious sensations inundating her.

"Your body responds so well to me, Lis." he said, spinning them around, pressing her back against the cool, flat surface of the closet door. He slid another finger into her wet heat. "I want you to come for me."

"It's going to take more than a little finger-banging to make that happen, big guy," she said with a breathless laugh. Not much more, though. Fuck . "But I do appreciate your enthusiasm."

And god, but she appreciated his enthusiasm. He was laser-focused on her, gauging her every reaction, changing up his speed and depth, intent on giving her exactly what she needed.

"Sounds like a challenge to me," he said, releasing her wrists to cradle the back of her head, protecting it from hitting the door. His mouth crashed down on hers.

Sliding her arms around his neck, she opened to him, her tongue tangling with his. Pressure built in her core with each long, angled stroke of his fingers. "Fuck, that feels so good," she moaned against his mouth. Wrapping a leg around his thigh, she tipped her hips up, giving him better access to her pussy. "Little more pressure on my clit," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am." He nipped her bottom lip.

She gasped, her breath catching as his thumb strummed over her sensitive bundle of nerves.

"I like this bossy side of you," he whispered in her ear. "Tell me what you need."

"Shut up and keep doing exactly what you're doing," she moaned.

He huffed out a laugh before capturing her mouth again, his tongue sliding over hers, sending sharp tingles down her spine to her core. Then he curled his fingers inside her.

The sensation of his calloused fingertips gliding over her g-spot, the pressure of his thumb on her clit, and the heat of his lips on hers was enough to rocket her to the stars. Her pussy clenched hard around his fingers, and she rode his hand, her orgasm crashing through her, lighting up every nerve from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.

"Holy fuck, Nox," she moaned against his mouth.

"My gorgeous mate," he crooned, his tempo easing as her muscles unclenched and her body relaxed, melting against his. "I love watching you ride my hand as you come."

"You know," she said, patting his chest as she worked to steady her breathing, "you're pretty talented with those fingers of yours, Captain." Her legs wobbled as she found her footing. Luckily, the big man was right there, a useful crutch.

With a glint of satisfaction in his eye, he slid his glistening fingers into his mouth, licking them clean. "You taste delicious, love."

She batted his chest, too satiated to do much more.

A sharp bang against the closet door made her jump. "Cap, better get a move on. The Barbarian and his crew are getting antsy out here," Navi said.

"Tan's nickname is ‘Barbarian'?" Lis giggled, wiggling her hips as she set her pants to rights. "I mean, I guess I can see him dressed up like Conan. He certainly has the hair for it."

"I don't know who this Conan is, but I don't like that he's occupying your thoughts so soon after I made you come," Nox growled.

"Ooh, you jealous, Captain Privateer, sir?" She patted a bulging arm, loving how he flexed at her touch. "You don't need to worry about Conan. He's got nothing on you."

"Damn right he doesn't," Nox grumbled, smoothing a hand over her skull and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"I can hear you two in there. You're not as quiet as you think you are." Navi pounded on the door again. "Pull yourselves together, and meet us out back. We've got some trolls to take care of."