CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 1 4

HEA, Sort of

“A re you all right?” Trixie mumbled against his pec. Vrixiel was breathing hard against her, his arms and wings wrapped around her.

“Undone completely,” he rumbled over her head. “If I didn’t have two hearts, I would be incapacitated right now. I’ve never reached such heights of pleasure.”

She smiled and gave his hot skin a kiss. “Neither have I.” She sighed happily. “But perhaps we should move to the bed? The hard floor can’t be good for your knees.”

“I am all right, my bean. Let me hold you just a little bit longer. ”

Trixie had only one heart, and he had melted it completely already. “I want to hold you too, boo bear. The bed will make that easier.”

He grumbled but moved. A tap on the bed, and Vrixiel had it lowered to the floor. Then he rolled on it, leaving Trixie on top of him.

She gave a half-suppressed laugh. “I exhausted you this time around, didn’t I?”

“Give me a minute, female, and I’ll show you who’s exhausted.”

Trixie shook her head then rested it back on his warm chest. “No need. I’m the one who’s exhausted. So many orgasms in a single day… You’ve spoiled me for life.”

“Good.” Vrixiel ran his fingers through her hair. “Are you sore? Should I get you something–”

“Shhh. I’m fine. Sticky but well-loved.” The dress probably needed a wash, but Trixie couldn’t worry about anything right now. “Let us enjoy the afterglow of our wedding night, so to speak. My HEA.”

“What is that?”

“My– our happy ending. Though, it’s not truly an ending but a beginning.” She propped her chin on the back of her hands placed on his chest, and gave him an amused look. “It’s our HEA, sort of.”

Vrixiel smiled. “I enjoy our HEA-sort-of very much. When can we repeat it? ”

She planted another kiss on his chest. “You’re insatiable.” Thinking back on their explosive time together, she added, “You’re also bossy in bed. I’ve hit the jackpot, indeed.”

To her delight, he pulled her up his body to give her a long, deep kiss. “We’re equals, niela ,” he told her, keeping her head tucked under his chin. “At home, we both make the rules.”

“Mmm.” Seriously, could he be more perfect?

“Outside, however, we must comply with the station’s rules.”

Trixie made a face. “What does that mean? That my ankles will never see the light of Jupiter outside our cabin?”

Vrixiel chuckled and ran his velvety feathers along her leg. “Your ankles can make an appearance, but I might be tempted to smash the face of whoever looks at them for longer than a second.”

If he thought that would make her hide her legs more, he was mistaken. Seeing Vrixiel in action just went up her station bucket list. “What other rules are there?”

“No dirty talking and cursing in public, bean. Especially once we’re on Gaenthia for the clan ball. Your adorable fuck will be reserved for when we’re alone at home.”

Trixie pushed up until she was straddling his middle, and feigned a serious look. “Don’t worry, boo bear, I’ll act civilized. No ‘fuck me sideways’ in public.”

Her mate groaned and gripped her hips. “None of that.”

She giggled and clasped her palms together dramatically. “I shall be a good girl for you, my lord. Is that better? ”

His grip tightened. “No.”

“Why not?” she asked innocently.

“Because if you talk like that,” Vrixiel rumbled, “I’ll be asteroid-hard throughout the ball.”

She bit her lip. “We could sneak off behind a column or a big plant to ease your pain.”

“ Niela , you will bring my reputation to ruin.”

Her eyebrow shot up in challenge.

A smile tugged at the corners of his green lips. “I might know just the column.”