by Shona Husk
“You’re here. That’s all that matters.” Her free hand slid over his chest and tangled in his tentacles.
But he’d come so close to not being here. Between the APM and her liner they would hardly see each other. Something had to change. “They’ll catch me before it’s time for you to leave.” He stole another kiss. He wanted more, needed more. Longing was pumping in his blood and making him hard.
He’d jumped ship for her.
He’d always sneered at those who’d absconded. Laughed at their reasons and not cared that they’d be punished. Now look at him. He was one of them. Flux, he’d probably know the officers they were sending after him. He’d never live it down.
Spending some time in military prison wasn’t going to fun. But he’d already calculated the punishment and the odds of getting caught before he saw Silva, before he’d even jumped. One tric with her would make it worthwhile. The chance to tell her that he’d give it all up in a heartbeat.
“Why? You have sent a message I would’ve understood. We could’ve changed our plans.”
“I can’t live without you. I knew that the moment I left your ship all those years ago. I just wasn’t ready to say it.” He hadn’t been ready to accept what that meant or the sacrifices they’d have to make. They’d both been too young back then.
“They’ll lock you up.” Her lips brushed his as she spoke, as though she couldn’t bear to put any distance between them.
“First offense, ten standard days. Then I’ll see the psych and talk about why I did it and they’ll want to know if I’ll do it again.”
Her eyebrows drew together in concern. “What will you tell them?”
“That I would if it meant seeing you.”
She smiled sadly. “They’ll discharge you, without recommendation. You’ll need that rec to get a job on the Adventure Bird.”
“There’s a job?”
“There’s a security officer position coming up.”
He cursed in Klokian. “I guess I’ll have to tell the APM what they want to hear.”
“Tell them you had to see your fiancée before she flits off to the other side of the galaxy.” Her fingers stroked the length of one tentacle before she kissed the tip softly.
“You’ll marry me?”
“I think I was asking you this time. But you have to get out legitimately.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “That will take time.”
“I know, but I will be waiting…and I know you will come.”
“Always.” He caught her braid and tipped her head so he could claim her lips again, kissing her harder this time as the hunger rose. “Now can we make this worthwhile so I have something nice to think about while in the lockup?”
She laughed. “I’m not letting you go until I’m done.”
Silva refused to think about what was going to happen to Filid when the APM got him and only thought about what she was going to do to him until they arrived. Which they would. He should have sent her a message instead of jumping ship—but even as she thought it she knew that wouldn’t have been enough. She needed him to commit instead of walking away and doing the right thing the way that he’d always done.
He’d certainly crossed that line this time.
And she liked it, even though she was worried for him. This time it was definitely screw the rules that had kept them apart for so long.
His gift in her hand was heavy but it could wait. She placed it on the small table in the room, then turned back to him. “You’d better get those clothes off.”
He leveled his gaze at her, then slowly undid his shirt and shrugged out of it. She was so used to seeing him in uniform that the civilian clothing looked odd. The shimmery gray shirt fell on the floor, then he started opening his pants.
Her teeth pinched her lower lip as she watched.
A grin formed on his lips and he moved a little slower, then stopped just as she glimpsed the hard length of his cock. “What about you? You’re a little overdressed.”
“I don’t need to take my clothes off.” She took a step toward him.
A few tentacles lifted as if he was trying to sense more of what she as thinking.
“I did not come to fractar 6 just to have you on your knees.”
“Sure you did. You said you’d claim.”
He grimaced. “I thought I’d have days with you, not a few trics.”
He obviously thought the military police were that close. Her heart beat a little faster—not with lust, but with fear of what would happen when they arrived. The APM was going to take him away from her again.
Still if they only got one time, it was going to be good. Besides, she didn’t think she was quite ready for him yet. As much as she loved the feel of his skin against her, her core needed to be good and slick. But just the thought of his cock pressing into her was enough to make her pheromones kick up a level and make her want to do more than talk about it.
“Let’s make the most of what time we have.” Then she dropped to her knees in front of him and finished opening his pants. His cock sprang free, jutting toward her mouth, and he didn’t stop her as she ran her fingers along his length and then traced the smooth head with her tongue.
His fingers tunneled into her hair, unraveling her braid as she took more of his length into her mouth and sucked. His hips rocked as she eased her hand between his legs to cup his balls. Not a single hair. As she slid her fingers over his skin, then changed direction she felt the friction change, from a sleek glide to the slight roughness.
She felt it on her tongue and lips as well. His skin was tough like hide… With any other man she’d never dare to use her teeth on his cock, but with Filid… Carefully she let her teeth graze his skin. He thrust his cock into her mouth, just stopping before he went too deep.
“Whatever you did, do it again.” His voice was rough with lust.
She obliged, need drawing tighter between her legs. She could feel her juice slicking her core, dampening her underwear.
He pulled his shaft free of her mouth. “I need you.” Then he was tugging off her clothes, trying to kiss her in between. Her blood was hotter than pulse pistol fire. Yes, she wanted him in her now. She turned around so he could enter from behind, then paused, realizing what she’d done.
His hand traced along the curve of her hip, over her ass and then dipped into her core, testing to see how ready she was. She was ready, but on Lekithia a woman would only let her husband take her like this. It was intimate and vulnerable. And it had been natural until she’d stopped to think about it.
She had to stop over thinking and just let it happen.
Slowly his fingers worked into her while his thumb brushed against her clit. Her hips moved automatically, wanting more. She swallowed and closed her eyes. Yes, it was right that she let him take her like this. She’d waited long enough for him.
His cock slid between the lips of her slit, not entering even though that was what she needed. The heat in her blood was too much. She rolled her hips trying to encourage him, but he kept up his slow tease. The smooth stroke as he moved forward, the friction as he rocked back. It was maddening when she wanted him filling her core and fucking her hard—as if they only had today. Which they might…until next time.
“Like this? You sure?” His hand was on her hip as if he was already fucking her instead of just torturing them both.
He knew. He understood her species. It made her want to turn around and kiss him. She might have if she didn’t feel like she was going to come before he even got inside her. “Yes.” Please, now.
A ripple of desire coursed through her as his cock brushed against her clit. She moaned and he did it again.
“I’m not coming until you are inside me.” It came out as more of a moan than an order, yet he still obeyed.
His cock pressed into her. She rested her forehead on her hands, her eyes closed as she let the sensations overtake her. She was going to die of pleasure overload. That had to be possible.
; While she’d expected him to drive into her and take her fast, he didn’t. He kept it slow, each thrust taking her closer to climax but not letting her get there quickly. His fingers pressed into her hip, stopping her from trying to take control. The whimper she heard was her own. Then he was sliding his hand over her skin, edging closer to her clit.
The fiction of his skin was building, her nerves becoming too sensitive.
“Yes, now.” Before it all became too much for her.
His finger pressed against her clit and that was all it took. Her back curved as her climax pushed through her, tearing away her breath. And he was right there with her, groaning as he came deep inside her.
They sprawled on the bed, still entwined. Both of them were breathing hard, neither of them moving. She couldn’t move, her bones had melted.
“I don’t want to be caught like this.” He started to ease away.
She drew in a breath, not because it hurt but because she missed the feel of him already. He helped her up and they took a quick shower together, kissing and touching and soaking up as much detail as possible.
“I wish you were staying for longer.”
‘So do I. I didn’t want it to be like this. I was shocked when they denied me leave. I have plenty, but I was supposed to be leaving to join…” He paused and looked at her, unable to finish the sentence.
“You had some mission.”
He nodded. “Guess they found someone else.”
“Guess they did.” She cupped his jaw and brushed her thumb over his cheek before leaning in for another kiss. Then she started doing up his shirt before she was tempted to do more. He’d be wanting to meet the APM police looking respectable, they were the people he had to work with.
“You sure you don’t want to marry me here?” He grinned.
“Do you really want fractar 6 on the certificate?” Decadent Moon wouldn’t have been much better. It would look as though they’d married in haste. She wanted it to be something more, something they could both remember for the right reasons, not the wrong ones.
He considered her for a milli-tric. “You’re right, plus it wouldn’t change anything. Absconding to marry would probably make it worse.”
“How about Melixia?” It was one of her dream holiday locations, and one of the stops on the seven deadly planets tour.
“Why Melixia?”
“You’ve seen the pictures, right?” They were breathtaking, and being there with Filid would be perfect. “If we don’t get onto the Adventure Bird, we’ll go on our own.”
“That almost sounds like a plan.” He leaned in for another kiss.
They were treading water and killing time now, waiting for the APM to arrive. She couldn’t wait around. She needed to do something. “Shall we get something to eat?”
He shook his head. “I’d rather be arrested in private. I still have some pride.” A tentacle touched her cheek. “Don’t be sad for me. It was my choice and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
He’d caught her thoughts before she’d even had a chance to voice them.
The door chimed. Filid closed his eyes and sighed. “That was slightly quicker than I’d anticipated.”
“Shall I answer it?” She smoothed her hands over his shoulders, not wanting to pull away yet. The door chimed again.
“Thank you.”
He stepped back and turned away as though he needed those few moments alone to compose himself.
She opened the door and two officers in APM blue stood on the other side. She smiled at them, but it was forced so she wouldn’t cry. “We weren’t expecting you until later.”
“Is Filid Averik here?” The woman spoke, her gaze sliding past Silva as though she didn’t exist.
Silva opened the door wider. “My fiancé is here.”
How many times had she wanted to say that? Thought about marrying him on the trip from Decadent Moon to fractar 6. Maybe she should have married him on the Moon, but Melixia would be special.
The APM office looked at her for a milli-tric, then she was pushing past and speaking to Filid. He answered the questions. He’d only absconded to see his fiancée. No, he wouldn’t try to run. Yet they still looked as though they wanted to cuff him. Silva wondered what he’d do in their place. He must have rounded up more than a few APM members who thought they’d try to run. She was almost certain Filid would cuff the offender, as that would be right thing to do. It was probably what the rules said to do.
Sure enough he put out his hands and they cuffed him. She looked away. Had it really been worth it? If he thought it was, she had to believe it was.
The three APM officers walked toward where she was standing by the door. “I’ll see you soon.” He placed a kiss on her cheek. “Don’t forget to open your present.”
“I won’t.” But she had forgotten about it in the rush to be with him. It was a real gift, not a decoy to get her to the exchange. Seeing her name on the message board had been exciting and terrifying. She’d been expecting an excuse or an apology. Not Filid. She shouldn’t have doubted him. She wouldn’t doubt him again. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Then he was hustled out the door.
She watched as he was marched down the corridor until he disappeared from sight. Then she closed the door. She wasn’t going to cry. They were going to see each other again, soon, somehow, and get married on Melixia. After watching him get arrested that was hard to believe, yet she had to hold on to it.
He’d known the consequences of jumping ship and yet he’d done it anyway. She couldn’t devalue what he’d done by questioning their future. As a distraction she picked up the gift.
It was beautifully wrapped, and when opened at first glance looked like a polished lump of pale-blue rock. Pretty, but what was it for? When she held it in her hands and it touched her skin she understood. His love for her filled her heart. He’d given her something to keep close until he could be with her again.
Written on a small card was his plex number. They hadn’t swapped them on the Moon. It had been too rushed and there had been too much doubt. But not anymore. She smiled and put the information into her plex so she wouldn’t lose it, then sent him a message while he was still close enough to receive it. Once his ship had departed the message would be undeliverable—unless she paid to have it sent long distance so he could get it at the next space station.
Thank you. Thinking of you. Always and Ever.
But she doubted he’d be able to read it until he was out of the lockup. His plex had probably already been taken off him. Then she checked her messages. She’d gotten the pilot’s job on the Adventure Bird.
Instead of running away from Lekithia she felt as though she was finally running toward something. Toward Melixia and Filid.
Epilogue
Being a security officer on the Adventure Bird wasn’t that different from being a cop in the APM. But it did have the added bonus that he got to spend every night with the woman he was about to make his wife, something he never could’ve had while serving the Alliance.
Because of the difficulty with him getting out of the APM and the liner’s schedule, their engagement had been longer than either of them had expected. They had filled out the paperwork and been granted permission to marry from the captain of the liner, but that was just a formality, unlike in the APM where the captain could refuse.
He didn’t know how he’d served for so many years without realizing how trapped he was. He’d traded one set of rules for another when he’d left Klokian society behind and joined the APM.
The long engagement hadn’t altered their minds about getting married. Their relationship had been tested and had survived. Nothing could break them apart now.
Seeing the aerial forest with Silva, and the rainbow deserts of Genosh—including a sighting of the rare sand dragon—had made him realize that while he was traveling the galaxy with the APM, he hadn’t been seeing it. He wasn’t experiencing it. With Silva it came alive and travel became fun again. He hadn�
��t realized what he’d been missing until she’d come back into his life.
He clasped her hand as the registrar read the vows for them to repeat. The platform they were on rocked gently on the waves. Around them people were getting ready to enter the water to see the famed giant sea snakes of Melixia. Few paid attention to the very short ceremony they’d planned.
Silva was right. It was much better to get married here than on fractar 6 or even Decadent Moon. The sunlight caught in her hair, making it gleam. For once it was out, hanging free to her waist. Instead of a dress she was only wearing a bathing suit, as was he. She grinned at him, excitement bubbled off her and he couldn’t help but smile back.
If he’d known that breaking the rules would end up like this he’d have done it years ago. Back then, though, he’d been worried what people would think if he stepped out of line. He’d still been Klokian in his heart. Now his heart belonged to Silva.
Silva kissed him, then signed the last document, making it official before handing the stylus to him. He signed his name, then took her hand again, ready to jump into the clear waters of Melixia, in a cage, of course, as no one wanted to end up as a snack for the giant sea snakes.
He knew exactly why Melixia was on the seven deadly planets tour. Despite looking like a pristine planet made up of ninety-five percent ocean, there was no safe place to rest. The land was volcanic and the ocean filled with creatures that dwarfed anything else he’d seen.
The large platform they were on had been installed by the tour company and was one of several that guaranteed visitors a glimpse of the sea snakes. He was kind of hoping they wouldn’t see any. Silva wanted to see them, of course.
She was fearless. She wasn’t afraid of anything, except losing her heart, and since he held that now it was perfectly safe.
When she looked at him he felt the ripple of desire. It hadn’t lessened with time or proximity. It had grown stronger. He jumped into the ocean first, pulling her with him. They were together, bouncing around the galaxy the way it always should have been.
