“You all right?” he asked.
“I think so. My first outing into space was completely horrible, I’ll just say. Maybe we could try less of a dive for next time?”
Haze’s smile covered his face, and his tattoos glowed slightly. “How about somewhere warm and tropical? Maybe some water? Do you swim?”
Vi smiled. “Sounds perfect.”
He pulled her toward him, and she sat on his lap. “Maybe we could figure a few things out, too.” She picked at his shirt, adjusting it and feeling possessive.
He leaned forward a bit, his hand on her leg, squeezing gently. “…Like what?”
Her stomach dropped at his cute expression, and she felt the overwhelming need rush through her to kiss him.
It raced through her, and she tipped forward, kissing him fast, her hands moving about his face to hold him close.
He groaned slightly, a male, dark, needy sound, and his hands wrapped around her back and slid up into her hair.
As they broke apart, one of his hands glided up to caress her ear and send a shiver through her.
“Well, I was thinking. Maybe…” She shrugged. “The Xeo Tarlith isn’t that big of a ship and with Saetyria there too… Perhaps, we ought to think about doubling up. Just to conserve space.”
Another trickle of desire went through her as she looked at him, at the thought of waking up next to him again. Even if there was somewhere else to sleep, she really didn’t want to go back to an empty room or, more specifically, one without him in it.
He gave her a little grin, his mouth curling up in a way that pulled at her belly. His tail wrapped around her waist, flicking gently against her leg.
“You think you could handle more Haze, huh?”
“I’m not saying it would be easy, but sacrifices sometimes have to be made.”
She paused, pulling back. “What will happen on that planet? Is there anything that can be done to keep it from happening again, to keep that evil woman from taking more slaves?”
Haze took a deep breath. “The woman’s dead. She won’t be taking any more slaves. Those men that helped us, some of them cleared out her files. They’re going to use the files to infiltrate further. They’ll probably even hide her death for a bit.”
Vi nodded her head, letting the truth wash over her: The lady was dead. She wouldn’t be tracking any of them down. “I didn’t know. I’m glad though; some people are just evil. Do you really think they can hide what’s happened?”
“Merchant Yarda has connections already within her organization. It should be possible, especially to keep it from her off-planet connections.” A chime sounded out. Haze leaned forward to inspect the console, his tail still wrapped around her. “That’s the warning. We’ll be on approach soon.”
“Good,” Vi said. “I can’t wait to get out of these clothes.” Her words hung in the air.
He stared at her, and it was like his eyes melted through to her soul, and the heat rose between them. His tattoos flared brightly. “You’ll let me know if you need any help with that?”
Vi grinned and arched her back, pretending to have trouble looking over her shoulder. She looked back to wink at him. “I was thinking the fastenings were a bit troublesome.”
In response, he half-lunged forward and pulled her into another heated embrace. His lips traveled along her mouth and neck, while his hands clutched her sides. The world faded away again, and she existed just in the moment between them.
She wished it could spin out forever.
34
Haze
Soon after the kiss that made him fill with desire and caused time itself to stop, a second chirp sounded out. He pulled away reluctantly. "It's time."
He didn't want to go back to the ship. He wanted to head off with her, out past the horizon, find a little planet of their own to settle down on. Simultaneously, he wanted to be back on the Xeo, training in the gym with her, watching her body move as he put her through the Vargys forms. Heck, maybe he'd even try cooking for her. …Or, more accurately, bribing Molly for some help in that department.
‘Course they had to dock anyway. Had to get Saetyria settled. Had to get back to the real world and the mission. Time to get his mind back on the other war, the one against an intractable plague that they fought, one mining site at a time.
If what Saetyria had said was correct – if the plague that had killed so many Vargys was really the Suhlik this whole time - he wondered how that changed things for the crew and for all the Vargys. Would it make things easier to solve or harder? Would the Vargys council finally tell the Mahdfel what had happened to their planet, or would it still be kept secret?
"I'll get Saetyria," Vi said softly. She pulled away and stood up, moving to the cabin.
She returned in a few minutes with Saetyria.
"Welcome, Sister," he said to her as gently as he could.
She looked around. "I haven't been very social, have I? The bed is so comfortable," she said reluctantly, stifling a yawn with her hand.
“That bed’s the worst. We have a spot for you on the Xeo, actually.” Haze tried to say it like it was nothing. “A real room.”
This was no big deal, he said to himself. Lots of men have a woman in their beds. But he glanced over at Vi as she sat down in the seat next to him. His tattoos flashed and betrayed him again. He wasn't quite sure how a guy like him, kept a girl like that, interested.
He'd never met anyone like Vi before. Without being able to stop himself, he reached over to give her hand a squeeze, trying to reassure himself that she was really actually interested in bunking with him. Her answering smile and the way she placed her other hand on top of his, made a victorious little surge go through him.
With one hand, he awkwardly completed the docking procedures and comm’d over. “Captain, all’s accounted for. Docking procedure completed.”
“We are pleased to have you back.”
The unloading process took longer than normal. First, Molly rushed on board and gave Vi a relieved hug.
"Vi, I was SO worried about you. Thank stars, Haze got you both out. You okay?" She chattered away at a mile-a-minute rate. "You guys hungry? I have so much food ready. I've been nervously cooking and going through our stores. Haze, you might have to replenish us soon. You all come right up to the dining hall. I can fix you whatever you want.”
Vi gave her a big hug back. "Molly, thank you so much. That sounds amazing." She turned to Saetyria. "Saetyria, this is Molly. She's our whatever… whatever… bounty chef… something or other… err… Good food wizard."
Vi's eyes crinkled as she smiled over to Haze.
Oz and Xain clapped Haze on the shoulder and even Fyn gave him a nod. Together, the men worked quickly to unload and get the things down to engineering, and Oz looked gleefully at his new toys.
Vi slid her drawing pad back into Haze’s pack and slipped away with Saetyria and Molly.
After an hour or so, the men seemed to have things well in hand. He made his way back to his quarters. Time for a shower, dinner. Time to see Vi again.
He swiped the door to his quarters and felt his face light up.
“Finally,” she said. Vi was sitting on his bed. “I mean, you meant it, right? This'll work, won't it?”
Haze felt an even bigger grin split his face.
He rushed over and scooped her into his arms, turning with her and kissing her face.
"Fraska, it's good to see you, mate." He leaned into her, his cock throbbing. Fraska, but she was good to look at. He squeezed her again, setting her down, reluctantly.
She laughed. “Good, ‘cause I might have taken over a couple of your drawers. I wasn't sure how you'd want to sort your stuff, now that you get three drawers instead of eight."
He glanced over and most of his clothes now took up chaotic residence on the floor.
He pulled her in for another kiss. Totally worth it.
Then his gaze caught something else new, sitting on top of the stand, next to Vi's painting of reds a
nd greens and yellows. The sparkly junk from the merchant.
“I see you found the grayva in my pack. I meant to give it back to you.”
She nodded. “Thanks for saving Precious for me. I hoped you would find it.” She leaned against him, wrapping her arms around him, squeezing so tightly that it about burst his ribs.
“I couldn’t leave it behind.” Haze’s voice caught as he thought about how important that piece of over-priced junk had become to him. He felt overcome, for a moment, with some unnamed emotion.
To change the subject, he grabbed Vi's ass for a quick squeeze. “You were saying something about needing help with these…” He tugged at her threads, and his voice got raspy and deep. “…with these fastenings?”
"Yes.” Her voice went down in a half-pout. "I thought I'd be stuck in these forever."
His hands moved in a blur, untying and undoing her wraps, until she was naked in front of him. Her body was so beautiful he felt his breath catch.
He kissed over her curves and naked flesh. He ran his tongue over her nipples, pulling back to observe and enjoy the look of their hardened tips.
In one smooth motion, he pulled his shirt up, his pants off, and scooped her into his arms, holding her tight against his body. He swooped down for another deep kiss, his cock hard against her thigh. "Shower?" he managed with ragged breaths.
She answered with a soft, hungry moan against his lips which made his cock twitch needfully against her.
His tattoos came alive, and his whole skin felt like it was on fire.
He couldn't manage the shower, not now.
He dropped her down on the bed, one hand sliding between her legs, strumming. She moaned and quivered, and her head went back. Her breath started hitching, and the moans came louder and harder.
"Yeah," he moaned.
He went down on her mound, his lips and tongue moving fast, making her move and jump for him. She arched her back, crying out, coming for him.
He gripped her hips. It wasn't enough. She must be fully his again.
As her panting slowed, he spread her legs, sliding his cock into her as gently as he could, the need urging him to go faster.
It was more than the best thing ever. It was home.
And that was all the thinking left to him as he rocked in and out of her. He lost himself and rode the wave home, and the universe crashed around him.
35
Violet
Vi leaned back on the bed, panting, her heartbeat gradually slowing down. She ran her hands along Haze's arms, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers.
Haze took a deep breath, grinning at her with a twinkle in his eye, like he'd just found out about Christmas. Well, perhaps he had. Heck, perhaps she had. She wouldn't mind getting to do this whenever she felt like it. She loved how wild he was, how he took control and got what he wanted, and he gave so good. She felt the little answering tingle. Yes, he was good at handing out presents.
She shimmied out of his arms. "So, you think your shower can manage two of us?"
He rolled up quick and off the bed, scooping her up into his arms. It made her stomach drop again. He made it seem so effortless, like she was nothing but a feather.
"Let's see," he said. Then he bent down and ran his tongue around her nipple. How could he do that while carrying her? She felt a quiver run through her again. At this rate, they'd never make it to dinner.
Sure enough, between the lathering and the panting and the moaning — and oh god, the incredible sex — they were a teensy bit later than she expected making their way out of his room. His arm resided around her waist the whole time, his fingers tracing delicious patterns along her side, making it hard to concentrate.
While they sat at dinner and Molly fussed at Vi and Saetyria, Haze never stopped touching her leg, her arm. His tail was resting against her foot, touching gently at her ankle. She was so aware of him and his body that she could barely pay attention to the conversation. She had no idea what people said to Saetyria or if anyone asked her anything.
All she could think about was when they could get back to their room again.
After an eternity, they stood up, but Haze didn't leave Vi's side. "Molly, your grub was amazing, like always. You outdid yourself."
Molly smiled and waved her hand. "Go, you two lovebirds. The boys have got things here."
Haze grunted his acknowledgement at her.
In only a moment, the room went sideways on Vi as Haze scooped her into his arms again. Vi let out a gasp in surprise, laughing as he carried her with long, quick strides out of the dining room.
"I really want to get you into the training arena but…" He broke off. “…probably frowned on if you end up naked in there."
Vi felt a shiver go through her as he gazed down at her with naked hunger.
She leaned up, and they were kissing and blindly fumbling for their room. Haze's hands roamed over her body, pulling at her clothing, leaving her naked as they crossed the threshold, some of their clothes scattered halfway into the hallway.
But all she could absorb was having his arms around her again, his mouth upon her skin.
She moaned with pure abandon, and let her cries echo off the walls.
With his hard body beneath her, she slid over his shaft, surrounding him, throwing her head back as he filled her. She raised herself off slowly, watching him pant beneath her. He groaned and clutched at her waist, jerking up into her, stabbing her, filling her with pleasure.
They kept up their game until her thoughts scattered. He reached up to help her, rising up into her as he pulled her down onto him.
The rhythm raised her up until she could control it no longer. She came hard, shattering and shaking, her entire body vibrating.
As she came back to herself, she listened with pleasure as he threw his head back and called out for her.
They fell asleep quickly, their limbs entwined and bodies entangled.
She woke early the next morning and found his eyes upon her. He reached over and ran his hands through her hair, bending over for a soft kiss.
Then he spanked her ass hard, making her squeak in surprise. "Time to get you trained up, woman."
She grinned, reached over, and whopped him as hard as she could on one butt cheek. "What, you actually think you can take me?"
She ran her hand down his tail.
Haze drew in a sharp breath. “On second thought… let's stay in here a little while longer."
It was a lovely few hours before she finally made her way out of the room. Haze had to check on things in command later anyway, and Vi wanted to check on Saetyria. Vi felt immensely guilty for leaving her with strangers. It wasn't Vi's finest decision-making.
Vi saw Molly climbing up the ladder from Dr. Seban’s office.
“Hey, Molly, everything okay?”
Molly sort of looked away and nodded her head. “Sure. I guess.”
“What’s happened? Do you want to talk about it?”
Molly shook her head. “It's nothing. I’m not pregnant. The doc confirmed it. I thought for sure I’d be pregnant by now. I guess sometimes these things take time. I mean, I know they do…”
Poor little Molly. She was such a sweet little thing. “Don't worry, Molly. My sister was married for a couple years before she got pregnant. It’s normal. Try not to let yourself get down about it.”
“It’s funny. I never thought I’d actually want to get pregnant - what with the risks and all - but I kind of always wanted to be a mother, you know?”
“Yeah. I—“ Vi stopped. Actually no. She did not want to be a mother. At least for a few more years. Many years. “Well, when it happens for you, I know you’ll be such a great mother. And Oz will be such a cute dad.”
Molly’s face scrunched in a happy smile. “I think he will be too. He’s so thoughtful, you know? And sweet.” She glanced over at Vi and linked her arm through Vi's. "And you two? So cute together, right? I never thought I'd see Haze like that - he's almost a big teddy bear now."
He sort of looked over and away. Almost shy-like.
"Morning, dear," she called after him, teasingly.
He stopped and turned back. Pulling her face to his so he could kiss her soundly. Her heart stopped briefly, then tripped along at a rapid pace.
"Morning, dear," Haze repeated as he released her. His tail did a quick swat at her butt, and he whistled as he walked back to command.
Vi rolled her eyes, re-linking her arm with Molly’s so they could walk back toward the ladder, up to the dining area, breakfast, and hopefully check on Saetyria.
"Men," Vi called back in fake exasperation.
36
Haze
Haze was not going to get cocky, but man, he'd lucked out with that girl. Even now his fingers were itching to get her up to the gym, or take her back to bed, or even head out in some random direction for an adventure together. He'd never thought he could be so happy. Even just talking to her, she made him smile.
He pretended to pay attention as the guys took forever talking next steps. Nothing much had changed while he'd been gone.
Obviously, the exact next steps were clear: get Xeo flying, get Saetyria settled, get to an actual mining operation.
The last bit surprised him. Not that they needed to get back to mining - which they did - but that it sent a trickle of unease through him.
Vi’s smile flickered through his mind again and he felt his tattoos light up again as his skin beneath reacted to his pleasure.
She complicated things for him, for the mission.
Perhaps he had been too hard on Oz before. Maybe.
He pulled his mind back as Seban joined them.
Haze (The Telorex Pact Book 2) Page 14
