“I’ll do better,” Nix promised.
Cerena smiled. “You’re already the best.”
“And I’m done.” Garth rested his blaster over his shoulder, slung his arm around Lacey, and headed down the path. “See you at the ship.”
The corners of Flynn’s mouth twitched. Garth would never say he was sorry for anything he’d said or done. In his mind, he’d done what was necessary and right. Flynn couldn’t fault him, because he’d have done the same damn thing. But this was Garth’s way of letting him know he’d put the past aside and would accept Cerena if she was what Flynn wanted.
Amos came over to him and slapped him on the back. Angelina went up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “I like her,” she whispered in his ear when he bent down so she could reach him.
Kal stopped by Nix and held out his hand, waiting until the boy took it. “In case you don’t remember, I’m Kal, and this is Rory.” He motioned to his wife standing beside him. “Why don’t we go back to the ship and give your mom and Flynn a minute to talk?”
Nix tensed, his hands curling into fists. He was worried about leaving his mother alone. No, he was scared they were going to harm her.
Flynn strode to the boy. “Look at me,” he ordered. Nix stiffened and glared. “I’d die before I’d hurt Cerena, before I’d let anyone else hurt her. If you believe nothing else, believe that. Besides, if I try something, she’d likely kick my ass.”
Nix slowly relaxed and finally grinned. “She’s good at it.”
“I know.”
Nix remained where he was, uncertainty on his face. It was Rory who got things moving. “I know they’re a scary looking bunch,” she told Nix. “Believe me, when I first met them, they all scared me to death, especially Flynn.”
“Not helping, Rory,” he told her.
She flashed him a big smile. “Flynn is as tough as they come, but he uses every ounce of it to protect his family and those he cares about.” Rory motioned in Cerena’s direction. “And trust me when I tell you he cares about your mom. He was ready to come here alone to rescue you if he had to.” She held out her hand. “Come back to the ship with us. They won’t be long.”
“We’ll be right behind you,” Cerena promised her son.
“If you’re sure you’re okay.” Nix kissed his mother’s cheek. It was obvious to anyone watching that they had a close relationship. Flynn wondered where that left him.
Nix dragged his heels but finally left with Kal and Rory, leaving Flynn alone with Cerena.
“Thank you, Flynn. For my son. For everything.” That sounded too much like goodbye for his liking.
Every muscle tense, he faced her. “I don’t want your fucking thanks.”
****
Flynn was angry—his swearing was a sure sign—but she wasn’t sure why. He’d seemed relaxed only moments before. Maybe he’d only pretended not to be angry with her in front of his family and Nix.
Her stomach knotted. She didn’t want to lose him, yet she had no idea what to do or say to diffuse his anger. “Fine. You don’t want my thanks. What do you want?”
“You fucking know what I want.” He glowered at her, his brows lowered, his jaw tight. A muscle twitched beneath his good eye.
Anger began to course through her veins, driving out all else. Anger was powerful and cleansing. She channeled it as she stopped toward him, not backing down. “No, I don’t. Please enlighten me.”
Breathing heavily, he lowered his head, their noses almost touching. “I want you to tell me you fucking love me.”
Everything inside her stilled. It was different blurting it out in the middle of a fight surrounded by others. This was deliberate, and it was just the two of them.
“I love you.”
He released a pent-up breath, cupped the back of her neck, and dragged her mouth to his. Their kiss was hot and demanding. She wasn’t sure who was in control as they wrestled for dominance. Then it no longer mattered. They were alive and together.
“God, Cerena.” He kissed her jaw, her cheeks, her nose. “I thought I’d lost you.” He held her at arm’s length and shook her. “Never do that again.”
“Why?” She’d bared her soul twice now and he’d kept silent both times.
“Why?” He looked at her as though he didn’t understand what she was asking. Was he really so obtuse?
“Why do you care?”
“Because I love you, woman.” His roar startled several birds from a nearby tree. They flew across the clearing and into the woods. He heaved a deep breath. “I love you. This is probably not the time or place, but I want you in my life.”
“And Nix?” As much as she loved Flynn, Nix was her son. She’d never abandon him and could never be with a man who couldn’t care for him.
“Nix is part of you, therefore he’s already mine.”
All she could do was stare in complete astonishment. He’d said it so matter-of-fact, like it was already a foregone conclusion. And to Flynn it was. This hard and dangerous man, feared by many throughout the known galaxies, was offering her everything he had.
“What about your family?” She loved Flynn, but she wasn’t blind. His family didn’t exactly love her, and he was a family man through and through, no matter how much he tried to cloak it with a stern demeanor. “They don’t accept me. Not really. And it’s not their fault.”
Flynn tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “They’ve forgiven you.”
“How can you be certain?” She wasn’t quite as sure. “I can’t raise Nix in a toxic environment, and I won’t come between you and your siblings. You love them. I, more than anyone, understand that.”
“Garth was telling you he’d forgiven you when he left us alone.”
“You can’t be serious. He said he’d see us back at the ship.”
“And if he didn’t trust you, there would have been no way to make him leave.”
A slow smiled crossed her face. Maybe, just maybe, it was possible for them to have a relationship. “You’re serious?”
“Absolutely. The women already like you.”
“They do?” She felt her cheeks heating. “They barely know me. And they’re nothing like me. They’re all more feminine.”
Flynn frowned. “You’re feminine.” He ran his hands over her sides to her hips. “I love your curves. And your tits.”
She wasn’t sure if she was charmed or insulted by his blatant physical assessment of her body.
“It takes more than breasts and curves to be feminine. I’m a bouncer, for God’s sake. I make a living knocking heads together in a bar.”
“I know.” He practically purred the two words. “It’s hot.”
“Only you would find that arousing,” she pointed out.
“See, you’re perfect for me. The others know I’d scare or intimidate a weaker woman.” He yanked her forward until their hips were aligned, his erection pressing against her stomach. Heat raced out from her damp core.
“You can be intimidating. To someone who isn’t strong, I mean,” she hurriedly clarified.
“I need a badass woman to keep me in line.” He cupped her breasts and squeezed.
Almost breathless, she managed to respond. “I can do that.”
“That makes you perfect.”
There were still so many decisions to make. Where would they live? What would she do? What about Nix?
Flynn kissed her, and she decided to worry about those things later. Her son was safe, she was alive, Ian was no longer a threat, and she was in Flynn’s arms. Life didn’t get much better than it did right here and now.
She kissed him with all the love in her heart. He groaned and lifted her right off her feet. Only Flynn could do that, make her feel feminine. It was his gift to her, mostly because he saw her in a way she’d never seen herself.
“Got to have you.” He dragged at her clothes, would have torn her vest if she hadn’t stopped him.
“I can’t face my son half dressed,” she reminded him, taking a step back.
Flynn gave a muffled laugh, which made her heart soar. From what little she’d observed and learned since she’d met his family, he didn’t laugh or smile often. Or hadn’t until he’d met her.
“Then get your clothes off, woman, or you’ll be going back to the ship naked.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Really?” It was fun to tease him, as only a lover could.
He lunged, taking them both to the ground. At the last second, he turned so he bore the brunt of the fall. Then he rolled so she was on her back. He flipped open the fasteners of her vest and froze.
“Fuck. You were injured. Could have died. What the fuck am I doing?”
Now that he’d mentioned it, her chest started to throb. The entire area was one big bruise. “I’m okay,” she told him, not wanting to stop. “I had the wind knocked out of me and I’m bruised, but there’s no internal damage, no broken ribs.”
“How can you be sure?” He lightly ran his fingers over the bruised area.
“Bouncer, remember? I’ve had my share of broken bones over the years.”
Flynn growled, his expression positively murderous. “Who?”
She shook her head. “I’ll never tell. I handled it. I’m badass, remember?”
He kissed her collarbone, light, barely-there touches meant to soothe rather than arouse. But that didn’t seem to matter to her body, which was on fire from the first caress.
“We could have died,” she reminded him. “We’re alive. I love you, and you love me.” He grunted and licked one straining nipple. “Once we go back to the ship we’ll be surrounded by your family and my son.”
He raised his head. “What are you suggesting?”
She smiled knowing she’d hurt more later but not caring. The adrenaline was still pumping enough to blunt the pain and she needed this. “Love me.”
“I do. I will.”
He wouldn’t let her do anything. He stripped her naked and kissed every bruise, every mark on her body. Using his lips and tongue and fingers, he tantalized and soothed, healed and aroused. The sun beat down on them, warm and comforting. The earthy scent of soil and trees and hot male filled her nostrils. She stroked his broad shoulders, floating on a sea of pleasure.
He worked his way down her body, stroking her sides and hips, running his fingers down the outside of her legs before coming up on the inside. Breathing became more difficult when he touched her core. He was gentle, so careful with her it brought tears to her eyes. No one but Flynn had ever treated her this way, like she was precious and special.
He parted her slick folds and licked at her core. His breath was hot on her damp skin. She moaned and moved beneath him. As perfect as this all was, it wasn’t enough.
“I need you,” she told him.
“Not yet.” He slipped one thick finger inside. “I want you so ready you’ll come on the first stroke.”
“God, Flynn, I’m there now,” she promised.
“Not yet. Soon.” He dragged his tongue over her clit, drawing a long moan from deep inside her. Hips undulating, she tried to pull him down, but he wasn’t having it. Pleasure rose higher and higher, cresting almost to the peak before he’d ease away, bringing her back down again.
“Flynn.” He was all she could see or think about. He devoted himself to building her arousal. She hurt, her core aching to the point of pain. He licked and sucked her clit, always stopping before she came. “Now,” she demanded.
He reared back and yanked his clothes down, stopping when his erection sprang free. She expected him to fuck her hard and fast. His chest was heaving, and he was sweating. Again, he surprised her. He lifted her thighs onto his and leaned forward, slowly pressing his cock inside. The sheer width and length of him stretched her, stimulating all the aroused nerve endings. Heat flashed through and around her.
She came on the first stroke, just as he’d promised.
He said her name as he thrust once, twice. He arched back and groaned as he came. For all his gentleness, their passion was undeniable, even deeper. Maybe it was because they were making love this time.
She loved him, and he loved her.
He fell forward, catching himself on his hands. She reached up and brushed her fingers across his face. He turned his head and nipped at her fingers. “As much as I’d like to stay here, we have to get back.”
She knew he was right. But she was tired and felt too good to move.
“They’ll come looking soon,” he reminded her.
That was enough to get her up. They both groaned when he pulled away. She was sticky and sweaty but managed to dress, with Flynn’s help. He was ready long before her. All he’d had to do was pull up the sleeves of his battlesuit and flightsuit.
She staggered when she stood. Now that the adrenaline was fading, she was exhausted and feeling every bruised part of her body.
“I’ve got you.” Flynn scooped her off her feet and started down a path.
“I can walk.” No way she wanted Nix or Flynn’s family to see her like this.
He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I know. I’ll put you down when we’re close. Until then, enjoy the ride.”
Pure contentment filled her as she rested her head against his shoulder. “I’m glad Ian sent me to kill you. Wait, that didn’t come out right.”
Flynn laughed. “I’m glad he sent you to kill me, too.”
“What will we do?” she asked. “Now that the threat is over.”
He stalled for a step but then kept on going. “As long as we’re together, I don’t care.”
“What do you want to do?” she asked. “You have a ship and a family business, right?”
“We do a lot of trading, deliver goods to wherever is needed, but it’s all changing now that we found Abby and all have women.” His arms became a bit tighter around her. “I’m open to change. It’s time. What about you?”
“I’m not sure. I could probably get my job back if I wanted it.” It was the first time since she was a child she’d actually stopped to think about what she might want to do instead of what she needed to do. “I’m open to change, too.”
Flynn stopped and set her on her feet, but didn’t release her. He put his arm around her waist as they walked forward. The ship came into sight just around the corner of the path. The ramp was down, and no one was in sight. Still, she knew they’d be monitoring the area and would see them walking in together.
Side by side they walked up the ramp. The door closed behind them.
Epilogue
“I’ve got to get the fuck out of here,” Flynn muttered under his breath. The crowd was small but still larger than he’d like. At this point, more than two was a crowd.
“Did you say something?” Cerena asked above the din of voices and the sound of the music.
“Have I told you today how beautiful you are?” He loved the rosy flush that came to her cheeks and imagined it covering her entire body. His pants grew uncomfortably tight.
She ran her hand over the lapel of his dress jacket, the first one he’d ever bought, and the only one he was ever likely to own. Beneath it was the shirt he’d worn to his sister’s wedding “You look incredibly handsome.”
He stood a little taller. Getting dressed up wasn’t so bad if she liked it, but he wasn’t planning on doing it again anytime soon.
It had been sixty planetary rotations since the incident on Eden. Not that he’d been counting or anything. But he could finally relax now. Cerena was his. Nix was his.
And speaking of his new stepson. “Nix looks like he’s having fun.” The teen was currently dancing with Rory while Kal stood nearby and watched with a grin on his face.
“He likes you and your brothers. You’re good for him.” Cerena was wearing a flowing dress that fell to her ankles. It was a deep brown and matched the color of her eyes. She wore boots on her feet, and he knew she was packing at least two throwing knives worked into the intricate belt design. Likely there were more he couldn’t see. He looked forward to finding them
all when he undressed her later.
It had been her idea to wear the dress. Flynn didn’t care what she wore as long as she married him.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “You’re good for me,” he told her. “And I like Nix. He’s a great kid. You did an amazing job with him.”
“And you’re really okay with staying here?” Here was Gravas, where Vaden and his family had welcomed them with open arms. It was still odd to be making a home on a planet that was mostly unknown to the outside world, especially after living on a spaceship for so many years.
“I’m okay with it. Plus, I’ll fly trade routes for the Gravasian government. That will keep me busy.” No way could he sit around idle and do nothing. It just wasn’t in him. “Besides, my sister is here, and my brothers are enjoying themselves.”
She laughed. “That’s an understatement. Amos and Kal are excited to learn about their tech. It’s all they talk about according to Angelina and Rory. And Lacey says that Garth is completely enthralled with their weaponry.”
That sounded about right.
He glanced around to make sure none of his brothers were close enough to overhear before asking, “You’re happy?”
She went up on her toes and kissed his chin. “I never thought it was possible to be this happy.” His cock was already swollen to the point of pain. He really wanted to get out of here and take his new wife back to their living quarters, but she deserved this party. He’d never seen her looking as radiant as she did right now.
He kissed her, dragging her off her feet. Didn’t matter that they’d had sex this morning and twice yesterday and every day since they’d rescued Nix. He couldn’t get enough of her.
He loved his brothers and sister. For most of his life, they’d been his focus. Cerena and Nix were different. They belonged to him, were his to love and protect. A duty he’d never take lightly.
“Nix is all set to spend the night with Kal and Rory?” The boy seemed to get along best with Kal. Not surprising since he was the easiest going of the bunch.
“He took his things over earlier,” Cerena assured him. “We’ll be all alone tonight.” She shivered in his arms. The look of pure love and lust in her eyes almost undid him.
Flynn's Assassin (Marks Mercenaries Book 5) Page 12
