Cosmic Mate: Stargazer Alien Space Cruise Brides #2
Page 9
He slipped in beside her and pulled her close.
Tiny waves lapped at their chests as their bodies slid together like two puzzle pieces.
Serena sighed and pressed her breasts against him, sending his libido through the stratosphere.
“Let’s rinse your hair,” Oz told her.
He held her by the waist and let her lean backward as if he were dipping her in one of the ballroom dances he loved in the old cell-films.
When her hair was submerged, he swung her slowly left and right, swirling the shampoo out of her hair.
She smiled up at him, the perfect dance partner.
Her hair was still a little bubbly though, so he eased an arm around her neck to support her and used his other hand to massage her scalp, running his fingers through the silky ribbons of her hair.
She hummed in enjoyment.
“Gods, but you are beautiful,” he told her.
“So are you,” she told him, extending a hand to cup his jaw.
“I’m sure that’s not true,” he said with a grin. “It’s only because you love me.”
She shook her head, eyes gone dreamy. “No,” she said. “Look at this handsome face that wakes me up with breakfast every morning. These strong arms that hold me.”
Her hands moved over his body as she spoke and he held perfectly still, drowning in waves of need.
“And those horns,” she murmured, sliding a gentle hand over his right horn and sending a jolt of lust through him.
“Enough,” he groaned, lifting her in his arms and carrying her out of the pond.
“Wait, where are we going?” she moaned.
“I need to do things to you that I can’t do in here,” he told her.
Her pleased giggle cascaded through his senses like a waterfall.
He felt weightless as he carried her out of the washroom and into the wafting curtains that surrounded their bed.
“Oz,” she murmured as he laid her down.
He covered her body with his, desperate to plunge into her and reclaim her physically.
But he had to be gentle.
And besides, this was special.
They had been in the throes of the mating thrall in the beginning. Then they had been off-limits for so long.
This was the first time they would possess each other because they chose to do so, with open eyes and open hearts. He had to make it perfect.
He leaned down to kiss her forehead, her eyelids, her cheeks.
She smiled and twined her arms around his neck.
His heart ached with the joy of it. He kissed his way down to the shell of her ear.
“I love you,” he whispered, then flicked the lobe with his tongue.
Her hips quivered beneath him and he nearly lost his resolve.
He trailed kissed down her neck, and softly caressed her breasts with gentle hands.
“I can’t wait until these are mine again,” he murmured, nuzzling between them.
When he pressed kisses to her navel, she giggled.
“Are you ticklish?” he asked her, looking up.
“Definitely not,” she said quickly.
Oh, what fun he would have with her…
But they had a lifetime for that. For now, he was desperate to please her again.
He nuzzled the tender flesh of her thighs, urging her to part them for his mouth so he could taste heaven.
28
Serena
Serena gasped and nearly came apart at the first stroke of his clever tongue.
They had waited so long. She was sure Dr. Bryx was being overly cautious about her celebrity patient, and that they could have done this days ago.
Serena had certainly been willing to try, but Oz would have none of it.
It felt like she had suffered endless sleepless nights, his body pressed to hers, rigid as steel, her own sex swollen with need and no hope of relief.
Now he fed on her, his hungry tongue demolishing her desire to extend this pleasure.
He eased a big finger against her opening.
Serena wailed and felt herself exploding on his tongue, the bliss tearing her apart.
Oz slowed his movements, coaxed long minutes of ecstasy from her, then immediately began lapping at her again.
“Oh, no, I can’t,” she moaned.
But she found that she could.
The second climax was more intense than the first and she bit her lip to keep from screaming as the ecstasy was wrung from her.
“Oh, Oz,” she moaned as she came down from it.
“Again,” he growled against her.
The room was silent but for the sound of her own ragged breathing and then the cries he wrenched from her as he brought her to a third climax.
At last the waves of pleasure subsided and he crawled up to her, his mouth glistening with her juices.
She could feel him throbbing against her hip, so hard it seemed he must be in pain.
“Better?” he asked.
“Not yet,” she said, sinking her nails into his upper arms and urging him to take her.
“We don’t have to, Serena,” he said, his jaw tight. “If you want a little more time, it’s fine with me.”
“No,” she moaned.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered, fear in his eyes as well as lust.
“Then let me do it,” she offered.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Roll over on your back,” she said in her most commanding voice.
He smiled at her slowly, then released her and lay back, arms behind his head.
Gods, but he was gorgeous.
She soaked in the sexy smile, the broad, muscular chest, and the huge, stiff cock that pulsed for her.
She straddled him before he had a chance to change his mind, pressing her lips to his and grinding her hips downward, sliding his cock against her warm, slippery opening without allowing him to penetrate.
“Serena,” he moaned into her mouth.
“Is this okay?” she whispered, mostly teasing him.
“Please,” he groaned.
She took him in her hand and eased him into her.
“Ohhhhh,” he moaned.
The sensation of having him inside her again was heavenly.
She moved slowly, sliding up and down the rigid length of him.
Impossibly, the wild pleasure built within her again, flames of lust threatening to consume her.
She moved faster, chasing her ecstasy.
Then one of his hands was on her hip, guiding the rhythm, as the other slid between them to toy with her clit.
Serena cried out as she splintered with pleasure again, pushed over the edge by the wild heat of him jetting into her as his climax found him.
At last it was over, and she collapsed on his chest, panting.
“You’re incredible,” he whispered into her hair.
“I love you, Oz,” she murmured.
“I love you too, my beautiful mate,” he whispered back. “And I have an important question for you.”
“Can it wait until after I take a little nap?” she asked.
“Nope,” he said. “But it’s a quick one. Will you marry me?”
She lifted her head from his chest. “Do they even have weddings on Maltaffia?”
“No, but they do in the Terran zones,” he said. “Let’s honor your culture.”
“Really?” she asked.
“I mean, unless you aren’t sure? We can wait as long as you want,” he said.
“Yes,” she said quickly. “Yes, of course.”
“Thank you,” he said. “We’ll pick out rings tomorrow, if we ever decide to leave this bed, that is.”
“I hate to break it to you, lover, but Miss Starla is going to need me long before then,” Serena giggled.
“Fine, she can have you,” Oz allowed. “But I don’t think I’m done with you quite yet.”
“What?” Serena asked.
But he was already flipping her onto her back an
d nuzzling her neck.
And the anticipation had her shivering all over again.
29
Serena
Serena smoothed down her skirt and sighed with pleasure.
The wardrobe station on this ship was incredible. Here she was, just weeks from giving birth, and they had crafted a wedding gown that looked absolutely beautiful and felt like a cloud.
She knew they could have waited until they reached one of their home sectors, but neither Serena nor Oz could bear to postpone the ceremony for that long.
And besides, Serena felt that each of them was secretly a little sentimental about this on-ship forest where they had declared their love and given birth to their daughter.
She glanced across the meadow to see that little Starla was snuggled in the many arms of Vaxyn, the head of the ship’s spa. Vaxyn was crooning in a lovely voice as Starla opened and closed her chubby little fists.
Most of the other chairs were filled. It was going to be a relatively small ceremony, with just the ship’s VIPs, who Anna hoped would befriend Serena and Oz, now that Starla was old enough to get out and about.
There were guards as well, stationed discreetly near the entrance. But they were not Cerulean guards.
All Ceruleans onboard the ship were being held in the lower deck until they reached a planet where they could be tried.
After their attack on Serena, it came to light that many of the Ceruleans onboard had either been part of the conspiracy against her, or had gotten riled up enough by it to act out in a dangerous manner. When the leaders of the ring had refused to name which Ceruleans were directly involved, the founders of the ship had been left with no choice but to place them all in holding, even Rex Tylarr, the Cerulean head of ship security who had assisted them and taken down Ramm when he’d fired on her.
She knew it was going to cause problems in the long run, but Anna and the others refused to handle it any other way, for the sake of safety. And the rule of ships-in-transit applied, so the founders’ decision was binding.
Serena had every intention of seeing justice served, but for now, she tried to focus her thoughts on the wonderful day she was about to share with her new friends and family.
There was a stir among the guests as Anna Nilsson swept in with three people behind her.
“Serena, you look exquisite,” Anna said. “Before the ceremony begins, I wanted you to meet Prince Zane and Princess Juno of Agwithia and their friend, Rose.”
“Hello,” Serena said with a smile.
She remembered hearing something about the surprise royal romance that had blossomed just before she came onboard the Stargazer II. They certainly seemed nice enough.
The royal couple smiled happily at her. The woman called Rose hung back slightly, looking a little nervous.
“Juno and Zane were married onboard recently too,” Anna said with a sparkle in her eyes.
“I heard about that,” Serena said. “Congratulations, your majesties.”
She curtsied deeply.
“Thank you,” Zane said. But he was looking at Juno, who squeezed his hand and smiled at Serena.
“It’s true that my husband is the Crown Prince of Agwithia,” Juno said. “But Rose and I are from Terra-4. That’s why we asked to meet you.”
“Oh,” Serena said, smiling widely. “I’m very glad to meet you then. I haven’t met many of my own people on this ship.”
Serena herself wasn’t from so far out as Terra-4, but it was still close enough to feel a kinship. And she knew Terra-4 was in a sector that was at the heart of what she was fighting for.
“We appreciate what you are doing so much,” Rose said, stepping forward suddenly. “Ever since Juno and I can remember, Terra-4 has been under Cerulean occupation. If there is ever anything I can do to be of service to you, please let me know.”
The girl bowed deeply, in the manner of the Terran military.
“Are you in the service?” Serena asked.
“I was, madam,” Rose replied. “I finished my tour right before Juno called me to join her on the ship.”
“There is something you can do for me,” Serena said thoughtfully. “But only with Anna’s permission.”
“If you’re looking for extra security just ask,” Rose said passionately. “My background was mainly in Agro, but I had weapons training, just like everyone else. I would ensure no Cerulean ever got within a hundred yards of you or your family again, if you asked.”
“Oh it wouldn’t be for me,” Serena said. “But I’ll think about it. And thank you for your kind offer.”
The three wished her well and went to their seats.
Anna stayed behind.
“What would you need my permission for?” Anna asked quietly.
“It’s your ship, so it’s your decision,” Serena said. “But I’m having a hard time sleeping knowing that Rex Tylarr, who saved my life, is being held on the lower deck with the others.”
“He’s a Cerulean,” Anna said. “No exceptions.”
“Aren’t we in this mess because Ceruleans see Terrans as inferior?” Serena asked. “We need to move beyond these petty prejudices and lead by example. Besides, you and I both know he’s a decent man and he’s not safe down there with the others.”
They had argued about this before, but Serena hoped that she now had a solution to Anna’s biggest concern.
Anna frowned. “What would you want me to do with him? I can’t let him free on the ship until there’s been a trial.”
“Why not put him under armed guard?” Serena suggested, nodding toward the woman who had just offered her services.
“Rose?” Anna asked. “Oh no, I couldn’t do that. She hates Ceruleans. If you knew what life was like on Terra-4, you wouldn’t ask for this, Serena.”
“You’re right, I don’t know what life is like on Terra-4, but I hope it’s about to get better,” Serena said. “And if Rose can learn to get along with a Cerulean, won’t that be a lesson for all our people?”
“I suppose, since she is military,” Anna mused. “And Rex has a number of witnesses placing him in opposition to the attack.”
Serena nodded.
“I’ll think about it,” Anna said. “How’s that?”
“Thank you,” Serena said. “Thank you so much.”
Anna squeezed her hand. “My pleasure. But you’d better get back there if you want to surprise your fiancé with your dress.”
“Good thinking,” Serena said. “Thank you again for arranging everything.”
“It was my pleasure,” Anna said. “Besides, I was fresh from the last one.”
“Intergalactic scavenger, ship founder, and now wedding planner,” Serena teased. “What else are you going to do with your life?”
“No idea, but whatever it is, I’m game,” Anna laughed. “I like to stay busy.”
“Have you ever thought about intergalactic politics?” Serena asked.
“Isn’t that what I already do?” Anna asked, with one eyebrow arched.
“So you really are considering what I asked about Rose and Rex?” Serena asked. “It would be a wonderful wedding gift.”
“I’m thinking about it,” Anna allowed. “But it’s time for you to get married now.”
The light was subtly shifting in the forest, showing off the fairy lights Anna and her mate, Leo, had hung earlier in the clearing.
“Thanks again,” Serena called over her shoulder as she headed down the trail far enough that Oz wouldn’t be able to see her.
30
Ozmarck
Oz watched from the corridor as the light source in the forest dimmed and twinkling fairy lights appeared.
He had claimed Serena as his mate the night they met.
They already had their first child.
Their fates had merged in every possible way.
But somehow, the sweetness of the Terran ritual tugged at his heart and he felt an unexpected urgency to say the words and make them belong to each other in yet another way.
After all the excitement, Oz and Serena had stayed in the honeymoon suite for weeks in a bubble of love, doting on their daughter constantly.
As a result, Starla was furious whenever she wasn’t tucked snugly in her mother or father’s arms.
Serena and Oz had prepared each other for a very noisy wedding.
He was surprised when Anna beckoned him from the opening of the forest.
“Is she ready?” he asked.
“Sure is,” Anna said. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
He laughed out loud. “Hell no, the opposite of that.”
“Good,” she said with a smile.
“What about Starla?” he asked. “Why isn’t she crying?”
“Oh, you’ll see,” Anna said. “She’s happy as a mynarr. You ready to get married?”
“Let’s go,” he said.
He headed to the forest, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Anna slipped in behind him, and together they headed down the trail to the meadow.
The trees closed in overhead and he felt the peace of the forest envelop him.
Oz wasn’t used to being the center of attention. Discretion and disappearing into the shadows were the hallmarks of his career. He had no idea how to stand in front of a crowd, even a small one.
But the tranquility of the ancient trees lent him a measure of strength and he walked on, knowing he was growing closer to his small family with every step.
“Do you know what she asked for as a wedding present?” Anna asked softly.
He shook his head.
“She wants me to release Rex from the lower deck and allow him freedom on the ship, under guard of course,” Anna said. “She doesn’t think it’s fair for him to be held with the others.”
“What did you say?” Oz asked, moved that even in their joy, his compassionate mate thought only of justice.
“I told her I would think about it,” Anna said. “It’s not so much Rex’s behavior that I’m worried about. If he’s allowed to be free, it might look like I’m playing favorites, or that he cut some kind of deal. And that might put him in danger.”