Page 81 of 20% Stud 80% Muffin
This is his home.
Our bags were already waiting in the entryway. First thing this morning, I’d organized everything when I slipped away from under Makir’s long warm body.
Ginger squatted to settle the dogs. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee while you wait?”
The taller of the two nodded a friendly greeting toward Ginger as I sat at the dining room table, saying, “Is that what I smell? Seems like the perfect thing to keep me awake. We’ve had a very early start.” He winked while crouching to pet Charz and Pika as Ginger had done the moment before. “What are these creatures?”
Leave it to my dogs to break the ice.
The older Lornian escort stiffened behind the first. “The High Regent has declared time is of the essence.” The disdain on his face amplified his frown as he shook his leg free from Pika jumping on him.
Ignoring the men, I carried a graneth puff spread with peanut butter, a glass of hiscus juice and a mug of coffee to our room. I paused, basking in the peacefulness. Makir lay curled on his side, buried in linobee pelts. His lashes appeared longer in his sleep, and both hands were tucked under his chin. In a perfect world, I would linger here forever, but Makir would want to get ready, so I woke him with a kiss on his forehead.
“Your father’s men are here, little lion.”
He purred softly as his eyes drifted open. “Geo?” My name dripped like molten lava from his tongue, and the sound beckoned me to crawl right back into his nest of furs.
The next moment, he shot out of the bed and threw on his jumpsuit, naked underneath. “They’re here!” Not bothering to guide him into anything different, I ran my hands down his arms to soothe him. There would be time to change into appropriate clothes on the shuttle.
“Sit. Drink and eat.” My low voice forced his submission. “They can wait.” And when the graneth puff was gone, I beamed, pleased with myself for finally figuring out when to turn on the alpha and trust my instincts.
He dusted the crumbs from his jumpsuit and twisted his hair into a knot on his head. “I’m ready now.”
I couldn’t stop myself from leaning into his luscious lips, stained a deep plum from the hiscus juice, for a long kiss before we left our quiet sanctuary.
“Makir!” The taller Lornian reached for Makir and hugged him, and I prowled toward them. “I haven’t seen you since Hovercraft Flight Academy. How have you—” His nostrils flared. “You smell enticing.” The tall man’s alpha voice rumbled and his nose dipped to Makir’s collarbone.
“Wen. It’s good to see you, friend.” Makir ducked out of his embrace and closer to me, eyeing me carefully. “Bonic was thoughtful to have sent you.” He dipped his chin toward Wen. “Geo and I have a bond. I’m no longer an available omega.”
The other Lornian’s gaze jumped to Makir’s lavender eyes, while he fingered the giant ringa embroidered on the high collar of his uniform, and a frown twisted his lips. “The regents will be displeased.” Then he stood tall, formality replacing indignation. “High Lord Tuniga.” He offered a shallow bow as an afterthought.
Makir’s juniper fragrance flavored the air, attempting to calm the alpha energy that permeated the room. Instead of feeling soothed, my skin grew prickly and itchy.
“Ginger, Geo, this is Wen, Bonic’s second in command, and Tunt, one of my father’s personal guards.” He motioned toward the Lornians with a long sweep of his arm. “Wen, Tunt, meet Geo and his best friend, Ginger.”
“Enough of these pleasantries,” Tunt barked, unaffected by Makir’s attempts to project serenity. “We will be on our way at once.”
Wen picked up the bags by the door and moved outside. “Tunt, you’re out of line. You’ll treat the High Lord Tuniga with the respect he’s due.”
“This is not off to a good start.” Makir’s tail smacked the floor as he yanked on his boots. His glassy eyes found mine when he stood, and his fingers trembled.
Ginger fanned her hand in front of her flushed cheeks. “Mamacita, there’s more testosterone in this room than a whole chain of Gold’s Gyms.” She hugged Makir and passed him the wrapped sling for the baby. “Good luck. You’ll be back before you know it.” Her smile was full of encouragement. “Take care of him, stud muffin.” Another hug for me, and she pushed us out the door while wrangling the dogs in, shivering from the cold draft.
I faced Makir and buttoned his wide-open coat against the biting wind. Fresh tracks lingered behind us as we walked to the docking port in the newly fallen snow.
“Wait, the wine…” Makir turned back.
“Packed.” I pressed my lips together and held in my grin.
“Oh, and the jerky…” He turned around again.
“Got it.” I soothed my hand up his tail, and he shivered.
“What about…” He pulled away again.
When Makir wouldn’t settle, I hugged him and trailed a finger down his pointed ear, warm beneath his furred hat. “Everything’s taken care of.”
The increased traffic flattened the snow, and the path grew icy as it led to the spaceport. Loud with construction, the spaceport hummed with energy. Makir’s forehead beaded with sweat, and his fingers fumbled over the buttons of his coat. I guided him, my palm resting above his tail, toward the first security clearance,and he flung his jacket to the ground. Sheltered from the wind but by no means warm, I bent down and folded it over one arm.
