Page 46 of 20% Stud 80% Muffin
I sucked in a breath. “He’d never hurt me or ask me to do anything uncomfortable. He’s a strong protector and a skilled archbuilder. You should see my fabulous dwelling. It rivals my private rooms in the Tuniga High Hold.”
A needle of loneliness threaded through my heart at memories of the Tuniga family dining table. It always overflowed with an aunt or uncle and their younglings. My fine table would likely end up more of a cluttered workstation. Family was something I’d left on Lorne.
The background noise had diminished. Bonic’s fingers stilled their drumming. “You have no idea the peace it brings me to know you are now protected.” Bonic blew out a long breath.
I worried my lip until it bruised. “Ah… He would make a fine mate.”
Do I mean that?
The power of saying the words aloud, ‘he would make a fine mate,’ shuttled through my veins, lighting up each nerve with hope.
With conviction this time, I said, “He’ll make the best mate.”
The list of pros and cons in my head finally sorted itself, and the pros list tipped the scale. “But he’s clueless, Bonic. Geo isn’t aware he’s an alpha, has no idea what an omega is, and was alarmed, to put it politely, about my womb and…shocked that our genitals are hidden in protective pouches.”
Bonic’s laughter rang through my empty kitchen. “Teach him our ways, and he will want no other.” A notification pinged in the background. “It has been an extremely long rotation and I still need to sort out an incident from earlier. Misinformation caused riots along the northern border.”
Blant those councillors! Always meddling with the elite protector’s business. Bless the goddess that my brother is in charge of them, not my parents.
“I wish I was there to lend support, Bonic.”
“I must go, Makee. May the goddess Sola bless this union. We will speak on the new moon or sooner.”
My heart soared at his approval, but he was gone before I could say, “Bye, brother.”
The call disconnected, and longing for my brother swept through me. I yearned for a soul-linked bond like the one he had with Jast. In this moment, I wanted nothing more than to place my hand on Jast’s belly.
A strange clunk rattled my front entrance—a welcome distraction.
I pushed aside the cover of the tiny lamar viewer, marveling at Geo’s ingenuity and concern for my safety. Geo stood on the other side of my locked door, his face strangely distorted. If I hadn’t been so focused on Jast’s growing youngling, theloosening pull from my tether would have alerted me to his presence. He shifted from one foot to the other as I watched through the little lamar hole. A smile so big my cheeks hurt was plastered across my face.
When I opened the door, Geo straightened his shoulders and sucked in his belly. He said, “For you.” Then he pushed a container into my hands as he continued to shift from one foot to the other on the threshold. “Can I come in?” His voice was too loud, but I wasn’t startled. “I haven’t seen the finishing touches on your house, and I can’t market the features effectively if I’m not sure what they are.”
Geo stared over my shoulder. We stood so close that his belly bumped me. The heat from his body drew me to him like flying starbugs to a flame. Boozy orzfoam and summer fields scented the air. How could I say no to his scowling face, gruff voice and terrible excuse?
“Uh-huh.” I nodded, then twisted sideways, allowing him to step in. His shoulder brushed against my chest and turned my nipples into stiff peaks. “What’s this?” I read the label on the container. “Hiscus wine.”
“It’s a housewarming present,” Geo mumbled. He unlaced his boots and toed them off before locking the door. His brightly colored socks had what I assumed were little Earth creatures on them.
With a sway to my step, I entered the kitchen, and Geo followed. He poked and prodded the cabinetry, scent-marking his territory with each touch of his fingertips. His lips tipped up when he discovered the cleverly camouflaged appliances.
I poured us each a container of wine and sipped mine. “It’s lovely.” A purr rattled in my throat before I tipped my container to him. “To fresh beginnings.” I took another sip of the fermented hiscus.
We walked into the hovery side by side. I bounced on the balls of my feet, eager to show off my space. “The three bays are exactly what I asked for. Where did you get the idea for the clever pit with a lift? It will be extremely helpful to be under the hovercrafts for repairs.” Nearly twirling, I stopped where my parts were stored. “Oh, and take a look at my storage wall!” My hand brushed across the toolswhere each hung from a peg. Storage bins and drawers for parts lined the wall. “So much better than I imagined.”
“You like it then?” Geo barked, but his shoulders slumped forward vulnerably before he stiffened his spine again.
“No, I love it,” I gushed. “It’s remarkable. Plus, I have so many appointments for the next two weeks that I stopped taking new bookings.” I smiled as I recalled the number of people who’d just happened to walk by and need a little tune-up. Another sip of flowery wine burst sharply on my tongue.
I leaned on my long workbench as Geo opened and closed drawers idly, presumably testing how smoothly they shut. While I chatted away, his shoulders loosened, his legs gave a little more around the knees when he walked, and his belly relaxed.
“Why don’t we finish the tour in the courtyard?” I lifted my container.
Geo cringed and followed me with dragging steps. What was going on with him? I was thrilled with the work his crew had completed.
The woodskies’ squawking calls drifted in from the courtyard. Greenery perfumed the air with a sweet and spicy scent reminiscent of cold season holidays on Lorne.
Geo sat sideways on the lounge chair, his legs spread wide, facing the lounger I lay on. “So, about that.” He jerked his head sideways toward the pool. “It was installed before I knew you…hate water.” His cheeks turned a shade of pink that warmed a place low in my stomach. He took a gulp of wine and grimaced. “Anyways, it would be a lot of work to…remove.”
