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“C’mon, King Kong”—Ginger tugged my gloved hand—“let’s go. It blows my mind that a crew of Rock Dwellers can build a home like this in less than a week.”
My mate is happy with my dwelling. Would she consider this her home, too?
“I can’t believe Charz and Pika have been in your house before me,” she teased, brilliant eyes shining, as we stood on the threshold hand in hand.
My heart leaped into my throat. I wanted her here with me. For us to stay on Tern together. A future full of joy so tangible I could see it bursting from me in glimmering white rays, encompassing us.
The hand she had on the door opener dropped. Her other remained in my gentle grasp, and she turned to face me. Gold flecks sparked like embers in her hazel eyes.
“My mind and body have claimed you as my own, and my silver pearl skin and linnea cuffs speak my heart’s truth.” I lined our wrists up, peeled back her gloves, and alternated her shiny pink leaves with my charcoal ones. “You have complimented me, given me gifts and cared for me. I’ve proven I can protect you. My title will be restored soon, and I own a worthy dwelling…”
I loosened my jaw and focused on her clear gaze. “Do you wish to start our lives here together? To join me in this dwelling?”
A breeze stirred over the clifftop, blowing her tangled hair over her shoulder. Although the only parts of Ginger not covered in dirt and my smeared blood were her bandaged wrists, she shone like the brightest star.
“I don’t want to pressure you. When my name is formally cleared, we could travel to Earth. You could restart your career…” A mantu with a calf nursing at her side freely grazed below us as if they knew the threat was gone. “I’ll be happy as long as we’re together.”
The vivid green of her eyes deepened, and I dove into them like I would my favorite swimming hole. In the emerald depths, I found peace, strength…love.
Ginger didn’t hesitate. “I’ve never wanted to spend the rest of my life with anyone before, JayJay. And now I can’t imagine even a day apart from you. I love you.” She lifted to her tippy toes and tugged me down until our lips met. “We don’t need to figure out every detail today.”
When she declared her love, my wristbands flared bright white like the hottest part of the flame, and my body went rigid. Then, as Ginger grasped my wrists, a cool balm swooshed through my limbs. Fresh and floral scented, it washed away the heat and replaced it with a bond singing with contentment. I hadn’t known happiness like this existed.
The pulse in Ginger’s neck bucked, and she wavered on her feet before stumbling back. “What happened?”
“I found something precious I didn’t even know I was looking for.” I touched my lips to hers. “It’s you.” I smiled into eyes brimming with affection. “This is all new to me, but I think my ancestors agreed with the goddess Sola and have given us their blessing. Our mate bond is complete.”
She shook her head, and her face lit with a smile so blinding the moon would envy its glow.
This is the smile I get to see for the rest of my life.
“Well, usually a girl gets a ring and some flowers, but you Rock Dwellers really know how to level things up.” Her head tilted skyward when she laughed.
I swallowed the lump of guilt in my throat. How had I forgotten about human mating rituals? “I can get you a ring…and there will be flowers.” I motioned toward all the greenery.
“JayJay, your wrists,” she gasped.
Her fingers traced over the silver outlines now etched around the charcoal leaves on my skin.
The intensity with which she captured my eyes and held them sank deep into my bones. With the strength of ten RockDwellers, I slung her into my arms and carried her into our new place.
“This is a human mating ritual.” Ginger nuzzled my neck. “You’ve carried me over the threshold.”
“At least I’ve got one thing right.” The interior passed unnoticed as I flung open doors and focused on finding the shower.
Ginger nipped at the skin beneath my jaw. “No, don’t start bragging.”
The last door at the end of the hall revealed the bathroom, and I placed Ginger on the ebony countertop. I missed her closeness in the moment it took me to fill the room with warm steam. Without words, I unlaced her boots and ran my thumb down the center of her sole after removing her socks. She bit her lip and grasped her knee as a shiver worked its way up her leg.
Unbuckling her belt, I placed both hands on her waist and lifted her until both feet met our heated floor. Before skimming her pants and underwear down her legs, I kissed her stomach.
Her dilated pupils transformed the hazel to jungle cat black. She stood before me in a tunic that matched my own. Goose bumps formed on her skin under my fingers when I lifted it, even though hot, steamy air filled the space. When I notched my thumb into the groove of her spine before unclasping her bra, she whimpered. It called to me on a primal level. Her last article of clothing clung between her legs, and I tore the smooth fabric away.
My stiff coil slapped my belly when I stripped, and Ginger’s hot gaze coaxed a bead of seed from the tip. I gathered her hand and tugged her into the warm spray behind us. She stood scattered in water droplets, sparkling in front of me, and the deep rumba building in my rib cage burst free.
Slow and gentle, I lathered soap over every inch of her lush body. My friends had thought of everything, even the soap.Beneath her right knee, my healed fingers grazed the raised ridge of a scar, and my eyes lingered on a thumb-sized spot, like one of Hill’s freckles but larger, under her left breast.
“I will know every part of you.”
