Page 101 of Star-Crossed Captive
“When you first arrived onOrion, your DNA was flagged as ruling class and I had to pay to bury it.” A haunted expression crossed his face. “I’m not proud of how my people treat captives, but I can’t change it. Not overnight. You don’t deserve any of this.”
He pressed his face into her stomach, holding her close. “I couldn’t have released you before, not safely. But if you keep your head down, this will work.” He tipped his head to meet her eyes. “Betel acquired contacts for your journey. Everything is set up on our end until you reach a hub closer to Jupiter. From there you need to get to your family. No military. No administrators. Do you understand?”
She nodded, her throat so tight she couldn’t even ask questions.
“I would send a warrior detail with you, but it would draw more attention. You need to do this as quietly as possible.” His fingers squeezed her hips. “And when I leave here tonight, I won’t be returning. We’re going to take backOrion. This is our goodbye, Nia.”
Fear for him, of his upcoming mission, assailed her. He’d disregarded his people’s laws to see her free. She lifted her hands from his shoulders and sank them into his hair. Closing his eyes, he groaned and pulled her to him, his cheek against her sternum.
Tears pricked her eyes. This was it. Her last few hours with him. Then she’d never see him again.
How had her perspective changed so much in such a short time? How was the thought of leaving this man wounding her like no other pain in her life? How was the idea of returning home filling her with more apprehension than remaining with the people who were supposed to be her enemy?
Releasing a slow breath, she leaned away enough to take the hem of her shirt and pull it over her head. She cupped his face in her hands, the short growth of his facial hair tickling her palms.
“I need you,” she whispered, throat tight, then kissed him with all the desperation climbing through her chest.
He moaned against her lips, tongue sweeping inside. She yanked at his uniform, fumbling with the zipper, relieved when he took over to reveal his gorgeous chest and arms. Wherever she touched, she tried to memorize every detail, to imprint the essence of him on her mind.
Frantic, they tore at each other’s clothes until naked. They tumbled sideways to the narrow bed, a tangle of limbs. Every place their skin made contact induced gasps, shivers pebbling her skin.
His touch never demanded, only coaxed and guided. These hands she’d see kill, handled her like she was breakable. Every tender stroke made her heart ache.
Their lips drank from each other, the edge of desperation never diminishing. It only increased, but in a reverent way.
She would have almost rather this been as wild as their first time—to ease the anguish overtaking her chest.
When he finally entered her, thick but gentle, tears leaked from her eyes.
He shifted their positions, rolling, until she was on top. She rocked against him, her movements subtle, trying to make it last as long as possible. She should be running away from this man and every lethal part of him, but she couldn’t. She loved him. With how everything started between them, it didn't make sense, but it was the truth.
The realization did nothing to ease her anguish. On a ragged moan, she rocked faster. Her fingernails bit into the skin of his chest. His hips met hers, but never pushed them over the edge of frantic.
Keeping their eyes locked, he cupped her breast, his fingertips toying with her nipples in light squeezes. Pleasure swirled through her, taking over her mind. She could only feel and stare, his icy eyes full of emotion, mesmerizing.
Her breaths became staccato, heat crawling up her spine. Pressure built inside her chest and stomach. He reached between them, thumbing her clit, and she came on a cry of surrender. Pleasure rushed through her, hot and tingly, then she collapsed forwards, burying her face into his neck.
Fingers dug into her hips as he thrust, more aggressive. His groan turned into a shout, body shaking, as he came inside her. She kept rocking against him, taking each one of his tremors, then bit his jugular gently.
With or without enhancers, she’d never experienced intimacy like this before, and doubted she would again. Forever more, this man had changed her.
Their breathing leveled. Pulling out, he rolled, taking her with him until they cuddled front to front, her legs tucked between his. She lifted her chin to meet his gaze and more tears pricked her eyes.
The way he looked at her…her throat constricted.
He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, then settled on her lips with the gentlest pressure before pulling away again. “For as long as I live,” he whispered, his voice ragged, “I will never love another as I love you.”
Her chest squeezed so tight, she thought her heart shattered.
Chapter thirty-seven
HandonNia’sjaw,he studied her sleeping features, memorizing them. How was he supposed to let her go?
But he had to. For both their sakes. She wasn’t safe here.
Brushing his knuckles against her cheek, his hand moved lower, stroking her arms, then hip, and spine, engraving her curves into his mind. She sighed, snuggling closer. His heart had never felt so full or so broken at the same time.
When his vambrace beeped with a summons from Admiral Krispin, he knew their time had come to an end.
