“Juni—” Her name broke from his lips, and he buried himself deep, holding there as he came. She felt him pulse inside her, felt the heat of his release, watched his face go slack with pleasure as he emptied himself into her.
He collapsed onto her, then immediately rolled, pulling her with him so she draped across his chest. Both of them breathing hard, hearts pounding, skin slick with sweat.
His hand found her hair, fingers threading through the tangles he’d made. His other arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close like he’d never let go.
“Did I hurt you?” He frowned as he swept a hand down her back.
“No.” She pressed her face against his neck, breathing him in. “That was... I can’t even...”
“Yeah.” His chest rumbled under her cheek.
They lay there while their breathing evened out. Her body felt used in the best way, pleasantly sore, thoroughly claimed. She still felt him inside her, even though he’d softened and slipped out. Felt the wetness between her thighs…
His hand moved through her hair, that soothing rhythm that made her sigh in contentment.
“I thought I’d never have this.” His words were quiet. “Someone in my bed. In my life.”
She lifted her head to look at him. His eyes were on the ceiling, jaw tight, then they slid to hers.
“I’ve been alone a long time,” he said.
Her throat went tight.
“I was afraid you didn’t want me.” The confession spilled out before she could stop it. “That you were just... tolerating me being here.”
His eyes snapped to hers, fierce and hot.
“I’ve always wanted you.” His hand cupped her face, thumb stroking her cheek. “From the beginning. I tried not to but I couldn’t help it.”
The simple admission sent warmth flooding through her chest.
“Me too,” she whispered.
His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer until there was no space between them.
She settled against him, her head finding the hollow of his shoulder like it was made to fit there. His heartbeat was steady and strong under her palm.
She traced the scars on his chest idly. There was so much about him she didn’t understand. The way colonists had looked at him in town, the scars, and the loneliness…
“Sleep.” His voice rumbled against her ear. “We’ll figure out the rest later.”
She nodded against his chest, already drifting.
Safe. Held.
Wanted.
Chapter 11
The colony square had been transformed.
Juni stepped out of Goraath’s transport and stopped dead, her breath catching as she looked around. The cold bit into her cheeks, turned her breath to white fog right in front of her face.
Flames burned in iron braziers, casting warm gold across strings of crystal lights—lights like the ones she’d hung in his house. Red fabric was draped between buildings and there were silver winter herbs twisted into wreaths on every door. Carved wooden ornaments hung from branches of til’vaash, their pine-citrus scent mixing with roasting meat and something sweet she couldn’t name.
Goraath’s hand found the small of her back, warm through her jacket… solid. “Ready?”
She looked up at him and felt that flutter in her chest she’d been trying to ignore all day. He looked different. Still massive, still scarred, still her grumpy rancher, but there was something looser about him. The hard line of his jaw had softened and his eyes held warmth instead of wariness.
