He was right. She did want to scream. She also wanted to rip things apart with her bare hands and then decorate her ship with the entrails of her enemies.
"You have options, you know. You could turn back," Kira offered, carefully not looking at Graydon. "It'd probably be better than hitching your future to a woman destined to go out in a fiery blaze."
Kira felt the way Graydon stilled, the gathering storm that signaled dangerous things to come.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that."
One corner of Kira's lips hitched up. Somehow, she'd known that would be his response.
He forced her into a sitting position in his lap, turning her to face him. "I demand my place at your side. It is my right as the one who swore the oath of Aliria to you. I will walk into the darkness with you and hold your shattered pieces together if that's what this takes."
Graydon's face was furious, his fingers tender as he feathered a touch across her jaw. "I'm here, Kira. All the way to the end. Your shelter and your anchor."
Kira's cheeks were wet with tears as she covered his hand with hers. "Okay."
Graydon's glare remained hot. "You're such a difficult woman."
Kira's laugh sounded clogged. "Isn't that why you love me?"
"You're damn right I do." Graydon's lips covered hers, bruising and fierce. "I don't want to ever have this conversation again."
Kira leaned forward, their breath mingling. "I need this."
Graydon's hand landed on her ass. He lifted her over him. "Then take it."
Seven
Kira devoured Graydon’s mouth, her desperation making her frantic.
A beat passed. Two.
Graydon set her away from him, his eyes almost wild. He looked at her like a starving man offered a rare feast. His hunger searing.
They stared at each.
Graydon's control broke first. He yanked her back to him. This time it was him who ravaged her mouth. Savage as he took what he wanted.
His hands guided her hips, grinding her against him. The delicious pressure sent tingles of need through her.
Kira moaned, desperate for him. If she didn't have him inside her in the next second, she was going to combust. Go up in flames to become ashes.
She let her hands roam his shoulders and chest, barely noticing as the hard feel of the synth armor changed to the warmth of flesh. His muscles flexed under her touch. She scratched lightly at his skin, relishing the masculine groan that followed.
Kira rolled her hips, causing both of their breaths to catch.
Graydon's hands slid under her shirt, finding smooth skin. They wandered up the length of her back, creating a trail of fire.
Kira's head dipped back from the drugging pleasure. "What about the chaterlings?"
Her thoughts splintered as Graydon kissed his way along the side of her neck. He found a sensitive spot, nibbling it for a second before pressing his lips to the edge of her jaw.
"What chaterlings?" he whispered.
Graydon tipped Kira onto her back, coming to crouch over her. Kira held still as he brushed hair away from her face, his thumb caressing her cheekbone as thoughts moved behind his eyes.
"You're not the only one afraid of loss," he told her a second before he sealed her lips with his.
Kira wrapped her arms around his shoulders as his body moved against hers.
