He gave her a one-armed hug. “My little star is brave and clever.”
“She’s also a grubby mess. Come on, let’s see what this ship has in the way of amenities. You and me need to get naked.”
That was the best suggestion he’d heard all day.
CHAPTER 12
To Maddison’s relief,the interior of the ship was shabby but relatively clean. It reminded her of the military barracks they showed on vids and entertainment shows, only smaller and with worse lighting. Six forward-facing seats took up most of the main cabin while the aft area was mostly used for weapons and armor storage. A bench sat in one corner with a large med-kit strapped to a nearby wall.
She found what she was looking for at the very back of the ship. Behind an open hatchway with a bit of rough fabric hung for privacy was a toilet, a sink, and an open area with a showerhead in the center of the ceiling. A dispenser of what she assumed was cleanser was bolted to one wall. It was surprisingly clean. Did the mercenaries on board not bother with personal hygiene while they were on missions? She decided she didn’tneed to know the answer. She was simply grateful she wouldn’t have to shower with her shoes on.
Havoc prowled around the space, checking the corners and even opening the storage lockers before he seemed assured no hazards were present.
If the situation was different, she might have teased him for being too cautious. Instead, she waited patiently until he was satisfied.
“All good?” she asked, already eyeing the shower.
He shot her a smile so wicked she swore her body temperature jumped several degrees. “Clothes off. Now.”
She didn’t need further encouragement. She pulled off her shoes and socks, slipping out of her last pair of undamaged pants before he could get his claws on them.
Havoc didn’t wear much, but it did take him a bit to unfasten the bits of leather armor he wore on his lower legs. By then, she had her top off and even had time to set everything neatly on the bench.
This wasn’t the first time she’d seen him naked, but this time there was plenty of light, and no one was coming to kill him.
She indulged herself in a long, unabashed look at the male who had come to matter so much to her in a shockingly short period. Was it only yesterday that she’d first seen him on the monitor? He looked the same, but now she knew what it felt like to stroke his soft fur and feel the hard muscle beneath. She’d learned how sharp his fangs were and how good it felt when he was inside her.
His head snapped up, and he locked eyes with her, a low, rumbling purr rising from his chest.
“You want me.” It wasn’t a question. He could smell her need. The idea didn’t embarrass her anymore.
“Yes.” She held out her arms to him. “I do.”
He moved so quickly she only saw a golden blur, and then he was pulling her to him. His mouth slanted over hers, hungry and demanding.
She didn’t resist. Instead, she embraced this part of him, the wild, untamed side that was dangerous to everyone but her.
She let her worries and hurts fall away as he kissed her, his hands in her hair. Their tongues tangled, his hard body pressed against hers. This was what she needed. Later, she’d have to think about everything, but for now, all she wanted to do was get lost in the pleasure only Havoc could give her.
Somehow they made their way to the shower without letting go of each other. He reached out blindly at one point, and she realized he was turning on the water.
“Wait until it warms up,” he told her when she moved away from him.
She didn’t want to wait. Not for hot water, not for him. She wanted everything rightnow.
When he moved again, she followed. A stream of warm water flowed over them, and she tipped her head back to let it fall on her face.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her intightly enough she felt his cock press against her stomach. It was like leaning against a steel bar.
“Close your eyes,” he instructed. She did, and a moment later he was rubbing her face with slippery fingers. He must have found the cleanser.
He washed her face and then her hair, massaging her scalp with strong fingers. She gathered up some of the suds and began washing his chest, scrubbing away the blood and grime of his battles.
Their enjoyment was cut short by an update from the AI. “The water supply will be shut down in five minutes in preparation for departure.”
“We better hurry,” she said.
“I will but only because I want to fuck you before we leave.”
