She moved her hips. Just a fraction, seeking friction. Pressure.
He hissed through his teeth and his hands tightened on her hips, holding her in place, grinding back against her with deliberate, maddening slowness.
"I saw you," he murmured against her neck. "This morning. In the training room."
She tipped her head back, gasping as his mouth moved down her throat. "I don't... know what you're talking about."
"Liar." He bit the sensitive cord of her neck, then soothed it at once with a kiss. "You watched me all the time. Watched very move. Every strike."
His hand slid up her thigh, fingers digging in. His palm was calloused and warm against her skin.
"Did you like it?" he asked, his voice dark, rough with lust. "Watching me?"
"Kirr… oh god, please."
"Did you imagine this?" He pressed harder against her, letting her feel exactly how much he wanted her. How much he needed her. "Did you imagine this? Me putting my hands on you?"
"Yes," she choked out. "God, yes."
Truth. It was the only thing left. Her defenses were done. Finished.
He made a feral sound of satisfaction and pulled back just enough to look at her. His pupils were blown wide, swallowing the gold. He looked dangerous. Like he wanted to eat her alive.
"Good," he growled. "Because I haven't thought about anything else. It’s been driving me mad."
He leaned in, capturing her mouth again, softer this time but no less possessive. His hand moved higher on her thigh, fingers brushing near the ache pooling between her thighs. She whimpered, arching into his touch.
She wanted this. She wanted him.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sound cut through the haze between them.
He ripped his mouth from hers. "Draanth."
The comm unit on his wrist flashed red. Urgent.
He didn't let her go, his breathing as ragged as hers. Keeping one arm locked around her waist, he held her to him while he brought his wrist up.
"M'Aab," he barked at the device.
Kellat replied, his voice clipped and tight. "Commander. You need to get down here. Now."
The fire in Kirr's eyes vanished. The War-Commander snapped back into place.
"Report," he said.
"Medical is losing stable power," Kellat said. "I don’t know why. But the fluctuations are hitting the stasis units, and I have critical patients.”
Harper went ice cold. Dread pooled in her gut.
"Delilah," she whispered.
Kirr looked at her. He didn't offer empty platitudes. He didn't tell her it would be okay. He just nodded once, acknowledging the fear.
"We're on our way," Kirr said into the comm. He cut the connection.
He grabbed Harper by the waist and lifted her down from the counter. His hands were steady, his expression grim.
