She reached around and scraped her nails down his back. That made him growl and speed up his pumping. “Oh…” She was about to come.
“Mine!” he growled as he drilled into her over and over until his warm seed shot out inside her. He kept going and going and she screamed her release. It felt like they became one body, one spirit, one soul. They floated out to the stars and then were softly returned to their entwined bodies. He rolled them and pulled out but kept her on his chest.
They held each other, her breathing matching his. She felt peaceful despite all the outside stress and chaos. Within his arms she was happy and safe. Yet there were things that they needed to talk about.
“So…you mated me.”
His body stiffened under hers. “I did.”
Teagan waited for him to apologize but he didn’t. “You’re not sorry?”
LemAN ran his hand down her spine, making her body tingle all over. “I’m sorry for not asking first, which is the way my people are supposed to do things—the normal way. What I feel for you is not normal. I can’t explain it yet, the words don’t come to me. I’m acting completely out of emotion, which I never do.”
“What do your emotions tell you?”
“That you’re mine. That I’m yours. I didn’t even think—I just needed to claim you. This is different for humans. You still have a choice.”
She should be angry with him for not getting her permission first but she had to be honest with both of them. “I think this mating was a bit fast. I wasn’t quite ready for it. I would have liked us to date and spend more time getting to know one another. What if you get tired of my constant questions? What if you decide there’s another female that you prefer? I worry that you will regret your decision. I worry that it was too soon for you. Despite all that, I would still choose you.”
He turned so that they were on their sides facing each other. “I can’t apologize for something I do not regret. I don’t regret taking you as my mate. All I can do is make this right for you. I’ll give you all the time you need to get to know me, but let me tell you this: I will never tire of you or your questions. I think you have a fascinating mind and though I may not understand everything you say or may get lost in how fast you jump from one subject to the next, I admire you and appreciate how brilliant you are.
“Next, there is never going to be another female I prefer over you. You somehow kicked down the walls I placed over my heart and made a home for yourself there. You wound yourself so quickly around my very soul, I would never be the same without you. Lastly, I loved my LoraLI but it has been years since her passing. I held on to the pain to keep others out. I would suffer nightmares of her loss for the longest time. You give me something to dream of. I know LoraLI would want me to be happy and I’m going to hold on to the happiness that I have with you for as long as I can. Life is too short to let joy pass you by.”
She threw her arms around him and kissed him. Her heart was so full she wanted to tell him but didn’t. She hesitated, wanting to wait until she was sure that he meant what he said. What she felt for him scared her, it was so strong. She would give them time to get to know each other and then, after a reasonable amount of time had passed, she would mate the hell out of him.
*****
The next morning
LemAN was going with the shuttle taking supplies over to the Morinian transport so that he could explain what his leader had approved and where they were taking them. He knew Teagan would insist on coming along with him again and, instead of preparing to argue with her over it, he pulled Lt. ComEY from his regular duties to be Teagan’s personal security liaison. First, he needed to address the lieutenant.
He was in his ready room with his second-in-command when the warriors he chose to go with him entered. “At ease, warriors. I selected you to come with me. Some I will want to remain on board the Morinians’ ship to offer them protection in case of an attack. You will bring your warships with you. If any of you have issues protecting the Morinians, I will relieve you of this mission and assign someone else. Speak now.”
One of the lieutenants stepped forward. “Is it true they originated from the Morin home world?”
“Yes, but let me remind you all that Katierans and Morins originated from an ancient race as well. The Morinians opposed the Morins and how they were using viral warfare. They failed to stop them and had to flee themselves. The Morins have been hunting them for decades. As far as we know, they are innocent of the crimes committed against the Katierans and our allies. Do you feel you can protect them despite your reservations?”
The lieutenant looked at his fellow warriors before turning back to LemAN. “I am an honorable warrior and male. I will protect them with my life.”
“Thank you. Report to the docking bay and prepare your warships. Lieutenant ComEY, I would like to speak privately with you.”
“Yes, sir.”
LemAN waited for the other warriors to leave. “Lieutenant, I have mated Teagan White.”
The lieutenant looked shocked and a little disappointed, then he schooled his expression. “Congratulations. She is an amazing female.”
“She is. Teagan admires you and has nothing but good things to say about you.”
His cheeks turned a little red. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I would like you to be her security liaison. She will be coming with me again and this time I want to introduce her to the Morinians. I don’t trust them one hundred percent, not with her life. She is too important to me.”
“I am honored. I will protect her with my life.”
“Thank you. We will be leaving in about an hour so meet us in the docking bay.”
“Yes, sir.”
LemAN looked over at his second-in-command. “If something happens to me, you have command of the transport.”
“I don’t like this. What if the Morins don’t show their faces?” BorIS asked.
“We’ll have to do something to get their attention and keep it.”
“Setting bait could be dangerous.”
“I know.” Goddess help them.
