He pushed forward slowly, giving me time to adjust to his size. The stretch was intense, but it was exactly what I needed. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him deeper, taking him all the way in one smooth thrust.
We both groaned at the sensation. He filled me completely, stretching me in the best possible way. For a moment, neither of us moved, just savoring the feeling of being joined.
Then he started to move, pulling almost all the way out before sliding back in. The angle was perfect, hitting something deep inside me that made sparks shoot up my spine. I met him thrust for thrust, our bodies finding a rhythm that was hard and fast and exactly what we both needed.
His hands gripped my hips, holding me steady as he drove into me. I could see the muscles in his arms and chest flexing with each movement, see the concentration on his face as he fought to maintain control.
“Harder,” I told him, because I didn’t want gentle. I wanted to feel this tomorrow.
He complied, his hips snapping against mine with enough force to make the platform creak. The sound of skin against skin filled the small hut, punctuated by our harsh breathing and the occasional curse.
I raked my nails down his back, watching his skin ripple and shift colors under my touch. He liked it rough too, I realized.
“Iris,” he groaned, his voice strained. “I’ve wanted this so bad.”
“Make me come, Baleck.”
He shifted his angle slightly, grinding against my clit with each thrust, and pleasure exploded through me. I was close, so close, just needed a little more?—
He slid one hand between us, his thumb finding my clit and rubbing tight circles that sent me flying over the edge.
My orgasm hit like a freight train, pleasure crashing through me in waves that made my whole body convulse. I cried out, probably loud enough for the neighbors to hear, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was the feeling of Baleck inside me and the pleasure tearing me apart.
He followed seconds later, his rhythm faltering as he came with a roar that definitely carried beyond the walls of the hut. I felt him pulse inside me, hot and perfect, and the sensation triggered another smaller wave of pleasure that left me shaking.
When it was over, he collapsed on top of me, both of us breathing like we’d run a marathon. His weight was heavy but not crushing, and I wrapped my arms around him to keep him close.
“That was…” he started, then trailed off like words failed him.
“Yeah,” I agreed, because I knew exactly what he meant.
After a moment, he rolled to the side, pulling me with him so we were facing each other on the narrow sleeping platform. His hand traced idle patterns on my hip, and I watched the colors shift across his skin—blues and purples and hints of green that I was starting to associate with contentment.
“Stay,” he said quietly. “Tonight. Tomorrow. As long as you want.”
I should have felt trapped by that. Should have wanted to run. But instead, I felt something settle into place inside me, like a puzzle piece I hadn’t known was missing.
“Okay,” I said.
His smile was brighter than the sun. He pulled a thin blanket over us and tucked me against his chest, one arm wrapped around my waist.
I closed my eyes and let exhaustion pull me under. Tomorrow we’d deal with anything else Sophie needed from us. The Brakken and their conspirators were the ones who’d be facing fierce fallout from Vax’s betrayal.
But tonight, I was exactly where I needed to be.
I fell asleep to the sound of Baleck’s heartbeat, strong and steady beneath my ear, and for the first time in longer than I could remember, IknewI was safe.
CHAPTER 19
BALECK
Isat across from Iris at my small table, watching her devour breakfast with the same efficiency she brought to everything else. I’d slipped out earlier to grab food from the communal kitchen. Neither of us wanted to deal with the public. Not yet, anyway. We wanted to linger a little longer in our own private world.
She wore my shirt again, the fabric hanging loose on her frame, and I was fairly certain I’d be content if that was all she ever wore for the rest of our lives. The sight of her in my clothes, her dark hair still damp from the shower, her fingers wrapped around a cup of tea, made something warm and possessive curl through my chest.
Mine. She was mine.
My data pad chimed and I glanced at the message from Anker. I read it quickly, then looked up at Iris.
