I like how L’Corte looks a little mussed up. He’s usually so polished, but now his clothes are a bit disheveled, cheeks flushed, hair untamed. It makes me think of long, lingering mornings in bed, hidden from the world under rumpled sheets.
I’m mesmerized by his glowing, hungry eyes. I don’t know if anyone has ever wanted me like this. It’s a heady feeling. And I want him back just as much. I want this feeling all the time. I’m greedy for more. We’ve danced around each other long enough. I’m ready for a real relationship with L’Corte. Life is too short for questioning and second-guessing.
“Just to warn you, I’m never going to care about your rules and regulations. I will always push you and argue with you.”
“I look forward to it,” L’Corte declares, leaning down and brushing his nose with mine.
Well, damn. He’s about to make me melt.
Threading my fingers with his, I lead us out of the storage room and back towards the elevator. I snuggle under his arm as we wait for it to arrive.
Once inside, I watch L’Corte in the reflection of the metal doors as the elevator rises. He keeps licking his lips like he’s still tasting me there. It’s got me clenching my thighs in remembered pleasure.
L’Corte
On the elevator ride,I keep stealing glances at Trinh. My gaze keeps getting snagged on her kiss-swollen lips, on her still-pink cheeks, on her hazy eyes.
I keep replaying our moments together in my mind. I can still feel the softness and taste of her skin under my tongue. The way she looked writhing in climax… the feel of her silken heat pulsing around my fingers…
I want to touch Trinh. I want to press my nose to her neck and inhale her delicious scent into my lungs. Blinking, I realize there is no reason to deny myself the pleasure of her touch. As I step closer, she turns to face me with a small, secretive smile. Without thought, I press close and curl around her. I love the hum of contentment she makes as I touch her. Running my fingers through her hair, I learn the contours of her skull, the shape of her ear. Every touch is a delight, making me crave more and more. The small soft hairs at her hairline tickle my fingertips. Trailing my hands down her neck, I trace along her shoulders and down her arms. The silk of her shirt lets my fingertips glide along her body, learning the span of her waist, the length of her spine.
I want to drown myself in Trinh. I can’t get enough.
The ding of our arrival jolts my awareness back to our surroundings, forcing me to take a step back before I lose all sense of propriety and take her the way I want. Swallowing, my throat clicking dryly, I pull away. Before I entirely lose contact, Trinh grasps my hands in hers, tugging me through the opening elevator doors.
Accompanying Trinh to Rosie’s office, I stop her before she knocks on the door. Crowding her back against the hard surface, I tilt her face up to mine with a finger. I love the way Trinh’s eyes flair in response. Leaning down, I press a small kiss to her lips.
“Have dinner with me tonight,” I demand. I meant to make that a request, not a command. Perhaps Trinh’s ways are rubbing off on me.
“I would love to have dinner with you. And if you’re good, maybe I’ll let you have me for dessert,” she teases, making a growl rise up my throat.
Pressing another lingering kiss to Trinh’s lips, I pull back when I hear a small gasp behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I see two bride volunteers staring at us in shock. I watch as their open-mouthed surprise morphs into sly, gleeful expressions.
“The entire ship will know about us before the day ends,” I inform Trinh as we watch the women hustle off down the hall away from us.
“Without question. Gossipy bunch of bitches,” Trinh says fondly.
“Would you like me to stay for this meeting?” I offer. “I can help you with your plans, especially the Presenting Ceremony.”
“You gonna help me create a day the brides’ have always dreamed of?” she teases.
“Yes,” I state, making sure she sees how serious I am. “I am at your disposal. Whatever I can do to help.”
“We’re gonna create a Presenting Ceremony these couples will remember for the rest of their lives,” Trinh vows.
Grinning at her determination and caring nature, I kiss her and promise to see her for dinner. And dessert.
Once Rosie ushers Trinh into her office, I turn and start to head back to find out what Vorto told the command council, but a sudden thought pops into my head and stops me in my tracks. As the director of the Bride Program for this ship, my number one priority is to ensure the safety, comfort, and happiness of the women on board. Once the chancellor heads out with the fleet, my responsibilities will encompass more than the brides, but until that moment, they are my primary responsibility.
Trinh’s entirely correct. These brides deserve a Presenting Ceremony worthy of them. These women uprooted their lives and threw their lot in with an unknown alien species. They are brave, bold, trusting, and they do deserve the wedding of their dreams, all of them. I know exactly what I need to do.
Filled with anticipation, I turn on my heel, and I head to my office. I have several important phone calls to make.
Chapter 11
Trinh
I’m perfectly aware that I should be paying better attention as Rosie discusses plans to fill job positions on the spaceship. This was all my idea, after all. But in my mind, I’m still down in the storage room with L’Corte between my legs. I squeeze my thighs together just remembering the way he pinned me on top of the crate. Hot damn, I can’t wait to experience his snakelike tongue again. He was so damn commanding. I loved that I could relax and hand him control. L’Corte also didn’t seem to mind that I like to give orders. I’ve always thought that any guy would love to get clear and concise instructions on how to get me off, but I’ve had several boyfriends in my past who reacted poorly to telling them what I like. Obviously, those guys didn’t last long. As if getting directions on what makes me come somehow lessens masculinity. Not L’Corte, thankfully. The bossier I got, the hotter he seemed to burn. He actually made my toes curl, and I always thought that was just a saying.
