“They were a gift and you should keep them,” Don said, working his fingers over my scalp.
“I like them.”
“And I want you to have them,” he said, cupping my cheek.
Unable to stop myself, I kissed his palm. Don smiled, but it was tinged with sadness, and I understood. I should stop touching him, but I couldn’t. I needed to feel his scales on my skin.
Don crouched and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips, which I returned. “I want you to keep touching me, Vince.”
I leaned forward to kiss him again.
“I also want you to stay in the palace, in my room.”
“Don,” I started.
He silenced me with a kiss. “No, my Vince. I need it. I need to know you’re somewhere safe. Besides, you’ll be closer to Seth and Teddy, which you need.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Why are you so nice?”
Don didn’t reply, but he hooked his arms around me and stood, carrying me to the bedroom. I didn’t fight, nor did I have an interest in doing so. We hadn’t fucked since I told him I wanted to return to Earth, but I wanted to have sex, and yet I didn’t want to force Don into anything.
We lay side by side, with Don simply holding me. He didn’t initiate anything and he must’ve heard me, which meant he didn’t want more at the moment. I was fine with that, but… our moments were almost up.
“We’re docking soon, aren’t we?” I asked, trailing my hand over his back.
His arms tightened, drawing me even closer to his broad chest.
I took that as a yes. I had to finish packing, as did the others. It would be a few days before we moved completely to the station, but as soon as we did, Don would leave. I, and the others, would be on the station for several days to a couple of weeks as wewaited for theAdmiral Vento arrive and take us back to the drakcol homeworld.
Fear slid down my spine. What if someone tried to grab me?
Don kissed the top of my head. “You’ll be safe. I promise. My brothers will protect you, and Kalvoxrencol has already said you’ll stay with him and Seth.”
Fun. I got to look forward to listening to them fuck. I wassurethat would make me want to murder Kal less. Not.
He rubbed my head with his forehead, scent marking me. I shifted my hand to his side, sliding under his uniform to touch his bare scales. Don groaned, then gave a mewl when I traced where his glands were to help release his scent. I wanted to smell like Don. I wanted everyone to know that he was mine and I was his for as long as I was here.
I swallowed. He wouldn’t be, though. As soon as we separated, he would be free to seek others. I should be happy for him, or at least not a possessive dick that wanted to keep Don all to myself, but I couldn’t. He was mine, and I didn’t share.
“I will seek no one else, Vince.”
“No,” I said, meeting his gaze. “That’s not fair of me to ask.”
“Fair or not. I won’t. I want you alone.”
I kissed his chin. “Will you talk to me every day?”
“Yes. I need that as well. Every day, face to face. We can also send notes throughout the day.”
That was better than nothing.
I nuzzled his chest, planting a kiss on the scales near his collar. I groaned at the feeling, my hips automatically canting toward him.
Don cupped the back of my head. “Vince, I can’t.”“It’s fine.” It was. Did I want Don? Yes. Did I want to fuck him so I could feel connected to him? Also yes. But I understood why he didn’t want to, and I wasn’t going to pressure him. I placed another kiss on his neck, then snuggled against his chest, simply running myhand over his chest, side, and back, touching him everywhere I could reach.
Don took a deep inhale, his nose pressed against my hair. His tail coiled up my leg and his wings slipped out, one covering me. I burrowed into him. If I could freeze time, right here, right now, I would in a heartbeat. This moment with Don in my arms was everything, and I never wanted it to end.
“It doesn’t have to,” he whispered.
