The ship rumbled to life and lifted from the frozen launch pad. They would return with shipments from Arbotriz, but Cyra wouldn’t miss the mining planet at all.
“Prepare for launch.” Blaize glanced over her shoulder at Cyra.
Time to make the energy flow. Cyra rubbed her hands together and channeled all her joy. Her team, her ship, her mate. Life was so perfect, more than she could have imagined. Her heart swelled, tears pricked her eyes, but she held them back. She funneled every bit of happiness she could into a roiling river of gratitude and elation.
A trace of a touch glided from her neck, slowly down her back to grip her hip. “My captain, my queen, I would like to assist you with the launch.”
Her breath caught as he tugged her into his hard body, the heat of him melting her resistance. “How are you going to assist me, Dez?”
“Like this.” He pressed his fingers between her legs, finding the perfect spot and rhythm even over her uniform. “And after we launch this ship, I’ll strip you naked and make love to you.”
He pressed his hard cock against her ass and she closed her eyes, tilting her head back to rest against his shoulder. His fingers stroked her perfectly, heat building between her thighs. She moaned.
“And when you're ready, I’ll mark you here.” His tongue grazed her neck below her fluttering gills.
“Now,” Auvi’s voice blasted through the singular focus of the explosion erupting in her body. She slapped her hands on the launch panel. Awe and love rolled through her intoThe Treasure. They burst from the atmosphere in one smooth, powerful thrust.
“Yeah!” Her team cheered.
Dez released his hold. Kissed her neck where his tongue had been moments before. “I’ll see you in our quarters, my queen.
“Best launch ever.” Rhysa grinned. “Nice show, too.”
“I’ll be in my quarters.” Cyra ignored the heat creeping up her cheeks.
“Yes, Captain,” Rhysa responded. “Do you want me to alert you when we’re about to enter the ER Bridge?”
“That won’t be necessary. I trust you and Blaize will be able to handle it without me?”
“Of course. I just didn’t want you to be surprised when you start experiencing the physical effects. I know you don’t like it.”
“I appreciate the warning, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Yes, Captain.” Cyra caught the look that flashed between Rhysa and Blaize and chose to ignore it. Her only focus was being with Dez.
After leaving the bridge, she ran directly to her quarters. Laying naked across her bed in all his healthy glory, he casually stroked his cock. “I was wondering when you’d get here, my queen.”
“Where’s Princess?”
“Asleep in a bed in your bathroom.” Dez’s gaze went to the closed door.
“It looks like you started without me.” Cyra toed off her shoes and opened her jumpsuit leaving it covering her body but exposing her between the open halves. She fisted her hands on her hips and tried for a disappointed glare that probably looked more like a heated request.
“No disrespect, my queen. I wanted to be ready for whatever you mightdesireof me.” He stroked his hand again and wet his lips with his tongue.
Her core clenched with longing and anticipation. “You look ready enough, but I might need some more assistance.”
Dez sprung from the bed and was on his knees in front of her, his molten yellow eyes locked on hers. He was so gorgeous and built and he worshiped her beyond anything she could ever deserve. She needed to give him something back. “I want to bond, Dez. Take me through the ritual. I don’t want to wait one more second.”
“Cyra,” he growled up at her. “Are you sure? There is no rush as long as we are together.”
“There is a rush. I wasted all the time we traveled to Kolben keeping you at a distance. I’m not letting one bit of doubt creep in to our relationship. I want to honor what we have, our love, by completing the ritual.”
He stroked his hand up her leg to her hip.
She caressed his beautiful bald head. “Please, Dez.”
“It’s better if it happens during orgasm.”
