by Tana Stone
“Who would have thought I’d go down like this?” Serge wailed.
Mandy’s fingers flew across the surface of her device. “Dorn won’t let that happen.”
Reina nodded, but didn’t look convinced. Bridget folded a blouse and laid it inside the suitcase then walked back over to the dresser. She paused and put a hand on Reina’s arm. “We won’t let that happen.”
“You should be given a medal for defending Bridget,” Mandy said. “Isn’t your job to take care of us?”
Reina pulled herself up to her full, and quite impressive, height. “You’re right. It is my job to take care of tribute brides.”
“Then you were just doing your job,” Bridget said giving her a wink. “Very well, I might add.”
Two pink spots appeared on Reina’s light-gray cheeks.
“What now?” Serge asked, peeking one eye out from underneath his arm. “I suppose if the wedding is officially off I shouldn’t even be here. If we aren’t fired, Reina and I will probably be assigned to a new tribute bride.” He let out a tortured sigh. “I can only hope she’s got the figure you do.”
Reina looked at him and made a tsk-ing noise in the back of her throat, disappearing into the bathroom and returning moments later with a wet towel. She slapped it onto Serge’s forehead, and he gave a high-pitched yelp.
“It’s a cold compress,” she said. “It should help you cool off.”
More muttering came from Serge, but he adjusted the towel over his head. “I don’t suppose there’s anyway to talk you into reconciliation?”
Bridget pulled an armful of dresses out of the wardrobe and dropped them into the suitcase. “With that guy? Not a chance.”
“What about another match?” Reina asked.
Bridget shook her head. “No more matches.”
“But you’ll have to go to the other side of the station,” Reina said, beginning to wring her hands again. She lowered her voice. “With the other tribute brides who rejected their mates.”
“It can’t be that bad,” Bridget said as she looked at the stricken expression on the Vexling’s face.
“I’ve never been there,” Reina admitted.
“You’re not going to go over there,” Mandy said, her eyes glued to her device. “I’m lodging a formal protest with the High Command. Karsh’s bad behavior means you should get an exemption from the rules. You should be allowed to stay on this side of the station with the rest of us.”
Bridget smiled and felt warmed by her friend’s fierce defense. “I’m sure I’ll be fine there. If there are other Earth women, it can’t be so bad.”
“Absolutely not,” Mandy said, her face flushed. “Why should you be punished because your so-called fiancé doesn’t know how to treat women? And you can stop packing. I’m telling you, there’s no way I’m going to let them kick you out because of the way that brute behaved. It’s his fault, not yours. Time’s up, Drexians.”
“Not all Drexians are like Karsh,” Reina said.
“Oh, I know.” Bridget thought of Kax, and her pulse quickened.
“Then why not consider another match?” Reina asked.
“Because I’m already in love with a Drexian who doesn’t want me.” Bridget felt the words rush out of her.
Serge sat bolt upright, and his cold compress slipped off his head and landed on the floor with a smack. Reina spun and stared at Bridget with her mouth agape, while Mandy looked up from her device.
“With a Drexian?” Serge asked.
Reina blinked hard. “And he doesn’t want you?”
Bridget nodded and looked away before she started crying.
“Kax?” Reina’s voice was barely a whisper.
Bridget didn’t look up, but didn’t deny it, either.
Serge sucked in a breath so loudly Bridget thought he might be on the verge of hyperventilating. “You’re in love with Dorn’s brother? When did this happen?” He waved his hands. “Don’t tell me. When you were marooned on that mining colony, right?”
Reina pressed her spindly fingers to her cheeks. “You fell in love while you were stranded? How romantic!”
Bridget shook her head. “I told you. He doesn’t want me. Not in that way at least.”
“Not true.” The deep voice from the doorway made everyone jump. “I do want you. In every way.”
Bridget’s heart leapt as she recognized Kax’s voice.
He walked into the room and everyone stared at him, including Bridget, who felt like she was looking at a mirage. “I thought you were on a mission.”
“I’m back,” he said. “Are you okay?”
She bobbed her head up and down, noticing Mandy wave Reina and Serge out of the room with her.
Bridget took in the smudges on his face, and the scorch marks on his uniform. He looked like he’d come down a chimney and smelled like burnt hair. “I think I should be asking if you’re okay.”
He glanced down at his singed uniform, as if seeing it for the first time. “I’m fine.” He stepped closer. “You rejected the match?”
“I had to,” Bridget said. “It wouldn’t have been fair to marry him when I’m in love with someone else.”
Kax closed the distance between them with two long steps, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly as he leaned down. “I thought you didn’t believe in love.”
“And I thought you didn’t want me,” Bridget said, her voice cracking. “You told me we couldn’t be together.”
Kax held her tighter. “I only said that to protect you.” He closed his eyes as he forced the words from his mouth. “I was exposed to radiation during an undercover mission years ago. The doctors think the chances of me fathering children are slim.”
Bridget squeezed him, feeling the hard planes of his muscles against her cheek. “I don’t care about that. All I care about is being with you.”
“Really?” Kax said. “I thought every woman wanted children.”
Bridget shrugged. “The doctor said the chances were slim, not impossible, right?”
He let a small laugh escape. “I guess so.”
“Then I’ll take those odds,” Bridget said. “I’ve never listened to people who said I couldn’t do something, anyway. And I know we’ll have fun trying.”
“Are you positive?” Kax asked. “Drexians mate for life. That is, if the High Command will even allow it.”
“I’ve never been more sure about anything,” Bridget gazed up at him, locking onto his eyes while she wrapped her arms around him and rubbed her fingers along his nodes. “And after the scene I pulled with Karsh, I’m sure the High Command will be thrilled to get me off their hands.”
“Cinnara,” he murmured, as he lowered his mouth to hers and his nodes became hard beneath her touch. She’d heard Mandy’s mate call her ‘cinnara,’ and knew it was a Drexian term of endearment. Bridget had never been one for pet names, but she felt a rush of both pleasure and tenderness at hearing the word. Kax kissed her deeply, and her tender feelings deepened into a burning desire. When he finally released her, she felt lightheaded.
“I guess we should tell Serge the good news,” Kax said.
Bridget gave him a questioning look.
Kax ran a finger down the side of her cheek. “He’s got a wedding to start planning.”
Bridget slid one hand from his back to his chest, and then to his taut stomach muscles before finally reaching the hard bulge in his pants. She rubbed against his cock and licked her lips. “Serge can wait.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kax looked up at the wood-beamed ceiling, and adjusted his head on one of the faux-fur pillows. He’d thrown off the thick, chocolate-brown duvet, as well as the ivory cashmere throw, from the end of the bed, and they lay in a pile next to the king-size mahogany sleigh bed.
He turned his head to one side, spotting the fireplace against one wall and a sliding glass door leading out onto a snow-dusted balcony. “This fantasy suite is very different from Mandy’s.”
Bridget pushed herse
lf up on her elbows, and the sheet fell off her bare back. Her hair was tousled and her cheeks flushed, and a pretty sheen of sweat glistened on her chest. “You’re just noticing this now?” She swatted playfully at him. “I’m in the Swiss Alps wing, and she’s in the South Pacific wing.”
Kax rolled her over onto her back and hovered over her, watching her pupils dilate as his hard, naked body pressed against hers. “I was a little busy up until now.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Too busy to notice where you were?”
He lowered his mouth to her neck and nipped, moving his bites down until he reached her nipples, which were pebbled. “Much too busy.” He took one in his mouth and rolled his tongue around it, feeling her breath hitch in her chest. “But now, I’d like to take my time.”
Bridget arched her back as he sucked harder, tugging it gently between his teeth before moving to the next one and lavishing attention on it until her breath quickened.
“I couldn’t hold back before,” he said as he slid down, kissing her belly as he went. “I needed to know you’re mine.”
“I’m all yours,” she said, her voice breathy as his stubble tickled her inner thighs. “You know that.”
He spread her legs gently and moaned at the sight of her. He parted her with his tongue, dragging it slowly and swirling it around her swollen nub, enjoying the feel of her shuddering beneath him. His cock throbbed with desire, but he wanted to focus on her pleasure. She was his, every gorgeous bit of her, and he would never lose her again. He reached his hands under her round ass and lifted her hips up, opening her wider to him.
“So beautiful, cinnara,” he whispered. He couldn’t imagine a more perfect female, and still couldn’t believe she wanted him. He flicked and sucked her slick nub until she trembled, her hands clawing at the sheets. He loved the sweet taste of her; the soft scent of her skin; and the intoxicating feel of her curves.
“I’m almost there,” she gasped.
“I know.” He lifted his head for a moment and met her eyes as he slid one thick finger inside her. “I want to feel you come.”
She rolled her head back and her muscles clenched his finger as she cried out his name. Kax eased another finger in, feeling her stretch and spasm at the same time. He lowered his mouth and blew, causing her to bolt up and wrap her legs around his shoulders.
“Kax!” She screamed and thrashed on the bed until her shaking dissolved into faint tremors, and her legs sagged against him.
He let her collapse onto the bed and climbed up, kissing her lazily as he went until he covered her body with his own. Her eyes were heavy with desire as she hooked one leg around his waist.
“I want more,” she whispered, running her tongue along her bottom lip.
He closed his own eyes for a moment to regain control. His rock-hard cock pressed against her thigh, but he wanted to go slow. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a temptress?”
She gave him a wicked grin. “I’m only tempting you with what’s already yours.”
He bent his head and buried it in her neck, inhaling the warmth of her skin, and feeling a jolt as she arched her back and her breasts rubbed against him. He pushed the crown of his cock into her and held it steady, feeling her tightness as he leaned back and met her hot, liquid gaze.
“Who’s the tease now?” She reached her arms around and dug her fingers into his ass, dropping her voice to a dark purr. “I want every inch of that cock inside me, tough guy.”
Her words arrowed through him, blinding him with need. He couldn’t hold back any longer, and he thrust into her, stroking deep as her hands dug into his flesh. Her heat enveloped him, as he plunged into her again and again, his moans blending with hers.
“I love the way you fill me,” she said, her voice hoarse and her hands pulling him deeper into her.
He sat back, grasping her hips and holding her up, the new angle making her eyes widen as he buried his cock to the hilt. He looked down where their bodies were joined. “Love watching you stretch so tight for me.”
Her gaze followed his, and she smiled as he dragged his thick cock out and thrust it back in. He loved how she watched him take her, her eyelids flickering with each deep stroke.
“Sweet talker,” she said, arching her hips up, wanting even more.
He reached down and circled a thumb over her slick bundle of nerves as he powered into her, watching the pleasure on her face as her heat clamped around him, her release rippling through her. He held her tight and savored every pulse, feeling his own orgasm building. He made a raw sound as it tore through him and he reared back, feeling nothing but her exquisite grip on his cock as he exploded with one final hard thrust. He gave a final, contented growl as he sank onto the bed beside her, breathing heavily.
Bridget rolled on top of him and rested her head on his chest. “It sounds like you ran a marathon.”
“I don’t know what a marathon is, but if it make you feel like your heart will explode, then yes. I have run one of those.”
“I don’t want to wear you out.” Her voice teased him. “I’m sure we could ease off a bit next time.”
His hand slid up into her hair. “Only if you feel you cannot handle all of me.”
She traced her fingers down the corded muscles of his stomach. “Oh, I can handle all of you.” She lifted her head to smile at him as her fingers wandered lower. “You know I love taking every delicious inch of you.”
He felt a flush of heat in his core. “At this rate, we’ll never leave your suite again.”
“Fine by me,” she said, her voice wavering. “I don’t ever want to lose the feeling I have with you here, right now.”
He captured her face in his hand. “You will never lose me. I promise.” He pulled her gaze to his. “It’s you and me together from here on out. No matter what.”
She nodded. “No matter what.”
The feeling of possessing her heart was even more exhilarating than the feeling of possessing her body. He slid her up so he could kiss her, her full lips soft and sweet against his. When he pulled back, her eyes were filled with tears. He brushed them away with his thumbs.
“This is all new to me,” she said. “This love thing can feel a little overwhelming.”
“We’ll take it slow, cinnara,” he said.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, maybe not slow.” He brushed a strand of hair off her face. “But I promise you won’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. We don’t even have to have a wedding, if you don’t want to.”
She slapped his chest. “Oh, I’m definitely marrying you.”
He pulled her tighter, his throat making it hard for him to speak.
“I would never break Serge’s heart by denying him that,” Bridget said.
Kax swatted her bare ass. “You’re worrying about Serge’s heart?” He lifted her hips so she hovered over his hard cock, and she twitched her ass as her eyes sparkled with challenge. “It looks like my work here isn’t done.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
“I’m still not sure why you insisted on these prickly things in the bouquets.” Serge flinched as he rearranged his grasp on the two clusters of white roses and amaryllis.
“It’s called holly,” Bridget said, brushing the veil off her shoulder. “It goes with the theme of the wedding.”
“Which I still don’t understand,” Serge muttered. “Why have a wedding in the cold, when there’s a perfectly lovely waterfront gazebo available? Even the overdone butterfly garden would have been better than this.”
“Hey,” Mandy said, as she adjusted the spaghetti strap of her claret-colored sequined bridesmaid dress. “I got married in the butterfly garden.”
Serge’s perfectly arched eyebrows popped up a few centimeters. “And it was perfection, darling.” He shivered and made a face. “This…”
“Is a Christmas wedding,” Bridget said. “It’s my favorite holiday, and I always loved the wedding scene in Love, Actually.”
“No chance we
could throw on a sweater, is there?” Trista asked, holding her bridesmaid bouquet in one hand and rubbing her arm briskly with the other.
Bridget smiled at her. “You can wear what you want after the ceremony.”
Serge swung his gaze toward Trista. “That does not mean changing into pants.”
As Trista mumbled something about despots, Mandy touched a finger to the feathers at the neckline of Bridget’s tulle wedding gown. “Monti and Randi did a great job recreating the dress, but I never pegged you for a sappy-movie type of girl.”
“We all have our guilty pleasures,” Bridget said, her heels crunching in the holographic snow.
She peeked around the wall of the sheer netting to get a glimpse of the ceremony set up, and her breath hitched in her chest. It was exactly as she’d imagined it. A circle of tall birch trees stood at the end of a snow-covered aisle, their bare branches up lit with white light. Lanterns were positioned at the ends of each row of chairs, and the candles inside them glowed, as shimmering flakes fell softly from the sky. It wasn’t overly decorated, and it definitely wasn’t anything Serge would consider fabulous, but it was simple and starkly beautiful, and she loved it.
“Speaking of guilty pleasures,” Mandy said. “Here comes mine.”
Dorn strode up to them in his full military uniform, his dark hair brushed back. He nodded at Bridget and Trista before looking at his mate like he wanted to devour her.
Mandy grinned at him and spun around in her floor-length gown. “You like the dress?”
He slid a finger under one of the thin straps and made a deep, guttural noise. “I would prefer to see it in a pile on the floor.”
Serge cleared his throat. “Do I need to remind you who’s wedding this is, and also what happened the last time you two couldn’t keep your hands off each other?”
Dorn’s gaze dropped to the floor, and Mandy blushed.
“Don’t make them feel bad,” Bridget said. “That was no one’s fault but the Kronock. Anyway, if I hadn’t been abducted, Kax wouldn’t have come after me, and we may have never fallen in love.”