“Hey beautiful. How far out are you?” The sound of his voice resonated on a cellular level.
She squirmed in her chair. “Little under four hours. You?”
“Just got here. I win.”
Yes! “Glad you could make it.”
“It was a little out of my way. You owe me.”
“Hmm, I think we can come to mutually agreeable terms.” She sat up straight, increasing the pressure between her legs.
“I booked us a room. I’ll have it stocked with food before you arrive.”
His voice ignited a flame deep inside. She wriggled side to side, the tension building. “That was thoughtful.”
His low chuckle was a caress between her legs. “It was as much for my benefit as yours. I can’t have you running out of energy on me, now can I?”
What he did to her with mere words was unbelievable. “That would be unfortunate. I assume we have access to room service?”
“Undoubtedly, but who wants to put on clothes just to let the wait staff in?”
“Who says we’d have to put on clothes?”
“Oh, Kit. I might have to punish you for that.”
That was it. She couldn’t take any more. “Talk to me, Balastar.” She unfastened her jeans and shoved her hand down between her legs. “I mean it. Talk to me.” Her voice came out low and breathy. She was losing it fast.
“Are you starting without me?” His voice was husky. How did he know?
“I need to. Please.”
“Just this once. Where are you, sweetheart?”
A cry escaped her lips as she drove her fingers inside and circled her clit. “On the bridge. Hand in pants.”
“In your chair?”
“Yes.” Her hand, his voice, it was working.
“Are you wet?”
“Gods, yes.” She rubbed faster.
“Do you know what I’m going to do to you when you arrive?”
“No. What?” She was having trouble concentrating. “Tell me. I need to hear your voice.”
“I’m going to taste every inch of you. Suck those perfect nipples and lick between your folds.”
She groaned with pleasure. “More. Details.”
“I’m going to slide my cock deep inside and fuck you long and hard. I’m going to drive into you until I hit that spot that takes you over the edge.”
She cried out as the orgasm rocked her body. Eyes closed, she let the wave wash over her. She liked the fact that her gentleman was a little bit bad boy. “Thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome. Hold on a second.”
She heard a shuffling on his end.
“You can let me out here. I’ll walk the rest of the way. Drop my bags off with the bellmen.”
“Mother Goddess, where are you?” Kit zipped up her pants, as though someone could see her.
“Getting out of a cruiser from the spaceport. Since I wasn’t able to join you just now, I need a walk.”
“The driver heard?”
“Don’t worry. Judging by the look on his face, he didn’t mind. Now hurry up. I need you in my arms and in my bed. I’ll have a cruiser waiting for you.”
“Now you owe me.” She disconnected and leaned back in her chair. That was good, but it wasn’t enough. The tension wasn’t stopping. She had to be with him. Her body ached, and worse, her psi as well. Her desire for that man was painful. She needed his psi. Her eyes flew open at the thought. She needed his psi.
CHAPTER SEVEN
As promised, Balastar had a cruiser waiting for her when she lowered the stairs on the Tiger. With a bag flung over her shoulder, she nearly flew down the steps. Her psi was buzzing like crazy. She was sure she’d self-combust at any second if she didn’t get that man buried deep inside of her. She waved off the driver who offered to take her bag and jumped into the open-air cruiser. It was nice. Really nice.
“I assume you know where we’re going?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Excellent, then please hurry.”
She caught the driver’s grin and knew it must be the same man Balastar used. Oh, now that’s just cruel. Whatever. It wasn’t like they were the first people to bond.
Frack. Her heart pounded at the unbidden thought. Is that what this was? Her crazy energy and desire to be with him? Scratch that. This was no desire. This was need. Gods, what if she was wrong? What if he didn’t feel it? Calm down. Just take it easy. She tried, but she couldn’t do it. She didn’t know how Balastar felt beyond sex, but she realized something now. If he didn’t return her feelings, he would crush her. She would be shattered into a million pieces of Kit. She leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her skin. She was terrified, exhilarated, turned on, and possibly heading over a cliff. She let her mind go to Balastar, remembering the last time they were together. Body and psi had responded in kind. A small moan caught in her throat as she replayed the scene. It was torture, but better than worrying about whether or not he felt the same. Lost in thought, she nearly jumped when Balastar’s voice spoke next to her.
“Are you coming?”
“Damn near.” She opened her eyes to find he had her bag and held the door open to the balcony of the hotel room. Sparks of light shone in his sky blues. Mother Goddess. Were her eyes glowing? A tell-tale sign of psi-bonding.
Kit launched herself out of the cruiser and into the suite. Marble floors and massive plush couches and chairs—reminiscent of Balastar’s ship—greeted her. The man had class. Something she didn’t. Another jab of fear she pushed aside. It didn’t matter now. There was no running from this. A spiral staircase wound to a second level which she hoped contained a bed luxurious enough to match the rest.
Balastar’s arms wrapped around her waist from behind and she leaned against him as he kissed his way from shoulder to behind her ear. What was with that spot, anyway? “Penthouse, I take it?”
“Only the best for my lady.”
She liked the sound of that. His. “Was that the same driver you had earlier?”
“You know it was.”
“You’re evil.” Every touch had her body humming with desire.
“You make me that way.” His nibble on her ear sent a shiver through her.
He slid his hand down to her jeans and unfastened the button. “You do something to me, Kit.” His palm slid down her pelvis and into her panties.
She grabbed hold of his hips and squeezed her eyes shut as his fingers hit home. She was ready for him, wet and throbbing with need. Their psi did that thing—merging as one and launching a whole new level of pleasure. She was in heaven.
“I’m serious. I need you.” When he plunged his fingers in and out, her legs nearly buckled. He held her tight with his other arm.
She couldn’t speak, but simply nodded her head as he rubbed her clit. He kissed her neck then sucked.
That, combined with the crazy dance their psi was doing, sent her over.
He held her firm, fingers deep.
She was lost in waves of pleasure that rolled over and through her. Kisses on her neck and shoulder brought her back.
He slid his hand out and turned her to face him. There was no mistaking it now. His eyes were alight. Without a word, he led her up the spiral stairs. The bed did not disappoint. It was massive. The headboard had a gold inlayed dragon with wings spread wide. A rich comforter in black and red covered the mattress, and dozens of pillows were scattered on the surface.
They undressed quickly and tumbled into bed. She laughed when he playfully slapped her ass as she dove for the center.
He grabbed her before she could reach the other side and pinned her on her back. She rubbed her hands over the comforter. It was impossibly soft.
Balastar wore the most intense look she’d ever seen, and those cerulean blues were on fire. “I meant what I said earlier,” he said softly, spreading her legs for entry. “This is my job now.”
He slid inside, and her psi exploded. “One more thing, love. Your eyes are glowing.”
Time fractured. Kit lost herself. Became Balastar. Became no one and everything. They existed on a plane of pleasure so intense, she knew a body alone couldn’t withstand it. In some part of her mind, body, or psi—she couldn’t tell which—an orgasm took her. Took them. Beyond their bodies, their psi melded into one, forging an ancient bond she’d only dreamt of. This was permanent. Forever. Her world became an orchestra of colors, her psi mixed with his. Words did not exist that could describe this. And then, like a piece of the puzzle that had been missing her entire life, it all snapped into place. “Balastar!”
His love echoed through her. “My Lady. My love. My life.”
***
Balastar came to his senses to find Kit curled up in his arms. They couldn’t have been out long. Losing control during bonding wasn’t uncommon. My psi-mate. He stroked his fingers lightly up and down her back and sensed it when she woke. He knew the moment she reached out with her psi and felt her joy and wonderment.
She propped herself up on one elbow and brushed a lock of hair from his forehead.
He couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face. He was so damn happy.
She shook her head and gave him that crooked smirk he adored. “Well, Balastar Alder, can you walk away now?”
He burst out laughing. “No, beautiful. Never again.”
“I was so scared you didn’t feel the same. That it wasn’t real.”
Her fear washed over him as if it was his own. “Me, too. I wanted to believe you were the one, but…”
“What?”
“I think that’s why I wanted to make love to you so much. I wanted it to happen. Every time we were together, it was the best I’d ever had, but we weren’t bonding. I didn’t know it could take this long. It was a slow burn for us. I knew for sure when I texted you. Waiting for you to return from visiting your home wasn’t an option.”
Kit sucked in her breath. “That tension.”
“That was a special kind of hell.” He kissed her hard. “Never again. I probably should have figured out something was up when I punched Corvak in the face. That wasn’t like me, but the thought of you with him. Even now it makes me crazy.”
She placed her hand on his chest over his heart. “Maybe it took so long because of our different psi?”
Her voice echoed in his head. Telepathic communication was another mark of psi-mates. “Probably.”
Specks of gold light burned in Kit’s eyes, and the streak in her hair was an amber he hadn’t seen before. She slid on top of him and peppered kisses along his chest and neck.
He pulled her up so he could kiss her long and deep. Knowing what a psi-mate was on an intellectual level was nothing compared to the real thing. They spent the rest of the night exploring their bond and the pleasures that came with it.
***
Kit was up early the next morning talking to someone from the consortium. He heard her telling them about Rucon and the GTO. Her voice held such optimism.
They ate breakfast on the balcony of the hotel while they waited for the time and location for their portal to Vertan. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. His Kit. Lady Alder. “So, tell me about the Consortium. What is it exactly?”
Kit swallowed her food and took a long sip of caff before answering. “We’d been exploring space for almost twenty years. We were manufacturing a small fleet of ships on Solaris 9 when the Torogs attacked. Like I told the Cavacents, they wiped out virtually all our tech at home, but there was a handful of Vertans off-world. The consortium is made up of the remains of our space industry. They control all portal activity on the planet. We can’t use too many portals on and off world or we’d be detected. The consortium manages that and the small fleet of ships my grandfather designed.”
“Your grandfather?”
“Yes, he basically led our push into space. Tiger is his design."
“So you basically work for them?” Balastar asked.
“Kind of. My family inherited my grandfather’s estate.”
“So they work for you?”
Kit laughed. “It’s complicated. We have a board of directors that manage the fleet’s finances, off world colonies, all of it. My parents are on it, but I don’t have any interest in that.”
“You’d rather be flying the stars.”
“Yeah. We walk a fine line at home. Even before the Torogs came, Vertan was becoming divided. Many wanted access to the space program, the ships and potential trade, but it was tightly controlled by my grandfather and others that had led the way and invested everything to make it happen. I’m not saying it was the right thing to do. It probably wasn’t. After the Torogs, the consortium formed and have controlled access ever since. People know my family and the others involved. There are plenty who would see the control of the fleet opened to the Vertan government with greater access. There’s also a great deal of contention over who gets to leave to start a new colony. It’s not a democratic process. The consortium has a review board. Basically, people either love us or hate us.”
Balastar reached out and took her hand. “Another reason not to go home too often, I suppose?”
“Pretty much. Being out here, helping to establish colonies, is the only life I know. Every time I do go home it kind of stirs the pot. I’ve never done the society thing.” Her brows furrowed, and she toyed with a piece of toast.
“What’s wrong?”
Her brown eyes pierced his soul. “I know you’re kind of stuck with me and all now, but…”
Her anxiety washed over him. He leaned closer and took both of her hands in his. “What is it?”
“You come from a different world from us. I don’t just mean that literally. I mean socially. Your manners, customs… I’m afraid I’ll embarrass you.”
Balastar felt the depth of her emotion, but he still had to struggle not to laugh. “I assume you can tell from my reaction how little that concerns me? Honestly, Kit. I wouldn’t change anything about you. And don’t you dare try.”
She smiled back. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Kit took the dishes inside and finished getting ready.
Enjoying the sun on his skin, Balastar stayed outside on the balcony and made a call. He had a surprise planned and didn’t want her finding out until it was a done deal.
“I just got the location and time for our portal to Vertan,” Kit said, poking her head out from inside.
Balastar muted the com connection. “Can you give me five?”
“No problem. We’re only about thirty minutes away from the coordinates they gave me.”
“Great, I’ll be right in.” He finished up with his plans and found Kit eating in the kitchen. “You are predictable,” he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Keep up like last night and we’re going to need a restaurant-sized galley,” she said around a mouthful of fruit.
“Huh. I’ll get started on plans for an expansion.”
She grinned. “Good idea.” She wiped her hands on a dishtowel. “Ready?”
“Ready.” Balastar summoned a cruiser, and less than a minute later, it hovered next to the penthouse balcony.
“No driver?” Kit asked as they made their way.
“I figured we’d be better off without.”
“True. Wait.” She shot him a sideways glance. “This is your cruiser?”
He smiled.
“Of course it is. You must be made of money.”
“We’re made of money. You bonded rich.”
Thirty minutes later, they landed outside a dilapidated warehouse. Weeds grew up through the cracks in the parking lot.
“We’re supposed to go in that side door over there.” Kit pointed to a steel door.
Balastar set down and they went inside. Dim bulbs hung from the ceiling, and the smell of engine grease lingered from days past. It was empty except for a large, spindly-legged wooden desk that sat in the center of the space. A tall, gangly man dressed in a suit sat behind the desk.
“He’
s new. Be ready. If he doesn’t know the code, we take him down.” Kit approached with caution. “Interesting layout you’ve got here.”
The man rose and nodded. “It’s sufficient for my business, Kitayaná.”
Kit relaxed and extended a hand.
The man introduced himself as Dirk Lange.
“I recognize your name, but I can’t place you.”
“I’m on the board of directors. My nephew is usually on duty at this time. I asked to cover for him. I worked with your grandfather for over twenty years. He was a good man.” Dirk shifted his weight and had a grim twist to his mouth. “There’s something you need to know.”
“What is it? What’s happened?”
“Two days ago there was an attack on Geodice.”
Kit grabbed Balastar’s hand. “What do you mean? What kind of attack?”
Dirk shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s crazy, Kit. We don’t understand it. Torogs. They razed a chunk of the town and took eighteen hostages. Your parents among them.”
Kit’s shock hit Balastar hard. It was like the time his mother told him his father was dead. “He said they took them. They’re most likely still alive.”
She stood frozen.
“Breathe, Kitayaná.” When he ran his hand up and down her back, she let out the breath she’d been holding. His touch was the only thing keeping her grounded.
“Your grandmother is in the med center in Seerac,” Dirk said. “She’s expected to be fine.”
Kit struggled to make sense of everything.
Balastar put his arm around her shoulder, and she leaned into him. “Do you know where they took them?”
“No idea. Torogs haven’t come to the surface of Vertan since the initial invasion.” Dirk gave Kit an intense look. “You should avoid Geodice.”
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