“I can design a resort label too. I was thinking the head of a black cat with the words Middlemarch Resort.” Casey finished talking and clenched her fingers together while she waited for the older ladies to comment. She wiped the palms of her hands on her dress and worked hard to remain in one spot. Scurvy sky pirates. This was worse than handing out orders to her men.
“Oh,” Anna said. “That is brilliant. There are several ladies I can think of who can sew and would love to be part of this. What a wonderful idea to include them.”
“It was Felix’s idea,” Casey said. “The outfits—should I make some of the outfits I have in mind to show you?”
“Yes, please.”
“All the fabric is in my room,” Aunt Elsa said. “Would you like me to design the label for you?”
“You both like my idea?”
“It’s perfect, dear,” Anna said, beaming. “I thought I’d said that.”
“I agree,” Aunt Elsa said. “The foundation garment could be in any color, but I think you should make the first one a pale pink to go with the local scenery. There is nothing like this on Dalcon, at least not near the city, and that could be the garment that the guests associate with the resort when they return from their vacation.”
“Do you think Scarlett would be my model?”
“Yes,” Anna said without hesitation. “Even if I have to drag her away from those computers of hers. Not that I think she’ll put up much of a fight. In fact, I’ll go and see her in person so she can’t dodge my call.” Anna scurried away, leaving Casey alone with her aunt.
“I’m so pleased,” Aunt Elsa said. “This will be a fresh start for both of us. I have to admit I’m glad to leave the bustle of Dalcon. The city is so big now and parts have become dangerous. The resort is peaceful and the beach is gorgeous. The sea air has helped my chest.”
Casey frowned. “Why did you stay on Dalcon for so long?”
“Because I wanted to spend time with you, Casey. Now let’s get that fabric and see what we’ve got. I am positive we have pink, but I’m not sure if the fabric will be what you have in mind. And of course, pink won’t suit everyone. Some of the other species will prefer stronger colors.”
Casey followed her aunt to her room and spent the rest of the afternoon discussing fabrics, cutting and stitching. Anna arrived with Scarlett and soon she had the garment fitted and pinned.
“Ouch,” Scarlett muttered.
“Sorry,” Casey said. “I told you to stand still.”
“I need to breathe,” Scarlett said, but the twinkle in her green eyes told Casey the younger woman was teasing.
The rest of the day flew by. Felix arrived and the twins popped in to report on their progress.
“We planted the vines,” Joe said.
“The grapevines?” Anna asked with a touch of surprise.
“We checked the soil, did some tests and Felix agreed. It was time, Ma,” Sly said.
“But Saber—”
“He put me in charge, Ma,” Felix said. “We’re all experienced in winegrowing and production. If Saber has a problem, he’ll let us know, but the conditions are perfect and we’ve taken precautions to make sure none of the local fauna can attack or eat the plants—at least until they become established. Saber has enough to worry about, and we’re all trying to lighten his load.”
Anna’s face softened. “I’m sorry, Felix. You’re right. Saber does need some time for himself. I know all my sons are capable.”
She patted his shoulder, and Casey sensed the tension in Felix drain away.
In his own way, he was struggling to find his place as much as her.
* * * * *
“Alone at last,” Felix whispered. “I didn’t think I was ever going to pry you loose from my sister and mother and your aunt.”
Casey chuckled. “Telling them you wanted some alone time did the trick. Your mother and my aunt practically pushed us out the door.” She touched her fingertips to her cheeks. “I’m still embarrassed.”
“It looks good on you,” he said and pressed his palm to the doorplate to let them into his suite.
He hustled her inside and closed the door after them, engaging the locks. His eyes were bright green when he turned her to face him and a lazy smile curved his lips in a manner that made her heart beat a little faster.
“Strip,” he said. “It’s time for that spanking I owe you, sweetheart.”
“No,” she said, backing away and laughing at the same time.
“Yes.” Felix prowled closer. “You might laugh, but I’m serious. I don’t like you putting yourself in danger. You’re precious to me.”
Her heart went pitter-patter at his words because she had no doubts—he meant what he said. “I’m not a fan of danger myself.”
“Good, then you’ll understand why I have to do this.” He pounced without warning and before she knew it, she was sprawled facedown over his knee.
“Felix!” She scissored her legs, kicking and wriggling to get free, but he held her easily. She let the tension seep from her body, waited for the instant when he’d relax too—and then kicked hard again.
“All your wriggling is turning me on, sweetheart.”
“Make me grumpy enough and I might bite.”
“Might,” he said. “I don’t think you’d hurt me on purpose, just as I’d never hurt you.”
“I’m a soldier. I know lots of ways to injure you.”
“I’m a shifter. I’m capable of tearing you limb from limb and then eating the evidence.”
“Checkmate,” she said drily. “You win.”
Felix hauled her up to face him. “It’s not a case of winning. You can hurt me, you know. I feel a bond with you. I ache for you when we’re not together. If you were to reject me, refuse to stay with me, that would hurt. It would hurt far worse than physical pain.”
Casey stared, taking in his strong features, his beautiful green eyes and his serious expression. “You mean it.”
“This mark.” He traced the curious tattoo that had appeared after he bit her, and a bolt of pleasure ripped through her. He continued despite her gasp. “This mark ties me to you. I don’t know how it works, but centuries ago, this was the way shifters claimed their mates. If you were a shifter, you’d bite me in return. This mark is as solid as marriage vows.”
“In your eyes we’re married?”
“Yes.” His gaze never left hers. “You’re mine, and I belong to you. Only death will break the bond.”
She shivered, and this time there was no pleasure in the sensation. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck rose and a chill prickled her skin.
The general would kill Felix and any of his family members who got in his way. She didn’t believe he’d give up. Not really. No matter what she tried to tell herself—
She forcibly shoved the general from her thoughts. He dwelled there way too often, much like a malignant growth. She couldn’t give him the power, refused to when she could spend the time more enjoyably with Felix.
“I don’t like to think of you dying.” Not much of a shove. “Tell me more about shifters.”
“A lot of the old ways, the old instincts, have been lost since we integrated with the humans on Earth and lived in secret. The mating mark thing—that hasn’t happened for centuries. And Ma doesn’t remember reading anything about the shape of the mark. She’s busy researching in the family diaries and papers.”
“Your mother keeps a diary?”
“Yes. She likes to record things. Genealogy is one of her hobbies.” His eyes gleamed extra bright. “What about children? Would you like to have children one day?”
Casey felt her mouth drop open, and Felix chuckled.
“I can see you’ve never thought on the subject.”
“I haven’t, not seriously. I’m a career soldier. Besides, I didn’t think I’d make a good parent, and I’ve never had a long relationship with a man. I suppose I could have chosen a child from the baby farms. Lots of planets have them.”
/> “We are not doing that,” Felix said. “They really have farms for babies?”
“Fertility is a problem for the species on some planets. It’s the only way some people can have children.”
“But what about the parents? The women who carry the children? What do they think about giving their offspring away?”
Casey laughed. “No, they make the babies in test tubes. In a clinical factory. It’s very common and—”
“We’re making our children the normal way,” Felix said in a firm tone. “I want to see you swell with my children.”
“Children?” Casey squeaked. “They come in a litter?”
Felix barked out a laugh. “Twins are common, although in our family there only ever seems to be one set in each union. My mother had Sly and Joe. Mostly the twins are same sex and identical. Laurence and his sister Lori were unusual.”
“Interesting,” Casey said.
“So you’ll think about having children in the future?” Felix asked. “I’d like that very much.”
“And if I can’t have children?”
“Then we will visit the baby farm—if that’s what you want. Children are an extra bonus for me. You’re the important part of this relationship.”
“You say the most amazing things.” She kissed the tip of his nose.
“So you like me a little bit?”
“I like you a lot,” Casey said. An understatement. The man had wriggled under her skin like a persistent itch, and now she found she didn’t want to dislodge him. She liked the future he painted, was even starting to dream of making it a reality.
“Glad to hear it,” he said.
He grasped her waist and laid her over his knee again. Before she gathered her wits enough to protest, his hand smacked down on her rump.
“Ow.”
“Because you’ve been so sweet, I’m going to limit the number to five,” he said.
Seconds later another blow landed. The scanty covering of her dress and panties didn’t protect her one bit and the sting rushed along her nerve pathways. She’d scarcely processed the pain, had time to protest, before another two landed in quick succession.
“One more,” he said.
“You’re mean, and I take it back.” She tried to wriggle free. “I don’t like you anymore.”
“Two more it is.”
Smack. Smack.
He lifted her off his knee and steadied her on her feet.
She backed up several steps and eyed him, saw the brief flash of satisfaction then the wariness that shone in his eyes. “That was plain mean. I’m a soldier, and I’m used to putting myself in dangerous situations. You can’t smack me for doing my job.”
“Just did.”
There was that arrogance again. She sniffed, stuck her nose in the air, but a tiny part of her wanted to laugh too. The man was impossible, but it was hard not to like him. “I was doing my job,” she repeated.
It was either that or breaking out the humor, and she didn’t want to fold quite so soon, not when her backside still smarted.
“Maybe so, but there’s a difference between dangerous and reckless. I aged, Casey. When I had to let you go off with those natives, I worried. Why the hell do you think we arrived at the village so quickly? I pushed and pushed hard to get there.”
“Aw, Felix.” The tone of his voice, his agitation and obvious anguish, smoothed away her lingering pique. “How about if I promise to think harder before throwing myself into a dangerous situation again?”
“You’re not a soldier now,” he reminded her. “You’re my mate and the resort’s exclusive designer. You won’t face danger again unless you prick your finger with the sewing machine.”
“The new ones stop the second they come into contact with skin.”
He muttered something under his breath. “Don’t be obtuse. You know what I mean.” He prowled toward her and looked mighty fine doing it. Mesmerized, she stared and then it was too late. He scooped her up and tossed her on the sleep-bed, caging her between his hard body and the mattress. His mouth crushed down on hers, his fingers sliding beneath the neckline of her dress to cup her breast.
“My backside is sore,” she said when he lifted his head. “You need to rub it.”
“With pleasure. Let’s get you out of these clothes.”
“You first.”
“Your ass can’t be hurtin’ too bad then. Maybe I should’ve given you more strokes.”
Casey sniffed, battled her urge to laugh again. “Did I tell you I have training in hand-to-hand combat? I could do a lot of damage to your pretty person. As long as you didn’t go hairy, I’d win.”
He flashed a grin. “You looking for a sparring partner? Could be fun. A little sparring then some hot jungle sex.”
“I’ve had sex in the hot jungle. There are bugs and they bite.”
Felix unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the ground. He made quick work of the rest of his clothes and stood before her naked and unashamed. “Just hot sex will do nicely then. Strip for me.” He sprawled back on the sleep-bed, his avid gaze hot and transmitting a silent dare.
This time she let her grin run free. She swayed and lifted her arms. A sensual hip roll snagged his gaze, and she laughed, a happy sound. “You’re easy, Felix.”
“I am where you’re concerned.”
She unfastened her dress and let it slide to the ground and land in a pool of fabric. Striking a pose, she blew him a kiss. “What do you think?”
The apricot-colored lingerie flattered her curves, and when Felix rose to a sitting position, she knew she had him.
“God, Casey. You’re beautiful.” He held out his hand and she went to him. “Let me undress you.”
“Not yet. I want to explore you for a change.” She placed her hand in the middle of his chest and pushed. He let her, and the protection around her heart cracked a little more. This man—he undid her. So different from all the other men she knew.
Casey straddled his hips. His cock was full and jutted out, but she ignored his erection in order to explore his shoulders and chest. She licked the base of his neck and, remembering how it felt when he kissed and nipped her there, she scraped her teeth over the spot.
He let out a harsh moan, his hands rising to grip her shoulders and hold her in place. “Bite harder.”
“But I’ll hurt you.”
“Don’t care.”
She bit down and a shudder went through his big body. She licked the spot and went on with her explorations, trailing her fingers down his biceps. So much male bounty to explore. She’d never taken the time before, had never wanted to play. She kissed, took the odd nip, and teased him with her touches.
“Casey,” he groaned in protest.
He trembled, and she wondered if he’d take over, but he remained in place and let her have her way. She moved down his body, gripped his cock and stroked down his length. A bead of liquid formed on the tip. Curious, she dipped her head to taste him. Slightly salty. A little musky.
“More,” he said. “Please.”
In that moment, she knew she’d do anything for this man. He was special, so special. She took him into her mouth and licked, sucked, tested him for reactions.
His hands went to her head, cupping her skull and holding her in place. She breathed in his scent, reveled in the power she had over him, the way her touches made his big body quiver with need.
“Damn, that feels good,” he said. “I’d like more but I want to come with you tonight. I want to slide into your sexy body and feel your tight cunt caress my shaft. I want to push you hard and fast and drive into your body. Then once you’re trembling beneath me, I’ll stroke your mark. Make you come so hard your body shudders.”
Casey pulled off his cock with a popping sound. “Sounds good. What’s stopping you?”
Primitive hunger etched his face. Raw male desire, and it was focused on her. “Get on your back and spread your legs for me,” he said.
After holding his gaze for a fraction longer,
she quickly removed her lingerie and followed his instructions.
“You are so beautiful.” He ran his hand over her hip, skimmed her inner thigh. He dipped his head and ran his tongue down her folds. He rubbed her clit, the roughness of his tongue sending clawing hunger through her. He’d barely touched her, yet she wanted him so badly. The swirl of his warm, wet tongue sent her nerve endings snapping. One finger slipped inside her, stroked while his tongue teased the straining bundle of nerves. A light flicker of a touch. Casey groaned, her hips lifting toward his mouth.
“Please, Felix.” An orgasm built, layer upon layer with each touch, each lick, each enticing kiss. Her pulse skittered as sensation flared and burned. Her hips jerked and bucked beneath the pleasurable assault. Another finger filled her and stroked her inner walls. Combined with the lash of his tongue, it was too much, and the sensations collided in a storm of ecstasy.
While tiny spasms still quivered through her, Felix rose and pushed inside her to the hilt. A moan rolled up her throat and emerged as he pulled back and sank deep again. Flesh slapped against flesh. His teeth scored the tender skin of her mark, and pleasure coursed through her body. He flailed it with his tongue, and she sucked in a greedy breath at the quick punch of heat. A second climax broke over her, not as powerful as the first but still breath-stealing.
As soon as she started coming, he buried himself in her and came with hot groans. He curled over her, surrounding her with his heat and giving her some of his weight. He kissed the side of the neck and lifted up to smile at her. “That was fun.”
She stared at him, her pulse racing like a wild creature intent on capturing its quarry. She wanted him to say more—say he loved her. If she was honest, that was where her feelings were headed. She grinned back. “Most of it was fun.”
“Just keep sensible decisions in mind, sweetheart.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Nope,” he said. “I’m promising.” Then he kissed her again, and that was the last time they spoke for a long time.
Chapter Twelve
Favored by Felix Page 15