stepped under the spray. She moaned at the pleasure.
A second later, Donovan slipped in behind her, naked. His big hands moved up over her breasts, and she moaned again.
“Now I plan to punish you, my mate, for trying to hide our mating.”
She watched his dark hand slide down her belly and between her legs. She moaned his name. His clever fingers got busy, caressing, stroking, teasing.
His mouth nipped at her ear. “I’m gonna make you come. Again, again, and again, baby.”
Her mate was true to his word. He brought her to the brink again and again, one hand between her legs while the other moved up to cup her breast, then down again.
“Donovan,” she moaned.
“Punishment. My warrior mate needs to trust her man.”
Finally, a thick finger slid inside her, his thumb on her clit. It didn’t take much. Airen came hard, only Donovan’s strength keeping her upright.
Then he scooped her up and turned off the shower. He carried her to the bed, uncaring that they were both still wet.
As he laid her out, she saw the light in his eyes.
“I am damn glad we made it, Airen.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips before his mouth wandered lower, gently kissing the knitting wound on her stomach. Her man could be so gentle.
“I’m damn glad you’re mine.” Then his mouth was on hers again. “Not going to let you go.”
She wrapped her arms around him, but a voice inside her head warned that soon they’d return to their ships. To their careers, duties and responsibilities.
But then Donovan slid inside her, and she couldn’t think of anything but him.
Man, the Oronis ship kicked ass.
Donovan had never been on a bridge so slick. The comm stations were all transparent, black screens manned by Oronis knights.
Airen stood beside him. After a few hours of rest and some food, her color was better, and she was back in pure-warrior mode—armor on, posture straight, her brown hair braided.
There was no sign of the touch-hungry woman he’d held in his arms the last few hours.
When she glanced up at him, she gave him a small smile, but he sensed something was bothering her.
“The Rengard is in range,” a knight called out.
Knightmaster Ashtin nodded.
The Rengard appeared on the viewscreen, and Donovan felt a stab of relief.
They’d made it.
Even better, the Kantos had suffered another blow.
It wasn’t long before the BlackBlade docked with the Rengard.
“Thank you again.” Donovan shook hands with the knightmaster.
“The Kantos are our enemy too. Good luck in your fight, and know that we are here if you need our assistance.”
The knightmaster and several of his knights walked them to the airlock. When the door opened, Donovan saw a crowd waiting for them.
“Donovan!” Wren engulfed him in a hug. Malax pulled Airen close, and Sabin rested a hand on her shoulder.
“Well, you look nice in your Eon armor.” Wren grinned at Donovan, her gaze sliding down the black-scales covering his body.
“You aren’t the only one who found yourself an Eon mate.” He pulled Airen away from the other warriors, settling her under his arm.
“Well.” Malax nodded. “I’m very happy for both of you.”
“We were so shocked that the Kantos had manipulated a wormhole and took you,” Wren said. “Sassy and I worked overtime to find you.”
“Thank you, Wren,” Airen said.
“We did like three years of wormhole research in one day, and Malax has been utilizing the helian-tech aboard the Rengard to get us here ASAP. We weren’t letting the Kantos have you guys.” Wren lowered her voice. “Plus, Malax is a grump without you, Airen. He says you’re the best second commander he’s ever had.”
Donovan saw the pride in his mate’s face and stroked her braid.
Thane pushed forward. The silver-haired medical commander was frowning. “You’re both injured. I want you in Medical, now.”
Airen turned. “Thane, I’m fine—”
“I’m the medical commander aboard the ship,” the man said in a firm, unyielding tone.
“You can be very bossy, Thane,” she grumbled.
“My job, especially when dealing with stubborn warriors.”
Donovan urged her on. “Listen to your medical commander.” He wouldn’t mind having her checked over, as well.
“I need to check you, too, Sub-Captain.”
“Ah—”
“Listen to the medical commander,” Airen said.
He swatted her ass out of view of the others, and she smiled.
In Medical, they were both hooked up to several scanners. Donovan watched as Thane checked Airen’s healing wounds.
“Everything is healing well, if a little slow. You need rest, and an intake of nutrients.”
Airen sat up. “I need to debrief my team. I need to—”
“Lie down and rest,” Donovan said with a