the meal further by thrashing anyone who showed the slightest hint of disrespect to his woman.
Lucie was beginning to droop, her flow of conversation winding down and her small head resting more heavily against his side. He rose to his feet, cradling her against him. “I believe it is time to bring this meal to a conclusion. Ensign Ribel, your men will report to the training room. Jedan, if you would be so good as to escort the females to their quarters?”
“I will go as well,” Mekoi said grimly. “To make sure that the infants do not need additional supplies.”
Since he gazed at TeShawna as he spoke, Hrebec didn’t believe that supplies were his primary concern, but he was willing to give his medic more leeway than he would his young crew members.
“Very well. Abigail, shall I carry Lucie to our—your cabin?”
“Yes, please,” she said, giving him an unreadable look.
Together they waited until the others had left, then walked slowly back to his rooms.
“I was thinking,” Abigail said, after she sent Lucie off to prepare for bed.
“Yes?”
“Would you like to stay here with us tonight?”
His heart started to pound, but he forced himself to remain calm. Her offer did not mean that she agreed to mate with him.
“I would be delighted, but why are you offering?”
She turned away from him, shifting Tiana to her shoulder and pacing as she rocked the infant. “If you’re going to bond with Tiana, you should be here with her. It would help the transition.”
Disappointment filled him. “I see.”
She stopped, her back to him, and he could see her shoulders move as she took a deep breath before she turned to him. Her cheeks were his favorite shade of pink again.
“And I—I would like it as well.” Pleased at her admission, he took a step towards her and she raised a hand. “But we can’t do anything that risks me getting pregnant.”
“I understand.” He didn’t like it, but he understood her reasoning. However… “What about hankee pankee?”
Her blush intensified, deepening her pink to an enticing red. He knew that if she had a tail, it would be reaching for him.
She met his eyes directly. “I’m okay with that.”
He bit back a groan. “I’m glad. I don’t think I could share quarters with you and resist touching your sweet body.”
She wet her lips and he made another move towards her, but then Lucie appeared in the bedroom door, dressed in a sleep garment made from another of his shirts. “I’s ready.”
“Okay, baby. I’ll be right there.”
“I want Leonardo to tell me a story.”
“Not tonight,” Abigail said firmly, before he could respond. “He needs to talk to someone first.”
Lucie’s bottom lip jutted out, but she looked at Abigail and didn’t argue. Instead, she held up her arms to him. “Hugs and kisses,” she demanded.
Without hesitation, he picked her up and hugged her gently as she kissed his cheek. The small gesture filled a piece of his soul that had been empty for far too long, and his chest ached with the realization of what he’d been missing. He carried her like precious cargo into the bedroom and reluctantly let her slide down under the covers.
“Will you be here tomorrow?” she asked.
“Yes, little one. I will be here.” He had to fight the urge to promise her that he would always be there.
“Good,” she said, giving him a sleepy smile.
Bending down, he kissed her forehead as his tail brushed along her tiny arm. He turned to find Abigail watching him again. She didn’t comment, merely stepping aside to let him by.
“I’ll be back shortly,” he said.
“Good. We can see if Tiana will take her evening bottle from you.”
“I look forward to it.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, delighted when she shivered and her nipples tightened. “I also look forward to being alone with you.”
“Me too,” she whispered.
No longer reining in his instincts, he let his tail caress her beautifully pink cheek before walking away.
Hrebec left their cabin in a cheerful mood, one that only lasted until he reached the training room and found Ribel trying to kill Connep.
“What the hell are you trying to do?” he roared, as he forced his way between the two bruised and bleeding men.
Ribel continued to glare at Connep. “He tried to seduce my woman!”
“I was only talking to her,” Connep protested as he sneered at Ribel. “But she is not your woman. She does not carry your scent.”
Hrebec grabbed Ribel as the young man lunged forward.
“Listen, you young fools,”