Weapons Master Galactic Gladia - Anna Hackett Page 0,53
a small nod. She slid an arm across his shoulders and he leaned into her, his body tense.
“You’re not alone anymore,” she murmured.
She heard a sharp breath, then he slowly relaxed into her.
After a while, she looked up. She spotted Calrin standing in a doorway, scanning the room.
She nudged Zan. “Look.”
The boy raised his head and saw his brother. He scrambled to his feet.
Calrin’s gaze locked on his brother. The siblings both ran.
The boys collided together, each of them trying not to cry.
Jesus. All kinds of emotions washed through Bellamy’s belly.
“Feels good,” Ever said.
“It sure does.”
Ever slid an arm around Bellamy’s waist, and Bellamy leaned into her. She wasn’t alone anymore, either. She had friends, a new family, and a man she was going to love for the rest of her life.
Something fluttered in her belly.
“Go clean up,” Ever said. “Get some rest. You’ve earned it. And I bet your cyborg is getting twitchy, since he hasn’t seen you for a while.”
“Thanks, Ever.”
Before she left, Bellamy found Avarn and had him remove her disguise. She rubbed her hand over her short hair as she skipped up the stairs. When she reached Maxon’s workshop, she found it empty, and headed up to the living area.
There was no sign of Maxon there, either, but she heard running water. She paused in the bathroom doorway.
Her big cyborg was tipping bath salts into the tub. Candles were dotted around, releasing a woody scent.
She blinked. “What’s this?”
He spun, looking like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“It’s for you.” He straightened, his gaze running over her. “You changed back.”
“I told you I would.” She tilted her head. “You have bath salts?”
He shrugged a stiff shoulder. “It’s a gift. I thought you’d like them. I had Avarn formulate a scent for you.”
She stared at him.
A scowl formed on his rugged face. “Jax assured me that women like gifts. And Toren suggested the bath salts.” It was all said in a bad-tempered tone.
God, her man. “It’s wonderful, Maxon.” Her voice was thick. “I love it. More than that, I love that you did this for me.”
He relaxed a little bit. She walked up to him and ran her hands up his chest.
“This is love, Maxon. It isn’t just the big sacrifices and grand gestures. It’s the small things too. It’s taking care of the person you care about. Love doesn’t need to be flashy and loud. It can be quiet and solid.” She pressed a kiss to his lips, felt the shudder through his big body. “Love is fierce and strong, soft and gentle.” She grinned and nipped his jaw. “And I’m seeing it can also be a little grumpy and bossy.”
“Get in the bath,” he growled.
She smiled. “God, I love you, Maxon.”
His hands tightened on her. “It’s the first time anyone’s ever said that to me.”
Fierce love welled up inside her. “Then you’d better get used to hearing it. A lot.”
“I believe I’m in love with you too.” One of his hands stroked over the corner of her eye, then across her hair reverently. “No one’s ever made me feel like you do, Bellamy.”
She smiled. Love was a warm burst in her heart.
“I’ve always dreamed of someone who’d be mine. I’ve been waiting for someone like you.”
His face softened. “Bellamy.”
“I didn’t know you’d be a cyborg with grumpy, antisocial tendencies, though. Or that you’d live on the other side of the galaxy.”
With a fierce growl, he lifted her off her feet. “Get in the bath.”
She threw her head back and laughed. Yes, she was totally in love with her cyborg.
The prototype weapon was not working right.
Maxon banged his fist on the workbench. Without a word, Bellamy leaned over, took the tool out of his hand, and adjusted something in the innards of the large gun. She shot him an indulgent look, and shoved the tool back in his hand.
Then she turned back to the vibrablade she was working on.
He peered at his prototype. Drak, she’d solved the issue.
He looked at her blonde head. It had been two days since the showdown at Bari Batu. The desert city was under new management. Their allies, the House of Loden, were now monitoring the area.
The few remaining Edull involved with the arena had scattered, and a few who had not been involved had stayed with the promise to be rule-abiding citizens.
Bellamy seemed…fine. More than fine. She was smiling, hadn’t had any nightmares, and at night, was always an enthusiastic lover.
So drakking resilient and tough.
“You’re staring,” she