just because I enjoy the feel of her.
Both, if I’m being honest.
I’ll allow nothing to take her away from me, but with every hour that passes, my deadline for delivering her, as well as the other females, grows closer. I can’t avoid Red Death for much longer, and I know he will want an update soon.
I disentangle from Giselle, grinning when she mumbles in her sleep. She is captivating, even in repose. I linger beside the bed and rove my gaze over her, taking in every curve, slope, and angle of her body and face. Is it possible for one being to have reached perfection? Logic says no, but when I look at my mate, I beg to differ.
She is what perfection wishes to be.
After suppressing the urge to rejoin her in the bed, I pick up the communication device off the nearby table and step into the hallway just outside the room. The device is simplistic in design, and it only takes a couple of keystrokes to establish the connection. Red Death answers with unexpected swiftness.
Has he been eagerly waiting for my call?
“Do you have them?” His tone is strictly business, but he’s not able to quite conceal the underlying note of uncertainty.
“Yes.”
The way he breathes indicates his relief, a short puff of air that’s expelled. “What is your estimated time of delivery?”
“There’s going to be a delay. Two of the humans had trackers in their bloodstreams. Avoiding the G.C.’s droids has been a challenge, not to mention we’re taking the time to get the nanobots removed.”
“Hmm…”
I can picture Red stroking his chin in thought, with his spikes quivering as he processes what I’ve said. The truth I’ve spoken should register because it is well known that the G.C. does all it can to protect and keep its property. The fact it believed Giselle to be a possession still infuriates me.
Red thrums his fingers, the sounds easily heard. “You’re not the only one who’s said something along those lines, and the fact you were able to escape Lixis intact attests to your skill. How much more time will you need?”
“That is indeterminate. My crew and I were forced to split in order to avoid capture, but I have it on good authority they will be en route soon, if not already.”
“The more time you require, the less of a payout you’ll receive.”
My lips twitch. I would relinquish all of it for Giselle without a second thought. It’s explaining my choice to my brothers that concerns me, not money. They will still want their reward because it is the means to exact revenge. And I don’t want to hinder that any more than I already have by keeping my mate.
“I understand,” I say. “I will deliver the cargo as soon as I am able.”
Red disconnects the call, and I rub the spot between my brows in an attempt to ease the headache that’s forming. I’ve bought myself time, but will it be enough?
It will have to be. I will accept no other alternative.
When I turn in the direction of my sleeping quarters, I find Giselle standing in the doorway. Her hair is disheveled and her lips slightly puffy from sleep, but her eyes are what command my attention. She is not trying to hide her emotions now. The rage that flares within her gaze is like a wildfire, ready to ravage anything in its path.
And that includes me.
When will my mate realize she already makes me burn? That she’s already pulled me into an inferno that scorches my very soul, removing the deadened flecks of it? Perhaps reminding Giselle of my affection for her is what’s needed to cool her temper? However, I only wish to dampen her anger, never her spirit.
I want that to burn forever.
She regards me in continued silence, and I wait, knowing she will eventually disclose what bothers her. It doesn’t take long.
“Who was that?”
“The contact for the merchant.” I tilt my head. “What are you doing out of bed?”
She clenches her tiny fists by her sides and narrows her gaze. “What did they say?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“The hell it doesn’t.”
I’m on her in a second, my body pressing hers into the cold, hard wall. I cage her further by slapping my palms on either side of her head. She stiffens, but her glare doesn’t falter.
“Explain yourself,” I say, my voice deceptively calm.
She lifts her chin a fraction, a display of that internal fire. My cock grows hard as I witness it. I’ve half a mind to