We collapse together in a heap of sweaty limbs and sticky skin. I’m fascinated at the feel of her—all of her—pressed up against me. She slides one arm around my waist and snuggles a little closer, giving a happy sigh.
“I liked that,” she tells me.
“You did?” I chuckle. “I couldn’t tell. It was impossible to hear anything over all the screaming and moaning—”
Her small hand covers my mouth before I can finish, and she giggles. “Did you just make a joke? My, Emvor gets laid and suddenly he’s a different man.”
Amused, I nip at her fingers. I do feel a little different. A little lighter. Happier. Far more possessive of my female than I ever thought possible. And nearly ready to claim her again, I realize, as I feel my cock stirring, still deep inside her. I stroke her hair back from her face. She’s still flushed and breathless. I’ll give her a moment before I take her again. She needs to rest.
I keep stroking her hair as she closes her eyes and cuddles up against me. I love this, our bodies entwined. It feels right. Perfect. This is what I always dreamed of when I thought of a mate, a wife. I realize I gave up on that dream when I came out here, alone. I thought I needed a work partner around the farm.
I don’t. I need a partner for my heart. A companion. A lover. And Nicola’s all I could ever want and more.
She makes a little noise and drags a finger along my collarbone. “We still got it wrong, you know.”
“Mmm? Got what wrong?” I lean in and nuzzle her smooth human brow.
“I came before you did. We didn’t time it right.”
“I think what I’m hearing,” I say slowly as I roll our twined bodies so she’s on her back again, “is that you need even more practice.”
“Lots and lots of practice,” she agrees, caressing me. “I hope that’s all right with you.”
I can think of nothing better.
Part II
WHEN SHE’S MARRIED
Escaped convict Vordigar has been hiding out on Risda III. When he’s scooped up by law enforcement, he has two choices - he can be shipped back to the Haven prison system, or he can marry one of the locals. Piper is from an alien race called ‘humans’ and she needs a mate to help her protect her farm from aggressive neighbors.
Vordigar’s not interested in forever. Or marrying. Or settling down. He’ll go along with Piper’s plans just until he can get off planet…or so he thinks.
Because one night in Piper’s bed changes everything.
7
VORDIGAR
The jail on Risda III is an insult.
It’s not a real jail, just like this isn’t a legit civilized planet. There’s no climate control, because the local peace officers like the open air. All they do is open windows—windows!—and let in a breeze. It means it’s hotter than a sun flare in my cell, and my tunic is wet with sweat. There’s four of us prisoners in one cell, and the next cell over houses some very smelly, horned meat-stock that chew on hay and shit everywhere. Peppy cantina music plays in the next room and I can hear the two peace officers on duty talking about a high-stakes sticks game.
Keffing backwater farm planet on the outskirts of nowhere.
I flick a piece of hay off my sleeve and eye my surroundings with distaste as one of the meat-stock flicks its tail against the bars and lets out a stream of messy crap. The least they could do is get me a cell that doesn’t feel like I’m sleeping in a barn. I don’t even mind sharing it. Just…not with meat-stock. Or any other farm animal.
I hate this planet.
Or rather, I hate it now. I didn’t mind it so much, when, fresh out of prison, I thought I’d be able to blend in with the locals, hide out and just live my life. I didn’t mind that it was quiet and pastoral….but I’ve learned that the authorities here are much the same as the authorities on any other planet. They’re easily swayed and corrupt. The lords that oversee this place don’t pay them enough, so they do odd jobs on the side.
Things like…bounties.
That’s what got me. It’s what always gets a man in the end. You escape one prison hellhole on the sly and for some reason, you get a bounty put on your head. It’s perfectly unreasonable. They should be thanking me and Tassen for showing them the weaknesses in their security, not demanding our return. Unfortunately, I’m the only one being returned. Tassen married a local woman and got amnesty for himself through a marriage law. I had the opportunity, but when I heard she was human, I withdrew my name.
There are certain things in the universe that are too much trouble—an asteroid belt in a shortcut, an easy bounty, and a human woman. I avoid all those things. Life’s too short to give yourself more trouble. Now I’m thinking I should have been smarter and said yes to the whole “marriage” thing. I could have agreed to it and kept out of this jail. Marriage doesn’t work with my plans, but neither does being recaptured as an escaped convict and being dropped back to Haven II. This time, there won’t be an escape. I’ll be kept in lockdown. Probably won’t ever breathe fresh air again.