“I like kissing,” he manages, panting, and then his mouth is on mine again, even as his fingers play through my now-soaking folds, teasing me open. He slips one finger into me, and then a second, thrusting lightly even as his thumb rubs against my clit. Between that and his magical, wonderful mouth, I’m gasping and clinging to him within a matter of moments.
In his arms, I know I’m safe. In his arms, I know pleasure is mine. With him, sex isn’t a chore to be endured with Vordigar, but something to be savored and enjoyed often. I’m more than ready when he slides his hips between mine and drags his cock through my wet folds. I murmur words of encouragement as he guides his cock into me and we make love without the plas-film for the first time.
When I come, it’s with his mouth on mine, his cock deep inside my body, his spur on my clit, and my heart swelling with joy.
I might cry again a little, too, but I reassure Vordigar that they’re good tears.
They’re all good tears from here on out, I decide.
13
VORDIGAR
As if fate itself approves of my decision to stay, everything seems to line up perfectly for the next few days.
The va Sithai brothers are disappointed that I can’t go with them. Once they hear it’s because I need to protect my female, they don’t protest. It’s in our blood, as mesakkah, to take care of our females. And they have a younger sister, so I’m sure they understand. They’re going to continue on without a navigator, with Kaspar taking over those duties. I wish them luck, but I don’t think they’ll need it. If there’s anyone that can take down a band of pirates and collect the bounties, it’s those three.
The next morning, Piper’s pregnant. It’s early, of course, but she does a quick blood-scan with her home med-pad and the fertility shot has done its trick. It might have something to do with the fact that I took her six times last night, each one better than the last, and I’ve thrown the plas-film into the recycler. There’s no better feeling than being deep inside her and I never want anything separating us again.
She shows me the results of her blood test with a wary expression, though, as if she’s not entirely sure I’ll be happy.
“That was fast,” I admit as I pull her into my lap and put my arms around her.
“It’s supposed to be fast. That’s the point.” Her mouth quirks. “Are you happy?”
“I will be if it has my face. This sort of beauty needs to be passed along to the next generation.” I mockingly stroke my jaw.
Piper cuddles against my chest. “I’d be fine with that. What now?”
I stroke her back, considering returning to our bed. But…first thing’s first. “Now we go into port and get married.”
Humans are more sentimental than the mesakkah when it comes to matings. For our people, you simply go to the nearest courthouse and file legal documents to join your families together. Humans like ceremony and celebration, so Piper wears a pretty white dress and asks me to say vows to her.
I’m considering what I’ll say when the praxiian that’s been harassing my female shows up at the courthouse to protest our union. Five minutes later, I’ve beat his face to a pulp and have one foot on his neck as I take Piper’s hand in mine. We sign the documents—making sure the praxiian can see the exact moment that Piper slips out of his grasp—and I know immediately what my vows to my female will be.
“Piper, as your husband, I vow that this piece of garbage,” I say, pausing to step harder on the praxiian’s furry neck, “Will never threaten you again. You, or our child.”
Her face glows with happiness.
The magistrate takes the praxiian down to the jail to cool off for a few days (thanks to a well-placed bribe) and I take Piper in my arms and kiss her.
“Do I take your last name?” she asks me, breathless. “Now that I’m your wife?”
I hesitate. Last names are a sore spot with me. Mesakkah are proud of their lineage and family names are revered—the older, the better. “I don’t have a real last name,” I admit to her. “I’m station trash. I was dumped on Riis Station—at the docks—when I was a kit. Grew up in the slums there. I don’t have a good family name to share with you. My full name is Vordigar Riis-Dock.” I shrug. “And the ‘Vordigar’ comes from the name of the old dock-master’s favorite racing sled. I’m a nobody.”
She shakes her head, clasping my hands, her eyes bright. “You’re Vordigar Riis-Dock, protector and husband to Piper Riis-Dock, your wife. You’re a soldier, a good man, a farm-owner, and a father. There’s no one else I’d rather be married to.”