Page 27 of 80% Beef 20% Cake (Alien Fated Mates #2)

27

D r. Ten’s head jerked to the side when Ginger and I walked into the Starry Volcano’s conference room turned med-clinic.

“Well, aren’t you two a matching mess?” His sharp beak snapped shut so hard that if he’d had lips, they’d have been cut in two. “That is the foulest smell my olfactory receptors have ever scented.” His wings shivered as if trying to shake off the stink. “Let me see those wrists.”

Ginger winced when the doctor disinfected her wounds with a hiti mushroom spray. I growled at the gouges traveling the lengths of her palms, up and over the softest parts of her inner wrists. Devile broiling in a river of magma would be too lenient a sentence. He must suffer.

If the Intergalactic Federation’s Ruling Body doesn’t lay down the mech-hammer, I’ll have an army of people to see he gets what he deserves.

Even though I knew the doctor was no threat, and admired how Ginger could take care of herself—and me, for that matter—our mating bond would take time to settle. I growled at Dr. Ten before sitting on the table next to Ginger and lifting her onto my lap. Though irrational, I wanted to strip her down and check every bit of her fuzzed skin for injuries with my tongue. To hell with Dr. Ten.

“I’m fine,” Ginger soothed, laying a bandaged hand on my knee. It didn’t seem to matter to her that I was covered in hellsna innards. She lifted her chin to the Nacer, who’d taken a step backward. “You can continue. I’ll keep this gorilla in check.” She chuckled.

“You’ve been through a traumatic event.” The doctor’s wings fluttered. “It’s essential that JayJay shares his semen as soon as possible to mitigate the effect of this anxiety spike on your blood.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

“JayJay…” Ginger wiggled in my lap, stirring my already stiffening coil to life. Though I couldn’t see her face, I knew her cheeks would be a lovely shade of pink. “That’s private,” she hissed.

“It’s your turn,” Dr. Ten said to me.

With trembling arms, Ginger began to lower herself from the table, giving Dr. Ten access. I cupped her hips and placed her between my legs on the rock floor.

“I can breathe. I’m fine. Let’s go.” Every part of me ached, but it would all heal in time.

Ginger propped her hands on her hips and pointed her chin at me. “Stop it. We are not leaving here until Dr. Ten checks you over.”

Ginger’s protectiveness sent tingles up my spine. First she’d rescued my ass, taking on a hellsna by herself, and then she’d taken down the person I hated most in the world in a fierce display of courage. Ginger moaned when I lifted her to meet my lips. Her eager mouth opened to mine as our kiss deepened, and the world fell away.

Dr. Ten’s beak clacked.

Blood pumping, I shook my head. The conference room came back into view, complete with Dr. Ten’s rustling wings and talons ticking against the cool ground.

“Let’s get this over with.” I needed Ginger’s physical touch like I needed air, so I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, willing this assessment to be over.

“Why are the largest species always the most difficult?” Dr. Ten rolled his eyes. “Walk over there so I can see you move, then have a seat.” With one white wing, he gestured toward the preposterous chairs Yurst had demanded for his and Devile’s use. “From how you’re moving, I’d say you’ve re-injured your ribs.”

I placed Ginger on my lap. My body was already healing, and having Ginger in my arms dimmed the dull ache.

Dr. Ten carefully cleaned, then slipped the same style nutri-gloves over my swollen fingers as he had Ginger’s, though much larger. The cool relief from the healing gel inside numbed my ravaged hands in moments.

I had no patience for niceties. After facing death, the starved bond was demanding connection with my mate, and I couldn’t have agreed more. I just wanted to get Ginger alone. “We’re done here, Doctor. You can go.”

Dr. Ten took reluctant steps toward the cave’s door. “But your ribs… And you’re limping….”

“Be reasonable.” Ginger’s gaze turned stern, but that only fired me up more.

“I’ve nearly been gored by a hellsna, rescued my mate from a kidnapping and had a gun pointed at my head.” I clutched Ginger to me tighter. “My fierce mate took down my rival right before my eyes.” Ginger’s pulse raced under my tongue, where I suckled her neck. “My well of reason is empty. I need to show my appreciation.” I hummed in her ear.

At the door, Dr. Ten spun to face me and fluttered his wings like a little jig. “Oh, and I really must say thank you, JayJay. I haven’t spread my wings since the Nacers on the edge of town were killed, and now that you have rid Tern of hellsna…I can fly again. Nurse Claice and I commend your extraordinary accomplishment.”

I was acting like an arrogant rock head. Dr. Ten had aided my mate. Despite my impatience, I forced a smile to my lips. “Thank you for tending to my mate. Enjoy your freedom.”

While I tipped my head to Dr. Ten, Ginger twisted in my arms and kissed my nose. “My hero.” A whisper of her linnea scent grounded me, and I inhaled until I drowned in it. Alone at last, I hugged her head to my chest until my soft purr filled the room.

“You look like a king in this chair,” she murmured into my chest.

I would never be a king. But with Ginger in my arms and the possibility of a clean record in my near future, I felt like the wealthiest male in the galaxies.

Geo ran into the alcove. His crazy eyes settled when they landed on Ginger, safe in my lap.

“I got here as soon as I heard.” He rushed toward us and crushed Ginger in a hug that I had no choice but to be part of as my arms already circled her.

“Gently,” I scolded my boss. Alone time was looking less likely by the moment.

“Damn it, you had me worried sick.” Tears leaked down Geo’s cheeks as he ran a gentle hand over Ginger’s bandaged wrists.

He’s her best friend. I clenched my jaw at the affection being shown by another man.

“Oh, bless the goddess Sola, you look terrible!” Makir hurried into the alcove and added his arms to the mix until we were a pile of intertwined limbs. “I’m so glad you’re both okay.” The blue puff on the tip of his tail stuttered back and forth like a stuck second hand on a clock. “But come on, we have important things to do.”

The only important thing I had to do was keep my arms wrapped around my female. Though a shower would be nice.

When Ginger and I made no move to get up, Makir started tugging on my arm. “There’s something you need to see.”

Eyeballing the state of our clothes and Ginger’s weariness, I asked, “Right now?” While the blood would wash off, it didn’t change the fact that my leathers were dotted with the entrails of hellsna.

“Yes,” Geo and Makir said in unison.

“I want to see.” Ginger patted my elbow, despite her heavy head lolling against my shoulder.

We certainly had stubbornness in common. I secured Ginger in my arms, scooping her up against my chest, and rose from my throne, then we followed the overeager couple through command central.

Cheers erupted, and Ginger grew alert, wriggling in my arms. She tapped my elbow, and I loosened my grip, lowered her to the ground then drew her—beaming smile and all—against my hip.

Every enforcer stationed at the Starry Volcano surrounded us. Pride flooded me, and I widened my stance. My team stood at the front of the small crowd. In Efred’s and Saluda’s purple- scaled hands, a banner that looked like one of Sully’s younglings had written on it billowed.

Protector JayJay goes all the way! He’s the hero of the day!

It might have been the worst rhyme I’d ever heard, but I found myself smiling.

“Thank you,” I said. The enforcers quieted. “This is a win for us all. I couldn’t have done it without the help of Hill and his team, Tuga and all of you who were willing to sacrifice your lives for the good of Tern. Now is the time to celebrate and be proud of your achievements.” I smiled. “Make sure you buy Tuga a drink at the cantina when you see him.”

As the applause rang out, Makir pushed against my lower back, bulldozering me through the crowd.

Finally free from the crush, Ginger snuggled deeper into my side while she beamed with pride, her smile so big it might swallow me whole. The last time I’d felt half this good, I’d been awarded my lead elite guard title after a difficult battle.

A cool spring breeze blew over my head. The fresh air cleared the rancid stench of hellsna from my nose, and I inhaled a huge lungful.

Makir gestured us toward the lift tube, and when the four of us arrived at the hovee bay, Sisip—minus the strain around her eyes—stood waiting.

“This rotation’s defeat of the hellsna will make history in Tern, and that’s all because of you and Tuga, Protector JayJay.” The usual flicker in her ears stilled. “I intend to recommend to the mayor and the citizens of Tern the establishment of a protector force. The enforcers will remain responsible for the regular policing, but it’s become clear that if an attack of this nature were to happen again, a military approach would be far more effective.” She stretched on her toes and placed her hand on my shoulder. “And I’ll be recommending you for command.”

My heart, trained to be calm under pressure, almost galloped away.

I swallowed hard.

Do I want that? What if I could go back to Yagras? But Ginger will want to stay close to Geo…

“Oh my God, JayJay,” Ginger whispered.

Sisip squeezed my shoulder before leaving us, her whiskers bobbing atop her smile. “I’ll let you think about it.”

Geo scratched his beard. “I wouldn’t want to lose you for good, but your skills are drastically underutilized as a foreman.”

“You can discuss this later.” Makir bounced on the balls of his feet. “We have something else to show you. A surprise.”

At this point, the idea of a surprise didn’t even register. If Ginger was following Makir, then so was I. Ginger flew us away from the Starry Volcano, her enticing backside nestled against my front. I lifted my face to the sun, its warmth bathing my cheeks.

Afternoon light glinted off the black quartz that jutted from the rocky outcrop as it spread before us. We flew closer, over a structure I’d never seen before. Made of the same adobe-style pink clay as Makir’s dwelling, it perched atop the cliff, overlooking the plateau below. Large slabs of ebony stone meandered through the graneth grass, forming a walkway worthy of my ancestors’ feet.

Once we’d parked next to Makir and Geo, my gaze followed the impressive path. It extended from the dwelling and traveled to the hot spring’s entrance. When I dismounted and stood on the trail, a connection to my ancestors opened and anchored me to the spot. An image of iridescent-skinned Rock Dwellers appeared—my previous guides, nodding in approval.

A hum built inside me, vibrating along my nerves as I reached for Ginger’s hand. A keeper was needed here to preserve our ancestors’ memories. Once my name was cleared, I’d contact Yagras for guidance.

“JayJay?” Ginger’s soft voice broke my trance. My banded wrists throbbed when her hand met mine, even though the nutri-gel gloves had done their job. Geo and Makir looked like they were waiting for someone or something as they moved to the side to give us privacy.

From the arched doorway, Sully, Tino and Sannit emerged. They each bent on one knee, with an arm crossed to the opposite shoulder, heads bowed. Every movement, honed by cent-annums of tradition, reinforced the depths of their respect. A lump built in my throat, and I swallowed hard. My Rock Dweller building crew was honoring me in formal Yagras style.

Memories of working alongside these males flooded my mind, reminding me of the deep bonds we’d formed, and a surge of gratitude overwhelmed me. Only the song of the woodskie soaring overhead broke the silence.

Wide-eyed, Ginger leaned into my side. “What’s going on?”

I coughed to clear my throat and loosen my tongue. Then I bellowed, filling the valley with the elite guard’s call. Sung for a millennium, it gave thanks to the goddess Sola and the ancestors for guiding us to safety. My deep baritone echoed across the plateau, and as my friends joined in, I came to understand that everything I craved in returning to Yagras, I already had here on Tern.

As my song trailed off, Geo’s dogs burst from the dwelling, howling the last notes with me.

Ginger’s voice, pitched much higher than usual, cracked when she crouched low to squish Charz’s and Pika’s cheeks together. “I missed you guys so much.”

Sully stepped forward. “We thank you in the old way for ridding our home of hellsna so that our females and younglings are safe.”

“And future females and younglings.” Sannit grinned. “One day, a female will claim me. Who could deny this shine?” He smoothed one hand over his polished head.

“Bish, it was nothing more than my duty. Any of you, if trained, would have done the same.” Praise, especially formal praise, had never been easy to take, despite the fizzy lightness bubbling through my veins, and I’d already delivered one speech of thanks this rotation. “What is this place?” I asked my crew.

Geo waved his arm toward the dwelling. “We thought it was time you had a place of your own. Sully and I came up with the design, and we all helped with the build.”

“Well?” Makir’s tail flicked in wild, erratic twitches.

“This is for me?” I breathed.

Ginger’s arm wrapped around my waist. “You have a house.” Then, with a hair toss and a cheeky grin, she said, “This better end the whole, ‘if you don’t have a house, you’re not worthy’ nonsense.”

Ginger gave Makir’s long blue braid a playful tug when he hugged her, and Geo snuck in after Makir for one of his own. Then we were alone. In the background, Makir, in full host mode, rounded everyone up.

It hadn’t sunk in yet. My dwelling on Yagras had also overlooked a clifftop. Sully had been there once. The long grass on the plateau below swayed as if alive in the breeze as I struggled with emotion.

I’d been living with my Rock Dweller building crew for over an annum… To have a place to call my own seemed unfathomable. From the smooth pink exterior to the ebony rock pathway to the lush green plants that lined three walls, no matter which way I looked, gratitude overwhelmed me.

“C’mon, King Kong”—Ginger tugged my gloved hand—“let’s go. It blows my mind that a crew of Rock Dwellers can build a home like this in less than a week.”

My mate is happy with my dwelling. Would she consider this her home, too?

“I can’t believe Charz and Pika have been in your house before me,” she teased, brilliant eyes shining, as we stood on the threshold hand in hand.

My heart leaped into my throat. I wanted her here with me. For us to stay on Tern together. A future full of joy so tangible I could see it bursting from me in glimmering white rays, encompassing us.

The hand she had on the door opener dropped. Her other remained in my gentle grasp, and she turned to face me. Gold flecks sparked like embers in her hazel eyes.

“My mind and body have claimed you as my own, and my silver pearl skin and linnea cuffs speak my heart’s truth.” I lined our wrists up, peeled back her gloves, and alternated her shiny pink leaves with my charcoal ones. “You have complimented me, given me gifts and cared for me. I’ve proven I can protect you. My title will be restored soon, and I own a worthy dwelling…”

I loosened my jaw and focused on her clear gaze. “Do you wish to start our lives here together? To join me in this dwelling?”

A breeze stirred over the clifftop, blowing her tangled hair over her shoulder. Although the only parts of Ginger not covered in dirt and my smeared blood were her bandaged wrists, she shone like the brightest star.

“I don’t want to pressure you. When my name is formally cleared, we could travel to Earth. You could restart your career…” A mantu with a calf nursing at her side freely grazed below us as if they knew the threat was gone. “I’ll be happy as long as we’re together.”

The vivid green of her eyes deepened, and I dove into them like I would my favorite swimming hole. In the emerald depths, I found peace, strength…love.

Ginger didn’t hesitate. “I’ve never wanted to spend the rest of my life with anyone before, JayJay. And now I can’t imagine even a day apart from you. I love you.” She lifted to her tippy toes and tugged me down until our lips met. “We don’t need to figure out every detail today.”

When she declared her love, my wristbands flared bright white like the hottest part of the flame, and my body went rigid. Then, as Ginger grasped my wrists, a cool balm swooshed through my limbs. Fresh and floral scented, it washed away the heat and replaced it with a bond singing with contentment. I hadn’t known happiness like this existed.

The pulse in Ginger’s neck bucked, and she wavered on her feet before stumbling back. “What happened?”

“I found something precious I didn’t even know I was looking for.” I touched my lips to hers. “It’s you.” I smiled into eyes brimming with affection. “This is all new to me, but I think my ancestors agreed with the goddess Sola and have given us their blessing. Our mate bond is complete.”

She shook her head, and her face lit with a smile so blinding the moon would envy its glow.

This is the smile I get to see for the rest of my life.

“Well, usually a girl gets a ring and some flowers, but you Rock Dwellers really know how to level things up.” Her head tilted skyward when she laughed.

I swallowed the lump of guilt in my throat. How had I forgotten about human mating rituals? “I can get you a ring…and there will be flowers.” I motioned toward all the greenery.

“JayJay, your wrists,” she gasped.

Her fingers traced over the silver outlines now etched around the charcoal leaves on my skin.

The intensity with which she captured my eyes and held them sank deep into my bones. With the strength of ten Rock Dwellers, I slung her into my arms and carried her into our new place.

“This is a human mating ritual.” Ginger nuzzled my neck. “You’ve carried me over the threshold.”

“At least I’ve got one thing right.” The interior passed unnoticed as I flung open doors and focused on finding the shower.

Ginger nipped at the skin beneath my jaw. “No, don’t start bragging.”

The last door at the end of the hall revealed the bathroom, and I placed Ginger on the ebony countertop. I missed her closeness in the moment it took me to fill the room with warm steam. Without words, I unlaced her boots and ran my thumb down the center of her sole after removing her socks. She bit her lip and grasped her knee as a shiver worked its way up her leg.

Unbuckling her belt, I placed both hands on her waist and lifted her until both feet met our heated floor. Before skimming her pants and underwear down her legs, I kissed her stomach.

Her dilated pupils transformed the hazel to jungle cat black. She stood before me in a tunic that matched my own. Goose bumps formed on her skin under my fingers when I lifted it, even though hot, steamy air filled the space. When I notched my thumb into the groove of her spine before unclasping her bra, she whimpered. It called to me on a primal level. Her last article of clothing clung between her legs, and I tore the smooth fabric away.

My stiff coil slapped my belly when I stripped, and Ginger’s hot gaze coaxed a bead of seed from the tip. I gathered her hand and tugged her into the warm spray behind us. She stood scattered in water droplets, sparkling in front of me, and the deep rumba building in my rib cage burst free.

Slow and gentle, I lathered soap over every inch of her lush body. My friends had thought of everything, even the soap. Beneath her right knee, my healed fingers grazed the raised ridge of a scar, and my eyes lingered on a thumb-sized spot, like one of Hill’s freckles but larger, under her left breast.

“I will know every part of you.”

Ginger hummed, her limbs languid under my hands. Then she took the soap from me and pushed me onto the built-in bench.

“Sit.” A lathered cloth glided over my head, my torso, down my arms, circled my knees and slipped between my toes. I dug my heels into the concrete basin to force myself to be still. “Stand up and turn around. I want to see that shimmering ass.” She scrubbed over my backside.

I growled when the cloth dipped between my legs. Enough of this torture. “I’m clean and you’re clean. Now, let’s see if there’s a bed in this dwelling somewhere.”

Ginger jumped out of the shower, calling behind her, “Catch me if you can.”

Switching the water off, I prowled after her. My quick strides ate up the water trail she left behind. I raced over heated ebony floors and past curved pink walls. Through a timber-framed door, I found her, naked and dripping, perched on the edge of a bed.

She patted the deep green blanket beneath her. “This thing is ginormous.”

I scanned the bed and shrugged. “It’s standard Rock Dweller size.”

She sucked in her lower lip as her gaze locked on a much lower part of my body. “Nothing about you is standard-sized, JayJay.”

I advanced and bent my long body over hers. “Can I join with you, beautiful mate?”

She sucked on her lip again. Blant, did she want to fry my brain even more?

“Anytime you want.” She untangled her fingers from mine and rolled onto her stomach, bumping her ass into my chest. “Like this?”

When I rose behind her, the bed’s platform stood at the perfect height. That had to be Sully’s doing. I owed him double now. My fingers found her core, and I growled when I found her hot and wet. I ran my length over her center a few times, circled her little button, and slotted the swollen head of my coil against her hottest part. On a soft thrust, I squeezed through her entrance.

“Yes, just like that,” she panted as her fingers clutched the green blanket.

My palms kneaded the plump flesh of her ass, spreading her cheeks open and closed in front of me, her slick pink flesh a feast for my eyes. I sank my coil into her warmth while massaging her ass cheeks to work myself in deeper.

She looked back at me, a slow smile parting her lips. Then she tilted her hips up and slipped her hand under her belly until her fingers played over her clit and forked around my coil. “You feel so good.”

Heat licked at my nerve endings, making my senses crackle as I watched her hand lunge under her and then around me. Pumping my hips, I circled and circled, stirring whimpers and whines from my mate. Boneless in my arms, Ginger groaned as shudders racked her body. I wanted to draw every last breathy moan from her. Bent over her, I nuzzled into her neck and slowed my thrusts until she writhed beneath me.

“JayJay, mmm…I can feel you.”

She was right. I could feel her exquisite pleasure as it chased mine, teasing me higher and higher. Each ridge of my coil slipping through her tight channel brought me closer, and I slowed my thrusts, savoring her desire.

“Oh, God…” She stiffened beneath me, wrestling with the sheets below as I dragged out her orgasm.

Need ratcheted up my spine as I jerked out of her tight grip. I needed her eyes. In one smooth motion, I flipped Ginger onto her back. “Open your eyes.”

Ginger bent her knees, opening herself to me as I gazed at her sated face. “Come back inside.” She leaned forward to trail a finger down my coil, sending waves of molten heat wherever she touched. A couple of hard tugs to my coil dulled the sharp edge before I sank back into her tight heat. But I was too close, too hot. Head spinning, my thrusts sped up, turning clumsy, and when Ginger propped herself up to lick over one nipple, I ground down and found my release.

I fell to the bed beside her and drew her on top of me.

A fresh breeze woke us sometime later, and we found our way onto what Ginger called a balcony overlooking the plateau below. Mantu grazed below us, and their soft calls filled the grasslands. An immense chair curved around us where we snuggled under a white linobee fur. Even with Ginger tucked between my legs, I had enough room to relax. I massaged my fingers along her nape. Silky hair sifted through my fingers, and the elephants on my charm bracelet tinkled.

I kissed the brown stripe of hair along the center of her scalp. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I want this to be every day for the rest of my life.”

My heart thumped a wild beat, and my chest heaved. “Ginger, you make my heart full.”

She turned her head to face me, a wide grin in place. “I love you too.”