Page 65

“Who is it?” I call out.

“Iunia.”

The voice that comes from the other side of the door is deep and resonant.

My heart skips a beat. If I let Iunia in, I should pull my pants back on – but I just can’t deal with the discomfort of my throbbing ass.

Then again, if I don’t – I’ll be wearing nothing more than panties in the presence of an alien who may be mated to me; and just as vulnerable to the mating frenzy as Vinicus and Aelon were.

But I suppose I was wearing less than my panties during that humiliating spanking – much less, in fact – and right now even the thought of pulling on more than panties is more than I can stand.

“Okay, come in,” I call out, not sure of my response – not even certain if I want to seeanyoneright now.

The doors hiss open, and the brutish Aurelian enters.

I study him as he lumbers in. Iunia is handsome in his own, rough way – especially when you don’t put him up next to that pretty boy Aelon.

Iunia’s face is largely unmarked – except for a thin scar beneath his eye. That’s nothing compared to the litany of wounds that crisscross his biceps, however – and you can see those clearly, because he’s changed into workout clothes since I saw him last. Iunia now wears a tight t-shirt and thin shorts that barely contain his tree trunk legs. I can’t help but also notice his thick bulge – clearly defined by the tight fabric of his shorts.

Oh, Gods – he’s as impossibly big as the other two!

I force my gaze upward - where I receive an eyeful of biceps and a huge, powerful chest that’s straining the material of his t-shirt.

In short? He’s hot – and if IamAelon’s Fated Mate, it means Iunia comes with him…

A package deal!

Speaking of packages – what was it Sawoot said? Over a foot long. She must have been exaggerating.

I don’t care about size. It’s just the way it makes me feel. Knowing how fucking huge he is makes me feel small and vulnerable in a way I don’t understand.

I shake my head, trying to rid myself of these conflicting urges. He’s just so much bigger than me. I’m used to being in charge, but when I’m alone in a room with a brute like him, all my instincts are getting twisted up. I get a weird angst like I don’t know where I stand and what I want.

“What do you want?” I snap.

It takes more effort than I have to keep my voice even that civil. Aelon would have berated me instantly for using such an insubordinate tone of voice on his ship – but my patience is wearing thin.

“No man is promised tomorrow,” Iunia states coldly. “Especially not when they fight in the Scorp nests each day. That’s why I need to see you now.”

His words are simple – they always are. That’s why I can’t transfer all the anger I feel towards Captain Aelon to his battle-brother.

I step forward and demand: “You came alone?”

“I did.”

The doors hiss closed behind Iunia, and suddenly I’m alone with the alien warrior.

The big man walks forward, and I feel very small indeed beneath his towering shadow.

I suddenly realize I’m an idiot for letting him in. I’m wearing only my black panties and t-shirt – the thin cotton and a few feet of empty space is all that’s between him and me.

I’ve already seen what happens when the mating frenzy boiled up in Aelon and Vinicus. I have no idea to play that game of chance with Iunia, too.

I crawl back onto the couch, clutching a pillow to cover my near-nakedness. Iunia stops, as if sensing my discomfort. His implacable eyes stare at me, though – the hunger in them growing.

“What do you want from me?” I repeat.

I know exactly what he wants, though. I knew it from the moment he knocked at the door.