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She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t call me that. I’m fine.”

“You nearly crashed.”

She tossed her red hair back. “Nearly doesn’t count.”

That’s when another man emerged from the second Talon, wearing a flight suit. Colbie’s face lit up. “Dad.”

Finn Erickson had a tall, lean body and tousled blond hair. He caught Colbie, hauling her off her feet, and hugged her. “You okay?”

She nodded. “My Talon’s fine, it’ll just need minor repairs. Nice flying.”

Finn smiled. “Right back at you, flygirl.”

That’s when North grabbed me. I grinned at him. “We made it.”

He didn’t reply. He just hauled me close and kissed the hell out of me.

With a moan, I gripped the front of his armor and kissed him back.

“Wait a second.” Cruz frowned. “You two are…? This is kind of sudden.”

I leaned into North. “Oh? How long was it until you had Aunt Santha pregnant?”

Cruz scratched the back of his neck. “This isn’t about me and your aunt. It’s about making sure no one takes advantage of you. About keeping you?—”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Cruz, this is the real deal.” North looked at me and my heart melted. “Jess is mine. I promise I’ll take good care of her.” His thumb rubbed across my cheekbone.

“As long as I get to take care of you in return,” I murmured.

“Deal.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

North

Icouldn’t stop looking at her.

Sunlight streamed in through the windows. After we’d safely dropped the survivors back to Picton early this morning—and watched Kitt’s reunion with her husband and children—we’d returned to Squad Command.

We’d had a short debrief, stored all the cocoon samples that Jess had taken in the lab, then washed the monster crud off. Once we’d gotten to Jess’ place we’d collapsed into bed.

I’d had a solid six hours of sleep.

This afternoon, we had a longer meeting scheduled with the generals to discuss a situation. But right now, all I wanted to do was look at my woman.

She was sprawled on her stomach, her dark hair loose. I leaned over and kissed her spine. She was naked and I liked that. A lot.

She wasmine. I felt that in my soul.

A part of me was still afraid to fall in love with her all the way. To care so much when she could be snatched away.

But we couldn’t live like that. Drew wouldn’t have wanted that. The young man who’d been saving to buy his girlfriend a gift would’ve wanted everyone to not hold back, to live, to love.

I peppered kisses over Jess’ skin, and she stirred and stretched.

“Mmm.” Her voice was husky from sleep. “That’s a nice way to wake up.”

I moved back down that enticing body, letting my lips caress her skin, and pushed the sheet lower.