Page 31 of Adtovar (The Alliance Rescue #1)
A pain of longing speared my heart as I thought of my Aunt Juanita. She’d worry herself senseless over my disappearance, and it hurt me to know it caused her grief. But at the end of the day, she’d want me to be happy. And here with Adtovar, I was so very happy.
“I’ve already spoken to Duke Ako,” Adtovar continued. “He has graciously welcomed you to stay aboard the Historia for as long as you desire.” His expression shifted, a flicker of seriousness crossing his features like a shadow. “But I will follow you anywhere. If the ship does not please you....”
I cut off his worries with a kiss. “You said the Historia rescues enslaved humans. I can’t think of a better job than that.”
“My mate,” Adtovar groaned, his voice a low, resonant whisper, as his lips descended upon mine in a deep, lingering kiss. The warmth of his embrace enveloped me completely, sending a shiver of electricity down my spine and I wrapped my arms around his neck, giving over completely.
From nearby came the rough, awkward sound of George clearing his throat, like a rusty engine sputtering to life. “If you’re going to do that, I’d prefer you return to your quarters.”
Adtovar and I pulled away from each other, our eyes widening as we turned to fix an astounded gaze on George. The youngster drew himself up to his full height—which was taller than me, actually—and announced, “You are cleared to leave, my lady.”
Adtovar chuckled as I jumped from the bed.
The metal floor felt like ice against my bare soles, but I’d worry about shoes later.
I practically danced to George’s side, flinging my arms around his slim shoulders, and pressed a loud, smacking kiss on his cheek.
His skin turned a deep shade of gray—a sign of blushing for his kind, I guessed.
“Thank you, George, for everything,” I told him, watching the color on his face deepen.
“Yes. Thank you, George.” Adtovar strode over, standing two heads taller than the younger male, yet he regarded him with respect. One broad hand covered George’s shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze. “You are an excellent healer. I can never thank you enough for saving my mate.”
This time, when George’s lips tilted upward, I felt positive it was a smile. “You are most welcome.”
I turned, intending to walk out of the medi-bay, freezing metal floors be damned.
Adtovar had different ideas and swung me up easily into his arms. I didn’t even fuss.
My mate was carrying me into my new life.
.. with him. A relative facsimile for being carried over the threshold as far as I was concerned.
As Adtovar toted me through bustling corridors, each person we encountered offered heartfelt wishes for my recovery and congratulations on our mating.
The walls echoed with snippets of conversation and laughter, creating a vibrant tapestry of camaraderie that accompanied our steps.
In my imagination, no doubt influenced by my love of Star Wars, I had envisioned the Historia resembling a sleek, sterile corporate office floating in the vast expanse of space.
The walls would be glossy white, the floors impeccably polished, and the atmosphere cold and efficient.
I couldn’t have been happier to be proven wrong.
We arrived at Adtovar’s quarters, where the doors slid open with a soft, almost imperceptible whoosh reminiscent of medi-bay.
My imagination had once again misled me into expecting a cramped berth akin to the dismal spaces found in the depths of a ship.
Instead, a spacious and inviting home greeted me.
Plush furniture in soothing shades of tan and gray outfitted the large living area.
To one side, there appeared to be an open-concept kitchen, its sleek design hinting at the presence of unfamiliar alien appliances.
To the right, a door led to a bathroom featuring a magnificent tub occupying the center of the room, seemingly carved from cut crystal, its surface shimmering under the starlight provided by a massive window.
Another door opened into the bedroom, where a massive bed dominated the space, promising a haven of rest and other pleasant endeavors.
“Welcome home,” I whispered to myself as Adtovar sat me on my feet.
“You are not upset you cannot return to Earth?” Adtovar asked once more, his voice a gentle whisper that mingled with the soft hum of the distant engines. He stood behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders as I perused my new home.
“Not going to lie—I’d love to see my aunt again, just to tell her I’m okay, so she won’t worry,” I confessed, my voice tinged with a hint of longing.
The thought of her concerned face tugged at my heart.
It always would. “But I’m here, and this is where I’m staying.
” My gaze shifted as I glanced over my shoulder, a playful grin spreading across my face as I teased, “If you want me?”
Adtovar gently turned me to face him, his eyes shimmering with deep affection and a yearning that seemed to reach into the depths of his soul. His features softened, and his voice was a tender whisper as he spoke. “There is nothing in the universe I want more than you.”
As Adtovar’s lips met mine, everything else seemed to fade away, blurring into obscurity. It felt as if we existed in a bubble of longing, our heartbeats syncing into a single, rhythmic pulse.
His lips were firm and searing against mine, our kiss was a fiery collision that left me breathless.
His tongue darted into my mouth with such desperate desire that it sent a shiver down my spine, coaxing a soft moan from deep within me.
His fingers wove through my curls, tugging just enough to make my scalp tingle—passion tempered by tenderness.
His body pressed tightly against mine, and I could feel the unmistakable, insistent hardness that left no doubt about his desire.
The air seemed to pulse with Adtovar’s distinctive aroma, a heady blend of pine needles and spice mingling with the rich, musky scent of worn leather.
There was a hint of smoke, reminiscent of a campfire crackling in the night and a hint of bourbon.
It was undeniably Adtovar, both rugged and comforting.
He groaned, a low, rumbling sound that sent a tingling sensation down my spine as he gently pulled my lower lip between his teeth, teasing it with a playful tug before releasing it.
His hands, warm and steady, settled on my waist briefly before sliding down to my hips, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.
With deliberate care, he gathered the hem of the thin shift I wore, lifting it slowly over my head, exposing my skin to the cool air.
I slid my hands upward, feeling the warmth and firmness of his broad chest under my palms. My fingers curled over his muscular shoulders as I helped him shrug off the fabric of his tunic.
I drank in the sight before me, letting my eyes trace the smooth curve of his pearlescent horns before traveling down to his powerful chest, where every muscle seemed perfectly sculpted, before lingering momentarily on the noticeable bulge in his trousers.
My gaze continued downward, taking in the entirety of his form.
He was the most gorgeous male I’d ever laid eyes on, and he was mine.
A burning sensation coursed through my veins, as if molten lava had replaced my blood.
My skin felt stretched to its limits, radiating heat like a feverish glow, and a deep, insistent ache spread through my limbs.
“Maddie,” he breathed, his voice a low, urgent whisper against my lips.
His fingers teased and tugging at my sensitive nipples, each touch a deliberate flick or gentle squeeze that sparked an electrifying sensation.
The jolts surged through my body, intensifying the heat pooling between my thighs, where my clit throbbed with an almost unbearable ache.
His lips abruptly left mine, creating a rush of cool air that made me instinctively arch toward him, seeking the warmth and connection I had just lost. My mind spun, feeling adrift until his mouth found my breast, his lips closing around the sensitive nipple and drawing it into the heat of his mouth.
His hand cradled my other breast, fingers tracing gentle circles before pinching and teasing the nipple, heightening the sensation as he alternated between biting softly and sucking deeply on the one in his mouth.
A sea of pleasure consumed me; each wave pulled me under, while my breathless groans and sighs filled the room.
In an unexpected rush of motion, Adtovar scooped me up into his arms, holding me so that my chest aligned with his face. His lips continued their exploration, tracing patterns over my skin that sent tingles of pleasure down my spine as he moved us toward the bed.
“Adtovar, I need you,” I whimpered, my voice barely a whisper, as my back sank into the mattress. The sheets were cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth we had just shared. The sudden separation felt like an icy blast of arctic air, sending a shiver through my body.
“I know my mate,” he murmured, sinking onto the soft mattress, his hands gently parting my thighs as he nestled his broad shoulders between them.
His eyes darkened with hunger as he leaned in closer.
“But I need to taste you. I’m starving,” he whispered, his breath warm and tantalizing against my skin.