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Focus

*Ren*

“ W e’re almost there,” Jalen said, a tired smile shining on his lips in the moons’ light. “Hope you’re ready for a well-deserved break.”

We’d pushed hard for the last few days, both of us eager to make the crossing during the brief window nature had allotted us. I had no doubt if it came to it that Arda would figure out a way to get us back without having to wait months for the rainy season to pass. But all the same, I didn’t want to dump that burden on her if I could help it.

So, we’d hoofed it, and hoofed it fast. With the breakneck pace, we’d both fallen asleep exhausted each night. And yeah, we’d fooled around a bit too—it was almost impossible not to, with the heat making us wild for each other. But now that we’d finally made the crossing, we could actually slow down and breathe.

Only, as Jalen ushered me into the cave that would be our retreat for the night, my chest constricted, the relief I’d been expecting suspiciously absent.

You’ve put it off long enough. Ask him.

It was easy to let things slide while we were in a rush. But with every mile we covered, he’d unveiled a bit more of his life to me. With every meal we shared, he made me laugh. At every stop, he went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable. And every time we touched, he made me see stars.

I couldn’t deny it any longer. When I looked ahead to the future, there was only one person I envisioned in my life. Only one thing I craved. And it was about time I stopped fucking around and asked for it.

“Jalen.”

“Hm?” He turned from the lantern he’d just lit, washing the small cave in a gentle glow. “You hungry? Or do you want first turn washing—”

“We need to talk.”

He sank onto a bare pallet, kicking up a few wispy flakes of dust. “About what?”

I sat beside him. “What are your plans after we get back?”

He scratched his chest, drawing my gaze to all those delicious stacked muscles. “That depends.”

Focus, Ren! I dragged my attention back to his eyes. “On what?”

“On what your plans are.” He leaned back casually, one long leg crossing the other at the ankle.

My heart warmed. “I like Dionus a lot. But I don’t want to stay here.” Jalen stiffened, and I blurted, “Arda wants to hire someone to run the greenhouse on the Verne .”

He brightened. “Truly?”

“Would you be interested in the job? It’d mean leaving Dionus. I know it’s a lot to ask, but… I think you’d be great at it.”

“Ren.” Jalen’s lips ticked up in a sexy smirk that had me ready to tear off my clothes and kneel at his feet. “Are you asking me to run away with you?”

“Maybe.” Heat rushed up my neck. “Will you?” I shifted to face him, hope pooling within me so fiercely he could probably see it burning in my eyes.

He cupped my cheek tenderly. “I’d follow you anywhere. Pretty certain I’ve mentioned that once or twice.”

A smile fought to break free, but I bit it back. “You swear?” It might be selfish of me to demand it, but I had to be certain.

He dragged me closer until our lips were only a whisper apart. “I swear it. You’re all I want, Ren.” He shook his head, his expression full of disbelief and so much tenderness it made my insides ache. “And now you’re inviting me to explore the universe? How did I get so lucky?”

As he pressed a soft kiss to my lips, everything snapped into place. I pulled back before his mouth turned drugging, and whispered, “I’m ready, Jalen.”

His hooded eyes stayed locked on my mouth. “Good.” He shrugged out of his vest. “I need you naked, writhing beneath me.”

My pussy clenched, but I sensed he hadn’t caught the gravity of my admission. “Wait—” I pressed a hand on his chest. “I want to do more than fuck, Jalen. W-will you mate with me?”

Inexplicably, nerves burst to life inside me. The man just swore he’d follow me across the universe, and I was bracing for a rejection.

His eyes widened. Then he reached for me, pulling me onto his lap. “You’re certain?”

I nodded, excitement quickly replacing the nerves with every tender stroke he brushed across my shoulders and back.

A growl rumbled through his chest. “You’ll be mine, and I’ll be yours. Forever.” He pulled back and stared deep into my eyes. “That’s what you want?”

“Yes.”

“Thank ellios! Me too.” There was that brilliant smile again, just as devastating as the first time he’d leveled it on me. Then those perfect lips descended, stealing my breath with a soul-searing kiss.

We undressed each other leisurely, caressing touches trailing across every inch of skin. By the time I stretched out beside him, my whole body was aflame.

“Jalen, I need you.” I dragged his mouth down, and his body came with it, sinking into the cradle of my legs. Gasping, I rocked up to meet him, needing to relieve the ache.

“Soon,” he whispered against my lips at the same moment his cocks vibrated against my clit.

I moaned, loving the slick slide of his length. But it wasn’t enough. “Now, Jalen.” I’d waited so long for this. Yeah, we’d already had plenty of test drives, but each time I was left with a nagging void that only he could slake. “Please.”

He chuckled softly. “Patience. I need to make it good for you.” He coated his lower cock in my arousal, coaxing more out with each intoxicating roll of his hips. His fingers sank into my hair as he trailed soft kisses to my ear. “I want to make you feel so good, Ren.”

“You do.” I groaned, my eyes rolling back in my head. The vibrations thrummed through me, making me feel weightless. My spine arched, and my orgasm coiled just out of reach. “Take me, Jalen. Make me yours.”

My gaze snapped to his as his weight lifted off my clit. He reached down, adjusting himself. I gasped as I felt the wet tips of his dicks hovering at both of my entrances. Jalen’s thumb circled my clit as he slowly eased in one torturous inch at a time.

“Jalen,” I cried. “Oh my god!” I lifted my head and stared down, marveling at the sight of our bodies melding. His fingers expertly worked my tender flesh as he sank into me with a slow, measured thrust.

I’d never been so… full . It sent a wicked thrill through me, and as the vibrations pulsed, the sensations collided, bringing me close to my peak without him even fully seating himself inside me.

When I tore my eyes off our connection, I found Jalen’s gaze again, his eyes shining with lust—and restraint. Even now, in the heat of passion unlike any other, he was taking care of me. More concerned with my reaction than seeking his own pleasure.

That thought made my core clench and Jalen groan. I held his gaze, wrapping my legs around him and dragging his body down until his pelvis pressed flush against mine. “Fuck, Jalen!” I moaned, the intrusion slightly uncomfortable but overwhelmingly hot .

“Are you all right?” he asked softly, brushing a sweat-soaked curl off my cheek.

“God, yes. Don’t stop.” His vibrating cocks quickly chased away the discomfort and had me yearning for more.

Jalen held my gaze as he began to move. With each roll of his hips, sparks flashed, sending me on a spiraling fall. I gripped his arms, holding tight and meeting him thrust for thrust as the most intense pleasure I’d ever felt turned me into a moaning, incoherent mess.

Then the wave of bliss crested, and I screamed, riding the pulsing sensations as the most intense orgasm of my life slammed into me. “Yes, Jalen. Yes. Yesss!” I’d never felt anything like it, and I knew in that moment nothing else would ever make me feel as good as I did then.

Fuck… No wonder they mate for life.

Jalen’s hips stilled a few moments later. “Ren,” he breathed, capturing my gaze as he held himself immobile, buried to the hilt within me. The vibrations cut off as his cocks spasmed in my pussy and ass, leaving warmth in their wake.

He collapsed atop me, and I trailed my hands lazily down his back, neither of us speaking while we caught our breath.

Then Jalen lifted, balancing his head on his bent elbow but making no move to withdraw from me. “Wow, that was—”

“Breathtaking,” I finished for him.

We both chuckled as we stared into each other’s eyes. Tingles spread through my belly. “So, now we’re mated.” I dragged my nails lightly across his chest, delighting in the way his dicks twitched at the contact. “What happens now?”

Jalen’s hand drifted to my breast and lazily plumped the flesh. “First, the heat symptoms will disappear. And we get to do this as much as we want.” He bent to nuzzle my neck as his fingers spread across my flat belly. “And one day, when you’re ready, you’ll grow round with our tike. How does that sound?”

I never imagined I’d ever be lucky enough to start a family with a man who was devoted to me, a man I could inherently trust. “Perfect.” My eyes widened as his dicks thickened inside of me. Does my mate have a breeding kink? “But I won’t be ready for a while,” I amended.

He lifted back up, gazing at me with a sexy grin. “I can wait… as long as we get to practice.”

“Mmm. You’ve got yourself a deal, mate.”