Page 42

F rom the corner where he leaned, Grulen anxiously waited for Morgan to appear. Traxen assured him she would attend, and the other males arranged to have seats available for them to sit together at the meal. He had a lot of groveling to do and wasn’t sure of the best way to do it.

When she entered the room on Largon’s arm, his heart pounded.

She was always beautiful to him, but that gown highlighted how truly magnificent she was.

He couldn’t wait to be near her, but he forced himself to sidle cautiously in her direction while remaining out of her sight.

He’d hurt her badly and he was afraid she’d run in the opposite direction before he could apologize.

Part of him felt guilty ambushing her this way, but the other males convinced him this was his best option. I hope they’re correct. I don’t want to upset her more than I already have.

Largon moved aside so Grulen could push in Morgan’s seat. Her shoulders stiffened when she heard his voice.

“You look stunning, ciebala . You take my breath away.”

He took his seat on her left, hoping she’d turn so he could look into her eyes. However, he was disappointed.

Facing Karid and Ava, she said quietly, “Grulen, I wasn’t expecting to see you again. You made your decision quite clear.”

“I am an idiot and a fool, ciebala .”

“Please don’t call me that anymore. I won’t answer to it.” Ouch. She’s not going to make this easy for me.

“Morgan, I wish to apologize for my words and actions.”

“Apology accepted. You may leave now.” She turned and said something to Largon.

His tail drooped. Consciously, he kept his shoulders from falling. Karid gestured for him to keep talking. He tried again.

“I made a mistake and hurt you. I hope you will give me another chance. I want to make it up to you.”

“There’s no need. Will you be returning to your duties on the Invictus soon?”

“That depends on you.”

“It shouldn’t. My decisions about my life no longer depend on you.” Crek.

“ Cie …Morgan, please. This coldness is not you, nor how we interact.”

Her head whipped to face him, and her blue eyes flashed. How can she be so glorious in her anger?

“This coldness is exactly how you treated me when you informed me our relationship was over,” she hissed. “I didn’t like it much either, but I’m just following your example.”

“Fair point. However, I’m no longer treating you that way. Perhaps you might consider doing the same so we can talk. Please.” His tail wound around her ankle under the table. Her fingers strangled her napkin.

“I don’t want to discuss this here.”

“May we speak in private later?”

She opened and closed her mouth several times, but she said nothing. Finally, she bent her head and simply nodded.

“Thank you.”

He didn’t attempt to speak to her again during the meal. He left his tail where it rested on her flesh when she didn’t acknowledge it or demand he stop touching her.

He chatted with Abby who sat on his other side. She gave him sympathetic glances and once leaned closer to say, “Give her time. You hurt her badly.”

“I know,” he whispered back.

As difficult as it was to sit next to Morgan with her stiff spine and lack of conversation, watching her after evening meal speaking to several males who found excuses to touch her arms infuriated him.

One Svesti crowded close to her and Grulen’s claws extruded.

He took a step toward them when a blue hand grabbed his forearm.

He glanced upwards to see who it was attached to.

Crax shook his head in warning.

“Don’t do it. I understand the impulse, but you gave up the privilege of being her protector. Until she allows you to do so again, all you will do is make her angrier.”

Grulen’s tail flicked wildly. He wanted to eviscerate the male standing too close to Morgan.

Crax’s grip remained firm holding him in place.

He watched as Morgan stepped back from the male with a few words.

The male’s tail flicked once and he replied.

She crossed her arms and glared at him. He finally moved away.

She found Largon and he escorted her from the room.

Grulen looked pointedly at Crax’s hand. The Jalaxian removed it and Grulen wasted no time following Morgan. He caught up the couple as they climbed the stairs.

“Morgan, may we speak now?”

One hand on the railing, she paused midstep. Largon bent his head to speak quietly to her. Her shoulders dropped and she turned her head.

“Join us.”

Grulen had to consciously control his eagerness to be near her and keep his approach measured. It’s only been days since I screwed up and I feel like it’s been forever.

Largon searched his expression before nodding. They walked silently to the residential guest quarters.

“Morgan, if you would prefer to speak with Jevax on neutral ground, I offer the living area in my quarters for your use,” Largon said.

She gave the older male a sad smile.

“I appreciate it, but my quarters will be fine.”

“As you wish.”

At her door, she thanked Largon and entered without saying a word to Grulen. He followed her. She kicked off her shoes and started taking off her jewelry. She glanced at him.

“Go ahead and say what you want to say so I can get some rest.”

He dropped heavily onto the couch. His elbows dug into his thighs, and he rested his head his hands.

“What do you need from me to give me another chance to prove to you I love you?”

Her arms raised taking pins from her hair, she froze at his question.

“How did we get to love?”

“Oh, ciebala, I became infatuated with you the first time I saw you on Nulorn. Once I got to know you, I prayed to the Goddess that no female waited for me so I could show you how I felt. I had every intention of asking you to true mate with me when you were ready.” He pounded a fist into his thigh.

“Then I regained my memories and that stupid vow tripped me up. I reacted badly trying to reconcile my feelings about mating before and after my accident.”

“If you love me, how could you just turn away?’ The pain in her voice hurt his soul. I did that. I’m such a naroon.

“I know you don’t believe me, but I thought I was doing the right thing. The way I felt, I believed I would always hold some of myself apart from you to spare myself the pain I saw in my village. That wouldn’t be fair to you. You deserve to be the sun, moon, and stars to a male.”

She moved closer and he held out his hand. His heart clenched when she gingerly took it. He tugged lightly and had her sit next to him. Her scent and warmth seeped into his soul, and he immediately felt hope.

“You hurt me badly.”

“I know and I can’t apologize enough. If you give me a chance, I will never turn you away again. I don’t think I can. I’ve been miserable without you. I don’t want to live it again if I have a choice.”

“Bad things could still happen, Grulen. I could die from some weird disease in a decade or get hit by a flitter.”

“I know, but my father and friends helped me realize that I was already in pain, and you were alive. If you died too early, even far from me, I would still feel your loss. But if we spend the intervening time loving each other instead, I would have beautiful, happy memories to ease my loss rather than regrets.”

She reached up to caress his face. It dawned on him that not once in all their interactions had she ever given any indication she saw his scars from the accident. One more reason to love her.

“I don’t want to live on a ship. I’m going to work at Phoenix House.”

“I thought you might feel that way. I’d like you to consider a compromise.” His fingers rubbed hers.

“What?”

“Durek asked that I complete one last round trip to Earth on the Invictus . We’ll be picking up Earth delegates to visit Costonia and finalize treaties.

He wants me to transfer to security and participate in high-intensity training with Tolvex.

Once we return, I’ll be part of the team providing security for Phoenix House, the gated community, and new village.

I can also teach part-time at Phoenix House.

I’d like you go with me for that last trip before we settle here. Durek assures me he’ll approve it.”

Tears filled her eyes.

“You’re okay with giving up travel?”

“Yes, so long as I’m with you. I just don’t want to be apart from you for the three or four months it will take to go back and forth to Earth.”

“I accept your compromise.” She leaned forward and kissed him gently.

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” he whispered.

“Yes. I’ve been miserable, too. I love you, Grulen.”

He slid to the kneel on the floor in front of her. He held her hands in his.

“Will you true mate with me, Morgan Calloway? Will you be mine for as long as the Goddess blesses us? Which I sincerely hope is forever and beyond.”

“Yes, Grulen Jevax of House Midnar. I would be honored to true mate with you.”

He rose to kiss her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she arched into him. Her breasts rubbed against his chest. He growled as his hands found her ass and squeezed her cheeks.

“Take me to bed, Grulen. It’s been too long.” She tugged at his shirt. He ripped it from his body and tossed the ruined fabric aside.

Holding her tightly, he stood in a fluid motion. He kicked off his shoes and stumbled forward, his mouth dragging across every inch of flesh he could reach.

Finally, they reached the bed. He sat her on the edge and stripped, his cock dripping with precum.

Kneeling, he found the fastener for her gown and pressed it.

The fabric loosened. He reverently slid the shoulder of her dress downward and exposed her heaving breasts.

One finger traced her mounds before circling her nipples.

Leaning forward, he stiffened his tongue to flick at her hard peaks while his hands kneaded her soft flesh. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders and back, then her hands flattened and stroked large swaths of his skin. His mouth moved lower.

“Lift, ciebala , so we don’t ruin your spectacular gown.” He gently tugged the fabric from her when her hips rose. Her scent tickled his nose, and he wanted more of it. “Lean back, let me love you.”

Placing her legs over his shoulders, he licked along her seam. His tail tugged her ankle and spread her limbs further. He wrapped his arms underneath her thighs and used his hands to hold her open.

“This beautiful cunt has a starring role in my dreams and fantasies. I love to taste you.” His tongue circled her opening softly.

Over and over again, he teased her flesh.

Her core began to weep, and she tried to press closer.

Delving into her, his tongue explored her channel before sliding out to find her clit.

Loosening one hand from her thigh, he inserted two fingers into her cunt and thrust slowly while he licked her clit.

Her moans filled the room, her thighs squeezed his ears, and her hands clutched his hair.

Finding a spot and rhythm that made her shake, he heard her moans rise in pitch.

He crooked his fingers and pressed upwards.

Finding a spongy spot, he explored, and she wailed.

Her cunt spasmed on his fingers and her body fought against his hold as she succumbed to pleasure.

When her body calmed, he slowed his tongue and slid his fingers from her.

Sucking his wet digits, he groaned. Peering up at her, he inwardly preened at the pink flush of her skin.

A soft smile resided on her face. She should always look so sated.

“Come here,” she said huskily.

He rose to lie next to her. His tail caressed her hip, and he kissed her gently. She pushed him onto his back.

“My turn.”

Ripples of pleasure spread outward from every spot her mouth kissed or her tongue licked.

She started at his earlobe and slowly worked her way downward.

Her hands stroked and fingers pinched his nipples while her lips drug wet lines along his neck and collarbones.

She sucked on his hard little buds, occasionally nipping at them with her teeth.

Her palms smoothed his abdomen, and she reached between them to stroke his erection.

She kissed along the path her hands had taken.

Kneeling beside his hip, she held his cock firmly and licked its length keeping her eyes on his. Crek. That is so arousing.

Never looking away, her tongue explored his head nodes and the vein running underneath his shaft.

Her other hand cupped his balls and rolled them gently with her fingertips.

A groan erupted from his throat when she closed her mouth over the head of his cock.

She hummed and his hips bucked. Wet and hot, her mouth loved his member while her hand continued to stroke him in time with the bobbing of her head.

He cupped her cheek with his hand and felt the movement of his shaft in her mouth.

His vision centered on her—her hazy eyes, the stretch of her reddened lips around his cock, and the flare of her nostrils.

Tension built in his spine and his balls drew up tight.

“No more, Morgan. I don’t want to come in your mouth tonight.” He reached down to pull her up and couldn’t help the groan that escaped when her mouth popped off his cock.