Page 13 of Mate for the Space Cowboy (Match Made in Space #3)

Chapter Thirteen

HUNTER

“They think they arrested all of us, but they didn’t,” a man named Marco tells me.

I nod. “We’ve heard about the protests. That’s why I traveled here. We want to be part of it if we can, but we can’t live here all the time. We have families and work,” I explain.

“Understood,” he says.

“How many weren’t caught? There’s a lot of men on trial,” I point out.

“Those men were part of the planning for the kidnapping. Most of them have been arrested.” He rolls his eyes. “I told them that was a risky operation, but they were arrogant and thought too much of themselves.” He nods sagely, almost to himself.

I nod along with him and keep the conversation rolling while this man tells me way more information than he ever should. I learned there are still people involved in the original operation to kidnap Princess Jane who haven’t been identified and arrested. They were part of the planning, but they weren’t part of the operation to kidnap her, so they’ve avoided detection so far.

The spies from our team who have come with me have also easily integrated into this group. We meet our new friends at the local watering house. A bit of drink loosens tongues. We assure them we will continue to support their messages of protest in our town and anywhere we travel.

A week later, the group of spies reconvenes about halfway between this town and our planet’s capital, where we live, to check in. I glance among the group, asking, “Thoughts?”

Thorne, one of my close friends and a loyal team member, speaks first. “Nothing we didn’t expect. We’ll need to figure out how to arrest the others involved in the kidnapping without tipping off who we are.”

“Agree,” I say. “I think perhaps we talk with Princess Jane if Asher consents. Although the operation took place in the darkness, perhaps she can speak to any names she may have heard.”

Raven chimes in, “When we interviewed her initially, she mentioned several other men whose voices she heard that night. That may be enough. We can ask those handling the current trials to do fresh interviews with those being held. They may turn on the others.”

“They’re facing long sentences,” I point out. “Let’s do both. Meanwhile, we’ll return home and discuss visiting other towns in another week. The prince is touring the planet as he does annually. He’ll be bringing Princess Jane with him for some of the visits. It’s a good time for us to accompany them, along with the rest of the security detail.”

We begin our flight home. Whenever we do missions like this, which isn’t too often, we disguise ourselves and use horses from the training herd. Aside from our personal horses, we have a fleet for the security detail. We provide security to the royal family and the governmental buildings, along with spying when necessary.

As we take flight, I feel the pull of the infinity pulse get stronger. I began missing Melody from the moment we left. I accept this feeling will be part of my life whenever I have to travel away from her. Although I’d heard experiencing the pulse involves a physical sensation regardless of the distance, it still surprises me. It feels as if there is a cord that connects us no matter the distance between us.

As I get closer to my home and to her, the sensation becomes more powerful. I cannot wait to be with her again. Although our horses fly swiftly, it still takes time to get from one side of the planet to the other. I land with our contingent at the stables on the outskirts of town.

Romi works here and comes over to help. When I glance toward Thorne, I realize this is the first time he has seen her. His eyes narrow as he appraises her. She doesn’t notice him at first, but when I see her turn in his direction, their eyes lock.

I think to myself, that maybe, just maybe, Thorne has met his match. He’s broody and tends to be distant with most women. He lost his mother when he was young.

Romi blinks before she turns to me. “Glad you’re back safe and sound,” she says. “Melody has missed you.”

My lips instantly curl. “As I have her. Do you need me to stay while you put my mount away?”

Romi shakes her head quickly. “Of course not. It’s my job.” She smiles, sliding her hand down the shimmery silver-black fur of my mount. “He’s one of my favorites.”

“Thank you.” I flick a glance at Thorne, who all but glowers at me. “Thorne is a good man,” I offer. “He would make a good mate. Just ignore it if he’s a grump with you.”

Romi’s cheeks pinken when she looks over toward Thorne for a few seconds before bringing her attention back to me. “A grump, you say?” She lifts her chin slightly.

I chuckle. “Yes. I have no doubt you can handle him. After all, you train these horses when they’re wild.” I dip my head. “Thank you again.”

As I stride past Thorne a moment later, I say, “Watch yourself.”

“What do you mean?” he calls to my back.

“You’ll figure it out,” I call in return.

I break into a run as I turn through the gates to our small property. Moments later, I burst through the door, calling, “Melody!”

She turns from where she is in the kitchen, a smile unfurling across her face. My heart kicks so hard in my chest it hurts. I stop abruptly, simply taking a moment to absorb the vision of her. Her hair is down, silky and pretty around her shoulders. Her eyes are wide and her cheeks pink. She’s wearing a sundress.

I watch the flush spread down her neck and across her chest. The collar of her dress dips low over her breasts. I could swear they’re fuller than they were the last time I saw her. Awareness sizzles in my body, and I know she’s carrying our baby.

I stop in front of her, reaching for her hands. Her touch instantly grounds me, soothing the ache of missing her.

“I’ve missed you,” she says. She tugs one hand free, placing her palm over my heart as she takes a step closer.

My heart lurches toward her, recognizing the one who holds it. “As I’ve missed you,” I say.

I slip my arm around her waist. Although our connection goes far beyond desire, this desire is part of what binds us together. At this moment, my sheer need for her is nearly overwhelming.

I slide my palm down over the sweet curve of her bottom, taking one more step until we are flush together. I know she can feel the swell of my arousal against her low belly.

“You are with child,” I say, my lips brushing against hers as I bend low.

“I think so,” she whispers in return.

“I need you.”

“I’m yours.” Her words form against my lips.

I claim her mouth with a kiss, loving how she opens for me instantly, her tongue boldly twining with mine as my hand tangles in her hair. The following moments are a fumbled rush. I tug her dress down over her breasts, bending low to give a hard suck on one nipple as I tease the other with my thumb.

She cries out, arching into my touch and another shot of blood arrows to my cock. I savor every touch, the sweet scent of her, the feel of her curves, her silky soft skin, and every little sound she makes.

Near frantic with my need for her, I lift my head, nudging her backward into the kitchen toward the counter. I spin her around and drag her dress up over her hips, letting out a little growl of satisfaction at the sight of her bottom. Her skin is stained pink with the flush of her passion.

I nudge her thighs apart with my knee, glancing down as I smooth a hand over her spine and she stretches out on the counter. Our week together gave us time to get to know each other. I know I will learn her thoroughly over the years we share.

I’m gratified she knows already that I love to take her from behind like this sometimes. I glance down to see her pussy pink and glistening, her arousal smeared on the insides of her thighs. She’s dripping wet.

“All for me?” I murmur as I bend over and nip lightly at her ear.

She shivers under my touch, pressing her bottom back into me as she gasps. “Yes, I missed you so much.”

With desperate need pounding like a fist inside my body, I swiftly reach between us, freeing my shaft from my breeches and shoving them down around my hips, just enough to grip my length. I tease the thick head between her folds, getting it slippery. Her arousal mingles with the cum already rolling out of my tip, dripping over her as I draw back slightly and notch myself at her entrance.

“Are you ready?” I ask, barely able to hold back my release.

She presses her hips back, saying, “Hurry, please, Hunter…”

I fill her in a swift surge, pumping deeply.

I hold her hip with one hand and reach around to tease over her plump clit. She’s already chasing her release. I feel her body quickening, and her hips keep rocking back to meet each thrust as I fill her again and again.

“Come for me, sweetheart,” I rasp.

Just like that, she shudders, her pussy clamping down as she comes all over my cock. With one more deep thrust, my release feels endless, but it’s been too long, too many days.

I curl around her, holding her from behind for several moments until I can straighten. When I withdraw, I look down to see her release and mine dripping out and down her thighs. The sight alone is enough to make me want her all over again.

My release was so powerful, I’m unsteady on my knees, and I have to grip the counter for a moment to gather myself. I press a trail of kisses down her spine and slowly ease back, straightening her dress and turning her to face me.

Her eyes are wide, her lips parted slightly. “I missed you,” she says again.