Page 4 of Mate for the Space Cowboy (Match Made in Space #3)

Chapter Four

HUNTER

“Remind me why we have to wait a week?” I ask Kayden and Thorne.

Kayden chuckles. “Look who’s impatient now,” he teases lightly.

“You were impatient to marry Nadine,” I point out.

Kayden nods. “Very. I honestly don’t know about the waiting period. They say it’s tradition and that it is somehow important.”

Thorne waggles his brows as he looks over at me. Like me, he’s a spy. He will be leaving with our team to go to the other side of the planet in the coming months. We will gather information about those continuing to stir unrest. There’s an ongoing trial for those who kidnapped our princess. She is safe, and I predict she will be pregnant again. The infinity pulse binds her and our prince, and they are simply besotted with each other. It’s a miracle Asher gets anything done.

“And here you thought it was convenient not to believe in the infinity pulse because you’re a spy,” Thorne comments.

I roll my eyes. “You’ve said the same.”

“True enough. We’ll see if I fall.” He glances toward me, flicking his tail mockingly.

“You never do know,” I reply. “Did you even go to Princess Jane’s gathering the other night?”

Thorne shakes his head. “I did not.”

Kayden throws his head back with a hearty laugh. “You can only get away with that so many times.”

Thorne’s grin is cheeky as he shrugs.

“Now, let’s get down to business,” Kayden says. “When do we plan to start this operation?” He glances from me to Thorne.

“In a few weeks. And not just because of my wedding,” I say. “With the trial, things are a little stirred up over there as it is. Let’s wait until they’re past the opening arguments on that. Thorne and I have already scouted out options. We think getting temporary jobs at the large warehouse would be best. We can easily blend in there. We thought some others could apply for jobs at the local recycling company. That means they’ll travel all over town on a regular basis. They can be there long-term, and we’ll travel in and out for the seasonal jobs.”

Kayden nods. “Those are good options. Meanwhile, we have another issue with our landing station. Earth is sending a contingent here.”

“What?” I ask sharply.

“Asher told me he heard about it from the king. They’re aware of our matchmaking plans,” Kayden explains.

“How are they even traveling?” Thorne asks.

“I’m assuming in one of their old beater spaceships. They certainly don’t have the resources to build new ones, but they haven’t traveled much off their planet in decades.”

“I don’t like this,” I say flatly.

“It’s a problem for another day,” Thorne replies.

“Just keep it on your radar,” Kayden adds.

A little while later, I depart the town’s governmental offices and walk through the gardens onto the main street. People mostly walk in the downtown area, although we have small hovering vehicles for quicker travel. We use our horses to travel to other towns around the planet. If we need more speed, we go by spaceship.

The central part of town is very well laid out, with various shops concentrated around the primary governmental buildings. I had grown up with my parents right near the downtown area. I think about them as I walk past their home.

I intend to bring Melody to meet them before our wedding, but today, I’m on the way to see Melody. She doesn’t know I’m coming, but I’m too impatient for her. It was only last night when I tasted her nectar on my fingers. I need to see her again. The mere thought of her sends a surge of need whipping through me like a storm.

I know from Kayden’s bride, Nadine, that Melody works at the local floral shop. It suits her perfectly. I walk briskly down the street, the need inside firing up when I see the sign. I’ve never had a reason to come in here.

When I walk in, she’s waiting on a customer, her smile warm as she hands an elderly man a bouquet. “I’m sure your wife will love them,” she says, her cheeks dimpling with her smile.

The customer leaves, the bell jingling above the door as it swings shut behind him. Melody glances up, her cheeks flushing pink as I approach the counter. “Hello.” I dip my head slightly when I stop across from her.

She clears her throat, her voice breathy as she replies, “Hello, Hunter.”

The mere sound of her voice whips through me, cranking the need more tightly inside. “How are you?”

Melody’s pretty eyes blink. Her tongue darts out, sliding across her bottom lip. I want to kiss her.

“I’m well,” she finally replies. “Are you allowed to see me?”

I nod. “Of course. I can see you every day, but we must wait to consummate our union until we are bound. Can you take a break?” I ask.

“Of course she can,” a feminine voice says.

I glance over to see an older woman smiling. The flush on Melody’s cheeks deepens. I want to unwrap her like a present so I can see all of her skin flushed pink. I smile at the woman, who I presume is her boss.

She returns my smile, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Melody isn’t used to having breaks, so I usually have to force her to take them,” she says with an eye roll. She looks at Melody. “Take your break. You are promised to Hunter. You need to spend some time with him this week. Even though you have the infinity pulse, you should get to know him.”

Melody looks at me nervously, and I simply wait. If she doesn’t want to leave for a break, I won’t press the issue. “Should I leave?” She looks between her boss and me.

“Please do!” the woman says with an airy wave. “This will be a first for her. She usually takes her breaks in the back. Take an entire half an hour, please.”

Melody rounds the counter. I reach for her hand, and her fingers lace through mine. At her touch, I can feel the pulse between us tightening and heat streaking up my arm as though flames are leaping across the surface of my skin.

I lead her outside. She looks up at me. “Where are we going?”

“Have you been to see the forest yet?”

She shakes her head. “I’ve heard it’s lovely.”

I lead her a few blocks down the street to the arched entrance into the small forest. The trees are silvery, the sun is bright, and there is a soft breeze as we walk along the pebbled pathway. With every step, my pulse races faster and faster, my desire burning hotter and hotter. I have been aching for her, and I need more. Even though I know I must wait, I need to mark her again.

I lead her down a pathway to where I know there are private areas. We stop beside a bench. When she looks up at me, I take a step closer. I savor the sound of her breath drawing in when she feels my hard length against the curve of her belly.

“What if someone sees us?” she whispers.

“No one will see us. Can I kiss you?”

Her lips are already parted. She stares up at me and nods. When she steps a little closer, I can feel the tight press of her nipples against my chest. In a flash, my lips are on hers, and her tongue is teasing with mine. She’s making these little whimpering sounds in her throat that drive me wild. Our kiss goes on and on and on. I can’t help myself. I tug her dress down, loving the way her breasts plump up over it. Her nipples are deep pink and puckered tightly. I suck one and then the other into my mouth, savoring the way she arches up into my touch.

I slide her skirt up to delve between her thighs. She’s not wearing any panties today. I lift my head. “Is this for me?” I tease my fingers into her slippery wet core. Her breath comes out in a little pant as she nods. “Sweetheart, can you turn around for me?”

Obeying with alacrity, she turns, and I draw her dress up around her hips. Her bottom is flushed pink. Without me asking, she bends over the bench, and I look at her pussy, pink and wet. I tease my fingers over her swollen nub, gratified at the way she cries out and her tight little pussy clenches when I sink my fingers inside her. I free my length, cum already rolling down the shaft. I hold it over her bottom, my arousal dripping over her skin. I press some of my seed inside her as I pump my fingers in and out of her.

“Come for me, sweetheart,” I tell her.

She cries out when I bury my fingers in her once more with my thumb teasing over her clit. She shudders around me as my release spurts all over her pussy, running down and dripping to the ground underneath us.

It takes me a moment to catch my breath. I turn her around, fingering her from the front before I draw my fingers out and lick her arousal off them. I finally release her dress and hold her close to kiss her so she can taste the mingled flavors of us on her tongue.

I help tidy her clothes. I love knowing that she’ll walk around with my seed sticky between her thighs for the rest of the day.