Page 37 of Star Crossed Delta

MAK

M ak and Saba stepped out of a flyer and onto the expansive rear deck of The Sombra .

Overhead, fixtures shimmered against the metal plating, casting long shadows across the flight ramp.

A sleek skiff awaited them, its obsidian hull polished to a mirror finish, cockpit lights glowing as its engines thrummed in preparation.

The dreadnought’s crew functioned with quiet efficiency, loading their baggage and completing checks.

Mak reached for Saba’s hand as they moved through the platform, ducking beneath an angled gangway plank.

The craft’s portal lifted open with a soft hiss.

He gestured her forward with a silent nod, his stance protective.

Saba climbed into the skiff’s cabin, the interior luxurious with graphite leather and brushed alloy accents.

Mak followed, his tall frame folding into the co-pilot seat beside her just as the hatch sealed behind them with a magnetic click.

She settled into the plush, upholstered seats, which were cool to the touch.

Mak stepped in after her and sat by her side, his long legs stretched out.

He leaned right in to speak to her. ‘Strap in.’

His bass rumble made her soul throb with pleasure.

As she did as commanded, she flicked her eyes over him.

He had dressed in smoke-gray slacks and a pale silver shirt.

This only enhanced his dusky skin, wavy dark hair, and bulging muscles, leaving no room for imagination about how powerfully built he was.

He had added a sleek gold comm device to his wrist.

She glimpsed a glint of a thin chain on his neck, sporting a sartorial yet laid-back style that she admired.

A flash of desire threaded through her, and she clenched her thighs, fighting off the painful throbs of need.

Mak was too sultry for words.

Saba wore an elegant pale pink pantsuit paired with white sneakers.

She would soon be changing at their end destination, but he appreciated her current styling just as well.

His eyes smoldered as they rested on the swell of her tits in her silk blouse.

The color on her cheeks rose as his flaming eyes slid from her to the pilot.

With a nod from Mak, the skiff lifted off.

The controls glowed as the potent hum of the craft’s engines filled the air. Drowning out any other noises as they winged away from the Sombra and into a void dotted by stars and distant celestial bodies.

Mak leaned into her. ‘Ready for tonight?’

She turned to him with a smile. ‘I can’t wait.’

Tagging her excitement, his chuckle was slow and easy. ‘Let’s have fun with it.’

‘Indeed.’

They shared a long gaze, and she sliced her eyes away with a blush, unable to handle the intensifying heat.

Mak reveled in it. Their connection was growing. That much was evident.

He felt his guard drop even further, his body relaxed, and his usual scowl gone.

All because of Saba.

In recent days, all he wanted was to spend time with her.

During meals, instead of rushing off, he savored every bite, enjoying the flavors and conversation.

The inflections of his rumbled bass even shifted to a warmer and softer burr. He caught laughter and genuine emotion in his words now.

He also lingered each time they touched. Whether with a casual brush of their arms or a more intentional clasp, adding a stroke or caress that made his soul dance and her eyes light up.

Like they were now.

Mid-flight, he slid his hand over and grasped hers.

Warming it in the heated clasp of his sinewed fingers.

She stared at their shared connection.

‘I love your hands,’ she murmured. ‘They’re the first facet I saw of you at the altar.’

‘Is that right?’ he rasped. ‘Your initial thoughts?’

‘Strong, sinewed, lean, sexy.’

She smiled and ducked her eyes as he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles, then her ring.

‘Truth be told, I can say the same, ? arim . Your skin intrigues me with how soft it is.’

She blushed, and he chuckled, aching to lean into her and surrender to wild passion as he made sweet love to her.

Given there was no chance of it now, he let his head fall back. His grip tightened over hers in his grasp, signaling the level of peace he was at with her.

The Legends Foundation Carnivale Gala Dinner promised guests an unforgettable night of entertainment and silent and live auctions.

The fundraiser was one of the flotilla’s premier events, held on a grand and magnificent super yacht, The Lance.

A consortium in which the Sauvage family controlled a significant percentage of shares owned the high-end luxury party ship.

Tonight, the glitterati gathered under the pretense of charity, but the real currency exchanged was power and influence.

Kaal’s plan involved Saba accompanying Mak to the event.

Although uneasy about it, the move made the most sense, regardless of the security risks. His wife on his arm would give him more legitimacy.

However, the reason for the night out wasn’t purely social.

They were there to quietly scope out the head of Phantom Codex, a major sponsor of the night.

As they dressed in their private suite onboard The Lance for the evening, Mak couldn’t help but steal glances at his woman.

She stood before the full-length mirror, her slender figure draped in a diamond-studded champagne gown.

The fabric hugged her curves in all the right places, glimmering with each subtle shift of her body, capturing the golden light that spilled into the room.

The way it shimmered made her seem cloaked in stars; each step she took was like a ripple of liquid light.

Her dark, abundant, glossy hair fell in waves down her back, a perfect contrast to the lightness of her dress.

The tresses swept past her face, cascading past her shoulders, and illuminated her with an ethereal glow. His eyes locked on her as she swept a hand over her tresses, ensuring every wave was in place.

Her makeup was subtle yet captivating. Her skin had a warm luminosity, the slightest hint of blush on her cheeks.

She wore a rich, seductive shade of caramel on her lips that had him thinking of how and when he’d kiss them.

Her eyes, framed by thick lashes, glimmered with an intensity that matched the diamonds on her gown.

He clenched his jaw, trying to bury her pull on him, that gnawing attraction that made it harder to keep his emotions in check.

He’d spent years building walls, weeks keeping her at a distance. Denying that she was anything more than an unwanted fixture in his life. Now, he struggled to find a way to express his growing need and admiration for her.

Fokk , he was close to nervous, hiding it under his cool, calm, controlled mask.

Even tonight, she reminded him she had an undeniable presence no matter how much he fought it.

He had to force himself to glance away and refocus because of how she appeared. Impossibly radiant, dripping in elegance and allure, it was almost too overwhelming to bear.

Her eyes met his in the mirror for a beat as he straightened his formal cravat. His heart thudded in his chest with a dangerous, wild burn.

For her. With an inhale, he refocused, willing his cock to calm down.

This night was about Phantom Codex and the man he needed to stake without raising suspicion.

‘Ready?’ he asked, his voice neutral as he adjusted the cufflinks on his sleeves.

She nodded, catching his gaze for a moment. ‘As I’ll ever be.’

‘Before we leave, I promised you something.’

Her brow rose as he crossed the room with a flat box.

He turned her to the mirror and slid out the prize from the velvet setting.

The exquisite diamond pendant necklace featured a pear-shaped gem attached to a more diminutive round jewel.

A simple white gold chain completed the look of this masterpiece.

‘I said you’d be dripping in diamonds.’

Saba gasped. ‘It’s the size of a freakin’ apple,’ she whispered.

‘Tis. We call it the Soul of Sauvage . It’s a family heirloom that weighs an astounding 50 carats. It also matches your dress and beauty, wife, and it’d be an honor for you to wear it.’

Her eyes misted for a moment, and then she nodded.

He clasped it on her and then, on a whim, kissed her nape. His eyes met hers in the mirror, and his heart lurched.

Damn, she was beautiful.

When she reached out a hand and stroked his chin, he almost lost it.

He teetered on the verge of abandoning tonight’s mission and walking her backward to the massive bed behind them to fokk her senseless.

‘Saba,’ he grated, leaning forward and burying his face in her neck. ‘I want you.’

‘Later,’ she murmured, her utterance raw with need, her hand sinking in his hair as they shuddered with pure desire against each other.

Logic prevailed, and he dragged in a harsh inhale; he pulled back.

With a curl of his lips, he took her hand and swept out of the room, heading downstairs before his cock dictated the night’s events.

Koda, who’d been waiting outside their door, shadowed them as Saba sashayed beside him, looking like a dream.

While they remained silent, they locked eyes ever so often.

She leaned into him in the elevator, her coquettish smile widening, and whispered, ‘You’re so handsome, ?ar .’

‘Not so bad yourself, ?arim ,’ he rasped, letting his eyes do the talking. ‘An utter vision.’

They entered an extravagant, luxurious ballroom draped in opulent decor.

Koda prowled up a staircase from where he planned to keep an eye on the larger picture.

A concierge met them with a polite nod, a quick check of their digital invitations, and a glass of champagne in hand.

The clink of crystal and the soft hum of conversation filled the air as they stepped inside.

Immediately, all eyes cut to them, as murmurs rose.

Mak was infamous to an extent, but it was his woman, at his side, who drew their attention.

Her stunning beauty was undeniable, captivating everyone’s fascination the moment they entered the room.

It wasn’t just her face and body; it was the confidence with which she wore it.

The way she carried herself as though aware of the effect she had, even desire slammed into him, heat surging up his spine.