Page 34 of Bounty Hunter's Match

“Let go,” he growled against my throat. “I’ve got you.”

I shattered in his arms, crying out his name. He came with me, his groan of release vibrating through my bones.

After, he kept me close, his fingers tracing idle patterns on my back. The emergency lighting softened to a dim glow.

“The environmental controls seem to have stabilized,” MIRA noted smugly. “How fortunate.”

“Very subtle.” I pressed a kiss to Barek’s chest.

“I excel at subtlety.” Her crystals formed a distinctly pleased pattern. “Though perhaps you’d like me to maintain the privacy protocols? For cultural exchange purposes?”

“Yes.” Barek’s arms tightened around me. “Definitely yes.”

The emergency broadcast system remained silent. The maintenance drones found other routes to patrol. And if the twins’ cameras experienced continued technical difficulties... well, some moments deserved privacy.

Even in the middle of a diplomatic crisis.

The emergency bed’s privacy field hummed softly as I traced patterns on Barek’s chest. His skin radiated warmth against mine, grey and marked with swirling red designs that my fingers followed. His arm curled around my waist, holding me close against his side.

“The Mondians will need a new dance floor,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.

“And new environmental barriers.” His fingers stroked up my spine. “The Sylphids phased through three of them.”

“At least Vask finally stopped trying to recreate ancient Earth combat rituals.” I shifted to look up at him. “Though I think the Selenthian diplomat deserves credit for that.”

“She handled him well.” Barek’s other hand came up to brush hair from my face. “Better than my security protocols.”

“Your protocols were very thorough.” I stretched, enjoying the pleasant ache in my muscles. “Even if MIRA did override most of them.”

“That AI needs reprogramming.”

“She means well.” I propped my chin on his chest. “And she did make sure we weren’t interrupted.”

His laugh rumbled under my ear. “After arranging the interruptions that got us here.”

“Efficiency is one of her primary functions.” I ran my hand down his arm, mapping the markings there. “Along with matchmaking, apparently.”

“Speaking of matchmaking...” His fingers traced idle patterns on my hip. “How did you start? Most people don’t choose to handle other species’ relationship drama.”

“Most people didn’t grow up running cons on Nova’s Edge.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. Old memories surfaced - the crowded lower decks, learning to read marks, figuring out what people wanted to hear.

“You were a grifter?” His hand stilled on my skin.

“More of a... social engineer.” I kept my focus on his chest markings. “Had to be, as a deck rat. Figure out what people wanted, how to give it to them. Or at least make them think you could.”

“And now you use those skills to make matches.”

“It’s not that different, really.” I traced a particularly intricate swirl near his collarbone. “Reading people, understanding their wants and fears. Just... helping instead of taking advantage. I came here to Helios Anchor and started over.”

His fingers tilted my chin up, making me meet his eyes. “You’re good at it.”

“Had a lot of practice.” I managed a smile. “Though the twins’ cultural guides don’t help.”

“Those guides need burning.”

“They’re enthusiastic.” I pressed closer, savoring his warmth. “Like someone else I know.”

His fingers danced along my hip. “Changing the subject?”

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