Page 35 of Bounty Hunter's Match

“Maybe.” I kissed the underside of his jaw. “Your turn. How does a Vinduthi warrior end up playing security for a matchmaker?”

“Lost a bet with Larthul.” His hands settled on my hips.

“What kind of bet?” I traced one of the markings that curved around his bicep.

“We fought together, back in the day. I always said she’d picked a cushy life, staying on a station. Apparently she’d had enough this last time, wagered I couldn’t catch a thief targeting the diplomatic quarter here.” His thumb drew circles on my hip. “Said if I failed, I’d work security on the station for three months.”

“And you failed?” That didn’t match what I knew of his skills.

His laugh shook the bed. “Turned out the ‘thief’ was her new security drone testing system weaknesses. She didn’t mention that part until after I destroyed half the maintenance shaft network chasing it.”

“You got played by a Mondian.” I couldn’t help giggling. “The great Vinduthi hunter, outsmarted by a robot.”

“Her exact words were ‘Now you’ll guard something more dangerous than contraband.’”

His fingers tangled in my hair. “When she assigned me to your office, I thought she meant the tech. Or the client data.”

“More dangerous?” I pushed up on one elbow to look at him.

“Much more.” He pulled me down for a kiss that left me breathless. “Though I doubt this was what Larthul had in mind.”

“Probably not.” His mouth traced down my throat. “But I’d rather discuss something else.”

“Like what?” But I already arched into his touch.

“Like how beautiful you look in emergency lighting.” His teeth scraped gently over my pulse. “How your skin feels against mine.”

“Barek...” My hands tangled in his hair as he moved lower.

“I’ve wanted this.” His mouth painted fire across my skin. “Wanted you. From the moment I saw you.”

“Show me.” The next kiss burned away any remnants of thought.

He took his time, learning my body all over again. When he finally slid inside, it felt like he was coming home.

I clutched at his shoulders as he moved, lost in the pleasure of having him after weeks of wanting. His strength surrounded me, but his touch was gentle. Like I was precious. Worth protecting.

Worth keeping.

Except…

In days he would leave. Go back to hunting bounties across the sector while I stayed here, matching other people’s happiness.

“Camden?” He stilled above me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I pulled him down for another kiss. “Don’t stop.”

He started moving again, but his eyes stayed locked on mine. Reading me like I read my clients. Seeing too much.

I came apart under his touch, crying out his name as he roared his release.

After, he gathered me close, his fingers tracing patterns on my skin.

“Tell me.” His voice was soft against my hair. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ll miss you.” The words hurt my throat. “When you leave.”

BAREK

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