Page 32 of Alien Engineer's Mate

His answering laugh rumbled through her. "Emily once spent two hours choosing the perfect ribbon for Red Dragon to wear to breakfast. She rejected seventeen options as 'not morning enough.'"

The mental image of this massive warrior holding up ribbons for a stuffed toy made warmth bloom in her chest. She'd seen the way other warriors deferred to him, the respect in their eyes when he passed. The honor beads in his braids spoke of deadly skill, yet he told stories about shapeshifters to make children smile and understood the vital importance of proper toy accessories.

His thumb brushed her knuckles again, sending shivers up her arm. She found herself walking closer, drawn to his warmth like a moth to flame. Their arms brushed with each step, and she could have sworn she felt his pulse jump when she leaned into him.

The residential corridors appeared too soon. Eira's heart picked up speed as they approached her quarters, her palm tingling where it pressed against Maax's. The door slid open at their approach, and the two girls raced inside, their earlier tiredness forgotten in the excitement of ribbon selection.

"Ten minutes only," Maax called after them. "It's almost bedtime."

"Yes, Papa!" Emily called back.

Kyle paused in the doorway, looking back at Maax. "Will you tell us more stories about the Tanel next time?"

"If your mother agrees." Maax's smile transformed his severe features. "I know many tales of the old battles."

Leo pushed Kyle inside, leaving Eira alone with Maax in the corridor. She looked up at him. His massive frame made the space feel smaller, more intimate. The heat of him radiated against her side where they still stood close together.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For tonight. For being so good with them."

He turned to face her fully, and her breath caught at the intensity in his expression. One massive hand rose to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing her cheekbone with a delicateness she'd never have expected in a man his size.

"Thank you," he rumbled, "for trusting me with them."

She wasn't sure who moved first. One moment they stood barely touching… the next his mouth claimed hers. His kiss was devastating and tender all at the same time. His lips were soft against hers, the contrast with his warrior's strength making her knees weak. She gasped as she slid her hands against his broad chest, the heated satin of his skin and the steady beat of his heart under her palms.

He growled in the back of his throat and tilted his head to deepen the kiss. She leaned into him, her ability to frame a rational thought scattered completely. There was only this, and him... his lips on hers, the strength of his arms as they wrapped around her, pulling her up against his hard body. His kiss was devastating, thorough and intense, leaving no doubt about his intent to claim her. But his hold was still gentle, and she knew without asking that she could break away if she needed to.

She didn't need to, though... and she certainly didn't want to. She wanted to drown in this feeling, in the rightness of being held by him. His hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head to deepen the kiss further, and heat bloomed low in her belly.

"Papa?" Emily called out from inside the apartment, and he tore his lips from hers. "Red Dragon says it's time to go home."

Maax pressed his forehead to Eira's for a moment, both of them breathing hard. His pupils were dark, the gold nearly swallowed by black. She felt the slight tremor in his hands where they still rested at her waist.

"Of course, poppet." His voice was rougher than usual. Deeper. He straightened slowly, his hands lingering on Eira's skin. "Say goodnight to everyone."

Emily hugged Grace, then surprised Eira by hugging her too. "Night night! Red Dragon says thank you for the ribbons!"

"Goodnight, little one." Eira managed with a soft smile. "Sleep well."

Maax's gaze held hers as he backed away, promise burning in their depths. "Until tomorrow, Lady Coleman."

She watched them disappear down the corridor, Emily's happy chatter floating back. Her lips tingled where he'd kissed her, and she pressed her fingers to them, still feeling the phantom pressure of his mouth.

"Mom?" Grace appeared at her elbow. "Can Emily come play again tomorrow?"

Eira smiled, drawing her daughter close. "We'll see, sweetheart. We'll see."

But she already knew the answer would be yes. There would be many more evenings like this—family dinners and children's laughter and kisses that tasted of promise.

She couldn't wait.

10

The taste of Eira's lips still lingered in Maax's memory when V'Ash's strike sent him sprawling across the training mat. V'Ash's satisfied grunt told him he wouldn't live this down anytime soon.

"That's twice in two days," V'Ash observed, extending a hand to help him up. "The mighty Maax, laid low by courting?"

Maax accepted the assistance, muscles protesting as he regained his feet. His shoulder would bruise—V'Ash never pulled his strikes, even in practice. The training hall echoed with the sounds of sparring and the familiar rhythm of combat, but it did nothing to settle his wandering thoughts.

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