Page 46 of Alien Engineer's Mate

"Yes, that's right." Maax forced his mind away from more intimate thoughts, focusing on Kyle's curiosity. "Charged particles from the solar wind collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere, and cause those gases to glow. Different gases create different colors."

"Like when different materials react in the power systems!" Kyle turned to grin at them. "Each one has its own energy signature!"

"Similar principle, yes." Pride colored Maax's voice. The boy's grasp of technical concepts was amazing for his age.

A slight shiver ran through Eira, and he immediately picked up on the chill in the observation deck's climate-controlled air. He'd chosen this spot for its clear view of Earth, but the environmental systems maintained cooler temperatures toprevent viewport fogging. Without a word, he shrugged out of his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.

The sight of her wrapped in his clothing stirred something primal in his chest. The leather swamped her small frame, but the way she snuggled into its warmth made his warrior's heart expand. She belonged with him, wearing his clothes so that all other males knew who she belonged to, and surrounded by their children's laughter.

"Leo could start with basic engineering principles," he said, returning to their earlier conversation. "Build a foundation before moving into the advanced coursework. He wouldn't tell you, but Vaarn is an excellent teacher. He helped design half the systems on places like this station."

"You really think Leo could study here?" She looked up at him, such hope in her expression that it made his chest ache. "Have a real future in engineering?"

"He can have any future he wants." Maax pressed his lips to her temple, breathing in her unique scent. "They all can. I swear it."

The journey back to their quarters was slow, but he didn't care. Contentment washed through him as he walked, holding Eira's hand. Emily and Grace skipped ahead, still chattering about the lights they'd seen, while Kyle trailed after them. The station's evening cycle had dimmed the corridor lighting, creating pools of intimate shadow between the standard illumination panels.

He pulled Eira closer against his side as they walked.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, her hand pressed against his bare chest. The simple contact sent electricity arcing under his skin.

"How right this feels," he murmured, though the children were far enough ahead not to hear. "You. The children. All of us together."

She tilted her face up to look at him, and the trust in her eyes made his breath catch. He bent to brush his lips against hers. The kiss was meant to be gentle, chaste, but her soft sigh of contentment ignited something deeper. His hand tangled in her hair as he deepened the contact, tasting her properly.

"Ewww!" Grace's voice shattered the moment. "They're being gross again!"

"Papa's kissing!" Emily announced in gleeful horror. "Kyle, look!"

Maax broke away with a growl that was equal parts frustration and amusement. "You know what happens to little warriors who interrupt their elders?"

The children's eyes widened as he took a menacing step forward. Kyle caught on first, grabbing his sisters' hands. "Run! The monster's going to get us!"

Shrieks of laughter echoed off the corridor walls as they fled, Maax pursuing at a deliberately slow pace. His warrior's grace made it easy to appear clumsy and threatening at the same time. When he caught up, he swept all three children into his arms.

"Now I have you!" He spun them around, their giggles filling the air. "Little warriors get tickled!"

"Mama!" Grace called between laughs. "Save us!"

"Oh no." Mischief danced in Eira's eyes as she walked up to them. "I think the monster's got you this time."

Kyle squirmed free first, darting to hide behind his mother. Emily and Grace followed, using Eira as a shield while they caught their breath. The sight of all of them together, flushed and happy, made Maax's chest tighten. This was happiness. It had to be.

"Hmmm... The monster appears to be at a disadvantage," he rumbled, playing along. "Perhaps he needs to capture the queen instead."

Before Eira could react, he lunged forward and swept her into his arms. Her startled laugh turned into a soft gasp as he bent to claim her mouth again, this time with deliberate thoroughness. The children's renewed protests of'gross!'and'eww!'only made him smile against her lips.

When he finally set Eira back on her feet, her cheeks were flushed and her expression bright and happy. His jacket had slipped off one shoulder, and he couldn't resist pressing his lips to the exposed skin. The contact made her shiver.

"Papa's being mushy again, so Red Dragon says it's time for bed," Emily announced.

Gods, yes. He couldn't agree with her more. He caught Eira's gaze and grinned, the expression widening as she blushed.

"Red Dragon is very wise," his little mate managed. She straightened his jacket, her fingers lingering on the leather. "And it is getting late."

He caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Then we should get these little warriors home before they turn into monsters themselves."

The children's matching expressions of outrage at this suggestion set them all laughing again. As they resumed their walk toward the residential section, Maax kept Eira tucked against his side.

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