Page 38 of Darken
“Darken, can you help her sit up so I can rinse her hair and back?” asked Sana.
He didn’t answer but slid a hand under her back and lifted her slowly.
“Whoa, that made me a little dizzy,” Gina murmured.
“Give it a minute, and that should clear,” Kydel told her. “It’s positional. You’ve been flat on your back for almost two weeks. All of your scans are normal, but it will take some time to regain your strength.”
“How long?” she asked.
“No more than a week since you are loaded with nanites. Otherwise, it would take a lot longer.” Kydel replied, meeting her gaze.
“But I can go home?”
“Soon as we finish here,” The medic answered.
“Lift her so I can get her bottom,” Sana directed and washed away the last of the gel, chasing it down the drain with the spray. “Okay, soon as you are dried, you can dress and come out when you are ready.” They said the last as they were walking out the door.
The sides of the tank retracted as the last of the water and gel had drained, and jets of warm air dried Gina. As she turned and let her feet dangle over the side, Darken pulled her into his arms, still naked.
“Stars, baby, I missed you so much; I nearly lost my mind.”
Gina put her arms around his neck, parting her lips for his kiss. Being in stasis, only moments passed for her since that day in the desert. But she knew from the haunted look in his eyes that it had seemed an eternity for him.
“I’m sorry, Honey, I should have checked that guy. I won’t let it happen again,” she assured him.
Then he kissed her like a man starved for affection, and she kissed him back like her one and only, whom she loved utterly and completely. As their tongues did a slow sensual dance, her nipples tightened, and her pussy grew wet.
She could feel Darken’s erection against her belly. As they kissed eagerly, Gina reached for the closure on his pants and pulled the hook-and-loop closure open to free his cock.
“Gina, are you sure? I can wait.”
“I can’t. I need you inside me right now!” she asserted.
She spread her legs wide, and he leaned in, allowing her to guide the head of his cock into her entrance. Putting her legs around him, she drew him to her and let out a low hum as he filled her. Darken groaned, hugging her to him for a time before he started to fuck her tenderly. It didn’t take long for him to come. It could have been embarrassingly quick in other circumstances, but it had been just right for Gina’s condition. His orgasm had spurred hers.
She liked that he stayed inside her and kissed her long and slow until he waned. Afterward, he helped her clean up and dress in the clothes he’d brought her. Since she was still a little unsteady on her feet as she took the first few steps, he lifted her into his arms and carried her.
Darken thanked Kydel and Sana profusely for his mate's care, then carried her to the shuttle bay. Less than half an hour later, they landed in front of their home, emerging to a series of familiar howls.
Darken called back to them, and they came trotting up to greet them. He went down on one knee as the wolves approached with Gina seated on his thigh.
The wolves milled around them, led by Alpha and Queen, wagging their tails and licking Gina’s face like big dogs. They had mourned her absence with Darken.
After a few minutes, the wolves were content to take strategic spots around the yard in front of the house. Darken rose, lifting Gina with little effort, and carried her into the house.
“What would you like to do? Would you like something to eat, or drink or would you like a nap?”
“Yes,” she said and leaned in to kiss his neck. “All of that. How about a cup of tea and a sandwich to start. And you can put me down now that we are inside. I need to move around to get my balance back.”
Darken sighed and set her on her feet, keeping one arm around her. She returned the gesture, and they walked into the kitchen together. He sat her down at their dining nook and went to get their food and drink from the processor for a late lunch as it was mid-afternoon.
He brought the food to the table on two plates in one hand and two steamy mugs in the other hand. Setting them down, he dropped into the chair across from her. Gina hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she smelled the salad mixture in her sandwich.
As she picked up one of the halves and bit into it, she noticed that Darken was staring at her as though he couldn’t get enough. Still chewing, she set down the sandwich and reached for his hand. There was such pain in his expression and moisture gathered on his lower eyelids. He was trembling, and a series of images flashed through her mind along with the stark terror he had felt seeing her shot down and realizing how gravely she’d been hurt.
“Oh, Darken!” she whispered, feeling the prick of tears in her eyes as well. She got up, skirting the table, and put her arms around his shoulders. “I am so sorry you went through that. I can see that it was so much worse for you.”
He pushed back his chair and pulled her onto his lap, resting his cheek on her shoulder. “I can’t ever go through that again,” he choked. “It was too damn close to my worst nightmare.”
