Page 113 of Between Earth and Eternity
He rolls his hips against me, and I moan.
“So wicked, making sounds like that, honey.”
I smile against his mouth, panting and wanting more. Just a little bit more.
“This isn’t why I took you out there.” He gasps against my mouth.
I know,” I reply, breathless.
“Not to say I didn’t think about it.”
“Me too, but I don’t think I am ready for . . .everythingyet,” I confess nervously.
He pulls back, and there isn’t even a spark of disappointment on his face. “I’m yours in every way, in any way you’ll have me,” he starts. I let out a sigh that is part relief and part yearning. “I can be a patient man when I have to be.” He kisses my neck, teeth grazing my pulse.
Maybe I don’t want to wait after all.
“And besides, I have plans forthat. I don’t want it to be rushed or hurried. I want to take my time with you,” he says like a promise, breath hot against my skin.
“You and your plans. It’s hard to keep up with all of them,” I say, smiling, every inch of my body on fire.
“Oh, you have no idea, honey.” He groans, a deep raspiness to his voice as he kisses the underside of my jaw. “Do you know why I enjoy calling youhoney?” he asks in an attempt to distract me from inquiring more about these supposed plans.
“To get on my nerves?”
He laughs, deep and throaty. “No, smartass.” He tilts his head to study me. “It’s the color of your eyes.” He kisses me, tongue caressing my lips. “Rich golden honey. Just as good as you taste.”
God, help me or I will rip this man’s clothes off right here, right now.
“And you say I’m the wicked one.” I sigh, leaning in for another kiss, but a high-pitched alarm blares. I grab on to Vallen, my heart just about sent into cardiac arrest.
“What’s happening?” I ask, glancing around in a panic, trying to determine if we are about to be sucked out into space.
“Skyler, look at me.” Vallen’s voice anchors me. “It’s my phone alarm, that’s all.” My cheeks burn with embarrassment, but then he cradles my face in his hands, tracing my jaw with his thumb. He smiles, but it isn’t a smile of amusement; it’s comforting, understanding, and kind. He kisses me softly before reaching into his pocket to retrieve the phone.
“Bex is going to be the death of me,” he growls, silencing the reminder. We both breathe heavily. I shiver as I slide off my suit, all that extra body heat trapped inside suddenly gone.
“Here,” he says, handing me his hoodie.
I don’t protest, slipping it on, and the hood falls perfectly over my head.
“That’s a look I could get used to.” He winks, then grabs the edges of the hood to pull me in for a swift kiss. “Come on. There are a few people I need toreintroduce you to.”
And you can break me if you’ll still take me
Ruin me, if you let me be one of the ones you
say you won’t forget
“Come On Mess Me Up,” Cub Sport
Vallen is quite good at distracting me, too good, because it dawns on me only as we walk into the suite thattheymight not want me here. As if he senses my nerves, he takes my hand to offer courage, rubbing my knuckles with his thumb. I look upat him as if to sayare you sure?and his eyes replyabsolutely. I breathe a little easier.
Bex waits for us in the foyer. “Everyone is here.”
A stir of voices drift from the main room as we walk down the hall, and the second we step into view, the conversations halt in an instant.
I know most everyone staring back at me. I’m flabbergasted that Captain Ira Carter and Runa stand side by side, each wearing encouraging smiles. There are a few I don’t recognize, some dressed in crew uniforms. Laz leans back in his chair, completely unbothered, but Payson looks like he might have a conniption at any second.
