Page 82 of Fractured Souls

“I meant—”

“Shh.” He kissed her again. Guided by touch alone, he gently eased inside her and was rewarded with a low, quivering moan.

Her voice cracked as he slowly went deeper, burying himself in her silken warmth. She writhed beneath him, her body moving in perfect sync.

He went deeper still, and her soft little cries were the sweetest thing he’d ever heard.

This time, their lovemaking was slow and tender and bittersweet, so different to the intense fury of their first union.

She buried her face in the hollow of his neck and ran her fingers over his hair, inhaling deeply as if drinking him in.

Nythian fucked her slowly, savoring every moment, still in control… for now.

Heat rose between them.

Her movements became faster and more frantic as her body responded to him, her hips moving back and forth, sending him into a heady spiral of pleasure.

He could no longer contain himself.

He thrust hard and deep, deliberately drawing the ridge of his cock over her clit, holding her tightly as she shuddered and climaxed.

Her legs tightened. Her fingernails dug into his back, drawing blood. Her head tipped back, exposing the graceful column of her neck. His gaze was drawn to the delicate fluttering pulse there, and in that moment she was so vulnerable, so human.

His response was purely primal.

He came, spilling his seed inside her, wrapping his broad arms around her and pulling her close, never wanting to let her go.

All the tension flowed out of her body and she curled up against him, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

For a while, neither of them spoke, until he couldn’t take it any longer. He was confused. “Why are you crying?” he growled.

Was she sad? Upset?

“I’m just emotional. Not in a bad way. I can’t really explain it. Just that it’s a good thing. You’re good, Nythian. No, you’re more than good. Best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

He wanted to tell her that she eclipsed even his wildest, deepest desires of anything he could have ever wanted in a mate, but he couldn’t find the words right now.

So he just held her tightly, caressing her face and hair with the tips of his fingers, hardly believing this tough but fragile human was all his.

“Huh,” she said at last, looking up at him with a glint in her eyes. “Didn’t you say we were going outside?”

“We are. I just got a little sidetracked.”

“Evidently. So what’s the plan, soldier?” She felt so good tucked up against him. She looked so serene and comfortable that he was loath to drag her out into the hot dust and blazing sun.

But the soldier in him couldn’t leave unfinished business. There would be time for indulgence later.

“You haven’t finished your training,” he said, gently untangling himself from her warm embrace. “Plasma. It’s important you learn how to use it properly.”

“I know how to shoot,” she said languidly, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. “Or have you forgotten all those target practice sessions we had on the Fleet Station already?”

“Shooting in an open air environment’s different. I want you to get a feel for the wind, the sun, the dust. You haven’t done proper long range target practice, have you?”

“I guess not.” She chuckled. “Well, I’m up for trying new things these days, as you very well know by now.”

He smiled, marveling at the effect their lovemaking had on her. She was loose and relaxed and content, the dark shadows behind her eyes vanquished.

Instead, they sparkled with excitement.

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