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On the ride to the apartment, despite the tension thrumming between them, his Caro couldn’t smother her yawns. He’d wanted to claim her, to appease the Ethera, and now, he had to wait, to put her needs first. Her falling asleep on his shoulder in the car had validated his decision.
She’d ignored his urgings to go to the air-bed, instead, she’d remade her bed with fresh linen and in a color he wasn’t used to seeing—purple. He frowned at the lost opportunity—her scent would’ve permeated her pillow and bedding. Yet she’d insisted it was done so... Protocol. Then she’d grabbed a white garment and rushed out of the room with a sweet farewell.
He sat on her bed, bouncing to test it. Scowling at the dismal end to the evening, he removed his boots and chest armor. But hesitated at his pants. They irritated his hyper-sensitive skin, but without sleeping pants, he would be naked with one less barrier between him and Caro. He chose to keep it on, for sanity’s sake. When he lay back on her bed, tucking his hand behind his head, her scent engulfed him. He beamed while drawing in deep inhales. Warmth unfurled in his chest, sweet and intoxicating.
Her home was quiet after she’d cleansed, with only her sighs when she drifted off to sleep.
His males and Izzy hadn’t returned yet, not that it concerned Malo. He trusted them. They were good Etterian warriors. Even Ronin had improved under Malo’s guidance, and it had been but a few months. After a year, Ronin would be a different male, with the right to be called an elite warrior.
Sleep was elusive. Energy pulsed through Malo, twitching his limbs. With his Dar Eth on the balcony, it was to be expected.
With a grunt, he swung his legs off the side of the bed and went in search of her. She sprawled on the air-filled bed. She was as clear as if she was in sunlight. He planned to observe her only, to allow the gratitude, pleasure, affection, and yearning to flow through him unrestrained. Instead, he kneeled next to her strange bed and stroked her exposed ankle. Even her skin there was soft.
She’d covered herself with a blanket that scented of Izzy. Her dark hair spread across the white pillow. And in the moonlight painting her pale skin silver, he memorized her face. She appeared so innocent and trusting.
He slid a hand up her calve, marveling at her silky skin. A quick stroke of her knee preceded a caress along her thigh. He nudged the blanket aside, venturing his hand higher.
She sighed in her sleep. Her scent darkened. He parted his lips to release a breathless moan. She couldn’t awaken and find him touching her. It might jeopardize their tremulous relationship. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to remove his hand. Her skin was so warm. Maker. How was a male supposed to resist such temptation?
Footsteps snapped his gaze up. He paused to listen. This planet was in a constant state of activity and sound. He’d lowered his sensitivity to sleep. Due to the proximity, Izzy's small steps in her red footwear reached him. He glanced to where his fingers rested on Caro's thigh. He lifted it to hover an inch above her skin. Flexing his fingers, he fought the compulsion before he removed his hand completely.
He rose to his feet and strode toward the front door. It opened with Garix entering first to verify the room was secure.
“Operations Commander,” Garix said, striding farther into the room.
Izzy snuck in behind him, more subdued than Malo had ever seen her.
“Hi, Malo, is she sleeping?” she asked while kicking off her footwear. She didn’t wait for his response but disappeared into her room. “Just let me change, Ronin, then my bed’s all yours.”
“We didn’t stay long after you left,” Ronin said to Malo when Izzy closed her bedroom door.
“I never wish to attend such a place again. It was horrifying.” Garix opened the cold box's door. He pulled out a stick of meat which he ripped open and consumed as if it were a protein bar.
“Agreed.” Ronin grabbed a fruit off the counter and bit off half of it.
“What is planned for tomorrow?” Garix asked, sinking into the red padded bench.
“We will return to Caro’s work. I hope to meet with Joshua Guardian.”
“Good. I wish to return to the Gladio soonest,” Ronin said.
“You do not like Earth?” Garix asked around a mouthful of meat.
“It is filled with temptation. We should train our warriors here and not on Gikaet. If they can survive an evening at a club, then they are warrior enough for any challenge.” Ronin chose another fruit. Something yellow which he bit into then spat out with a grimace.
“You were tempted?” Malo frowned. He hadn’t been, not now when he’d found his Dar Eth. “Port to the Gladio, and send Trav as your replacement.”
Ronin tossed the mangled fruit. “Tomorrow, Operations Commander, if I may. I am exhausted, and Izzy's bed does look inviting.”
Malo grunted. “What did you do after you left?”
“We had coffee at the stall across the street,” Garix muttered.
“And encountered your handywork.” Ronin washed his hands, then faced Malo. “A male complained to a law enforcement officer about a soldier who punched him in the face for no apparent reason.”
“Oh, the reason was apparent, I assure you.” Malo grinned, pleased to relive that event. “I enjoyed punching him.”
“He insulted Caro?” Ronin arched a brow.
“Apparent reason to me,” Garix said around his meat bar.
Malo forced his legs to carry him to Caro’s bedroom. He’d have preferred to scoop her in his arms and take her with him, to curl his body around hers, to share his warmth with her. When he closed the strange door, he stared at it for a moment. It swung in or out, taking unnecessary space, unlike their efficient doors sliding out of sight when not needed. This swinging had to be a hazard of some sort.
Sighing, he lowered himself onto her bed and folded an arm behind his head. Wondering how he’d survive the night, he stared at the white ceiling, willing his eyes to close and sleep to claim him. He needed her. Tugging the pillow from beneath him, he smashed it to his face, drawing in a deep breath. It was an insufficient substitute. With a bright grin, he dug into his discarded chest armor and removed her undergarment. He hooked his fingers around the thin straps and stretched the tiny piece of black fabric. It was silky, but not like her skin. He held it to his nose and inhaled. Her scent clung to the fabric—potent, rich, and bewitching. With a low groan followed by the desperate and demanding throb of his arousal, he draped the undergarment over his mouth and nose.
Yes, better.
~*~
Malo awoke with a start in a softer-than-usual environment, pale yellow sunlight pouring through a window. His feet hung off a dark purple bed, and when he inhaled, he grinned, remembering. He was in her bed, her scent overcame him, and he reveled in it. Caroline. My Dar Eth. My complete opposite. She is kind, sweet, considerate, and mine. He stretched, before flopping onto her bed to bury his face in her pillow. Alodon’s hell. I am behaving like an idiot. But the permanent grin wouldn’t go away. Tapping either side of him, he searched for her undergarment, found it, and swapped it with the pillow. He held the delicate black fabric to his nose for a deep inhale. Her scent had faded a little. A knock made him sit up and shift his backside to the edge of the bed. He almost laughed at his reaction as if Remi, their base commander on Gikaet, had caught him sniffing Caro’s undergarment.
“Malo? Are you awake yet?” Caro’s voice was the best first thing to hear in the mornings.
“Yes, ensa. I am awake.” And so is my malehood. He grunted. Time to take care of the chore.
“May I come in? You have all my clothes. Oh, and I brought you coffee.”
“You may enter.” He smiled while shoving her undergarment into his pants pocket. She’d brought a peace offering as if to barter for entry? The silly female...woman had no idea how precious she was.
The door opened, and she stood in the doorway. The sight of her he vowed to remember until the end of his days. Her brown hair cascaded around her in wild abandonment, sleep had flushed her face, and her large tunic stopped at mid-thigh. Her gorgeous legs were bare and breathtaking, even more beautiful than last night. He stared at her tiny feet when she came closer, her toenails a bright red. When he dragged his gaze upward, his focus snagged on her tiny pink tongue pressed against her red top lip while she concentrated on not spilling a drop.
“I made it black. It’s always easier to add milk and sugar than to remove it.” After placing the cup on the bedside table, she peeked at him, but her gaze strayed to his bare chest. “Sorry.” She dipped her chin. “I’m not used to seeing a man so...” She dashed to her closet and grabbed garments at random. With her arms full, she buried her face in the bundle and mumbled, “If you need help with the shower, um...”
“Caro.” He chuckled and stopped her from escaping by taking the bundle from her and dumping it on her bed. “Come here,” he whispered, holding out a hand while admiring her flushed face and alluring innocence.
“Why?” she asked, her eyes large.
“Have faith in me.”
She nodded and let him tug her toward him. A sharp burst of joy warmed his chest at her immediate trust. He placed her hands on his chest, palms down. She jerked back and snatched them away. With unexpected patience, he collected her hands again and held them over his hearts.
“Be calm. It is just my chest.”
When her hands remained in place, he slipped his arms around her, pulling her closer and more securely against him. He spread his fingers across her lower back. Thoughts of stroking her back, maybe peeling her tunic up at the same time tormented him. The desire to touch her bare skin was a craving almost unbearable.
“It’s beautiful, Malo.” She stroked his chest, indents, and angles. “Do you always burn this hot?” Her fingers traveled his contoured stomach, and he let her. Her touch was an exquisite torture, but it was a painful pleasure he’d willingly endure.
“I am a few degrees hotter than normal...” Because of your touch, presence, and scent, my Dar Eth. His eyes stuttered closed when she brushed over a nipple, hitching his breath.
“I liked that,” he mumbled and opened his eyes to gaze upon her, willing her to see just how much.
Her fingers trembled, and she panted as if breathless. He smiled, enjoying the stutter of her heartbeat.
She appeared a little dazed, mesmerized while gazing at him. “You have beautiful eyes, Malo.” She gasped. “Holy noodle, did I say that aloud?” She lowered her chin, no doubt trying to hide the beautiful pink on her cheeks.
“Sorry to interrupt, but when you guys are done doing whatever you’re doing, wanna go out for breakfast? I think Ronin’s finally awake, and Garix keeps mumbling,” Izzy called from their seating area.
Malo couldn’t help but chuckle. Garix was speaking to Ronin, just too low for Izzy to understand the words.
Caro groaned and rested her forehead on Malo’s chest, unwittingly snuggling closer. He tightened his arms around her, wishing he could press her curves to his angles in such a way that no weapon nor toxin could separate them.
“I’m sorry about Izzy.” Her warm breath across his skin made him shiver and hardened his nipples in unabashed arousal.
“I heard that,” Izzy snapped.
Laughing, he tipped Caro backward, catching her with a splayed hand between her shoulder blades. He slashed his mouth across her parted lips, delving in to taste her. “I cannot stop kissing you,” he growled into her mouth.
“I don’t mind, to be honest. Even when you’re angry with me...” She squeezed his shoulders where she clung to him.
Last night, he’d pinned her to a wall and could’ve claimed her there. To do that to a female as a youngin may be acceptable, but not to his Dar Eth. She required, no, deserved better control from him.
“Now, show me how to work your cleanser,” he said, steadying her on her feet before giving her a gentle push.
She entered her cleansing room and paused. When he hovered behind her, he realized why she frowned. There was no way he’d fit. He doubted he’d even get through the cleanser’s door.
“Um, Malo? Perhaps you need to shower on your battleship?” She gestured to the size of him. It was unnecessary, he knew his dimensions.
“Garix, Ronin, cleanse on the Gladio,” he said.
“Acknowledged, Operations Commander,” Garix said.
“Afax,” Malo spoke to his wrist.
“Yes, Engineer Malo,” Pilot Afax said.
Malo managed to smother a smile. Afax was always on point even when Caro couldn’t possibly understand him either.
“Two to port to my quarters.” Malo looped an arm around Caro’s waist.
He claimed her mouth, thinking to distract her from her first porting. Yet the kiss wasn’t just for that reason. He craved the taste of her. Groaning, he cupped her cheeks and lost himself in her whimpers and swirling tongue. This, with her, was his heaven.
“Welcome to my battleship, Gladio,” he said into her mouth before nibbling on her bottom lip.
She blinked her dark blue eyes, a little dazed from his kiss. He liked her so.
“Welcome to your...what?” She dragged her gaze away from his then squeaked. She threw her arms around his waist in a death grip as if gravity would drag her down to Earth.
He shuddered at her pressed so against him, her softness engulfing him. “This is my quarters.” He gestured to the gray room, ignoring the rough quality of his voice. It was beyond his control. “I invite you to use my cleansing room, Caro,” he said, trying not to imagine her pinned to the white bulkhead while water poured off them with his face buried in her feminine folds. Alodon’s balls. Too late.
He removed her arms to lace his fingers through hers, then ushered her to the cleansing room. The door glided opened when he neared.
“It’s huge.” Still clasping his hand, she ventured into a room the size of her bedroom. Compared to her cleansing room, there was a bowl and waste receptacle, and his cleanser didn’t have glass panels.
“Standing here will activate the water at a temperature three degrees warmer than your core. The soap is in the water. It cleanses your body, hair, and mouth. It has no taste and scent. When done, leave and the water will deactivate. Press the blue button to dry and the gray button for a wrap.”
“What’ll you be doing while I shower? You won’t leave me, will you?” Her eyes were large.
“I will wait here in this comfy. I too wish to cleanse.” He smiled at her with a tenderness that amazed him.
As Head of Operations, smiling in a gentle manner wasn’t one of his skills. He’d never had a reason to learn it, but under the right circumstances, it came naturally. Allowing the door to close between them, he retreated to settle into a comfy like he’d vowed. Because he was a bastard, he commanded the bulkhead, “Opacity, half-mirror.”
The gray tinted, revealing Caro whipping off her tunic. Fire coursed through his body. She was naked beneath it. The heart-shaped curve of her backside, the indent of her waist, the flare of her hips down to her smooth thighs and calves to her tiny feet... Maker. Then she stepped under the cleanser, giving him a profile of her.
And involuntary groan escaped him. His enhanced vision focused on the curve of her breasts where the water rivulets caressed her nipples. He adjusted his military pants around his arousal, not that it eased the throbbing.
“Opacity, normal,” he said, cursing his stupidity.
He shouldn’t have done that. It was a violation of her trust. That was the least of his concerns. Though he was supposed to be honorable as an Etterian male, honor had been drilled out of him. It wasn’t honorable to deceive, to torture, but it was a needed skill when war was on the horizon. And even though Etteria had been peaceful for a few hundred years, that didn’t mean they couldn’t prepare for war. They were a warrior race, of course they planned for it.
What made him angry was that he tempted himself needlessly. He wouldn’t be claiming her soon. She had to come to him willing and needing him as much as he yearned for her. The kisses and touches he’d stolen within the last day had been risky. She might think he was rushing her, his one goal to have her beneath him. He’d tried to convey that Etterians weren’t built for meaningless fulfillments, had hoped she’d understood when he’d said they mated for life.
The air-dryer activated. He gripped the arms of his comfy, fighting the urge to command the bulkheads again. Squeezing his eyes shut, he focused his breathing, ordered himself to calm, to gain control. He’d never once imagined the true test of his strength would be a tiny, beautiful creature from a mid-grade planet.
“All yours.” Her fingers trailed over the grooved edges of the door’s frame, the touch almost seductive in his current state.
“Thank you.” The words tore through his vocal cords.
“Malo?” she asked, a delicate frown forming on her brow.
He did appreciate that her concern was for him, he just couldn’t bare her touching him at that moment. When she closed the distance between them, he bolted.
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