5. Lacey
CHAPTER 5
LACEY
T he morning hums with tension thicker than the syrup Gwen’s Aunt Martha used to drown her Sunday brunch pancakes in.
Vex hasn’t met my eyes once since last night’s make out session.
He’s too busy barking orders at the crew, his voice edged with a growl that makes even Faylid skitter sideways like a crab. Berrix keeps shooting me sidelong glances, her tail flicking like she’s decoding the universe’s juiciest secret.
“We’re ahead of schedule,” Vex announces abruptly, glowering at the control screens. “Let’s take a detour. Stretch our legs on Xeljanz-9.”
“The oasis planet?” Nor’Veth pipes up, silver eyes gleaming. “About time . The ship’s filters reek of Faylid’s boots.”
Faylid flexes all four biceps. “That’s the scent of victory.”
“It’s the scent of a war crime,” Af’soq mutters, dabbing an oily balm under his nostrils.
Vex turns to me. His violet eyes are full of storm clouds. “You’ll need proper shoes.”
I glance down at my feet, still clad in the slippers from yesterday’s haul.
His smirk is a flicker of the usual Vex. “Snake-wyrms will swallow those dainty toes in one bite.”
I feel the color drain from my face.
Three hours later, I’m standing in a valley so violently lush it feels like Mother Nature exploded a rainbow. Crystal waterfalls cascade into turquoise pools, surrounded by trees with iridescent leaves that tinkle like wind chimes. The air smells like jasmine and fresh-baked croissants—though that might just be my sleep-deprived brain hallucinating comfort.
Vex appears beside me. “Stay close.”
“Why? I don’t plan on wandering off if there are snake-wyrms around.”
“No, but I could lose you to a carnivorous shrub.” He juts his chin toward a nearby bush that snaps its thorns hungrily.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
I take an obedient step closer, and grab his arm. He leads me away from the crew, who’ve already started a roaring debate over which poison berries are edible. Faylid commenting that “If it burns, it’s flavor”.
The path narrows, winding upward until the roar of water drowns out all sound. We crest a ridge, and my breath evaporates.
A massive waterfall crashes into an emerald lagoon, mist painting the air in glitter. Bioluminescent fish dart beneath the surface, and the rocks shimmer like they’ve been dusted with diamonds.
“This is…”
“My favorite place,” Vex finishes. Not many know about it. It’s…peaceful.”
I glance at him surprised. Peace isn’t a word I’d associate with Vex.
Then he strips off his tunic, his bare chest glowing in the fractured light, muscles shifting like liquid gold.
Damn, he’s gorgeous.
He grins, all wicked intent. “Get naked and swim with me.”
Before I can formulate a reply, he’s diving into the water with a predator’s grace. He surfaces, slicking back his hair. “Coming in, my dear? Or do I have to enjoy paradise alone?”
Screw it.
I yank off my tunic and trousers, then tell him to turn around as I peel off the nano-weave camisole and underwear.
“Fine,” he huffs.
Once I’m nude, I slide into the water. It’s like silk, warmer than a bath.
Vex turns back and is suddenly right there, fingertips skimming my waist. “Still worried about snake-wyrms?”
“Just the one in front of me.”
He barks a laugh, deep and unguarded, and it fills me with joy. We drift, the current tugging us toward the waterfall’s thunder. His thumb traces my hip, his eyes searching mine.
Then he kisses me.
It’s not like last night’s frenzied crush of mouths. This is slow, deliberate—a conqueror mapping his territory.
I shudder at the thought.
His suede-like tongue teases my lower lip, and I gasp as he lifts me up, my legs wrapping instinctively around his hips. The water swirls, his grip firm, our bodies pressed so close I can feel his rapid heartbeat. Or is that mine?
“You’re overthinking,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“Am not.”
“Liar.” He nips my jaw, moving up to whisper in my ear and I shiver. “Tell me what you want.”
Everything. The word lodges in my throat.
He carries me to the shallows, laying me back on a sun-warmed boulder. I rush to cover myself, suddenly completely exposed. But his hands gently move them away then glide up my thighs. “Let me taste you, Lacey.”
His mouth descends, hot and relentless, and I’m in another world. The lagoon, the crew, the galaxy—none of it exists. There’s only his talented tongue licking, kissing, and sucking every inch of my slick folds. His teasing strokes unravel me, and I lose track of my moans and gasps and cries. I fist his hair, arching, as he drags me to the edge again and again. I’m a writhing mess of flesh underneath his mouth and hands as I reach a peak of pleasure.
When I shatter, he drinks me in like a starved man, violet eyes gleaming with triumph. “Your nectar is delicious.”
I drag him up, kissing him fiercely, tasting myself on his lips. I grasp his thick cock and he groans so loud, a flurry of island creatures skitter from the area.
But I stop.
“Problem?” he murmurs.
“You’re… bigger than I imagined.”
He raises a brow. “You’ve been imagining it?”
I snort, surprise melting the tension. He leans in, nipping my neck. “I’ll be gentle.”
“Don’t you dare.”
He stills, searching my face. Then he smiles—a raw, real thing—and I catch a glimpse of his monstrous length, veiny and ridged, as he lifts up. I’ve never seen anything like it. But not like I have much to compare it to. Beside movies, I guess. I touch the smooth, slick tip and he hisses.
“ Vrek , I need you…” He guides himself to my entrance and pushes in. The first stretch burns, but he kisses me long and deep. A distraction I welcome.
“Look at me,” he orders, and I do. His pupils are blown, his jaw tight with restraint, and in that moment, I know this isn’t just a fleeting sexual encounter. Not for him either.
He begins to move with hypnotic slowness, each thrust undoing me. The pain fades, replaced by a sweet friction that coils tighter, hotter. I claw his back, matching his rhythm, the world narrowing to the place where we’re joined as one.
The pleasure builds, a steady climb that leaves me gasping and moaning. Vex's pace quickens, his thrusts growing harder, more urgent. I match his rhythm, my body chasing the release that hovers just out of reach.
He looks down at me with such…love.
It has to be.
“Lacey—” His voice cracks, and he jerks hard. “I’m spending…” he whispers.
His release triggers mine, a supernova that whirls through my body and explodes, leaving me trembling in his arms.
We collapse, tangled and breathless. He brushes damp hair from my face. “Magnificent.”
I want to tell him…
The words sit heavy on my tongue, but the waterfall’s song gives me courage. I trace the curve of his jaw, grounding myself in the rasp of his skin beneath my fingertips.
"Vex, I... I love you. I know it's crazy. I know it's sudden. But I can't deny what I feel. And I believe... I believe you're my fated mate."
His eyes widen, something predatory and possessive flashing across his face, soon followed by an aching softness.
But it’s gone in another instant.