Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
THORNE
I’m still buried inside Romi as I hold her close against me. A sense of relief rolls through me on the heels of the most intense climax I’ve ever experienced. My body knows I’m finally where I belong. Here, joined with Romi.
She’s soft against me, the feel of her warm skin and curves a contrast to my hardness. Her head is tucked into the curve of my neck. I can feel the soft gusts of her breath across my skin.
I slide a palm up her back to sift my fingers through the tendrils of her hair that dangles along her neck.
I feel her lift her head and drag my eyes open to meet her dark gaze. “I’ve never seen you with your hair down,” I say, my voice a little hoarse.
Her lips curl into a lopsided smile. “I’m very practical. I don’t usually wear my hair down,” she says.
“I love how practical you are. You can leave it up if you’d like.”
She reaches up with her hands and quickly takes out the pins holding the braid up. A moment later, she slides a single finger through to undo the braid. My breath hitches as her hair falls around her shoulders in a glorious, glossy tousle.
I trail my fingers through it, savoring the silky feel of her long locks. “You’re beautiful. It’s beautiful. I like it up or down,” I murmur.
“You do?” She tips her head to the side, her eyes skeptical.
“I do. It’s beautiful down, but I have better access to your neck when it's up.” I lightly trace my knuckles along the side of her neck, gratified when I feel the goose bumps rise on her skin. “How are you feeling?” I ask.
“Better than I’ve ever felt.” Her cheeks are a little pink with her reply.
Reluctantly, I withdraw from her. Because I know she may be sore. “Let’s shower.”
I help her off the bed, and we walk into our bathroom together, enjoying a shower under steaming hot water. Afterward, we both change into comfortable clothes and pad out to the kitchen.
“I can’t believe it,” she begins as she turns toward me. “But I’m hungry. I was so, well, overwhelmed with everything after our wedding that I actually didn’t eat much.”
“Jane made sure we have everything we need,” I say.
Opening the refrigerator, I gesture toward a large tray of fruits and meats and other things. “And, of course, we have our communicators, and we can ask for anything to be delivered.”
“Even with the gate locked?” she prompts.
When I nod, she shakes her head with a wondering laugh. “Even though I’ve been here a few months, I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to how well everyone is treated here.”
“That is why we are a galaxy hub. We have ample resources to make sure everyone who is living, or visiting, on our planet has enough food. We pride ourselves on being one of the best planets in our galaxy. One of these days, I will have to take you to the food court where the station for all the ships is. I think they’ve been out of service since you were born, but it’s like the old airports on Earth.
They often had areas with a lot of food for travelers. ”
Romi’s lips twitch in another smile. “I would love that. Sometimes I feel greedy. Something as simple as having lemonade is such a luxury. But for now, I just want to be with you.”
My heart feels warm in my chest as I smile down at her. The connection between us feels as if it tightens. “We have an entire week to ourselves. Even if we get food delivered, we don’t have to deal with anyone.”
Reaching around her, I pull out the tray of snacks and gesture toward the pitcher of lemonade. “Jane obviously knows you’re partial to lemonade,” I tease lightly. The sound of Romi’s giggle sends a fiery sizzle of need through me.
The days pass too swiftly for me. The morning before the end of our week alone, I come awake to the feel of Romi curled up against me. She’s sleeping, but her hand rests on my abdomen. The moment my awareness flickers on, arousal slides through me.
I know that the desire will never weaken between us. It will always be like this. My lips curl into a slight smile. I sift my fingers through her hair, feeling when she comes awake.
Her voice is raspy, soft on the edges from her sleep when she speaks. “Good morning, Thorne,” she whispers before tipping her head to the side and pressing a kiss on my chest.
My palm slides down over her bottom because I can’t help it. I give her a little squeeze, savoring the soft give of her curves. “Good morning.”
She moves her knee slightly in invitation, and I delve my fingers into her cleft to discover she’s aroused, just as I am. Her palm slides down over my abdomen to drag over my length, and I already feel my seed rolling out the tip.
“Romi,” I gasp when she tightens her grip and strokes up and down.
“Thorne,” she murmurs before rising up and tossing the covers back.
Seconds later, she straddles me, and I shift back to sit up against the pillows. I want to wake up every day with a lapful of Romi.
She rocks her hips, her slippery folds nestling around the underside of my shaft. “I need you, Thorne,” she says, bringing her hips up.
“I’m yours.”
I notch myself at her entrance, savoring the feel of her slick, clenching channel as she slowly seats herself over me, sheathing me inside of the very heart of her.
I grip her hips, holding her still, as I grapple for purchase inside to keep from losing control instantly. She’s impatient and lets out a little whimper.
“Easy, sweetheart,” I murmur.
Her lashes lift, and her dark eyes lock with mine.
“We may not have every day together like this, but we are bound for all time,” I whisper.
Once again, that link between us feels as if it’s tightening when she leans closer and brushes her lips against mine. “I know,” she whispers.
I feel her words on my lips as she brings her hips up and sinks over me. I’m filling her again and again, and we’re both chasing our release. After days together, I know the song of her body. I know when she’s quickening. She makes these little sounds in her throat and moves with restlessness.
Reaching between us, I tease my fingers over her slippery, swollen bud. She cries out, her channel clenching tightly around me and drawing my release out. My climax sizzles through me like a clap of thunder followed by a bolt of lightning.
I hold her close, knowing there will be a lifetime of this with her. Yet feeling a bittersweet sense that these days alone are about to end.