I wanted that. I wanted everything.
I wanted him.
Katie, Dani and I all looked at each other, bracing ourselves for what was to come. Katie giggled first. “It’s just like prom night, only this time, we’re actually going to have sex after.”
Dani rolled her eyes. “Some of us, maybe. Lucky bitches. I’ll have to watch your men lead you away, know you get to have a hot, hunk-a man-meat working you over until you can’t breathe.”
I took her hand and squeezed. “He’ll come for you, Dani. Have a little faith.”
“I’m all out of faith. Especially when it comes to men.” She plucked at an invisible piece of lint on the skirt of her dress and I bit my lip when I noticed her small hand shaking. “So much for the wonderful Interstellar Brides Program. I’m so fucked up not even an alien can deal with me.”
“Me, too, Dani. It’s not just you.” Katie rested her hand on Dani’s shoulder briefly before heading to answer the door. There was more to Katie’s story, but she wouldn’t be sharing now.
I followed her to the living room. When the door opened, my heart stuttered and restarted in my chest. Selfish as it was, I shoved Dani’s and Katie’s issues away for the night. I wanted to focus on finding my own way tonight. I had faith that things would work out for all of us. I had to. Otherwise, traveling seven light years across the galaxy to another planet was freaking crazy.
And I didn’t want to be crazy. I wanted to be happy and loved. I wanted to feel like I finally belonged somewhere, like I had a home. I wanted my mate.
Von.
My mate stood grinning at me from the corridor and I didn’t have the good sense to invite him in. Holy crap. He was sex on a stick. My entire body flooded with desire and I couldn’t breathe. All I could think about was his mouth on me, his fingers making me come. The taste of him. Watching him lose control. How was I supposed to remember to be polite?
He wore a uniform very similar to the one he’d worn last night, but his boots were polished until they gleamed and his standard brown jacket had been replaced by jet black. His pants and shirt, a tan color the day before, were black as well. He still wore the insignia on his collar, the bars on his arm, the wicked-looking ion blaster strapped to his thigh. He looked dangerous, and so sexy I couldn’t tear my gaze from his.
His vivid blue eyes found mine at once and I shuddered as he took his time looking me over from head to toe.
“Lexi.”
“Von.”
He held out his hand and I walked to him eagerly, his companion and my roommates fading from my awareness like they were part of a dream and I was only now coming awake. Von was so real, so vivid in my mind that I didn’t have enough energy left over to keep track of anyone else. He was here. He was my everything.
God, I was obsessed.
I placed my hand in his and he smiled, bending low to kiss the bend of my wrist. Still bent over my hand, he raised his gaze to mine. “I do love to hear you say my name.”
I knew I must have blushed a bright red, remembering all the times I’d cried it out in pleasure the night before, but he only chuckled and pulled me to his side, tucking my hand in the crook of his arm as he led me down the hallway to the ballroom.
Chapter Twelve
Von
I’d witnessed the traditional mating ball several times over the last few months, always patrolling from the walls or outside, watching decorated Hunters bow and scrape and generally act like idiots to please their women.
Every time, Bryn and I scoffed when it was over, drunk ourselves into a stupor to ignore the lonely ache in our own chests and blathered on about what fools those Hunters be.
And look at us now.
Bryn wandered the edge of the room, clearly hunting for a woman. Katie, I was sure. I wondered what was between them, but he’d been even less talkative than usual, so I hadn’t pressed the issue. If he didn’t get things resolved before it was time to head back to our mountain fortress, Feris 5, I would need to intervene.
As it was, I had my hands full with my own beautiful bride. Her black hair was draped atop her head in a style that showed her long neck and ample curves to perfection. Her gown was a pale gold, the color glowing softly against her creamy skin. Her shoulders were bare, the dress clinging to every curved inch of her perfect body. A body I hungered to possess completely.
Unclaimed males hovered around the edges of the dance floor, watching and assessing the connection between mates. Not all matches were marked, and one wrong move from a male, should he anger or disappoint his potential bride, there were others waiting and watching for an opportunity to swoop in and steal the woman’s affections.
I pulled Lexi close and wrapped my arm around her as we danced. No one would get near her. She would want no other. I made sure of that, wringing pleasure from her body like a man possessed.