I shook my head and exhaled a pent-up breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dax stiffen. Shit, those words probably pissed him off.
Seth’s shoulders drooped. “I just want you to be safe. With Chris and John gone, that falls to me now.”
I shook my head. “No, that falls to Dax.”
I walked to Dax and wrapped my arms around him, pressed my cheek into his chest.
“I can see your bare ass, you know,” Seth grumbled as he looked off to the side, clearly averting his gaze.
Dax’s hand shot to my lower back and gripped the two sides of the gown together.
“Now I can see his hand on your ass.”
“Jesus, Seth,” I complained, then ignored him. I reveled in the hard feel of Dax, his scent, the lub-dub of his heart beneath my ear, even his hand on my ass. “All this mess made me see that I was living my life in your shadow, doing dad’s bidding. I even went into the military trying to make dad happy, because of you and John and Chris.”
He looked at me, completely surprised. “What? I thought you wanted to do that?”
“What, take karate at ten when everyone else was doing ballet? That’s why I punched Tommy Jenkins in the nose, because I knew how to make a solid fist.” I paused, then continued. “Look, Seth, I love you. I’m glad you did all that stuff with me, with Chris and John, but I’ve always been going through the motions, looking for what I want.”
Seth tugged on his ear. “And what’s that?”
“Dax.”
I felt Dax tense beneath me, then relax. He spun me about so my back was to his front, his hands on my shoulders. I couldn’t see him any longer, but I knew he literally had my back. I doubted he knew that Earth term, but the actual gesture was telling.
“Seriously?” Seth asked, shaking his head slowly.
“Seriously. I’m going to Atlan once his mating fever is finished.”
“You are?” Both men asked the same thing at the same time.
“I am.” I was. I felt good about it, too. “I don’t need to be beside you for you to know I love you, but Dax does.”
I felt a growl rumble against my back.
Seth waved his hand as he sighed. “Go, Sarah. All I ever wanted was for you to be safe and happy. That’s all any of us ever wanted. Live happily ever after and have ten kids with—” Seth studied Dax for a minute, weighing his next words carefully as I balled my hand into a fist at my side, ready to punch him in the face if he insulted my mate one more time. “This very large warrior who, I’m sure, would die to protect you.” Seth held out his hand to Dax, who looked confused.
“I would.” Dax’s deep, rumbly vow made my pussy clench beneath the robe and I heard Dax take a deep breath, drawing in the scent of my arousal. He growled then, pulling me closer. My brother stood silent and stoic with his hand out with his peace offering.
“Shake his hand, Dax.” I pulled Dax’s hand forward and placed it in Seth’s so my brother could shake it. I smiled then, pleased to know that Seth understood. Maybe he, too, was looking for a mate.
Smiling, I wiggled my eyebrows at my brother in a suggestive manner. “You know, you’re a captain now.”
“I know.” My brother released Dax’s hand and looked confused.
“You can request a matched mate from the Interstellar Bride Program. She’d be perfect for you in every way, your perfect match.”
Seth burst out laughing and I grinned, suddenly thrilled with the idea. Seth shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“What, you afraid you’re going to get a slimy, green alien wife?” I shook my head. “You won’t. They test you, Seth. Hook your brain up to sensors and play mating ceremonies inside your head until you’re so hot you think you’re going to lose your mind. But they match you to someone who has the same kink in their head that you have in yours.”
Seth looked from me to Dax, and back. “So you wanted big and scary, huh?”
Dax growled at him in warning, but I threw back my head and laughed as joy filled me. “Yes. I guess I did.” I patted Seth on the cheek and grinned. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I need to tend to my space alien, for he’s got a fever.”
Seth groaned. “Jesus, sis, I don’t need to know this shit. TMI.” He went over to the door, opened it. “Go. Cure him. Whatever, but not in front of me.”
Dax stepped forward then, once again his hand held out to my brother in an offer of friendship that surprised me. “I am taking my mate to Atlan, Seth. You will be welcome in our home any time.”
Seth stared at the outstretched hand, then grasped Dax’s forearm in a grip between warriors. “Take care of her.”