Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
That’s…surprisingly kind of her. “Thank you, Bethiah,” I say in a soft voice. “I appreciate it. Nassakth will, too.”
“Well, it IS the truth. We left before I got paid for the last bounty, so it’s not like I’m lying.” She shrugs and goes back to picking at her food. “And I’m sure you and your already-wealthy husband will make it up to me.”
“We absolutely will,” I promise her. “In fact, I know how to start.”
“How’s that?”
“Earplugs.”
She snorts with amusement. “Or you can just call my name out during sex. I mean, if I’m gonna hear it, might as well make it good.”
I ignore that part. “Thank you for everything. I didn’t realize you lost out on your bounty.”
Bethiah gets a grumpy look on her face. “Don’t get all soft on me. You guys were my clients first. I don’t dick over one client to cash out on another. I do have some sense of honor.”
I suspect it’s larger than she lets on. “Do you really think we’re safe? What about that Jamef guy? Do you think he’ll come after us?”
“He’s not a problem. And if he is, I’ll handle him.” She reaches over and pats my hand. “Unless you two want to start exploring the galaxy together, you’re about to have an extremely unadventurous trip back to your boring planet.”
I can’t freaking wait. I’m so ready for boring and unadventurous. I’m ready to start my life with Nassakth—as real, true mates in every sense of the word.
75
KIM
I’ve never been so happy to be home.
I almost feel bad at how eager I am to be alone with Nassakth. Almost. Everyone on the journey has been so very kind. It’s been nice to hang out with the three brothers, and even Bethiah has been decent. I gaze out at the screen in our chambers, showing a view of the universe as we head toward our planet. It’s hard to restrain my glee when Risda III enters our view, a small marble of greens and browns swirled with blue. It looks beautiful, perched amongst the stars, and as the ship moves closer and closer, I’m filled with a sense of joy and satisfaction. Risda is my home now.
No, I realize as my mate puts his arms around me from behind and gazes at the view with me. Nassakth is my home.
“Are you packed and ready?” he asks, planting a kiss atop my head. “Not long now and we’ll be back to our farm.”
“More than ready,” I assure him, holding his arms as he cradles me against him. I’m so utterly content, nothing could spoil my happiness. “I’m ready to get back to my kitchen, to quiet nights playing Slapjack, to our nice big bed with plenty of room to maneuver…”
“To our fighting lessons,” Nassakth agrees.
I groan.
“To our nice big shower.” His hand creeps up and cups my breast, teasing my nipple expertly.
Even though I want him to go on, I also don’t want to be turned on as we head through port—too many aliens have an excellent sense of smell and I’d prefer not reeking of sex as we head through. So I lightly slap his touch away, regretting it even as I do so. “Hands to yourself until we’re in private again.”
“That cannot come soon enough,” he mutters, but gives me one last squeeze and lets me go. “Come. Let’s strap in for the landing. Kaspar is a rough hand at the controls.”
We manage to get seated safely just in time for the ship to massively lurch, and the pillows on the bed go flying across the cabin and it’s only the fact that I’m belted down that I don’t do the same.
“Keffing really?” I hear Bethiah screech, so loud I can hear her through the walls. “Learn how to drive this thing!”
I grimace as my stomach lurches, but then we’ve landed, and Nassakth runs a quick hand over me, checking me for injuries. When he’s satisfied, we both unbuckle and he grabs our bags.
“It will take a few minutes for the port authorities to clear us,” Nassakth tells me. “Go and say your goodbyes, and I will meet you at the bridge.”
He leans down for a quick peck of a kiss, and I fling my arms around his neck and make it a longer one. Just because he’s amazing. I nip at his lower lip as I release him, and whisper, “I can’t wait to get home to our bed.”
My praxiian mate groans and gives me a heated look. “I will not let you leave it for days.”
Now that’s a promise I like. “Not even for training?”
He pauses. “Perhaps for training.”
Ugh. “Fine, fine.” I give his arm one last caress and then open the door to our room and step out into the hall. I head toward the dining area and sure enough, the mess hall is indeed a mess. The dishes have scattered all over the floor thanks to our rough landing, and stools are slid every which way. I nudge one back into place as I cross over to Sophie, who’s picking up bowls. “Hey there.”