Kari
I roll over, my eyes blinking in the low light filtering through the window across the room. My eyes focus on the scenery through the window, the purple hues of the rising sun peeking from between the tree leaves. I smile at the sight, the color reminding me of the handsome man sharing my bed and the wicked things he can do with his tongue.
My head rolls the other way, and I study his sleeping face, listening to his deep breathing. Despite the immense amount of love I feel just looking at him, I also have this feeling that something isn't right. I struggled to sleep, tossing and turning most of the night, but I can't figure out why.
Stretching across the bed, my hand taps the bedside table several times before finding the pocket watch communicator. I scrub a hand over my eyes as I flip it open. Charlie is a genius, no doubt about that. He programmed these things with times and dates for as many planets as he could. Rather than a world clock, you have a universal one.
Scratching my head, my thumb selects Earth to check the date. As soon as I see it, I slap the watch closed and drop it on the table with a groan, rolling over to bury my face in the pillow. No wonder I couldn’t sleep. It’s like my body or mind knew what day it was. The single most dreaded day of the year for me.
A hand slides across my back, rubbing, as warm breath fans hair across my ear and cheek. “What has you all fired up this early in the morning, Warrior Princess?”
I turn my head, squinting my eyes in a glare at him. He knows I hate that stupid nickname and insists on using it every chance he gets. Especially when I’m irritated. Huffing, I push my face back into the pillow, not wanting to explain myself. It’s ridiculous, really, and I feel silly for even being bothered by it, but when you’ve been alone for most of your life, a holiday about love is just… well, gag.
“Kari, your problems won’t go away if you hide from them. You know that. Talk to me.”
Groaning, I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. “It’s stupid. On Earth, today is a holiday, my least favorite. It’s not important, we aren’t on Earth anymore, so it has no meaning.”
He hums, his hand sliding up my thigh to my stomach. Leaning closer, his arms band around my waist as he props up on an elbow to look at me. His beautiful black hair falls behind his shoulders like a curtain, and I reach out to run my fingers through it.
“If it isn’t important, then why are you so agitated at the thought of it?”
Sighing, I run my fingers through his hair, watching it fall. I can’t bring myself to look into his eyes as I admit how foolish I am for even being upset. “It’s just… it’s a holiday about love. It’s supposed to be a day where you shower your loved ones with gifts and disgustingly sweet notes, eat a bunch of chocolate, and do romantic things. I’ve always been alone, so Valentine’s was just a reminder of how lonely I was. I’ve always hated it. I hate watching everyone else fawn over each other, couples kissing everywhere, hearts and flowers.” I gag and roll my eyes.
He chuckles, brushing the back of his fingers down my cheek. “You aren’t alone anymore. We could be that couple kissing and leaving disgustingly sweet notes for each other, making the others gag over us. What do you say?”
He leans over, his nose trailing up my neck as he peppers me with kisses. I hum in approval at his touch, my fingers tangling in his hair as I pull him closer, his body rolling on top of mine. Our kiss is languid, slow and full of love as he holds me close, touching me in the tenderest of ways.
His forehead rests against mine, breaking our kiss, as he whispers. “I mean it, Kari. If it’ll make you happy, I’ll do whatever I need to do to show you how loved you are today. You want flowers, I’ll pick every one in the forest. You want chocolates, I’ll find some. Name it.”
My lips lift as I smile at him, my eyes filling with tears. “I don’t need anything but you. You make every day feel like Valentine’s. No need for special treatment.”
His thumbs swipe away the tears that fall from my eyes as he stares at me. I can tell he doesn’t like that answer, probably doesn't believe it either, he wants to do something, but I don’t need it. I just need to get out of my own head and stop living in the past. I’m not alone anymore, nor will I ever be again. No need to keep getting upset over things that are no more.
Besides, I much prefer to take care of others than to be taken care of. It's always been part of my job to watch out for my team and keep them safe. It's easier to forget your own problems when you're busy taking care of others.
Pushing my own sad thoughts aside, I pull him to me, kissing him with all I have to show him I mean my words, that he is enough for me. It isn’t long before that passionate kiss turns into panting breaths and grinding against each other for more. A hand slides down my side, lifting my leg over his hip, and I lock my ankles over his back.
As he lines himself up and slowly sinks into me, he whispers against my lips, his eyes closed. “I love you, Kari. You are my universe.” His hips meet mine, his cock buried to the hilt. “This is where I belong, where you belong. Never doubt that.” Our eyes meet for a moment before he kisses me so passionately I lose all thoughts.
He’s tender, sweet, and slow in our love making. Whispers of love and praises over my beauty and giving heart echo through me as he reminds me over and over that I am worth everything to him. All I can do is cling to him to hold myself together as he fills me with so much more love than I’ve ever believed I am worthy of.
After some snuggles, and after my tears have dried, he helps me clean up before dressing enough to make us breakfast. I take a moment to myself as I stare out the window at the forest around us, admiring the beauty, and letting the feeling of home sink into my bones.
I know somewhere deep inside me that Vahru is right. This is where I belong. I'm meant to be here, I'm meant to be helping others across the universe, and I'm meant to be his mate.
Taking a deep breath, I stand and stretch, my gaze never leaving the forest outside. I resolve to do my best to forget about what today is, no moping or beating myself up.
I'm not alone anymore. I'm where I belong with people who love me. That is enough.
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