pleading. I dragged one of his legs up my chest, bent the other wide so I could watch my cock plunge inside his magnificent ass.
He made low keening noises, the sound filling me with pleasure. I lowered his leg and lay all the way on top of him, our bodies connected from chest to thighs. Our hands locked together beside his head. Our parted lips hovered so close. Occasionally we latched on when I stopped my thrusts to grunt at the exquisite feel of him clasping me deep inside.
His cock was caught between our bellies, and I watched his eyes becoming wild with the desperation to come. I glided up and down, the hair on my groin stimulating the hot rigid flesh. Then I stroked him, fast within my fist.
“Mayce…” He moaned breathlessly.
Come blasted his stomach and mine. It hit his chin, his mouth. As I pumped through his orgasm and the tight squeeze of his channel, I kissed him, sharing his tangy taste. I shuddered, losing myself inside of Hawke. Staggering bliss made my back bow. My hips punched to a primal rhythm as come burst from me until I rolled next to him, completely out of breath.
The hours, the minutes, and seconds would never stop. Time held us in its unending snare. I knew we’d have to get cleaned up and leave soon—me to the barracks and duty, Hawke to his camp and plans for the fall of Alpha. Always at odds and in danger of losing the other.
A few tears tumbled from Hawke’s eyes when he looked at me. “I don’t wanna wait for you. I don’t wanna worry about you every motherfucking minute of every day.” His arms captured me close, his chest heaving against mine. “This war’s gonna kill us. I don’t wanna wait for it to end.”
“What’re you asking me?” I peered at him.
“Do a handfasting with me. Or marry me.” He suddenly laughed, rolling on top of me. “Whatever. I don’t care. Jesus, run away with me.” His hands drifted up my back, settling on my shoulders. His lips nudged mine. “Just be mine. Always be mine.”
I felt lightheaded, like the first time I’d been up in a Predator plane; excited, scared, and a little sick. “Go AWOL?”
“Give up your post, this life. Come with me. Fight with me.”
“Live in freedom, love at will?”
His fingertips caressed my jaw. “Yeah, somethin’ like that.”
I nodded quickly. He was being too loud when he gave a happy shout, and I loved it. I loved the light in his eyes, the smile on his mouth, the joy skittering through me.
He grabbed his discarded shirt, yanking out an unraveling red thread from the hem.
“What’re you doing now?” I sat up.
“This is a promise.” He pulled my hand between his and kissed each fingertip. When he got to the fourth, he looped the red thread around it, fashioning a homemade ring in the color of the Freelanders.
I caressed his face and stroked the blond goatee, smiling against his lips. “I promise.”
We were about to kiss again when I heard the march of boots outside. “They’re here.”
“What?”
“Troopers, coming close.”
We dressed so quickly—me in my uniform, Hawke in his Freelander garb—I almost forgot the feel of him under me, beside me. At the last moment, I took off the ribbon and hid it deep within my breast pocket, between my heart and my Corps insignia.
Hawke shoved me toward the back entrance. “Go. Now.”
“What the hell? You go. They’re not gonna fuck with me.”
“Really.” He pushed his face into mine. “How are you gonna explain being out here alone.” He shook his head, pulling his shoulders back. “I’m done running.”
Thunder rumbled in my veins as I stood my ground. “Don’t be fucking stupid. I’ll go out the front, you hit the back. Don’t look back. Don’t come back.”
My heart ripped through my chest while I waited for him to agree. He finally nodded. This was too dangerous, we couldn’t keep doing it. I only hoped we made it without being caught one last time. I swooped in for a fast kiss, holding his face in my hands.
I
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