Stax stood in the shower with Mila while she helped wash the blood and dirt from his body. He thanked the Star God over and over again for his victory over the Urronnian and Evan, as well as Mila’s well-being and that of their son. If something had happened to her…he couldn’t complete the thought.

His heart belonged to her and no other. He was proud of the way she’d comported herself today, and he told her as much while she ran a washcloth over his back. She blushed and stammered, looking adorable as the warm water streamed down upon their bodies. She was so beautiful and she’d been so brave today when she’d watched the battle. Many females would’ve broken down in tears or averted their eyes, unable to watch. But he’d heard remarks from many of those in the crowd as he carried her away about how she’d watched the entire battle.

She was a strong woman and would make a wonderful mother, he thought as he turned and placed a hand upon her stomach. She smiled up at him, her face flushed as she moved the washcloth over his chest.

“I-I think you’re all clean now, Stax.”

“Thanks to you,” he replied, leaning down to kiss her.

Without pausing, he reached between her thighs and stroked her wetness. The exquisite aroma of her arousal mingled with the scent of soap and shampoo, driving him wild with need for her. His cock thickened and pulsed, eager to sink into her sweetness. She moaned and leaned into him, seeking his touch.

Her little hand gripped his length and he emitted a deep growl. When she started sinking to her knees, he didn’t stop her. She parted her lips and tentatively licked the tip of his manhood. He shifted their position so the water didn’t cascade down directly upon her head. The only thing he wanted her choking on was his cock.

His desire swelled as she took him in her mouth, her head bobbing forward and back as she proceeded to take him deeper and deeper, swirling her tongue around the tip of his cock whenever she reared backward. More growls left him and he gripped her head, twisting his hands in her hair as he took control and guided her movements. When she moaned around his length, the vibrations drove him to thrust faster into her mouth.

In and out and in and out.

Faster. Harder. Deeper.

She’d never swallowed his essence before, but as he stared at her on her knees, eagerly accepting his cock, he decided this time she would gulp down every last drop of his seed. He wanted to spill himself down her throat and then in her pussy, wanted to fill her up and leave her dripping with his seed. Wanted to mark her in every possible way as his.

He’d killed for her. And he’d do it again. He would kill a thousand times a thousand Urronnians or Horsthan Defenders just to keep her safe.

He paused in his thrusting and waited for her gaze to drift up to him. Her eyes collided with his and his heart beat faster and only for her. Always for her.

His vision clouded and pleasure cascaded down upon him, violent in its intensity as he came hard in her mouth. When she tried to pull back, he wouldn’t allow the movement.

She whimpered around his cock and peered at him, her dark brown eyes large and filled with surprise.

“Swallow,” he commanded. “All of it.”

Another whimper left her and he stroked her hair. For an instant, he thought she would disobey, but after she breathed deeply through her nose he felt her throat moving as she swallowed once, and then twice, and finally a third time.

“Good girl,” he found himself saying, and she flushed and melted under his praise.

He lifted her up and turned off the shower. Slowly, with reverence, he dried her body with a large, soft towel. She was quiet and shy in the aftermath of their newly shared intimacy. Each time she glanced at him, she blushed anew and fidgeted in place. He thought her behavior endearing and once she was dried off, he dried himself quickly and then scooped her up and carried her to the bed.

Sunlight spilled into the room, bathing the sheets with bright, warm rays. When he placed her down atop the covers, her hair spread out around her head, every strand catching a different angle of light. She was resplendent and glowing as she parted her thighs.

The scent of her increasing arousal beckoned him and he positioned her legs over his shoulders and began to feast on her. Teasingly, not quite grazing his tongue over her clit as often as she would’ve liked. Instead, he licked around her engorged nubbin, only to flick over her most sensitive spot every now and then. He also kept the vibrations of his tongue very, very low.

“Please, Stax.” She panted harder. “Please, I’m begging you.”

Mila was in agony. But also, in heaven.

But mostly, in agony.

If she didn’t come soon, she would burn up with a fever. She lifted her hips and pleaded with Stax over and over again. Please please please.

But he was relentless in his teasing, particularly when he began to thrust three large fingers in and out of her at a torturously slow pace. She hovered on the precipice of an intense release, but no matter how hard or often she lifted her center in an attempt to guide his movements, he wouldn’t grant her mercy. Nor would he vibrate his tongue as fast as she craved.

“You’re a sadist,” she said in between harsh breaths. She might very well pass out if he didn’t help her soon. When she struggled against his hold, he tightened his grip on her hips, forcing her to remain in place as he continued the delicious torment.

He chuckled and the vibrations of his laugh nearly sent her hurling into the abyss, but at that moment he also pulled his fingers from her pussy. By some miracle, he settled himself between her legs and his thick, long shaft prodded at her aching entrance.

He met her eyes. “You’re only allowed to come if my cock is inside you.”

His words sent a delightful shudder through her. Not only was he about to impale her with his length, but he was indeed planning to give her an orgasm. She cried out when he drove into her depths, filling her completely with one hard thrust. Briefly, she mused that she’d once feared he would be too huge for her. And now, weeks later, she couldn’t get enough of his cock. Well, not only his cock, but him.

Alive. He was alive. So was she. Their baby—their son—was healthy, too. All those who had threatened their union were gone, never to return. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was truly safe and the future had never looked so bright, so full of promise.

Happily-ever-after.

She reached for Stax and ran her hands up and down his chest, then over his back, memorizing the feel of each and every muscle.

The aching between her thighs built and built as he commenced plunging in and out of her, quick deep drives that made her quiver and whimper and beg for more.

When she finally came, she literally saw stars. Millions of them, sparkling in a vast, dark sky. She cried out Stax’s name repeatedly and clutched onto him as he found his own release, pumping her full of his seed. His cock pulsed so hard the sheer pleasure of it brought tears to her eyes.

As she floated down from the stars and the clouds, she became vaguely aware of him holding her. He always held her after they made love, no matter how rough or gentle he was during their exertions. In his arms, she felt safe and treasured.

She rested her head on his chest. The beating of his heart lulled her into a blissful trance. She thought she could listen to no other sound but the beating of his heart forever and be quite content. She sighed and peeked up at him, so handsome with his damp hair curling around his ears. He hadn’t had a haircut since she’d met him and she rather liked the look of him with long, disheveled locks. He looked savage and fierce and despite having just come, warmth pulsed in her sex anew, and she couldn’t help but press her legs together just to savor the achiness.

“My mate,” he whispered into her ear. “I love you.”

“Oh, Stax,” she said, propping her chin on his chest. She gazed into his eyes, those glowing green eyes that had been the first thing she saw when she awoke after her ordeal on Horstha. Those glowing green eyes that only ever looked at her with affection. “I love you, too, my alien healer.”

Pleasure reflected in his gaze and he embraced her tighter. He placed a kiss to her forehead and she smiled, running her fingers over his unshaven jaw. He’d been so busy training for his fight against the Urronnian that he hadn’t taken the time to shave in over a week. A Vaxxlian’s hair grew faster than a human’s and he already had the beginnings of a thick, full beard.

She loved the way it felt when it scratched between her thighs. A heated flush rippled through her and the aching in her core tightened.

He lifted an eyebrow at her, looking so cocky she almost smacked him. “Eager for more already?” he said, his voice deep and sensual.

She straddled him suddenly and reached for his wrists, pinning him down as best she could. He allowed her to take control, though the smugness didn’t leave his face. She put her lips to his ear and nibbled along the lobe.

“Yes, I’m eager for more already,” she said, “but this time, I’ll be the one teasing you.”