When I step into the lab, I find Addison already at one of the tables, focused on the machinery in front of her. A box full of vanadium sits to her right, and a box of meteorite glass is over to her left, both within easy reach. She's frowning, muttering to herself as she works with tweezers and a slim metal tool, hunched over.

She looks adorable.

But she has been working nonstop for too long. I step over towards her and she looks up at the sound.

"Are you making any progress?" I ask, settling a hand on the small of her back.

She lets out a frustrated breath, shaking her head. "No," she responds glumly. "I've tried every hack I can think of, every which way, but still—nothing!" She throws her hands up in frustration, but doesn't let go of her tools, bringing them back down to get back to work. "I'll figure it out," she mutters, fiddling with the small components in front of her. "I just need to keep tinkering with it..."

That's exactly what she doesn't need to do. She needs a break. I can see it in the shadows in her eyes, in the rising frustration at the failed attempts. The problem is, she will not take a break herself.

Fortunately, I know exactly how to push the issue and relieve this tension...

I pick up the stool she is sitting on and turn it so she is facing me rather than the table and the problem she has been worrying at. She blinks up at me with wide eyes while I gently take the tools from her hands and set them down on the table. I take both of her hands and massage them for a moment, feeling the tiny delicate bones there. When she is distracted by my touch, I ease her from the stool.

"Come, Addison. You need a break."

She tries to pull back, realizing I am intending to lead her out of the lab, but I pull her along gently, out of the lab and into one of the smaller store rooms nearby. I glance around before I close the door, ensuring there is nobody nearby.

"Melchior, I can't take a break yet," she insists. "I still haven't tried the resistor—"

Gripping her hips, I lift her up against the wall and set my mouth on hers in a kiss that's immediately deep, wet. She stiffens at the abrupt contact, clearly surprised, but then she sighs, softening against me and raising her hands up to slide them into my hair. I groan at the touch, at the acceptance as her body melds against my own.

I love how she responds to me.

Breaking the kiss, I slide my mouth down her soft throat, pulling the loose neck of her shirt down, taking her undergarment with it to expose one rounded breast. Groaning, I take it into my mouth, sucking hard as I unfasten her pants. As soon as they are open, I yank them down and off, leaving them dangling off one foot. It doesn't matter. They aren't in the way there.

She cries out as I give her breast one last hard suck before kissing my way back up to her neck, biting down gently on her shoulder as I release my hard cock. I put my hand between us to test her readiness, but when I feel her ready slickness, I have to have a taste. I crouch, settling her thighs on my shoulders, and close my mouth over the softest part of her, licking and sucking the way I know she likes it.

Her cry is sharp but short. When I look up, I see her eyes are shut tightly closed and she has covered her mouth with her hand, aware that there might be people close by. The thrill of that knowledge flows through me, heightening every sensation. I lick at her faster, spearing two fingers into her at the same time. Her cry is muffled as she arches into me, her orgasm coming hard and fast.

I drink it down, revel in it, ensure she stays at that glowing peak as long as possible. When she slowly relaxes, I stand, moving her legs so they are locked around my waist, and I push into her in one long thrust. My hands clench on her hips as I try not to make a sound, the feel of her surrounding me so abruptly an intense one.

And so necessary.

She clutches at my shoulders, her chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath. I don't let her. Sliding my arm under her back to buffer her from the hard wall, I pump into her hard and fast. Her head drops against my shoulder, her mouth open against my skin, her hips trying to push against me for more.

It is hot, quick, primal. It’s what both of us need after the trip to the mining settlement. A release from the tension, a way to clear the mind before she finds a way to fix the problems that plague us.

And I know she will.

She will find a way to fix the shields, activate the old technology in the city, understand the ever-elusive invaders' vessel. Because she is just that capable, just that intelligent. But in that moment, inside her, I must confess...I am not thinking of her mind.

This time, she does not reach completion first. Slapping my hand against the wall to brace myself, I squeeze into her tightness as deeply as I can go.

The pleasure is sharp and all encompassing, the quickness of it almost bringing me to my knees.

And then Addison cries out with her own orgasm, squeezing my length, her legs tightening on my waist. I brace my legs, another wave of pleasure going through me as I try to remain upright.

Oh...

I come back slowly, the sound of my breathing and Addison's the only thing I hear in the small room.

"That was...intense," Addison murmurs, sliding her arms around my neck in a hug.

I nod.

In all honesty, I was not expecting something so...primal, and I can sense Addison did not expect it either. I am somewhat shaken by it, by my own behavior. I pride myself on my control, but Addison can so easily take that from me. I lift my head to meet her still out-of-focus eyes, not knowing exactly what I intend to say. But it does not matter.

A sound has us both freezing in place.

Footsteps.

Familiar ones.

And then the sound of Errol's voice—nearby.

"Where have they gone?" we hear him mutter irritably. "We have so much we need to accomplish!"

Addison and I glance at each other. Her mouth twitches into a smile and I suppress the urge to laugh.

"We better get back," Addison whispers, wiggling to get down.

My eye falls on her still-exposed breast, jiggling from the motion, and I cannot resist the urge to kiss it. She stills at the touch.

"Mmm."

I rub my face on it before I finally set her down gently, and we quickly right ourselves. My second cock still aches, but I cannot do anything about that now. It will have to wait.

Addison opens the door, looking back at me. She looks up and down the hallway, then turns back to me and gives a tiny nod. I nod in return and follow her out, back to the lab.

When we step back inside, Errol turns to us, his countenance irritated, but his expression changes quickly when he looks us over, the slight scowl shifting into a sly grin. I frown, looking over at Addison. Her hair is a little messy and her face flushed. Her clothing is just slightly off kilter. I smooth down my own hair, but I am certain it is too late. The knowing look in Errol's eyes tells me he has accurately deduced exactly what just happened.

"Carry on," he says cheerfully, his entire demeanor shifting radically. "Give me a report if anything develops." The glimmer in his eyes is a sure indication he plans on telling everyone that another mating ceremony is on the horizon.

When I glance over at Addison to gauge her reaction, I feel a stab of disappointment. She looks...uncomfortable, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face.

But I try to suppress my reaction, try not to take offense. She is a private person. I am certain she simply wanted to reveal our connection in her own time.

But that disappointment still lingers despite myself as we get back to work. I do not like the suspicion that blooms inside me. What if...she never wanted to reveal our courtship?

Ever?