Vi leaned back on the bed, panting, her heartbeat gradually slowing down. She ran her hands along Haze's arms, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers.

Haze took a deep breath, grinning at her with a twinkle in his eye, like he'd just found out about Christmas. Well, perhaps he had. Heck, perhaps she had. She wouldn't mind getting to do this whenever she felt like it. She loved how wild he was, how he took control and got what he wanted, and he gave so good. She felt the little answering tingle. Yes, he was good at handing out presents.

She shimmied out of his arms. "So, you think your shower can manage two of us?"

He rolled up quick and off the bed, scooping her up into his arms. It made her stomach drop again. He made it seem so effortless, like she was nothing but a feather.

"Let's see," he said. Then he bent down and ran his tongue around her nipple. How could he do that while carrying her? She felt a quiver run through her again. At this rate, they'd never make it to dinner.

Sure enough, between the lathering and the panting and the moaning — and oh god, the incredible sex — they were a teensy bit later than she expected making their way out of his room. His arm resided around her waist the whole time, his fingers tracing delicious patterns along her side, making it hard to concentrate.

While they sat at dinner and Molly fussed at Vi and Saetyria, Haze never stopped touching her leg, her arm. His tail was resting against her foot, touching gently at her ankle. She was so aware of him and his body that she could barely pay attention to the conversation. She had no idea what people said to Saetyria or if anyone asked her anything.

All she could think about was when they could get back to their room again.

After an eternity, they stood up, but Haze didn't leave Vi's side. "Molly, your grub was amazing, like always. You outdid yourself."

Molly smiled and waved her hand. "Go, you two lovebirds. The boys have got things here."

Haze grunted his acknowledgement at her.

In only a moment, the room went sideways on Vi as Haze scooped her into his arms again. Vi let out a gasp in surprise, laughing as he carried her with long, quick strides out of the dining room.

"I really want to get you into the training arena but…" He broke off. “…probably frowned on if you end up naked in there."

Vi felt a shiver go through her as he gazed down at her with naked hunger.

She leaned up, and they were kissing and blindly fumbling for their room. Haze's hands roamed over her body, pulling at her clothing, leaving her naked as they crossed the threshold, some of their clothes scattered halfway into the hallway.

But all she could absorb was having his arms around her again, his mouth upon her skin.

She moaned with pure abandon, and let her cries echo off the walls.

With his hard body beneath her, she slid over his shaft, surrounding him, throwing her head back as he filled her. She raised herself off slowly, watching him pant beneath her. He groaned and clutched at her waist, jerking up into her, stabbing her, filling her with pleasure.

They kept up their game until her thoughts scattered. He reached up to help her, rising up into her as he pulled her down onto him.

The rhythm raised her up until she could control it no longer. She came hard, shattering and shaking, her entire body vibrating.

As she came back to herself, she listened with pleasure as he threw his head back and called out for her.

They fell asleep quickly, their limbs entwined and bodies entangled.

She woke early the next morning and found his eyes upon her. He reached over and ran his hands through her hair, bending over for a soft kiss.

Then he spanked her ass hard, making her squeak in surprise. "Time to get you trained up, woman."

She grinned, reached over, and whopped him as hard as she could on one butt cheek. "What, you actually think you can take me?"

She ran her hand down his tail.

Haze drew in a sharp breath. “On second thought… let's stay in here a little while longer."

* * *

It was a lovely few hours before she finally made her way out of the room. Haze had to check on things in command later anyway, and Vi wanted to check on Saetyria. Vi felt immensely guilty for leaving her with strangers. It wasn't Vi's finest decision-making.

Vi saw Molly climbing up the ladder from Dr. Seban’s office.

“Hey, Molly, everything okay?”

Molly sort of looked away and nodded her head. “Sure. I guess.”

“What’s happened? Do you want to talk about it?”

Molly shook her head. “It's nothing. I’m not pregnant. The doc confirmed it. I thought for sure I’d be pregnant by now. I guess sometimes these things take time. I mean, I know they do…”

Poor little Molly. She was such a sweet little thing. “Don't worry, Molly. My sister was married for a couple years before she got pregnant. It’s normal. Try not to let yourself get down about it.”

“It’s funny. I never thought I’d actually want to get pregnant - what with the risks and all - but I kind of always wanted to be a mother, you know?”

“Yeah. I—“ Vi stopped. Actually no. She did not want to be a mother. At least for a few more years. Many years. “Well, when it happens for you, I know you’ll be such a great mother. And Oz will be such a cute dad.”

Molly’s face scrunched in a happy smile. “I think he will be too. He’s so thoughtful, you know? And sweet.” She glanced over at Vi and linked her arm through Vi's. "And you two? So cute together, right? I never thought I'd see Haze like that - he's almost a big teddy bear now."

Vi couldn't even stop her smile. "Molly, it’s crazy. He is like the sweetest guy. And so good at—” She stopped talking as the door to Haze's… err… the door to their room slid open. “…Anyway, where's Saetyria at? I wanted to see how she was settling in." She glanced over as Haze walked by them, heading to the command center.

He sort of looked over and away. Almost shy-like.

"Morning, dear," she called after him, teasingly.

He stopped and turned back. Pulling her face to his so he could kiss her soundly. Her heart stopped briefly, then tripped along at a rapid pace.

"Morning, dear," Haze repeated as he released her. His tail did a quick swat at her butt, and he whistled as he walked back to command.

Vi rolled her eyes, re-linking her arm with Molly’s so they could walk back toward the ladder, up to the dining area, breakfast, and hopefully check on Saetyria.

"Men," Vi called back in fake exasperation.