Two hours later after we drop Hunter off at Lexi’s office building for processing, Caiden and I are standing in front of a justice of the peace in the town hall as Lexi and Eliza watch. Our vows were read from a piece of paper, and it would feel cold to me if not for the way Caiden managed to wrap his alien touch around my heart while we spoke. I know that will be the part I always remember.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” says the justice. “You may kiss the bride.”

Caiden takes my face in his hands with a feather light grip and says, “I love you, Mandy.”

His gaze is intense, and I experience the now-familiar sensation of give and take that I believe is more than just our souls. It’s pieces of our heart too. Neither of our forces is overpowering or taking control. I realize that’s what our marriage will be, a compromise of power that will keep both of us safe as we navigate the new world of interplanetary life. “I love you too, Caiden.”

The thick muscles of his arms flex in my grip as Caiden kisses me, and he tugs me against his firm body. I press against him trying to fill every nook and cranny as we melt into each other. I’m sure I made the right decision to marry Caiden now, and when we break apart the desire I see on his face makes my insides tingle. I rise on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Race you back to my--our place.”

Caiden grins down at me, and I yelp when he scoops me up in his arms the way he did in the rainstorm. “This way we both win,” he says.

His jacket is smooth on my cheek as I lean against his chest. “That we do.”

As Caiden and I approach our apartment he says, “I know how this works. I must carry you across the threshold.”

“You must.”

When he walks through the apartment entrance Caiden kicks the door shut, and it slams behind us like it did the first day we met. He says, “I wanted to do so much more than kiss you once I laid eyes on you. I knew we were a perfect match.” He takes me to the bedroom and eases me gently onto my feet as if I’m a treasure.

“We’re only ninety-seven percent,” I say.

“And that makes us perfect.” He leans down and brushes his lips against mine. “The three percent is what keeps us interesting.”

Caiden steps away from me, and his jacket swishes as he takes it off to set it on a chair. I say, “You definitely keep me interested.” As he begins to unbutton his shirt I ask, “Getting comfortable?”

Caiden shakes his head as he steps closer. “I’m giving you what you want.”

I bite my lip as he slides the shirt off his arms and tosses it to lay on his jacket. “You are one sexy alien, Caiden TS-461.” I place a hand on his chest over his heart. The beat is steady and strong against my palm. “And I’m so glad I pushed that initiate match button.”

The zipper of my dress hums as Caiden tugs it down, and he steps back to let me slither out of it. He lets out a sigh of pleasure as I reveal my naked body. “You are the most gorgeous creature I’ve ever seen, Mandy.” He places his hands on my hips and slides them slowly up the sides of my torso sending waves of desire through me. “Everything I dreamed about and more, my earth girl.”

When he gets to my breasts he cups them, and I let my head fall back as he lowers his mouth to suckle one. Tiny currents travel to my core. “So nice,” I whisper. He takes his time ravishing me before he moves his flitting tongue down to my stomach.

Pushing gently, Caiden guides me to the bed where I sit. He lowers himself to his knees and his touch is light as he spreads my thighs. “So many new tastes on Earth, but this one is my favorite.” My core trembles as Caiden laps at my sensitive slit, and I lie back. His hair is silky in my fingers as I thread them through his thick locks. My stomach quivers as he brings me higher, and waves of pleasure wash over me as I begin to moan. He adds in his alien touch that intensifies everything, and when I can hardly stand it any longer I crash with an orgasm that makes me cry out louder than ever before.

Caiden rises to remove his pants, and his thick cock juts out as I move back to lie completely on the bed. The mattress sinks around me as my beloved alien climbs over me and sighs. “I’ve been thinking about being inside you since the first time I saw you.”

I grip him in my hand and stroke his hard length. “I think you know I’ve wanted you that long too.”

He grins as he guides himself toward my slick channel. “I do.” He slides in slowly, stretching my sensitive flesh until he’s seated deep. Caiden lets out a low groan as he holds still. “You feel amazing.” He begins to move slowly.

Shifting my hips to meet him I say, “This feels so good. So--” He adds his magic touch and words escape me as I shake.

Caiden grins down at me. “Out of this world?”

All I can manage is a small nod as he begins to move faster, and I grip the sinewy muscle of his butt as he works on bringing us both to the edge of ecstasy. The sound of our panting fills the room along with small cries of pleasure. As I climb to my peak, Caiden tenses and lets out a low noise that I don’t recognize as an earthly sound. But it’s sexy as hell as it reverberates through my body, and I find I’m crying out along with him.

As we recover sweat slicks our skin and we lay entwined together. Caiden whispers in his native language making the musical sounds dance over me and wrap around me like a blanket of love. I ask, “What are you saying?”

“I’m telling you how much I adore you and making promises to keep you safe and loved forever.”

“We’ll keep each other safe, Caiden.” I imagine his heart in my hand like a precious jewel and vow I’ll do whatever is necessary to make sure I treasure him the way he does me.

Caiden inhales deeply and reaches in with his alien touch to stroke my heart. I ask, “How do you do that?”

“The same way you just did, earth girl.”

“You mean I just touched you with my thoughts?” When I was holding his heart like a precious gem? I remember how Caiden told me he’d explain how his invisible touch worked when I first asked, and I smile.

“Yes.” He smiles at me. “We’re mates for life now, and you’ll be able to reach me no matter where I am.”

Tears fill my eyes as emotions of love fill my entire being. “Oh, Caiden. That’s amazing.”

“Together, we’re amazing, Mandy.” Caiden kisses me and I fall into a love that’s in this world and beyond, because I know there’s no place I’d rather be.