Hallan’s early erection throbbed, and he reached over among the pillows and blankets to locate his partner. They would join, satisfy their urges and get on with their day.

Nothing but more bedding met his hand, and before he had a chance to open his eyes, his time block let out a chime indicating it was time to awake.

The unexpected noise jolted him out of his partial slumber and he sat up. Since bringing Amsen home, they hadn’t used the alarm. The device went off once more, this time louder, reminding him to get on schedule. Reminding him Amsen left the planet cycle before.

Yes, she left. Tears in her eyes, she gathered up some of her belongings and simply walked out the door and he hadn’t stopped her.

He grabbed the block and peered inside, his chest tightening at his task list. Everything was timed out to get him and Amsen prepared for their ceremony in the next Tempore revolution. The sharp edges of the cube threatened to cut him, and he wished they would. Once more he glanced over at the empty side of the bed. In truth, that side was usually empty. Amsen tended to end up sprawled on him, tangling them both up in the bedding.

Apparently he wasn’t meant to have a life partner.

He slammed his fist into the pillow then tossed the bedding aside and stomped into the bath chambers. He had three more Tempore revolutions before he returned to work. In no way would he waste the time. This little reprieve would offer him the perfect opportunity to get his residence organized.

He entered the cleansing area and set the program, then stood there as the warm liquid and special light bathed him.

First order of business was to finish his ablutions. He needed to take things one step at a time, task after task. That was the way it has always been. Only by keeping busy and keeping on point could one accomplish anything in life. No more flitting around.

He shut his eyes and braced against the wall. Only the planet cycle before Amsen had trotted inside the cleansing chamber with him, declaring they could save time if they shared the chamber.

The female was brash and brazen and she had purposely slid her slick body against his.

While the cleansing progressed so did his partner, and even though they had just joined, he found himself ready again. Never had he felt such an attraction to anyone, the exact problem with his first union. Where with his first pledged partner he could wait until the designated times, with Amsen he was insatiable.

She kissed him, pressed her breasts against him and reached down, stroking her hand down his erection and smiling against his lips at knowing she brought such a reaction out in him.

The need to be inside her overtook him, he couldn’t wait, it had to be now and he reached for her.

A low chuckle escaped her throat and she held up a finger then turned, popping out her backside and placing her palms flat on the smooth walls of the chamber. “Take me.” Her voice echoed around him.

Like the animal he had become when he was anywhere near his partner, he took his cock in his hand and guided himself inside her.

Her tightness gripped him and she let out a moan.

Unable to hold back he took hold of her hips and drove into her while she thrust back toward him. The slapping of their skin connecting reverberated through the small chamber and all he knew was he needed to fill her.

“Hallan!” She gasped his name and the contractions along his length drew him let him know he succeeded in bringing her to climax.

He let go, pumping into her and grinding against her allowing their heat to merge together.

She turned and he took her into his arms, kissing her as the cleansing cycle ended.

“I think we need to go for another round.” With a laugh she hit the controls.

He had buried his face in the crook of her neck, licking some of the water droplets off her delicious skin. “I don’t think we saved any time.”

“Time will take care of itself.” She had run her fingers through his hair.

The cleansing cycle ended and he stroked his cock faster, he was right there, almost, he only needed for Amsen to remain in his mind for a moment more. Needing the relief, he continued, panting until at last reaching his end. Instead of filling his partner, feeling her pulse around him, he released right in the chamber, leaving him weak and spent, yet oddly unsatisfied.

He hadn’t pleasured himself since he was a youngster and he shook his head and restarted the cycle. Again, he didn’t save any time, and in fact, he was losing it by leaps and bounds. Now was the time to reclaim his schedule.

After quickly rinsing off, he left the chamber mid-cycle, quickly dried off and went to the closet, trying to ignore Amsen’s clothes still hanging next to his.

He had wanted a partner, it was time, and he shouldn’t feel this emptiness in his core at her not being here. They had only been together part of the Merging Time, they lived a lie, she was forced into their partnership and only out of commitment to her family did she not say anything. He didn’t need the drama didn’t want it or her.

He threw the nearest articles of clothing on his body and without straightening the bedding, trudged through his residence into the meal preparation area and glanced around. On the counters were some beverages and foodstuffs his once partner preferred—they only got the delivery yesterday. On the table were still the favors she had been making for their ceremony. On the chair was the blanket she brought with her from family’s residence.

In the short time she had been with him little bits of her were laced all over.

A strange chill encompassing him, he supposed his first task would be to pack up her things. No, he should eat, but a pit in his stomach replaced his hunger. Rather than staying on schedule, he found a box, went to the table, and picked up one of the favors.

He ran his fingers over the clock interlaced with a heart. The little symbol perfectly described them. Though he tried to put the little keepsake in the box, somehow he just couldn’t find the strength, so he returned it to the table and sat down.

Another time block caught his eye, the one where Amsen discovered his plans for his first Union Ceremony.

He picked up the block and gazed inside. Both times he pledged, he did so out of obligation, but only one time did he want to go through with giving his life to another.

In a perfect world he would have pursued Amsen, rather than relying on some old custom to have his life arranged for him. He should have asked her to be with him before pledging himself to her.

“Pledge myself to her.” He spoke in his empty residence. Her words about wishing she could remember the ceremony replayed in his mind. Calling off one partnership before the Union Ceremony, admitting to a forced pledging—everything was stacked to ostracize him. He’d ruined both their lives. The right thing to do would be to be silent.

But if he had truly pursued her, pledged himself to her would she have accepted?

Once more he looked down at the cube. He wanted Amsen, wanted to pledge himself to her, wanted her to accept because she wanted him as well. He wanted, no he needed a partnership where the passion was deep, he found that with her. Amsen was wrong, his first partnership was out of duty, this one was built with the passion he craved even it the circumstances were frowned upon.

He took the cube and threw it across the room. The device shattered, leaving shards over the floor, but the action was satisfying, and he wondered if he should take the pieces and create some art. Instead, he forgot about his schedule and got ready to start again.