Max
I shouldn’t feel as happy as I do when she’s riding me.
She moves so sweetly, like a beautiful dancer on top of me. Diana is strength and power, hope and bravery, ecstasy and pleasure. She is all of these things wrapped up in one sweet, beautiful package, and I never want to let her go.
My mother always told me stories of mates.
She said that when you found the person you were supposed to be with, you would move heaven and hell to get to them. She told me you’d trek across any desert planet, any barren plains, if only it meant you got to see them.
I never knew what she meant until I met Diana.
Killing Ulizeoa was satisfying. It gave me closure, as I hope it brings her closure. He will never hurt Diana again. He will never hurt anyone again. No matter what she wants to do, no matter where she wants to go, I will make it my life’s duty to keep Diana safe.
When she asked me what happens next, I almost asked her to be mine. It’s not fair to her. We’ve only just met. She’s only just been rescued. It’s normal to feel a companionship with your savior, but what I feel for her is so much more than that.
What I feel for her is incredible, and I don’t want to let this feeling go.
Diana rides me like she’s a fucking star. She’s so brave, and so strong. Most people would be reeling after going through something half as terrible as what she experienced. Most people would be terrified to even think about having sex again, but not her.
No, my girl is much too strong for that.
My girl is a hero.
She groans, and she begins to grind faster against me. Faster, faster, faster, and all I can do is hold onto her hips as she rides into ecstasy. She cries out, squeezing me as she comes, and my own orgasm follows hers.
She collapses on my chest: tired, spent, worn out, and I just hold her.
I hold her, and I hope I never have to let her go.
***
I hold Diana for what feels like hours, but finally, I realize I’m going to have to get going if I want to accomplish anything today.
“I have to work,” I say apologetically. “Unfortunately, I have to do some paperwork and a debriefing. Why don’t we shower and eat together first?”
“You’ll be gone all day?” She asks. She doesn’t sound sad or pouty. She’s just curious.
“Most likely. Sarah says you can spend the day with her in the medical bay if you want company, but you’re always welcome to stay here, as well.”
“In your unit?”
“It’s yours now, too.”
She kisses me, and we go to the shower together. We get cleaned up, and then I hand her a uniform to wear.
“What’s this?” She looks at the red clothing.
“It’s a visitor’s uniform for the ship. It should be your size.”
“Interesting,” she says, looking at it. “Well, I suppose it’s better than the medical gown I was wearing yesterday.”
She puts the clothing on and sure enough, it fits perfectly, showing off her every curve.
“Beautiful,” I murmur.
“You too,” she says, motioning at my own uniform.
“You think I’m pretty?” I strike a pose, and Diana laughs. The sound fills the room, and once again, I realize I don’t want her to ever leave. She’s a light in my life.
“The prettiest,” she agrees. We head into the main area of my living unit and eat breakfast together, and Diana tells me she wants to spend the day with Sarah. I grab her cane, and carry her over to the medical area of the ship. Her ankle feels a lot better, but it’s still a little sore. When we arrive at the medical unit, I hand her the cane and I press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
“Meet me for dinner?” I ask her.
“It would be an honor,” Diana agrees easily. She turns and heads inside medical unit, and I make my way to the ship’s command center, where I have a meeting with Blake. We’ve got to give a debriefing about everything that happened on Dreagle, and we’ll also receive our next assignment.
We don’t always do back-to-back missions, and I prefer not to. I think it’s good for everyone to have some down time to be able to enjoy a normal life. Living in space isn’t easy. Staying on a ship isn’t simple. We’ve all left behind our home planets, our friends, and our loved ones to pursue this lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean the choice hasn’t come with a cost.
“Busy morning?” Blake joins me, striding beside me. He matches my pace, and I nod.
“Relaxing,” I say.
“Did you and Diana?” He asks, and I know he’s not being crude. He’s my brother in every way but blood. If he’s asking me this question, it’s because Blake cares about me.
“We did.”
“Brave little thing, isn’t she?”
“I was surprised,” I admit. “It was her idea. You know I would never pressure her into something like that.”
“I know, brother,” Blake pats my shoulder as we walk, making our way through the ship to the command room. “Are you okay?”
“What do you mean? I’m not the one who was hurt.”
“You care about her,” he says. “Sarah told me you were in the medical unit constantly while you waited for Diana to regain consciousness.”
“Sarah needs to mind her own business,” I say, but I don’t really mean it. If Blake is like a brother, then Sarah is the little sister I never had.
Blake just chuckles. “You don’t have to tell me. Sarah seems to know everything that’s happening on the ship at any given moment.”
“To be fair, it’s sort of her job.”
“Maybe,” Blake says, but his voice trails off. I’ve wondered for a long time why he and Sarah aren’t together. They both obviously care deeply for one another.
“Is everything okay with you two?”
“Yeah,” he shakes his head. “We’re fine. It’s just...I don’t know. I have a lot going on, I suppose.”
“If you ever need to talk about it, you know I’m here for you.”
“I know, and I appreciate it.” We round the corner and we’re about to enter the busy command room, but Blake stops and turns back to me. “Be careful with Diana,” he says. “She seems really sweet, Max. She seems like a genuine darling.”
“I plan on being careful.”
“My father always told me you’d know your true mate when you met them,” he says. “And I know you’re not me, and I know it’s not my place to say, but I’d bet money that Diana is your mate, Max. You look at her like she’s the moon and the stars. You look at her like there’s no one else. If that’s truly the way you feel, you shouldn’t wait to tell her.”
Then he pushes open the door, and he goes inside.