I’m getting aroused just thinking about it.
With a happy wiggle, I pull a filmy pale lavender dress out of my closet. The last time I wore this, it was so see-through that Matty all but dragged me back to our quarters and didn’t let me out of bed for hours. I absolutely want a repeat performance of that, so I hum to myself as I slip it over my head, pinching my nipples so they stand out nice and firm against the slinky fabric. The sight of that will absolutely drive Mathiras wild, and I shiver with delight at the thought, picturing his response. I pull my hair up into a ponytail high atop my head. It’s still shorter than I’d prefer, sweeping past my shoulders, but it’s just hair. One last glance in the mirror, and then I grab my skirts and race toward the bridge of the station, where the control room is located.
A station is not all that different from a ship in set-up. All the important functions are controlled from the bridge, it’s just that a station more or less remains in orbit around a planet or a moon, whereas a ship flies to different locations and needs navigation. I sit in the chair that Mathiras usually commands when he’s up here, and punch the buttons that have been colored red, in the sequence that I remember. Right now, I only know the sequence to call out to the Little Sister, which suits me just fine. I’m not interested in calling anyone else. Alice nags me that I need to learn how to read more, but it’s hard to stay focused when there are other things to do like paint the walls or kiss Matty. Lick Matty. Shower with Matty…
My mate needs to come home already.
I finish the sequence and peer down at the screen. It shows the Sister about to arrive, the hangar bay doors locking down so no one can wander in while the ship docks. With a delighted squeal, I race back through the station so I can meet him the moment he enters. It’s been an impossibly long three days, and I hate that we’ve been apart. I wanted to go with him so I could be his bodyguard, but the brothers wanted me to stay and protect the station. I did, but I’m not thrilled about it. Next time, I’m going with Mathiras. I don’t care if I have to wear my ooli mask and robes for a week straight, I’ve missed my mate and missed being in his bed. Missed his scent and his calming presence. Missed that lash of his tail when he’s annoyed, and missed having a shower partner.
I’ve always loved being with Matty, but I didn’t realize how much I relied on his presence until he left. The last few days have felt like years. I didn’t just miss the sex (though I did miss that a lot). I missed everything about my mate, but especially his smile and his voice and the warm touch of his hand.
Thinking about how much I’ve missed him makes me feel lonely, and I sigh as I come to the locked hangar doors, the warning light flashing. I know better than to override them, so I press my cheek to the metal and wait, daydreaming about my mate’s handsome face. I want his eyes to light up when he sees me. I want to know he missed me as much as I missed him. I want him to grab me and haul me right to our quarters, so we don’t come out for hours on end—
The door chimes, and with a rush of air, it slides open. “Ship docked. Welcome to the Second Star,” the computer greets. “Please enjoy your stay.”
“Do we really need to be greeted to return to our own station?” Kas complains as I step through the doors. His arms are full of two large boxes, and he swaggers down the ramp of the Little Sister onto the bay floor. “We’ve really got to get that fixed.”
“Priorities,” says a deep, familiar voice that makes my heart sing. “One thing at a time.” Matty appears at the top of the ramp, a large crate of noodles in his arms. I let out a shriek of utter delight and race toward him.
The noise I make startles my poor mate, and he almost drops the crate.
“Helen! Kef me, love,” Matty grumbles as I dash up the ramp. He sets down the crate as if in anticipation of what I’m about to do next—and he knows me well, because I throw myself into his waiting arms, flinging my limbs around him. My arms go around his neck, my legs around his waist, and then I’m pressing fevered kisses to his cheek and chin as he holds me tight against him.