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“It’s a theory being worked on,” Cleo said. “High Command is working closely with the Apexians to look over all the information. What you collected from that site will be crucial to bringing down the Siblet.”

“And we’ve got the white tails,” Daisy said. “They’re not in great shape, but a couple of weeks with us and we can get them off to a sanctuary.”

“Dallin and Sloane, keep reviewing the data, alongside Striker and Wren. I’ll keep linked in with High Command and the Apexians,” Cleo said. “And everyone needs to take a turn monitoring for radio chatter from the Siblet. They’ll be hoping to fix this, so they can carry on their work in secret.”

“Which we won’t let them,” Ash said.

“Got it in one. This was a successful mission,” Cleo said. “Good work, everyone.”

“Is there anything you want us to focus on?” Georgia asked.

Cleo’s gaze flicked to Ash, and she smiled. “You both deserve some downtime. Take the rest of the day off. I don’t expect to see either of you until tomorrow morning.”

Ash grinned, appreciating the time to be alone with Georgia. There were so many things he wanted to do with her, and they all involved no clothes.

The crew slowly disappeared, but when Georgia went to head back to the docking bay, Ash caught hold of her hand.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

She bit her bottom lip. “To check on the ship’s supplies. We’ll be out on another mission before we know it.”

“The ship’s supplies can wait. The others will deal with that.”

“What about the animals?”

“You know they’re getting looked at, so you don’t need to worry about them. They need some quiet time. They’ll get their check-ups and then go into isolation. There’s nothing you can do for them.” He tilted his head. “Are you scared to be alone with me?”

“Not scared, just... this feels different. Before it was just sex.”

“It wasn’t for me. And now?”

She rested a hand against his chest. “This is love.”

“So let’s go figure that out in your bedroom.”

Georgia’s breath came out shaky. “Yeah. Let’s do that.”

They strolled to her room, neither of them in a hurry. And for the first time, the sex was soft, sweet, and intense. There were no demands as they took their time kissing, tasting, enjoying each other’s bodies, and soaring to a new level of bliss.

Ash wrapped Georgia in his arms and let out a sigh of contentment as she wrapped herself around him, pressed a sweet kiss against his chest, and snuggled in tight.

“You know, I’ve never been to your home planet,” she said.

“We could visit some time. It’s not the most hospitable place, but the scenery is incredible. We have the purple mountains and the green seas of the North Quarter.”

“I’d like to see where you grew up. I want to know everything about you.”

“You already know the most important things. I’m your partner. I’m here to keep you safe and happy, and I love you.”

Georgia lifted her head and rested her chin on his bare chest. “Same here. That’s what I want. I want a real partnership. And I definitely want to go to your home planet. Maybe you could show me your sister’s final resting place.”

Ash let out a soft sigh. It hurt to talk about his sister, but there was no longer that ache of guilt inside him every time he thought about her. “She’d have loved you. Roha would have laughed out loud every time you put me in my place.”

“I’m sure I’d have loved her, too.”

“Roha always had a way to set anyone at ease. She was kind. Too sweet for this messed up world. And she always made sure you never felt alone.”

Georgia gently kissed his lips. “You’re not alone anymore. Neither am I. We have each other, and we have the crew on this ship. And even though they bug the hell out of me a lot of the time, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is our family.”

Ash pulled her in for a slow, drugging kiss that made him think they should have an immediate replay of their last encounter in the sheets.

Georgia groaned and tried to push him away, but her effort was half-hearted. “I need a shower and to eat.”

“We’ll get to those.” His hand moved down to her thighs, and he opened her slowly, taking his time to feel her softness and wetness. She was all his.

Her legs shook as his fingers continued to explore. “Do you ever get tired?”

“When it comes to making you happy, never. I’ll always be around to put a smile on your face and make sure you get the best sex of your life.”

“There’s that cocky Apexian spirit again.”

“You know it’s true. And you love it.”

“Yes, I do. And I love you.”

As Ash lowered himself between her legs, fully intending to show her just how much she meant to him, contentment and peace throbbed through him. Georgia was his most important person now. He’d never want anyone else.

It had taken them a long time to get here, but it had been so worth the wait. His fiery, fierce human had let him in, and he couldn’t be happier.