Lurin's Surrender (16 page)

“Since the beginning.” He seemed to enjoy Lurin’s surprise.

“You son of a--”

Mara interrupted. “How did you know?”

“I’m of the Xema class. We know things.” So saying, he gracefully bowed, winked, and left them with congratulations.

“Xema class?” Mara asked.

Lurin stared at Catam’s back. “My people consider them cousins, if you will. I’ll be damned.”

“That little sneak,” Mara huffed. “When we get back to my ship, I’m going to--”

“Make sweet love to your husband.” He sent her several more pictures that had her blushing like wildfire. “You know, if Catam’s brother is a peacemaker, I believe he has the wherewithal to marry us, love. Then again, Gren’s a space captain, isn’t he? He could marry us, if you like.”

“Gren I’ll deal with later, after the poor man has healed enough to fight back,” she promised. She cupped his face in her hands. “I love you so much. We’re going to have so much fun being together.” Her finger caressed his lip. “Especially when I show you what it means to obey your captain.”

He chuckled and lifted her onto his lap, in part to hide his obvious arousal. “Yes, Ma’am, Captain Mara. I hear, and I obey.”

In the distance, he heard Catam whine, “Hurry it up, Sernal. The captain’s turning soft on us. And we can’t have that.”

“Damn straight,” the Fas brothers said as one.

His new family. He kissed her hard on the mouth. “I love you, Mara. I must if I’m going to agree to live with your ugly crew.”

She laughed and hugged him tight. “Just wait until a prison ship breaks out. We’ll be hip deep in bounties, and you’ll appreciate what Raggas and a Mardu can contribute to the job.”

“So long as it’s
my
job to see to you, I’m good with whatever you want.”

“Oh, that’s perfect. Whatever I want, hmm?”

Later that night, when Lurin gave his wife exactly what she wanted, he knew for certain he’d surrendered his heart and soul to the one person in the universe who would ever truly understand him—his soul mate, his captain.
His Forever
.