Entwined (Intergalactic Loyalties) by Jessica Coulter Smith

and bound them with a silken rope. Ariana had no idea where he’d gotten the rope as she hadn’t seen him pick it up.
    “ Initra gae raiy koro frietze .”
    He smiled. “You may kiss your bride, Bane. You’re officially mated.”
    Bane smiled down at her before softly pressing his lips to hers. She curled her free hand around the back of his neck and pressed her body close to his.
    A throat cleared and they broke apart. “Maybe you should take this celebration back to your room?” Dar suggested with a raised brow.
    Bane smiled. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
    “Don’t untie the rope until after your first time together as a mated couple,” Sol said. “After that, you may keep it if you wish.”
    Arko stepped forward and kissed Ariana’s cheek. “Welcome to the family.”
    She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
    Sol placed a hand on her shoulder. “May you find much happiness with your chosen mate, Ariana. You will be a welcome addition on Tarnan, both you and Bane.”
    Ariana wasn’t sure how he managed it with their hands still tied together, but Bane somehow lifted her into his arms and began striding down the corridor toward their quarters. Once they were inside, he let her slide down his body until her feet touched the floor.
    “It seems the mating ceremony isn’t complete until I take you again,” he told her. “But I don’t want to make you sore.”
    “You won’t, Bane. Not if you go slow and easy. I’m a little tender, but I can handle it.”
    He frowned down at their hands. “I can’t even undress us with this thing knotted around our hands.”
    Ariana turned until her back was against the wall and began lifting the hem of her dress. “Then I guess we won’t take them off.”
    A heated look entered his eyes as he unfastened his pants and shoved them down. His cock sprang free and she took it in her hand, folding her fingers around his steely length. His skin was velvety smooth.
    “Wrap your legs around my waist,” he said, his voice deep and husky.
    She did as he bade, bracing her free hand on his shoulder. Bane slid into her wet heat, taking his time. He pinned their joined hands to the wall as he began thrusting in and out of her. His body held her in place, her breasts crushed against the hard planes of his chest.
    “Faster, Bane,” she whispered. “Harder.”
    With a growl, he did as she asked, fucking her relentlessly. She knew she’d told him to be gentle, but she liked it when he was a little wild and reckless. The slide and retreat of his cock was pushing her closer and closer to the edge. She fisted his hair in her hand as she kissed him hungrily.
    He plunged into her harder and deeper, and then they both were coming. Her thighs were wet from their combined climaxes, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was Bane and that he was now hers for eternity.
    Bane pulled back and eased her to the floor. “Was I too rough?”
    She shook her head. “I loved it. I love you .”
    “I love you, too.” He brushed a hand over her stomach. “And one day, I’ll love the child we create together.”
    Ariana smiled up at him. “Maybe we created one today.”
    Bane kissed her softly. “What’s that Earth saying you have? Practice makes perfect?”
    She laughed. “I think I need a slight break and maybe some food before we ‘practice’ any more today.”
    “Then I’ll just have to make sure I take good care of you.” He untied their hands and dropped the rope on top of their bags. “Come on, beloved. I think it’s time to see if we both fit in that shower.”
    Ariana wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her into his embrace and carried her across the room. She’d never been happier in her life. She had the love of a wonderful man, and now she could claim him as her own. What would tomorrow bring? She couldn’t wait to find out. They were starting a new chapter in their lives, and anything was possible.