York (The Vorge Crew Book 3) Read online

  “This is a good morning, my beautiful Sara.”

  “That it is.”

  He eased his cock out of her body and collapsed onto his side next to her on their bed. She turned her head as he opened his arms. She didn’t hesitate to snuggle into him.

  He really did love to cuddle and hold her. Sleeping with him was like having a living, breathing blanket wrapped around her. His favorite position was spooning, and she had no complaints about using his arm for a pillow.

  “I guess we won’t be nullifying our marriage.”

  He tensed against her and his eyes widened.

  She chuckled. “You should see your face right now. That was a joke. You know…we totally exchanged fluids before the three days were up.”

  He slid his hand to her side and tickled her. She laughed, trying to roll away. York came down on top of her, pinning Sara under him. He was always careful not to put too much of his weight on her.

  “That wasn’t funny. You’re mine forever, bond mate. I never want to think about losing you. It would break me inside, and I wouldn’t recover. You’re everything to me, my Sara.”

  He melted her heart with his sincerity as she stared into his blue eyes. “You won’t lose me. Not ever. You’re stuck with me.”

  “I’m grateful to hear that. Would you like a tour today of The Vorge or shall we spend the entire day in bed?”

  “It’s nice that the crew is splitting your shifts to give you some more time off.”

  “They all realize it’s important that we bond. I’m already feeling the physical effects.”

  “What physical stuff? The fact that we’re having a lot of sex?”

  “I told you that Parri bodies experience chemical changes. I’m undergoing my own.”

  She’d almost forgotten. “How do you know?”

  “I feel them. It’s difficult to explain…but my seed is thicker. Haven’t you noticed?”

  She hadn’t. “You can get me pregnant now?”

  He grinned. “It usually takes a few weeks but then I will be fertile.”

  A baby. She swallowed hard. It had been almost a year since she’d last been physical with a man on Earth. Contraceptives were an expense she hadn’t been able to afford on her own. A couple usually split the cost to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. She wasn’t currently on anything to prevent one.

  “Don’t panic, Sara. You have that look.” He shifted his body, his fingers brushing her hair back from her face. He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I did research while you were still sleeping this morning. Humans have birthed healthy Parri babies. Not many, but there are a few who have come forward with information. The females had no difficulties, despite the shorter pregnancy span of my race.”

  So someone else had done it before. That was great to know. “Shorter?”

  “It stated humans have a normal birth at forty weeks. Parri are born in twenty-eight weeks.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “Parri babies are usually born smaller than humans.” He paused, frowning. “It said humans are nine yentas at birth, on average. Parri are seven yentas. Our growth spurts happen after leaving the mother’s body.”

  “What is a yenta?”

  “The size of a baby.”

  She let that information play in her head. That didn’t sound so bad. Maybe yentas were pounds? If so, she could handle a seven-pound baby. She’d been worried they’d be closer to fifteen, considering how big York was. The shorter pregnancy span was a relief, too. Maybe it accounted for the smaller size of the babies.

  “The babies were born healthy and the mothers did well.” York sounded unconcerned. “It will be fine.”

  “Do you think our baby will look like you or me?”

  He released her and rolled out of bed to grab a data pad off the living area table. He returned to their bed, switching the device on. He lay on his stomach and she stretched out on hers next to him. He pulled up two side-by-side pictures of babies.

  Her breath caught in her lungs at the sight.

  She was finally able to speak once her emotions stopped choking her. “They’re amazingly adorable. Oh, York! Look how cute they are!”

  He chuckled. “They are. This one has very pale-blue skin, almost closer to your color than mine. Look at his eyes. Those are human in shape but with the Parri blue. And this female infant was born with her mother’s coloring, but Parri eyes and her father’s white hair. Their children share features of each.”

  “It’s the best of both worlds. Or should I say, races.”

  Then he showed her pictures of the two couples who’d had those babies, each set of proud-looking parents holding their child. “These are the only two couples who allowed their information to be uploaded. There are likely more. Most probably wanted to keep their privacy.” He set the data pad down and peered at her. “We would have adorable young, Sara. Will you think about it? Otherwise, I should take you to visit the medical android. There’s an implant he can give you to prevent my seed from creating a baby inside you until you’re ready.”

  She chewed on her bottom lip as her gaze kept going to the picture on the pad. She’d always wanted a baby but had given up that dream after her repeated failed relationships on Earth. No way would she have had one on her own and subject it to the kind of childhood she’d had without a father.

  York had changed all that.

  “What do you want?” She stared at him, watching him closely.

  “I want you to be happy.”

  “I know that. I want you to be happy, too. Be honest, York. Do you want to try for a baby?”

  He hesitated.

  “Tell me. Please?”

  “I would love to have babies with you. I’d like to have one soon, but only when you’re ready. I would be willing to wait until you feel more secure.”

  She took a deep breath and blew it out. “How about we leave it to chance? Just…see what happens?”

  He grabbed her and collapsed onto his back, taking her with him. They almost crushed the data pad when he settled her on top of his body. She shoved it to the side, away from them.

  A huge grin spread across his lips. “I like that. We’ll leave it up to fate. After all, it brought me you.”

  She cupped his face and wiggled higher up his big frame, kissing him. Her body instantly responded. York always turned her on. He was a master at kissing, teasing her with his mouth and tongue. She really loved those bumps he had.

  His cock hardened between them, and she spread her legs, straddling him.

  A loud buzz sounded. Sara startled, jerking up and breaking the kiss. “Who has the worst timing ever to come visit us?”

  York gripped her hips, lifted her off him, and crawled to the side of the bed to stand. “It must be Midgel with breakfast. Cover up.”

  She scrambled to yank the blankets over her body as York pulled on pants. He strode across their cabin and opened the door.

  It wasn’t the cook with a tray, though. It was Cathian.

  “We need to talk.”

  “You gave me time off.” York blocked most of the door. “Sara and I are bonding.”

  “I was just contacted by Rex.”

  “Your father’s assistant? Is there an urgent Tryleskian issue we must address? Are they sending us somewhere on a mission?”

  “I need to speak to you and Sara, along with some of the others. Get dressed and meet me in my office in ten minutes.”

  “What’s going on?”

  Sara became alarmed at York’s tone—and the captain’s. Something was wrong.

  “Ten minutes,” Cathian said.

  York closed the door and turned. Their gazes met.

  “What’s happening?”

  York came to her fast. “I don’t know. Let’s go find out.”

  * * * * *

  York felt concern. Sometimes The Vorge was sent on hazardous missions when Cathian had to negotiate peace between his planet and another. It had never bothered him before, but now he had a bond mate. Sara was on