York (The Vorge Crew Book 3) Read online

  “I like holding you and being this close.”

  She snuggled tighter against him. “Me too. I have a feeling cuddling is going to be one of our favorite pastimes as a couple.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “Want to do that again?”

  He chuckled. “Let’s catch our breath first, and then I plan to explore every inch of you.”

  “Only if I can explore you, too.”

  His grin widened. “You’re the perfect bond mate, Sara.”

  “So are you, York.” She paused. “I liked the bite.”

  He had hoped she wouldn’t notice that loss of control. “I apologize. I know humans don’t do that. I read a lot on the subject.”

  “Well, if you haven’t noticed, we’re not a human couple—and the bite was hot.” She held his gaze. “You can do that to me anytime.”

  He checked her skin. “There’s going to be a small bruise from my fangs. I didn’t cause you to bleed.”

  “Your love bites feel amazing. I’m not worried about you nicking my skin.” Her gaze lowered to his mouth. “The fangs are sexy, York. Everything about you is sensual to me.”

  He grinned. “You are the same to me, my Sara. And I shall bite you often.”

  Chapter Six

  Sara was nervous about meeting the crew. They were all assembling for dinner together, and she wondered what a dining hall would look like on a space vessel. She’d never been anywhere so nice, but The Vorge continued to remind her of one of those luxury cruise liners she’d seen tons of ads for in her previous life. It had always been a dream of hers to go on a cruise, but they were out of her price range.

  “They will love you,” York assured her, wrapping his arm around her waist to pull her close to his side.

  “You keep saying that, but humans are weird. We tend to come from different social circles. I’m not too worried about the ex-slave, but the captain’s wife had enough money to leave Earth and buy her own shuttle. I’ve never met a rich person who tolerated someone beneath their station. They tend to avoid speaking to us, or even looking at us.”

  “Nara is nice. There are no social circles here.”

  She nodded, trying to relax as they made their way down a wide corridor. “My other concern are the Pods. They can really read my mind?”

  “You’ll like them. They don’t normally share other’s thoughts unless the captain is worried about someone being a danger.”

  She noticed how his voice deepened a little, and she picked up a hint of anger in it. “Did that happen with you?” She peered up at him.

  He met her gaze. “I promise, you’ll like the Pods. Just don’t compare them to Hampy Dampy.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I don’t know, but it upsets them when Nara teases them. Something about an Earth children’s book or passed-down story.”

  She must not have read or heard that story. “I’ll remember that.”

  The double doors in front of them slid open to reveal a large room with several tables. The sight of people sitting at them silently had Sara pressing her lips together and forcing a smile. Anxiety gripped her again as she got a glimpse of at least five different kinds of aliens.

  York’s hold on her tightened even more, as if he was afraid she’d try to flee.

  A large alien stood, facing them. He was tall and muscular, with wild blond hair. He had a human-like body, but his eyes were all cat. They looked like the Earth’s version of a lion. She tore her gaze away, seeing another one like him sitting in the far corner at a table by himself. He just peered at her with golden eyes surrounded by his own mane of blond hair. Those two must be the captain and his cousin. York had prepared her for meeting everyone by giving her their descriptions.

  The three identical aliens were the Pods. They reminded her of eggs that happened to have arms and legs, with their white skin and rounded bodies.

  Humpty Dumpty. Not Hampy Dampy. Now she understood.

  One of the Pods snorted and twisted his body a little, staring at a human woman. That had to be Nara.

  Nara lifted her hands. “Why are you glaring at me now? What did I do?”

  Sorry, Sara thought at the Pods, tearing her attention from them. It was going to take her some time to adjust to knowing those three could always read her mind. It left her a little uncomfortable but York had explained they couldn’t really help it. The Pods’ abilities were like breathing to them.

  Midgel looked like a human, if it had bred with a mouse. She was a tiny thing, probably weighing ninety pounds max, with dark hair and a pushed-out nose that had whiskers. It was that feature—and her pointed ears—that gave her the mousey look.

  The woman ducked her head, avoiding eye contact. York had warned that the cook was extremely shy, and not one to talk unless necessary.

  The female pilot openly studied her.

  A bit of jealousy rose in Sara, making her chest feel tight. York had admitted he and Marrow used to have casual sex from time to time. It had ended after Cathian and Nara had gotten together. He’d assured her they were just friends, and there were no romantic feelings between them.

  Marrow had a very thin coat of brown fur, and she was tall, muscular, and pretty. It amazed Sara that York had been attracted to such very different types of women. Then again, he was nothing like her ex-boyfriends.

  The last couple had to be Dovis and Mari. He wasn’t in fur today. She knew Dovis could change forms. She’d been shocked by the news; shapeshifters were real in space! Currently, she was grateful he didn’t look like a werewolf standing on two legs. York said Nara frequently called Dovis “Wolfman” when he sported a muzzle, but at that moment, he resembled a human, though not completely. He was bigger, his features a bit harsher, and no one would mistake him as someone from Earth.

  The human woman seated next to him was thin with long hair…and she was smiling at her. Mari also gave her a tiny wave.

  Sara lifted her free hand to wave back. Her gaze returned to Nara, and she found the captain’s wife smiling at her, too. That seemed to be a good sign.

  “Another human! Woohoo! We’re taking over the ship,” Nara chuckled.

  The captain turned, staring at her. “Really?”

  “Okay, so aliens still outnumber us, but we’re getting closer.” Nara turned her head, addressing Marrow. “Tag, you’re it. You have to find a human mate.”

  Marrow snorted. “No.”

  “We’re totally cool,” Nara responded. “Once you go human, you never want anything else. Your male crewmates will swear to that. Just ask them.”

  Marrow shook her head. “Nope. And Raff would probably kill a human. Wouldn’t you, Raff?”

  Sara’s gaze instantly went to the silent lion man seated alone.

  He shrugged. “Maybe a male, if he annoyed me, but pretty much everyone avoids me. As for the females, I can’t see a human not running for her life if she saw me coming. I wouldn’t kill a female but she might die from a heart attack.”

  “And that’s as many words as we’re going to get from him today,” Dovis muttered. “Thanks for wasting them, Marrow.” He stared at Sara. “Raff doesn’t talk much. Don’t take it personal. Welcome to The Vorge.”

  “That was my line.” The captain, Cathian, came forward and offered his hand. “Hello, Sara. I congratulated your bond mate already on your union, but I’d like you to hear it from me as well. We’re very glad that you’ve joined our crew.”

  She shook his large hand, feeling intimidated as hell. This was York’s boss, as well as his friend. It was his ship. “Thank you. It’s an honor to meet you all.”

  Nara got up and came to his side. She stuck out her hand. “So, straight from Earth, huh? Is it still a shitball?”

  Sara shook her hand. “You could say that. The government has decided to get rid of women like me by trading us for alien technology.” She’d decided to be honest with her fellow humans from the start.

  “Women like you?” Nara asked, her expression sobering. “I