Polaris Rising (Consortium Rebellion, #1)(100)

“Okay, I know I’m hideously embarrassed for you to see how spoiled I was growing up, but what’s going on with you?” He tried to shrug me off, but I tightened my grip. “Communication is important, remember?”

He refused to meet my eyes, but finally he said, “How am I supposed to compete with all of this?”

“You’re not,” I said. “I don’t care about any of this stuff. I left it all behind. It’s true that I like a little luxury when I can get it, but I have enough money to make that happen—for both of us.” I swallowed and looked away. I couldn’t preach communication then refuse to follow through. “I care about you far more than I care about any of this,” I said, waving a hand at the suite.

Heat crept up my cheeks. I held my breath to see what he was going to do with the fragile piece of my heart I’d extended. I peeked up at him to find him staring at me as if he could see the thoughts in my head if only he tried hard enough.

“You mean that,” he said.

“Of course—”

His lips slanted across mine, interrupting my words and scrambling my brain. His tongue traced my lips and I opened with a moan. He pulled me closer as his tongue slid into my mouth. I pressed up against him and slipped my hands under his shirt to caress the rippling muscles of his stomach. He made a deep sound of pleasure that sent lust bolting through me.

A few minutes later, I pulled back with a groan. When Loch tried to follow, I pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I have to put in the dinner order with the kitchen before you distract me and I forget,” I said.

He gave me one last squeeze then let me go. “Hurry,” he said with a devastating grin.

Stepping away from that grin was nearly impossible, but I forced myself out of the room and to my study. If I stayed in the bedroom with him, dinner would be the last thing on my mind.

The study looked the same as I remembered, with silvery walls and an antique wooden desk that dominated the middle of the room. A mail cart had been added next to the desk. It was piled high with luxury paper invitations to various Consortium events. A large, flat box topped the pile.

I sat down at the desk and pulled up my House account on the terminal. I sent the invite to Benedict and Bianca then put in a food order with the kitchens. I had neither the time nor the energy to cook, and while I could pull everything out of the synthesizer, I’d gotten used to eating freshly prepared food again thanks to Veronica.

As I stood up, the box caught my eye again. Packages were unusual. Curious, I picked it up. It felt light for its size and didn’t rattle when I shook it. There was no return address, but it had been sent from APD Zero several days ago, before I’d gone to the Antlia sector. Had Rhys sent me something and not mentioned it?

I opened the box and gently dumped the contents on my desk. A tissue paper–wrapped bundle of red fabric slipped out, along with a folded note. I picked up the note first. Bold script flowed across the page.

Darling Ada,

Not everything has to be left behind.

—L



I carefully unwrapped the tissue paper, revealing the red dress I’d desperately wanted but had talked myself out of buying. Loch had bought it for me while I shopped for practical clothes. Tears pricked my eyes and I blinked rapidly to clear them.

I touched the fabric reverently, almost afraid the dress would disappear. I looked up and caught Loch watching me from the doorway. I knew he must’ve seen the depth of my emotion, but I couldn’t hide it and didn’t want to. He’d touched me deeply.

“Marcus, it’s perfect. It’s the best possible thing you could’ve given me,” I said softly. “How did you know to send it here?”

“I sent it the morning before we left APD Zero to hunt for the Rockhurst planet. With the war looming, I knew you’d find your way home sooner or later. I wanted you to have something to remember me by.”

“I prefer having you to remember you by,” I said with a smile, “but I’m not going to turn down a gorgeous dress.”

“Try it on,” he said.

“You just want to see me naked,” I teased.

“Sweetheart, I never tire of seeing you naked,” he rumbled at me. He was so getting laid tonight.

I took the dress to the bedroom. I stripped off my practical clothes, then slid the dress over my head. It fit perfectly. I went to the full-length mirror in my closet to see how it looked. The snug bodice and V-neck enhanced my figure without making me look like a twig.

I twirled and the skirt fanned out around my legs. I could conquer the universe in this dress.

I met Loch’s eyes in the mirror. “I’m going to wear this dress to your pardon hearing,” I said. “And then, when we get home, I’m going to demand you remove the dress. Slowly. With your teeth,” I said with a saucy grin.

He stepped up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and nuzzled my neck. “Maybe I should practice now,” he murmured against my skin.

I shivered. “I think that is an excellent plan.”

He proved just how talented his mouth could be.



After dragging myself out of bed, I’d showered and redressed in clothes I’d found in my closet. The silver and blue dress I’d chosen was a modest tea length, but I still felt almost naked without the sturdy pants and long-sleeved shirts I’d lived in for the last two years.