STORY EXCERPT

Bay wrapped his arm around Jynx, flattening his hand against the base of his back, and started walking down the corridor. If they couldn't have a few minutes alone, they could still be together. He'd been missing time with Jynx just as much as he had, although he hadn't voiced it. And Jynx was right, they were mates before anything else. He needed to remember that.

"You know I want time with you just as much as you do, right?" he asked silently through their bond. "You need to know that. You are the single most important thing in my life."

Jynx smiled up at him as he bumped their shoulders together. "I know that."

"Good."

"I don't mean to be whiney or anything, but—"

"You are not being whiney. You are missing your mate, just as I am." Bay slid his hand around to Jynx's hip and then pulled him close enough to plant a kiss on the top of his head. "We'll fix this, love. I promise."

Maybe it was time for him to appoint a second in command and begin to delegate some of his duties. Despite what his pride told him, he didn't need to do everything himself. There were others just as qualified who could handle some of the work for him, freeing him to spend more time with Jynx.

He simply needed to choose someone.

Torak was waiting for them when they walked into the war room. Naris, who never seemed to be far from Torak's side, sat in the corner once again, reading on a tablet.

"Report."

"The king and his consort demanded an immediate video conference with you and Prince Jynx," Torak responded. "They did not say why, only that it was urgent."

"Very well." Bay released Jynx and walked over to the video console. "Jynx, can you close the doors and activate the communication dampeners?"

Jynx closed the doors and then tapped in a code to the panel next to it before turning and walking over to stand next to Bay.

"Naris and I can step out, Commander."

"No," Bay said as he typed in the code to connect him to the king. "I'm naming you as my second in command." He hadn't expected to make that decision when he walked into the room, but it felt right. "Unless the king needs to speak to us alone, you need to be here."

Torak swallowed so tightly, Bay heard it and glanced up. "Problem?"

"Me, sire? You want me to be your second in command?"

"Yes."

"But..."

"You might not have that much experience—yet—but you are smart, methodical, and you think before you act. You are also not afraid to wade in if there is a battle. That's the type of man I want working under me."

A rosy hue flushed Torak's cheeks. "Yes, Commander. I will not let you down."

"I know you won't." He had every faith in the man.

Bay glanced at the screen on the wall when it flickered to live and Cooper appeared on the screen. He crossed his arm over his chest and bowed his head in respect. "Consort Cooper, how may I be of service?"

"Took you long enough," Cooper snapped.

Bay's eyebrows drew together at the aggressive tone in Cooper's voice. "Sire?"

"We just received a ransom note for Councilman Turlock. We have forty-eight hours to deliver Jynx to Uranus to serve a prison sentence for killing Grothe Qaut'hsta or they will execute him live on Galatic Weblink for the entire universe to see."

Jynx gasped and started to slide down as his legs gave out. Bay grabbed him and pulled him tight against his body. His nostrils flared with outrage as he glanced at the screen. "Not going to happen." There was no way in hell he was going to send his mate to the prison planet.

Cooper sighed as he thrust his hand through his black hair. "Look, I just need you to play along with this until we can figure out who has the councilman."

Bay frowned. "You want me to send Jynx to a prison planet for a killing that you and the king both said was justified?"

Had the royal consort lost his mind?

"I know it sounds ridiculous, but I need you to do this, Bay. Just until we find Councilman Turlock and whoever is holding him hostage."

Bay growled as rage infused every cell in his body. "Sire—"

"This is an order from your king!" Cooper shouted. "Do not make me remove you from your position for disobeying a direct order."

It went against everything in him to defy the king, but how could he turn his mate over to be tortured in that cesspool? Jynx wouldn't survive a day.

Jynx squeezed his hand. "Something is wrong with all of this."

Bay didn't dare look at Jynx. "Everything is wrong with this."

"I don't think that's the king's consort."

That got his attention.

ADULT EXCERPT

"Jynx, what's going on?"

Jynx knew he was going to sound like a whiney brat, but he couldn't help it. He felt whiney. "You are my mate."

"Yes."

"Before anything else, you are my mate. Before me being prince. Before you being commander of planetary security. Before anything, you are my mate."

Bay frowned. "Yes."

"I miss my mate."

Yep, whiney.

The corner of Bay's mouth lifted up. "Oh yeah?"

Jynx chuckled ruefully. "Yeah."

Bay started walking toward him. "Guess I should do something about that."

Jynx's heard pounded a little faster as lust flashed through him. "You have to catch me first," he yelled out as he took off running up the grand staircase that led to their bedroom. He laughed when he heard Bay thundering footsteps coming up the steps behind him.

As soon as he reached the bedroom, Jynx pulled his shirt over his head and then tossed it to the floor. Reaching for the top button of his pants, he paused and lifted a brow. "Are you going to get naked?"

"Absolutely." Bay quickly mimicked his actions.

Once they were both naked, Bay lifted Jynx against his chest and cradled him in his arms. Jynx wrapped his arms around Bay's neck and held on as Bay carried him across the room and laid him down on the bed.

Bay growled deep in his chest and moved close enough to hover over the top of Jynx. He connected their lips in a passionate kiss as he continued to move forward, forcing Jynx to lie back against the mattress.

As Bay's weight came down on top of him, Jynx groaned. He'd missed his mate. Life had been insane since they moved into the palace. There had been hardly any time for the two of them, and Jynx missed his mate.

Bay was always so careful and gentle with him. Jynx appreciated that in his mate, but he needed the man to take control and fuck him hard. Moving his hips, Jynx rubbed his erection against Bay, showing his mate how desperate he was.

Pulling his mouth away from Bay's, Jynx licked his lips. "I need you, mate."

He started to roll over, and Bay helped him find a comfortable position on his hands and knees. He needed his mate. Bay pressed his thumb against Jynx's hole, rubbing back and forth. Jynx started moving, needing more.

"I need to get the lube, mate."

Jynx was about to beg and plead for Bay to hurry the hell up, but he didn't need to say a word. A moment later, Bay pressed the head of his slick cock between Jynx's ass cheeks. Before he could ask anything, warm liquid coated his ass.

He was so thankful that one of them was using their head. He certainly wasn't. Or maybe he was, but it was only filled with images of Bay pounding him into the mattress.

Bay gripped Jynx's hips before slowly pressing forward. The head of his shaft pushed past the tight ring of muscle. Jynx leaned his head back as Bay slid in, letting out a moan of pleasure.

"Fuck," he breathed out as tightened his ass muscles. Bay started moving, thrusting his cock in deep, stealing Jynx's breath. "I missed this."

"I, too, love."

It didn't take long before Bay built up a slow, steady rhythm that drove Jynx to the heights of pleasure before plunging him into the abyss. Bay's hands moved up Jynx's back. He gripped Jynx's shoulders and swiveled his hips, burying his entire length. Bay pulled back before plunging back inside him again. The slow pace soon turned as Bay moved faster, fucking Jynx harder and harder with each stroke.

Leaning over Jynx's back, Bay covered him with his body. He moved his hands to the mattress, interlacing their fingers as he rode Jynx hard.

"Oh, goddess…" Jynx panted as he tilted his head to the side, silently begging Bay for his bite. "So good…mate, please."

Begging was so easy when Bay was fucking him so well.

Sharp teeth gripped his shoulder and Jynx shuddered. A snarl tore from Bay's lips, the sound muffled against the skin locked between his teeth. His hips moved faster, their bodies slammed together as he powered into Jynx and pushed him closer to the edge.

Bay's hard cock…

Bay's strong, muscular form…

Bay's big dick pounding his ass…

Yeah, he was a little obsessed.

Jynx's ass clamped down on Bay's cock a moment before he came. His cock jerked, shooting hot jets of cum beneath him. Bay shoved his shaft deep inside Jynx, making him cry out. The sounds echoed off the walls, combining with Bay's roar as the man shot his load deep inside Jynx's ass.

Silence reigned. The only thing that could be heard was their combined heavy breathing. After a moment, Bay helped Jynx to lie down on his side. With their bodies connected, he relaxed back into his mate's arms.

Every moment with Bay was bliss.

Bay warm breath touched Jynx's ear before he whispered, "I love you."

Jynx's smile grew wider, more satisfied. "I love you, too."

"Did you know that I'm the happiest man in the entire galaxy?" Bay asked as he stretched out behind Jynx again, tightening his hold around him.

Jynx made a disbelieving sound in the back of his throat. "I'm not so sure about that."

Bay's eyebrow arched. "Oh, really?"

"Definitely." Looking over his shoulder he winked before kissing Bay's lips. "I'm a prince. I know these things."

He groaned when he heard the door buzzer go off almost before he was done speaking. A moment later, then someone started pounding on the doors of their suite. "Ug, I said an hour. It hasn't been an hour."

It had barely been fifteen minutes.