Alien Commander's Bride by Juno Wells, Scarlett Grove

came.
    Pain and pleasure danced around Lexi’s body and mind. Nash held her hard, sowing his seed deep in her womb, his teeth grasped tight around her flesh. Blood dropped down her shoulder while her body contracted around Nash’s length.
    Slowly, he let her go. Lapping his tongue over her wound, he pulled her off of him. She lay on his chest, panting. The dull ache inside her body and on her neck throbbed in time with her heart. Nash’s heart thumbed inside his deep chest, and she sighed.
    It had been the most intensely pleasurable and emotional experience of life. She knew she wanted to be with Nash forever. She also knew that she wanted to spend that time making love with him.
    He stroked her hair, and she looked up into his eyes. “We’ve mated, my beloved bride—the stars in my heavens. I can feel the bonding deep in my soul.”
    “I can feel it too, sweet, beautiful Nash. I feel it, too.” She crawled up to plant a kiss on his chin. He smiled down at her as she nestled into his shoulder.
    “You grow more beautiful by the day,” he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand and she closed her eyes with a sigh. Their legs tangled together when they drew closer to each other. Feeling full to overflowing with joy and peace, Lexi drifted off to sleep.
    When she opened her eyes, she saw Nash standing in the doorway in his uniform. “What time is it?” she asked, groggily, leaning up on her elbow. 
    “Early morning, beloved. You should go back to sleep.”
    “Where are you going?” she asked, lying back down.
    “I have things to attend to with the Draconian government at home.”

13
    On the bridge, Nash addressed the President of Draconia, reporting on the progress of the mating mission.
    “Yes, President. We have just made our 1,857th mating.”
    “How many of those are military?” the President asked.
    “Roughly half of my fleet is military. The men who have been mated have been about half enlisted military, as well.”
    “And, the other five thousand military men?”
    “They have not yet been mated.”
    “We need to pull out all our military men, now. The mating can wait.”
    “But, President Yoshor, that would leave us with no defenses.” Nash said.
    “You have defense capabilities, Commander. I even considered pulling you back, too. But, I decided against it.”
    “There are serious threats to the human population here, from our interference.”
    “The technology deal was a bad plan. Should have just taken the women and left. Less loss of resources.”
    “As the Commander of this mission, I respectfully disagree. If we ever want to use human DNA again, it is in our best interest to protect this population, not help it to an early extinction.”
    “Deal with whatever needs to be dealt with, Commander Nash. In the meantime, we’re pulling out all military personnel, as of now.”
    “Sir,” he said, but the screen went black.
     

14
    Six weeks later, Lexi stood by the big window in her apartment, cupping her soft belly. There was a life growing inside her—she and Nash’s child.
    She looked up as he entered the room, smiling with her secret. He came to her at once and took her hands in his, planting a kiss on her cheek.
    “Nash, I’ve just been to the medic,” she said.
    “Oh? Are you alright, my beloved mate?”
    “Yes. I’m more than alright.” She smiled slyly, barely able to contain herself.
    “What is it?”
    “Nash.” She took his hand and touched it to her belly. “I’m pregnant.”
    He immediately picked her up in his arms, twirling her around in a circle. He set her back on her feet with an expression on his face that said he could barely breathe.
    “A baby,” he said, letting out a long breath.
    He hugged her to him. Lexi could feel his joy radiating through his body, and hers. “This is everything I’ve ever wanted.”
    She could tell something was wrong, though. Nash had seemed distant since the night of their mating. Then, the military personnel moved out. It