Chapter 259

AFTER HAVING HER SO OUT of it for the trip back to the ships, it felt fantastic to see Cat really awake. Alek held her hand high while helping her up the stairs but before she could step out onto the deck, jerked her back so her chest hit his.

'Behave yourself,' he growled in mock anger and with a quick glance over her shoulder to check the others weren't within view, scooped her up so to kiss her firmly. She flushed, nearly sparking with annoyance and frustration when he set her down and smacked at him.

'Damn you,' she grumbled and he grinned, squeezing her ass.

'Payback.'

The voices of the others caught her attention and her small hand found his. Alek lifted it to his lips, touched to see the glimmer of tears at the gesture.

'No, kitten,' he said softly. 'No tears now. We've won. It's all done.'

They walked out onto the deck, fingers entwined and rounded the corner to the open area of the main deck. Loushka, sprawled in the evening sun with Kerak, and Phroma, lifted her head an