NOVEL NEXT Chapter 80
The screen flickered, shifting to a video feed, and Aster's face appeared—her teal eyes bright, her blonde ponytail slightly askew, her fair cheeks flushed with a mix of exhaustion and triumph.
"Syn, you absolute legend," she said, her voice crackling with warmth, a grin splitting her face.
"Heard from the recon pilot—you pulled off a damn miracle out there, saved my ass. I owe you big."
Her gaze flicked to Pako, narrowing slightly, and Pako's grin widened, a taunting edge to it as she waved, her tan fingers wiggling mockingly.
"Stay away from Pako—she's trouble," Aster added, her tone half-serious, her glare sharpening as Pako stuck out her tongue, the silent feud crackling across the feed.
Syn sensed the tension, his grin fading as he stepped between them, his voice steadying the air.
"Glad you're safe, Aster," he said, his hazel eyes softening, relief washing over him like a tide. "Get back here quick—stay sharp." His words were simple, but they carried a weight, a captain's care that made Aster's grin soften, her teal eyes glinting with something unspoken.
"Will do, Captain Syn," she said, her voice quieter now, and the call cut, the screen fading to black, the cockpit's hum reclaiming the space.
Syn exhaled, his shoulders easing as he turned to Pako, her dark eyes watching him with a mix of amusement and restraint, her urge to spill Aster's secret still simmering but held in check.
"She's okay," he murmured, more to himself than her, his hand brushing the console as he stepped back, the map's green dots a quiet victory.
Pako nudged his arm, her grin returning full force. "Told ya—now can we hit my room? I've got plans, Captain." Her voice was a playful growl, her tan hand tugging his sleeve as he followed her.
---
Aster sighed, her broad frame slumping against the cold seat of an empty recon ship tucked in the hangar bay, the video call's glow fading from her portable screen.
Her teal eyes dulled, her blonde ponytail limp as she kicked a stray bolt across the floor, the clink echoing in the dim space.
She'd played her part—faked the call, spun the tale of her "return" with a grin, all to keep Vera's plan intact.
But now she was stuck here, hiding in plain sight until the real ships—hers and the recon Syn had sent—actually arrived at the base.
She felt guilty for playing with him, lying to him, but also at the same time, for urging him to be honest with them when they themselves were deceiving him.
Such a pain.
She sulked, her fair cheeks puffing out as she crossed her arms, her tank top creasing against her chest.
___
HissssssD~
The door to Pako's room sealed shut with a mechanical sigh, the dim glow of overhead lights casting long shadows across the neatly tidied space—smoothed sheets, organized tech lining the shelves, and a faint scent of jasmine lingering in the air.
An eager Pako didn't waste a second, her tan hands shoving Syn against the door with a thud, her lips closing into his with a hungry edge.
Her dark hair dangled loose, brushing his face as she pressed herself close, her cropped jacket taut against her curves, her tight shorts hugging her thighs.
Syn's breath hitched, but he didn't pull back—his hands found her waist, yanking her closer, his lips meeting hers with equal fervor.
Despite her exhausting personality, he'd missed her, that much was true.
Now, her warmth, her wild spark, ignited something he'd buried, and he kissed her deeper, his tongue tangling with hers, a low groan rumbling in his chest as her nails grazed his neck.
"Missed me, huh?" Pako teased, her voice a sultry purr as she broke the kiss, her dark eyes glinting with mischief.
She nipped his lower lip, her tan fingers tugging at his navy shirt, popping buttons with a reckless flick. "Bet you've been dreaming of this—me, all over you." Her grin was wicked, her hips rocking against his, a slow grind that sent heat pooling in his groin.
Syn chuckled, his flush creeping up his fair cheeks as he caught her wrists, slowing her frenzy. "You're trouble," he murmured, his hazel eyes locking with hers, a playful challenge in his gaze.
He spun her, pinning her against the door now, his hands sliding under her jacket, tracing the curve of her waist as he kissed her neck, his lips brushing the pulse point that made her shiver. "But yeah—I missed you."
Pako's laugh was breathy, her head tilting to give him access as she arched into him, her breasts pressing against his chest.
"Good answer," she said, her voice hitching as his teeth grazed her skin, a teasing bite that left her squirming.
She yanked his shirt open, her hands roaming his bare chest, nails scraping lightly as she purred, "Let's see how much you missed me—strip, Captain Syn."
He obliged, shrugging off his shirt, his lean frame catching the light as he kicked off his boots, his hazel eyes never leaving her.
Pako mirrored him, peeling her jacket away, her tank top following, revealing her fair breasts untouched by tan, pink nipples already hard under his gaze.
She stepped out of her pants, her panties a thin black scrap that clung to her hips, and sauntered to the bed, her sway knowing, teasing.
"Your move," she said, sprawling across the sheets, one hand trailing down her stomach, fingers brushing just above her panties as she watched him, her dark eyes daring.
Syn's breath caught, his pants tightening as he followed, shedding them as he climbed onto the bed, his hands finding her thighs, spreading them gently.
"You're so hot," he muttered, his voice rough with want as he kissed her inner thigh, his lips slow, deliberate, each brush making her twitch.
His fingers hooked her panties, sliding them down, exposing her glistening pussy, and he paused, his hazel eyes flicking up to meet hers, a smirk tugging at his lips. "So impatient."
"Shut up and do something," Pako growled, her tan legs wrapping around him, pulling him closer as she propped herself on her elbows, her dark hair fanning across the pillow.