Suki nodded.
She and Jillian stood and followed Tark out of Rorwick’s house and to a home not far away. The cyborg who opened the door smiled at Tark, then it slowly slipped from his face as he saw Jillian. The intense look in his eyes told Suki everything she needed to know. He cared for Jillian as much as she seemed to like him.
“Why are you here?” Balize asked, his gaze landing on Tark.
“Jillian has let Rorwick know she doesn’t wish to live with him.” Tark looked at Jillian then Suki. “It was my mate’s suggestion that perhaps she could find out what Jillian truly wanted. It seems she wants you.”
Belize stepped out of the house and stopped in front of Jillian, his fingers twitched as if he wanted to reach for her.
“Is this true?” he asked. “You wish to be my mate?”
Jillian nodded but looked conflicted. “I didn’t know if you wanted me though.”
Balize reached up and cupped her cheek. “I would be honored to claim you as my mate.”
Jillian gave him a hesitant smile. Suki reached for Tark’s hand and led him away from the couple. They probably had a lot to discuss. And someone should check on Rorwick. The cyborg had looked completely gutted. Suki could only imagine how hard it must have been hearing Jillian was miserable when all Rorwick had wanted was to make her his and give her a good life. Even though he hadn’t said as much, Suki knew that’s what Tark wanted for her. If Tark called Rorwick his friend, then the cyborg couldn’t be bad.
“Should we check on Rorwick?” she asked.
“He’ll want some space,” Tark said. “Possibly even off-world. If there’s a ship leaving soon, I’d be willing to bet he’ll be on it.”
“I feel so bad for him, but I’m glad that Jillian can be with the cyborg she wants. Maybe the right female for him is still out there somewhere.”
“I need to take you home,” Tark said. “We’ll put your clothes away, and you can see if there’s anything you need or want for the house. It’s rather plain right now.”
“I’m all right with plain.”
Honestly, just knowing she would have a home again was enough reason to celebrate. She didn’t need pretty things. Tark had given her more than she’d thought she’d ever have again. And she was more than ready to expand his education on the other benefits of having a mate. It still baffled her that the sexy man hadn’t ever been intimate with someone before. She only hoped she didn’t disappoint him.
