“They’re out of phase with us. It’s a different time. We don’t know how many years, but enough that the person may be poorly affected if we didn’t appropriately plan. We haven’t figured out how to do it safely yet. And even if we did, I don’t know that we would take a sample without very good reason to.”
I was glad that wasn’t my problem.
He chuckled and continued to rub my back in long, smooth strokes. Every touch was soothing. I’d missed this. I’d touched Seth and Teddy a bit since I came aboard, but nothing as personal as this. I wanted more, though at the same time, I didn’t want to push myself too far. At least not yet.
With a clear thought, I projected the image of me kissing Don. A chaste, quick kiss. His hands stilled before squeezing me. He loosened his hold, though, long before panic could set in.
“Yes,” he said.
I leaned back and stared into his deep green eyes, which reminded me of a forest with their flecks of brown and gold. I wanted to lose myself in them. I slid my hands over his shoulders and around his neck. Going up on my knees, I pressed my lips against his in a gentle brush.
My first feeling was arousal. I wanted to deepen the kiss and taste him, to feel his tongue slide along mine, but on the heels of the enticing feeling was fear, as well as unwanted memories ofsomeone smashing their lips to mine as salty tears mixed in with the kiss. I gagged, pulling away.
Don instantly held me close and rested his hand on my cheek. He didn’t calm me, though. He waited for me to decide what I wanted. Part of me wanted to fall under the waves of calm. Another was afraid I would get addicted to the sensation like a drug. Instead, I breathed through it, focusing on the warmth of his palm.
It took a minute before I relaxed against his chest. “Sorry.”
“Do not apologize for your reaction to what was done to you.”
“I’m getting more out of this than you.”
His other hand cupped my cheek, so my face rested between his wide palms. “This doesn’t have to be an equal exchange. That’s not how relationships work, whether friendship or romance. I need you as much as you need me.”
I scoffed.
“Do you wish to feel my feelings?”
“What?”
“I can share with you.”
I nodded, excited for some reason.
Don stared into my eyes, and something unlocked in my brain. He was happy, content. He liked that I trusted him. He loved the feel of my smaller body on his much larger one. The coolness and smooth texture of my skin entranced him. Memories of the kiss resurfaced, but this time I experienced it from Don’s mind. The slight brush had elicited a wave of lust and warmth as his chest pounded.
My pulse elevated at the feeling.
When I’d pulled away, he hadn’t cared in regards to himself. All he’d been concerned about was me.
I still felt as if I needed him far more than he needed me.
His thoughts changed to people's reaction to his inner fire, from his brother’s occasional annoyance and dislike to people's outright hostility to him.
“You are the only person who hasn’t cared,” he said, slowly pulling his thoughts away until I was alone once more.
I kissed his neck before wrapping my arms around him, burying my hand in his hair. “Don’t let them bother you. There’s nothing wrong with you, do you hear me?”
Don cuddled me close while his tail coiled around my ankle.
Chapter 17
Space station, anyone?
I tried hard not to stare at Don or think about inappropriate things as I watched him in his fighting class, but it was so hard. He was incredibly sexy, even when he was simply standing there instructing people. My eyes kept running over his broad shoulders and muscular chest, and my thoughts whipped back to how it felt to be curled up on his lap, safe.
Swallowing, I readjusted my semi in my tight jeans. I should have worn something else, but I loved dressing in my own clothes and in my own style. It made me feel… well, like me.
I wasn’t the only human who’d returned to Earthen fashion, as the drakcol called it. Seth had more hoodies, Caleb wore jeansand henleys, and Teddy would often wear jeans and a plain T-shirt.
