“It appears to be gone. Our people have stopped getting sick. While the royal medics guarantee it is gone, infertility continues to be an issue.”
Nodding in acknowledgement, she lapsed into silence as she stared down at her hands.
Her sweet floral scent continued to envelop me. I couldn’t take my eyes off her lips. They kept drawing me back.
I really want to kiss you.
Grace’s head jerked back as she looked at me in disbelief. “What did you say?”
Just as I was about to speak, she interrupted me. “Did I just hear your voice in my head?”
The corners of my mouth drooped.
Even though I prided myself on controlling my thoughts and emotions, I struggled to do so around her.
“Yes,” I declared, never breaking eye contact with her. “Forgive me for sending you my thoughts. Being near you makes it difficult for me to control them. You must have picked it up.”
I wasn’t going to tell her how hard it also was for me to maintainself-control around her.
“Does that mean you are a telepath? BecauseI’mnot...so that doesn’t explain why I heard your thoughts.” She sat back and her eyes widened. “Can you really read minds? Are you able to hear all the things I’m thinking?” A subtle nervousness had crept into her voice.
“Telepathy is the primary mode of communication for my people. We can also sense emotions. Reading someone’s deepest thoughts without permission is strictly forbidden.”
I hadn’t realized Grace would be able to hear my thoughts, however. I assumed the telepathic connection with a K’sha only occurred after our first mating.
Alaran legends told of a profound telepathic connection that can only be established with one’s true K’sha. It exceeded the usual Alaran mental communication we all had.
This was unfamiliar territory for me, and I wasn’t entirely sure how to navigate it.
A single brow of hers arched. “Are you sure you can’t hear what I’m thinking?” Her cheeks reddened.
I could hazard a guess because I was feeling it too, but I shook my head. “I would never read your mind without your consent. However, I am able to sense some of your emotions.” I sought to reassure her.
I couldn’t deny I cared about her opinion of me. Hers was the only one that mattered.
My erection throbbed against my leg as her pink tongue darted out to lick her lips.Tenage and Veshar give me strength.
She had no idea what she was doing to me.
“Do you still want to?” She asked with a hint of shyness.
“Are you asking if I still want to kiss you?” My heart was pounding, and I fought to regulate my breath. I felt like a novice before my first kiss.
Leaning closer, her warm breath gently caressed my cheek as she whispered, “Yes.”
Before running my fingers through her silky locks, I savored the softness of her skin against my fingertips.
“Gods, you are intoxicating,” I murmured, while stroking her cheek. Grace looked back at me with a longing gaze and I felt her desire mirroring mine.
My chest was seized by a pleasurable yet intense ache. I pulled her closer, tangling my fingers in her hair as I slid my hand to the back of her neck.
With a slight tilt of my head, I claimed her lips in a soft, lingering kiss, relishing the intimate connection. I hummed contentedly as Grace let out a hungry moan.
Her arms tightened around my neck. Her seductive sounds filled the air as a surge of heat coursed through my body. The growing heat from my chest left me unable to catch my breath.
I felt her lips part, and without hesitation, I intensified the kiss. Our bodies merged as our tongues danced to the rhythm of our hearts.
With one arm around her back, I pulled her in even tighter and cradled her head. Another moan escaped Grace’s lips, and I echoed it with a low, guttural growl.
