Our tongues entwined, and the passionate kisses grew more intense, fueled by an undeniable desire. Her taste was as sweet as the nectar of a blooming emond flower.
I wished the moment could last forever and was overjoyed by her acceptance. But the anticipation of conveying the significance of our bond kept me on edge.
After several minutes of intense, passionate kissing, I pulled back and noticed her cheeks had a rosy hue.
Grace looked up at me before pressing her hands against my bare chest.
HER HANDS GLIDED BENEATHthe leather straps, making contact with my mating marks and sending electric sensationsacross my body. She pulled away quickly and looked up at me in alarm.
“Your chest is hot. Are you okay?”
Standing, I removed the leather straps that hid the center of my chest and placed them on a nearby table.
She inhaled sharply when her eyes skimmed the activated markings that were now visible.
I looked down at them. They were glowing, and the color was darker than before I’d kissed her. But they would not finish changing until I claimed her fully.
Still, she could see them now.
Grace stood and reached out her hand, her fingers tracing the raised etchings. “What happened to you? Why are they hot and glowing like that?”
I took her hand in mine and kissed it before holding it against my chest.
“Do humans believe in predestined soulmates?
“No. Why? Do your people?” She shrugged and her eyes took on a curious look.
“Yes,” I grinned, stroking her cheek with the backs of my fingers, and she leaned into them.
Grace was so open to my touch that I felt sure she would accept what I was about to tell her.
“Alaran males are born with these markings. They were given to us by the gods.”
“What are they...I mean, what do they do?”
“They are mating marks. They awaken when we have met our K’sha.”
Grace tensed and I let go of her hand, allowing her to pull back.
“There’s that word again. What is a K’sha?”
I watched her, praying she would accept what I was about to tell her.
“We are mates. You were created for me and I was created for you.”
“Is that what K’sha means? Mate?” Her eyes moistened.
“Fated mate, yes.”
Grace’s mouth fell open, and she paused for a long moment.
When she spoke, her voice was shaky. “Let me get this straight, because the scientific part of my brain is fighting this. You are telling me we should be together because your gods put these markings on you to tell you so?”
I bowed my head once. “Yes. We are connected...predestined for one another.”
“But how? The odds of me ever leaving Earth and meeting you...no way. I can’t believe that.” She waved her hands in front of her body, backing away further.
I didn’t move. The last thing I wanted was to scare her into running away.
