I smiled a closed lipped smile and leaned in closer.
“Sweet Grace.” I stroked her hair. “I have traveled through space for manytenrisand seen many incredible things.
The spectacular Karasis Nebula, the exotic spice planet of Molan 4. Even Alara has the most fragrant and eye-catching flowers and trees.
But none of those things makes me feel the way I do when I am with you. When I look at you...nothing else compares to your beauty. You are the most incredible female I have ever seen.”
Her jaw dropped and her eyes moistened again.
Had no one ever told her how beautiful she was?
Grace’s inner strength was evident. She’d been through so much yet remained composed and excited about her future.
She admitted. “This is the first time someone’s ever said these things to me. How? How can you be so damn perfect?”
She was crying again and this time her chest was wracked with a loud sob and her cheeks were soaked with tears.
I pulled her close and softly spoke words of comfort that my people used to soothe powerful emotions in others.
She clung to me like she never wanted to let me go.
Nor did I want her to.
19
Grace
I CLOSED MY EYES ASmy sobs subsided. With my head against his chest, I focused on the comforting rumble of Trex’s soothing purr.
Despite his imposing size, Trex possessed a surprising gentleness.
I’d meant what I said. He is perfect...and sweet...and kind. But this couldn’t possibly be real. Could it? How could I be his K’sha? His mate?
He sounded so sure of himself even though we’d just met. I didn’t understand how that could be possible, but I also couldn’t deny how I felt about him already.
Sighing, I mulled over all he’d just shared with me. My mind spun in disbelief. There was something to what he told me. The marks on his chest were unmistakable. When I ran my fingers over them, I noticed they were raised. Their glow was an incredible shade of blue with a hint of red, with silver shimmering within.
Each time we kissed, my soul felt a familiar stirring from deep within. He was amazing both inside and out.
But mates? That sounded unbelievable. Too good to be true.
I straightened up and rubbed my eyes again. “Is there a bathroom I can use?”
He paused a moment as if interpreting my words, then stood. “Of course. The closest cleansing room is in my quarters. Allow me to show you how the bathing tub works.
I raised my hand and couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s okay. I’m not taking a bath. I just want to clean my face after crying all over you.”
He stroked my head with a tenderness that made my eyes moisten again, then took my hand and we left the observation room. We walked down a hallway and then stopped outside a door that he opened with a wave of his hand.
Once inside, he gestured with his head towards a door on the other side of the room. I began to survey his living quarters, then suddenly felt self-conscious and hurried through the door he’d pointed out.
Upon entering what he called the cleansing room, I was surprised by the size of the tub. It would fit both of us with ease.
The image of us naked together in the tub played out vividly in my thoughts.Damn.
Closing my eyes, I let my imagination wander, envisioning the sensation of his touch on my skin.
The taste of his lips.
