DidI accept we were mates?
“What concerns you?” he asked in his irresistible tone.
I shrugged as I explained.
“This all seems too good to be true. Back on Earth my last relationship ended when my mother got sick. I was in an on-and-off relationship with a guy for two years. But he was never interested in committing to me, telling me he wanted to keep his options open.”The asshole.
“The moment my mother got sick and I couldn’t visit regularly, he ended our relationship, citing his busy work schedule.” I compressed my lips before continuing, then thrust out my chin. “This proves my absence won’t be noticed on Earth.”
I never wanted to go back. Particularly not now.
Trex’s grip on my shoulders was firm, but not painful. “That male was not worthy of you,” he growled in a deep voice.
Trex was right.
I was sure I could be far happier out in space discovering new cultures and maybe becoming closer to a certain hunky space ship Captain.
“Will you stay a while longer here with me?” he asked, smiling.
Of course, I wanted nothing more. I smoothed my hands down my sides again as my palms began to sweat.
What if he’s just being polite?My mind taunted.
“Don’t you have to work? I mean....you don’t have to do this.” I was giving him a chance to get off the hook.
The last thing I wanted was to appear too clingy or needy. I’d been accused of that in the past.
I held my breath when he grinned back at me, taking a moment before answering. “They can manage without me for a little longer. I want to spend more time with you.”
I wondered if being mates guaranteed a happily ever after?
What if it didn’t?I grimaced.
My insecurity was the last thing I wanted him to see. I glanced downward, but he guided my chin to face him.
My foolish mouth blurted out words that I never intended to say. “Where are you planning to take me?”
His brows furrowed, and he looked at me as if I had grown a second head. “Would you like to go back to your quarters?” he asked while he studied my face.
“No...I mean, yes....Soon....Yes. But where are you planning to take me to live?” I placed my hands on my hips, trying my best to look calm.
Trex tensed and cleared his throat, looking uneasy. “I thought you wanted to stay on the ship?”
“Yes, I do. I just don’t want to be in the way here.” The vulnerability in my voice annoyed me.
God, Grace. What the hell?
I cringed inside.Needy much?
A relieved laugh escaped Trex before he spoke.
“‘No need to worry. You are not in the way. It may take a while for the crew to get accustomed to a female living on the ship, but you’re more than welcome to stay as long as you want. I don’t plan to drop you off anywhere, unless you ask me to.”
His eyes held a look of worry that I wasn’t sure how to interpret.
20
Trex
