“What is it?”
This was one of the rare times in her life she’d been scared. Fear was a novel experience, and she didn’t like it. “What if you don’t like me after I tell you?”
Moving one of his legs so she was sitting between them, he sat up fully and enclosed her in a warm, comforting cage of arms and legs.
“There’s nothing you could have done that would make me feel that way,” he assured her.
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” she mumbled. Thankfully, in this position she didn’t need to look him in the eyes while she spoke. “I wasn’t on Filsin Station by accident.”
He sounded a short rumble of amusement. “I assumed you were there for a reason.”
“Right, of course,” she said, wishing she could smile at his humor. “The thing is, I was there for you.”
He sounded a questioning rumble. “Me? Do you mean you were looking for someone to take you off the station? Are you in trouble?”
“No, I was specifically searching for you, Zephrum of the Kal family within the Inik Clan.”
“Oh, you’re a bounty hunter!” he exclaimed, sounding happy instead of irate or betrayed.
Surprised by his reaction, she leaned back so she could meet his gaze. “You’re not angry?”
Again he didn’t act like she expected by sounding an amused rumble. “Of course not. Either you’re a horrible bounty hunter or you decided not to turn me in. Why would I be angry over that? You choose me over your professional honor and wealth for your family. I’ve never felt so cherished.”
It took her a moment to process what he’d said. Then she dropped her head against his chest. “That’s true.”
“When did you decide you weren’t going to turn me in?” he asked.
“Probably on the way to Yormun Station,” she admitted. “First you risked your freedom to rescue me on Filsin. When I was initially on your ship I couldn’t have defended myself, but you were so gentle and sweet. I’ve never felt so cared for.”
He sounded a questioning rumble. “That’s why you didn’t turn me into the broker on Yormun?”
She let out a long breath and admitted her last truth to him and herself. “I think I was in love with you when we kissed in the restaurant. I was definitely in love with you when you offered to take Tumoro with us.”
“Love,” he repeated. “That’s significant. It means you’ve pair-bonded with me, correct?”
She’d heard the term before, so it was an easy answer. “Yeah, I’m totally pair-bonded.”
“That means you want to be with me permanently?” he pressed.
He sounded like he needed reassurance. “Yup. You’re stuck with me.”
“Then I have something I need to confess,” he said.
She stiffened and tried to move away from him. “Let me guess, you don’t want to be with me. It’s fine. Whatever, I’ve got shit I need to get done.”
He tightened his hold on her and purred. “That’s not my confession. I’m relieved you love me because I’ve scent-bonded to you.”
She stopped trying to get away from him. “Wait, isn’t scent-bonding when we get addicted to each other’s smell? I don’t have scent glands; I can’t produce a scent.”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but when my oil soaks into your skin, your smell changes. The scent makes me feel centered and calm.”
As much as she wanted to hear that, concern made her heart rate kick up a little. “Do you think you’ve bonded to me like another Talin?”
“I have no doubt,” he said. “When we’re in the same room, it's hard not to touch you constantly. I don’t like it when we’re separated, even by a wall.”
“Don’t get any ideas,” she teased. “I’m not letting you into the elimination room with me.”
“That’s fair,” he agreed.
