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“If you don’t feel comfortable, I understand,” Maklr said.

“It’s raining. I don’t want to walk to the beach or lake like this.”

Maklr shook his head. “We have something better.” He extended his hand. “I bet you forgot about this. Want to see?” She nodded. He led her down the hallway into the holo suite.

The door slid open. Nell gasped. “It’s the beach from yesterday.”

“I programmed it. You can still have the beach experience. We can hear the water, feel the sun and lie on the sand and have a picnic. The full beach experience. With one notable exception.” Nell looked at him quizzically. “This time the sand won’t get everywhere.”

“This is a beautiful idea. Thank you.” Nell hugged Maklr. “I’ll be right back. I’ll get the corul. Don’t start making sandcastles without me.”

“I won’t. I don’t know what a sandcastle is.”

Nell returned carrying two steaming mugs of corul. She carried them to a spot where Maklr spread two beach towels on the ‘sand.’ He took the mugs while she settled next to him on a towel. They sat, shoulder to shoulder, listening to the waterfall. Occasionally, calls from early morning birds filled the room.

Nell’s finger traced the rim of the steaming corul filled mug.

“Care to share what you’re thinking about?” Maklr asked.

“Maklr, listen.” She raised her head to inspect Maklr’s impassive expression. “I don’t know what you’re feeling because you’re so good at masking your emotions, but over the last weeks and months, getting to know you has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She sighed. “I’m good at hiding what I want, too.”

“You’re just saying that because we’re stuck here, together. It’s…” Maklr paused, “unethical.”

“How do you figure?” “I’m a medic, and you’re vulnerable.”

“Was. I was vulnerable in the past. You and Charlotte helped me deal with my trauma.” Nell shifted her weight on the seat.

Maklr shook his head. A lock of his white hair dropped into his violet eyes. He wrapped the errant strands around his horn. “It’s unethical of me to want you,” he repeated, his voice low.

“You want me?” Nell’s eyes widened.

“Stars help me, I do.” Maklr raked his fingers through his mohawk. “It’s torture knowing you’re in the same room with me, sleeping next to me.”

“Why haven’t you acted on it?”

“I cannot take advantage of you.”

“Charlotte is my therapist, not you. It would be unethical, or immoral, or whatever if you were my therapist. Truth be told,I’m falling in love with you. I think we could be good together if you’d allow yourself to feel.”

“I feel,” Maklr whispered. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”

“But you don’t show it. I need you to show me how you feel.” Maklr opened his mouth to speak. Nell raised her hand, cutting him off. “Wait, I’m not done yet, but I want you to tell me. Tell me how you feel. Talk to me. I never thought I’d talk again, let alone trust anyone. Please trust me, like I trust you. This is me being vulnerable. I’m putting myself out there, taking a chance on happiness.”

“If I say what I’m feeling, I might scare you.” Maklr’s eyes dipped.

Nell leaned into Maklr’s side and took his hands in hers, the pads of her thumbs rubbing his clawed fingers. “I’m falling in love with you.” Her voice came out in a whisper.

“I only know how to love one way, Nell. And it scares me.”

“Why?” Nell looked up through her dark lashes. “Because this is a mad, passionate, extraordinary love, my once in a lifetime love. My soul knows yours. I know you’re meant to be mine. Mykeena. I want to wear the mating bands only you can brand me with. I’m desperate to see you wear my markings, the outward symbol of a true keena bond.”

“To love otherwise would be a waste of our time. I’ve learned that too many things in life are fleeting, and when you find what or who you want, I need to seize it with both hands and hold on for the ride. I want the love you’re offering me.”

Maklr’s thumbs ran across Nell’s hands. “I can promise you I will love you the way you deserve to be loved. And if you ever, for whatever reason, feel that I’m not fulfilling my promise, I will do whatever it takes to prove to you that you have my heart and soul.”

Nell pulled her hand from his and wrapped it around the back of his head, drawing his lips closer to hers. “I want you to losecontrol. Show me how you want me.” Her lips barely touched his.

He groaned and shifted on the towel. Maklr placed his hand on her hip, fingers tracing along her soft curves. “I can’t promise to be gentle.”