Page 13 of Jorax (Arixxia Fields #4)

Chapter Thirteen

S yrryn

The sweet scent of grass and flowers fills my nose as Jorax and I walk hand-in-hand to the meadow behind the research facility. I chose this secluded spot surrounded by gently rolling hills to give my shy scientist his first dancing lesson before the charity ball.

I spread out the red and white checkered picnic blanket I brought, weighing down the corners with smooth stones. We can hang out on it if we want a break.

The setting sun bathes the meadow in a golden glow. In the distance, the trilling evening song of mauve-winged plartins fills the air.

I giggle as I toe off my shoes and dig my bare feet into the soft green grass shoots. “Take off your shoes. Feel how nice the grass is.”

Jorax arches his craggy brow but reluctantly obeys, molten eyes round with surprise as he wriggles his perfect green toes. Though so much of his body looks as though it’s been stitched together, his feet look… perfect. Why does this make my heart ache for him?

“Oh! Soft.” He scrunches those adorable toes, his face alight as though he’s never enjoyed this simple pleasure before. It strikes me that perhaps one day I’ll know dozens, maybe hundreds, of things that tip his lips into a comfortable smile. I look forward to that .

I laugh, delighted by his endearing innocence. After sliding my palm into his, I encourage, “Let’s start with something easy. Just sway back and forth with me to get used to moving together.”

Jorax licks his lips uncertainly as I position his large hands at my hips.

His eyes widen and darken when I reach to loop my arms around his thick neck, pressing closer.

I must admit, I enjoy how flustered I make this formidable being.

In the lab, his brilliance is unparalleled.

It’s nice to be on more equal footing out here.

We sway in silence for a minute, Jorax’s movements stiff, as if afraid he’ll do the wrong thing or accidentally hurt me. I rub the knots at the back of his neck, inhaling his wild, masculine scent. Slowly he relaxes into my touch.

“See? Not so bad,” I murmur.

He watches my face as though it holds the secrets of the universe, oblivious to how his rugged allure makes my knees weak. My heart flutters at how sweet and serious he’s taking this lesson. It would be wonderful to see him completely let his guard down.

A picture flashes through my mind of him in the throes of passion, unguarded. Is it odd that I want to be the one who gives him that kind of physical bliss?

When I try to teach him the box step, counting out the rhythm, he grimaces in concentration, citrine eyes fixed on our feet. I bite my cheek so I won’t grin; he’s absolutely adorable.

“Ugh, I’m just clomping around,” he huffs when he steps on my toes for the third time, his stony face coloring darker green. “Maybe at the gala we can just watch everyone else dance.”

I smooth my palms over his shoulders. “You’re doing wonderfully for your first try. Just have patience with yourself.”

At my encouragement, some of the tension leaves his frame. He takes a deep breath and we try again. This time, when I count out the beat of the nonexistent music, Jorax manages several graceful steps before a slight misstep throws off our rhythm .

He growls in frustration and rakes a hand over the flat top of his head. “I knew this was a terrible idea. I’ve got all the grace of a drunken Rancorian.”

My heart cracks at his crest-fallen expression. Standing on tiptoe, I cup his rugged jaw tenderly.

“Hey, none of that. We’ve only just started. You should have seen me at my first ballet class—I was all elbows and knees, accidentally whacking the other girls. And don’t even get me started on my first—and last—day on point shoes. Brutal .”

That surprises a rumbling chuckle out of him.

Buoyed, I ask about his inspiration for his current hypothesis so I can distract him from his self-consciousness.

As I hoped, Jorax lights up, describing the bioluminescent phenomenon of the plythian fish from planet Abachae.

His movements become smoother and more confident as he focuses on our conversation instead of the steps.

Pride for him swells inside me; his dedication to healing others through science is incredible. By the time the moon hangs heavy overhead, we’re gliding easily to our own rhythm. Jorax expertly whirls me under his arm, both of us laughing breathlessly.

“See? A natural,” I declare, slightly giddy from spinning, as well as his proximity. His eyes smolder down at me, their luminous citrine darkened almost to amber. My heart kicks into a gallop.

“A natural? Only because of your kindness and patience.” He brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear with a feather-light caress that makes me shiver. “I don’t know why you tolerate this stubborn beast.” Raw vulnerability edges his hushed voice.

Emotion clogs my throat. I take his dear face in both hands, willing him to feel every ounce of my sincerity. “You are the farthest thing from a beast, Jorax. You’re brilliant and compassionate, and in such a short time, you’ve become… important to me.”

His breath hitches, nails grazing my hip gently as he struggles for composure.

When he finally speaks, his gravelly voice resonates with awe.

“No one has ever looked at me the way you do, Syrryn. Not since…” Perhaps he’s not even aware that he whispers the word, “never,” so low it’s more breath than sound.

My eyes prickle. Overcome with tenderness, I guide his head down until our lips meet, pouring all I feel for him into this kiss. Jorax makes a helpless noise, crushing me closer as he returns my caresses with delicate restraint, even as passion flares hotter between us.

Reluctantly, I ease back, trying to suppress a shiver of pure emotion.

Jorax rests his forehead against mine, both of us trembling as we bask in the intimacy of breathing each other’s air.

His smoldering eyes brim with wonder and an emotion full of affection that steals my breath more thoroughly than his searing kisses.

Clasping his nape, I guide him to sway with me once more on our private dance floor.

Hallion’s version of crickets chirp softly around us as we turn slow circles, bathed in moonglow.

Jorax holds me securely against his pounding heart as though I am infinitely precious, his normally sad eyes alight with joy.

Here in his strong arms, gazing up at his beloved face, I know without any shred of doubt that I am completely falling for everything that makes him Jorax.