Page 7 of Krin (The Protectorate Warriors Alien Fated Mates #3)
Riley
AZA MENTIONED THAT we were approaching Novara colony which meant I would be leaving. I felt my stomach tie itself in knots. I was hoping that nobody would come looking for me.
The thought of what might happen if I refused to leave the ship had me very concerned. I shuddered. What if they force me to leave?
After yesterday’s session with Aza, I was happy when he invited me back to the training ring. He offered to teach me some new fighting techniques, which I was more than happy to learn.
Anything to take my mind off my impending doom.
When we finished sparring the day before, he took the time to explain in detail about the weapons the Protectorate warriors used. Promising to train me with them at a later date.
Aza didn’t give a damn about being seen with me, which was a relief. I’d learned he was head of engineering, and one of the ship’s pilots. His mate Dril was also a pilot and worked on the bridge.
His fun personality had me laughing with his cheeky comments, making every interaction with him entertaining and lighthearted. It helped me forget about the last five days of boredom on the ship.
It bugged me that things hadn’t turned out the way I hoped they would when I boarded the ship.
Though he didn’t ask, I got the sense Aza picked up on my turmoil.
How could he not? He was an empath and telepath.
Although I hadn’t mentioned Krin or how disappointed I was about not seeing him since we left Alara, I think Aza figured it out.
The mere mention of Krin’s name made my heart flutter, much to my annoyance. I hadn’t stopped thinking about the handsome warrior every waking moment.
When Aza met up with me today, he made a point of mentioning Krin’s crazy schedule, as if he knew I had a thing for the hot Captain. And wanted to make excuses for why Krin had ignored me so far.
I told myself it was better that he stayed away, anyway. The thought of hanging out made me doubt my ability to keep my true feelings hidden.
I kept coming up with reasons to convince myself it was a bad idea to remain on the ship.
Pursuing Krin would inevitably lead to heartbreak for me. Let’s face it, there was a big chance he wouldn’t want to be with me, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle it if he rejected me.
On Luna base, I hooked up with guys whenever I needed sexual release, but it meant nothing.
I never let myself develop feelings or promise another hookup.
It was better that way.
Anyway, no guy satisfied my needs in bed or left me wanting to pursue a relationship after sleeping together. Not that it mattered. I wasn’t looking for a long term thing.
My job had been my primary focus.
Everything changed the moment I laid eyes on Krin. Every night, the sight of the pointy-eared turquoise warrior would invade my dreams.
Since departing from Alara, the dreams had become more intense. More spicy. It was as if all the things I had only dared to dream of doing with him were playing out night after night.
The intense arousal from my dreams stuck with me every morning.
Sadly, my sexual frustration was not eased by cold showers.
Taking matters into my own hands did nothing to relieve the ache, so I was constantly in a bad mood.
But despite desperately wanting sexual release, I couldn’t envision being with anyone other than Krin.
After all the time he’d ignored me, I knew I should be furious with him. And I wanted to be. I really did.
But all I seemed to muster was mild annoyance. If only Krin would speak to me and tell me what was going on in that gorgeous head of his.
It was clear by now that he didn’t want me. And I knew nothing would happen between us.
I’d come to accept that, mostly. It didn’t stop me from still pining like a fool.
I began to wonder what the hell was wrong with me?
On the sparring mat, Aza was observing me closely. “You’re even more unfocused than you were yesterday.”
I furrowed my brows. Was I that easy to read?
“I’m fine. Just not sleeping well, that’s all.” Understatement of a lifetime.
His curled lip and cocked eyebrow told me he wasn’t buying my excuse.
I readied myself, preparing to throw a punch when Aza glanced past me.
Without looking behind me, I lunged at him. Even distracted, he dodged me, and I fell to the floor with a grunt.
“Jeeze, Aza, do you have to move so fast? Give a girl a bre–” I was interrupted before I could finish.
“What is going on here?” From behind me, a familiar voice spoke, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine.