Page 18

Olivia

“WHERE DID YOU GET THE beautiful bouquet, anyway?” I asked, sitting back.

His face turned a lighter shade of teal, and he glanced at the vase before answering.

“Once I had finished unpacking following my meeting with Captain Kagin, it was too late to buy flowers for you from the market.” His lips curved at the corners. “I decided to pick some from the palace gardens. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

You could never disappoint me. Orin was a treasure, and I almost melted on the spot. He appeared to be as honest as they come. An endearing trait for a guy. And rare.

“You didn’t have to bring me anything.”

He casually shrugged and smirked, letting me know he was going to keep bringing me flowers even if I told him not to.

“Are you glad to be back working here?” I asked him. Grace mentioned he was coming back to work at the palace, which made me happy that he would be living nearby again.

His posture changed, and he sat up tall. “Yes. My first shift starts in the morning. It is an honor to be the King’s new personal guard.”

My head bobbed and my mind raced, wondering what to say to him next.

The effect Orin had on me was indescribable; he had the power to make my heart race and my mind go blank. The pull to him was irresistible, like a strong magnetic force. Whenever he gazed at me with his intense dark eyes, a whirlwind of emotions stirred within me, leaving me breathless.

I smoothed my hair, trying to maintain the same look of calm his face reflected but his eyes betrayed. Then I cleared my throat. “Now that we’re alone, can you tell me why you’ve been avoiding me?” I asked with a slight grimace.

Orin looked me in the eye and I almost averted my gaze, worried about his answer. “Before my talk with Queen Grace, I believed you did not want to be with me.”

Seriously? “That’s why you’ve been avoiding me?

” I was stunned by his confession even though Grace hinted at it.

“What changed your mind?” My eyes drifted to the mating marks on his biceps, and he noticed.

Orin’s markings had darkened in color and confirmed I was his fated mate, and I couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.

When he looked down at his biceps, and I saw a touch of uncertainty in his expression, I wished I could hear what he was thinking. Alaran’s had telepathic powers, and communicated with one another mind to mind most of the time. They were also empathic by nature.

Blushing, I wondered if Orin had ever read my mind. Clearly not. If he had, he’d know how badly I wanted him. I knew it was possible for him to sense or pick up on my emotions, but figured he hadn’t done that either.

Given that he thought I didn’t want to be with him.

Seeing Orin’s mating marks were visible made my stomach flutter as I waited for him to say something.

“It is true.” He swallowed hard. “You are my K’sha.”

His reaction was so adorable that I couldn’t help but smile.

“What happens now?” I asked, feeling hopeful.

Orin bowed his head and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry...”

My stomach plummeted to my feet. Is he going to reject me?

“I do not know how to...” His voice trailed off as his throat bobbed.

According to Trex, Alarans had only one fated mate, and they were very rare. No wonder he didn’t know what to do next. I wasn’t sure either. Amid all the memories since we first met, I had a sudden and scary thought. “Do you not want a mate?” Or do you just not want me?

Orin, the hunky alien warrior, grimaced. “I do. But I want to be a good mate.” His head angled and his lips drooped. “One worthy of you.”

Excuse me? How could he doubt his worthiness?

“Your mating marks prove we are meant to be together.” Why was this so hard for him? I was usually the unsure one in relationships.

I wanted to comfort him, but I wasn’t sure how. He seemed to believe what he was saying, and that made me feel sad.

Even though I wanted more than anything to be with Orin, I knew better than to expect his feelings about finding his fated mate to make everything okay.

It was clear he'd been carrying these thoughts around for a while. If I let myself believe we had a future, I could end up hurt.

But I wanted to take the chance, because I believed he wanted that too.

I wondered if maybe Orin wasn’t ready to accept our connection or if he believed I didn’t want to be with him? Maybe he was having second thoughts because I was pregnant with someone else’s child?

I was consumed by insecurity. Does he think I've slept around? The sudden thought gave me a mini heart attack, so I glanced down, pretending to brush off some imaginary lint from my dress.

“I’ve only been with one man,” I blurted, hoping to set things straight before I met his eyes again.

He grinned as his eyes flicked to my baby bump.

I chuckled.

“Look, I like you, Orin. But I would forgive you if you decided not to take me on just because your mating marks activated.”

Perplexed, Orin’s eyebrows pinched. “Take you on?”

I rubbed my stomach. “I’m carrying someone else's child. That’s a lot, even if I am your mate. Most men would not even consider it.”

He studied me for a moment. “What about the younglings father?”

I scoffed. “He never wanted a child with me. And he didn’t want me once I got pregnant, so it doesn’t matter. I'm over him. I’m okay raising my child alone.”

The last thing I wanted was for Orin to think I expected him to help me raise another mans child.

Witnessing his posture shift and his chin jut out, I was met with a tender look of empathy that brought me close to tears.

“I am not a human male. I am an Alaran warrior and we do not abandon our K’sha. It would be an honor if you allowed me to be a father to your youngling.” His voice, deep and rich, sent warm tingles through me.

“All my life I assumed I would remain unmated. Our connection surprised me, I’ll admit. But there is no denying the fact you are my K’sha, Olivia. My thoughts of you consumed me long before I was ready to speak to you. Can you forgive me?” His smile was sweet with a hint of sexy.

I wondered if he’d been thinking of me in the same way I was with him. God, I hoped so.

“Of course.... There is nothing to forgive. I should have spoken up sooner, too.” I looked down, feeling ashamed.

“Is it safe to assume you won’t be leaving Alara?” He asked. Hope was evident in his tone.

I fidgeted with my hands in my lap. “Truthfully, I never wanted to leave, but I couldn’t handle seeing you when I thought you didn’t want me, so I knew I should leave.”

Orin reached out and touched my arm, smoothing his fingers down it. “It appears we are both at fault.” He grinned and I could tell he was teasing.

“Will you allow me to learn more about you? About what pleases you, and makes you smile?”

Yes, please.

My eyes fell to his lips and all I could think about was how much I wanted him to kiss me. His palm grazed against my cheek, and I couldn’t help but shudder at the comforting warmth.

Orin gazed at me with hunger in his eyes.

Why is he waiting?

“Well, kiss me already,” I demanded.

He stilled and doubt started to creep in for a moment. “I assume you know what a kiss is, don’t you?” I uttered. Need was rising faster than I was ready for. Every cell in my body cried out for his touch.

A chuckle escaped him, and his eyes shone brightly. “Yes. I do.”

Still, he hesitated to make a move. I decided to take matters into my own hands. “Good. May I kiss you?” My mouth watered and my thighs quivered.

He uttered a husky, yes.

I pulled him closer as I leaned forward, gripping his shoulders to balance myself. My lips closed in on his, sweeping across his mouth. I ran my tongue along his bottom lip feeling the soft plumpness of it.

Placing his palms on either side of my head, Orin’s hands slid into my hair. He kissed me back with a tenderness I didn’t expect.

My response was to pull him even closer. I tugged at his hair and held him tight before he could get away or change his mind.

He chuckled. His laughter vibrated against my lips, before he deepened the kiss, causing me to melt into him.

Our mouths opened to one another and the kiss evolved into a passionate intertwining of tongues and lips. He tasted like a mix of fresh mint and warm spice, and it sent a thrilling jolt through me.

It seemed I wasn’t alone in my thoughts as I heard words in my mind, Gods; you taste even better than I could have imagined.

Excited, I drew back, breathless with my chest heaving. “Did I just hear your thoughts?”

One side of his mouth tilted, revealing a seductive grin. “Yes.”

I gasped. This was real. We were fated mates.

The instant attraction I had felt when I first saw him told me a part of me knew all along about our connection, but I had been too afraid to believe it was possible.

I could feel the vibrations as my handsome warrior's chest rumbled. It sent a jolt through my body, like a surge of electricity coursing from my veins to my very core.

In that moment, our breaths became one, as our foreheads met and our chests rose and fell in unison, each gasp filling the space between us.

A wave of joy washed over me, making me feel as if I had been handed the greatest gift imaginable.

With the air of someone who had just recalled something important, Orin settled back and reached into his pocket.

“I have a special gift just for you.”

My breath hitched.

In his hand, he held a small box, his palm cradling it. The package was wrapped nicely with gold fabric and white ribbons. It was stunning.

Curiosity struck me as I wondered whether he had enlisted someone's help to wrap it. I couldn’t fathom how his massive hands managed to tie such a dainty bow, like the one delicately wrapped around the box.

“What’s this?” My fingers trembled as I reached for the box.

“It belonged to my mother. My sister wrapped it so I could give it to you. She is looking forward to meeting you.”

I jerked my hand back like it was on fire, and had to hold back tears from the sweet gesture. “No way I can accept this... Your sister should have it.”

He ignored my words and pushed the box toward me again, grinning. Then bowed his head, indicating that he wanted me to have it. Excited, I accepted it and took off the colored ribbon. Then removed the gold fabric wrapped around the small box.

When I pulled off the lid, I gasped.

Nestled inside was a dainty silver chain, complete with a sturdy clasp.

Adorning it was a captivating green stone similar to an emerald,.

The stone was carved into the graceful form of a teardrop.

When I held it in my palm, I could feel its substantial weight, which surprised me.

The pendant was about the size of my thumb, but wider.

I couldn't speak due to a lump in my throat. My eyes brimmed with tears as I met his gaze.

“Do you like it?” he asked, smiling.

I nodded and gazed at it in my hand.

“Let me help.” Orin said.

I handed him the necklace and lifted my hair from my neck. His fingers grazed my flesh, sending sweet chills down my spine at the brief contact. I looked down at where it lay against my chest then wiped my eyes and turned to face him.

“Thank you, it’s beautiful.”

He smiled and his gaze shifted towards my cleavage and then to the pendant. “It looks stunning on you.”

Tears filled my eyes as I inhaled his scent and pressed the pendant against my heart.

With a gentle touch, he reached for my cheek and locked eyes with me. “Would you mind if I kissed you again?”

“God, no. I don’t mind. You never have to ask.” My heart was skipping beats.

In one unexpected yet smooth movement, Orin picked me up and shifted me onto his lap as if I weighed nothing. One of his hands went to my hair while the other wrapped around my waist, holding me against him.

The force of his kiss took me by surprise, and I couldn’t help but moan in pleasure as he explored my lips. Arousal pulsed through my body, heightened by the deep rumbling purr emanating from his chest.

As Orin held me close, his hands conveyed both strength and gentleness, while his soft kisses danced along my jawline. Allowing him access, I tilted my head, and he began planting a series of tender kisses along the sensitive spot where my neck and shoulder met.

I kept my eyes shut, fearful that he was a figment of my imagination and not wanting the moment to end.

My fingers threaded into his hair. Being with him was like being under a spell, and I never wanted to break free from his enchantment. I had always imagined Orin kissing me and much more, but the reality was even better.

“Olivia...Gods, you taste delicious.” He husked, running his hands along my shoulder and down my arm.

My gaze slipped to what I could see of his upper body, and my mouth watered. Orin's enormous erection pressed against my bottom.

My own body responded in less visible ways, unless you counted my hardened nipples that rubbed against the fabric of my dress.

I touched his chest, feeling the taut muscle of his pecs beneath my fingers.

Until now, I had not been able to study him up close.

I noticed that despite his blueish green skin he had freckles on his cheeks that spread across his nose.

It was hardly noticeable, but if you looked closely, you could see them.

His lips curled slightly and his brows expressed more than ever as he gazed back at me. He gave me an enticing grin.

Orin had the sexiest dimples I had ever seen on anyone. When he smiled at me, my entire body tingled from head to toe. Everything about him filled me with need and happiness.

“You are a great kisser.” I said, glancing at his mouth.

“So are you.” With a twinkle in his eyes, he planted a gentle kiss on my nose and then grinned widely, radiating pure happiness.

I’d never witnessed this side of him and I liked it very much.

“You should do that more often,” I said.

“What's that?”

“Smile. It makes you even more handsome.”