Page 128 of Stardusted

He searched my face, mouth drawn in concern. “You okay?”

The dizziness faded, but my pulse didn’t slow. I could feel the steady thud of his beneath my palm, too, and the warmth of his body against mine. He was so tall, my nose barely reached his chin.

His mouth wasright there.

“I’m fine,” I whispered, dragging my eyes up to his. “Just a little dizzy.”

He watched me like he didn’t quite believe me. “You sure?”

I nodded. His grip didn’t loosen. He studied me long enough—intensely enough—that my cheeks heated.

“You can let me go,” I said, turning my face away. “I can stand.”

He didn’t, though. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.” He paused, and then muttered darkly, “Feels like I’m saying that an awful lot lately.”

It was enough to make me turn my head back toward him. Lines bracketed his lips beneath the shadow of stubble. That muscle fluttered in his temple. He looked genuinely upset. Stressed, even.

That was kind of sweet. I mean, considering it was the alien mess that’d caused all that in the first place.

“I’mokay, Sky. No long-term damage.” I tried to smile, but it didn’t quite form.

Because neither of us knew that for sure, did we?

The way he was looking at me told me he’d thought the same thing. His obvious worry sank claws deep enough I nearly shivered.

“You really can let me go,” I said again, emphasizing it this time with a light push against his chest. “I’m going to go wash up.” I dropped my gaze, unable to hold his searching look anymore. And stiffened. “Shit—Sky, I…”

I’d left a bloody handprint on the front of his shirt.

He followed my gaze. The dark smear seeped into the white cotton, a stark, spreading stain.

He loosened his grip enough for me to slip out of his hold, and he plucked at the fabric. “Least of my worries. I’ll change back into my shirt from yesterday. It’s fine.”

“Okay. Sorry.” He gave me a dry look—most likely because I’d apologized for bleeding again. I let out a breath, jerking a thumb toward the hallway. “Right. I’m gonna go…take care of this.”

This time, he let me go without comment.

A moment later, I was bent over the bathroom sink, scrubbing my face with hot water. Steam curled up around me, fogging the mirror. I stared at my blurred reflection, at my matted hair, pale skin, and the blood still clinging to the edge of one nostril.

I was fine. Of course I was fine. Bleeding and confused and brain-scrambled, butfine.

…right?

I swallowed hard and, for a moment, all I could see was the handprint. Crimson against white. Pressed to his chest.

It felt like a warning. A symbol of something dark and ominous.

A sign of what was coming.

And it didn’t bode well for either of us.

Chapter 30

FIRST ANNUAL TAKE YOUR ALIEN TO WORK DAY

“So…no to telepathy, right?” I asked.

The SUV’s wipers scraped away another sheet of rain, revealing the storm-darkened street. Red lights gleamed dully on the wet road ahead, casting a soft glow over Sky’s profile as he sent me a sidelong look. One that made it clear what he thought of my question.