Page 17

“We could go to my parents’ house. You could shower before you leave,” she suggested. Pathetic! She’d do anything to delay his departure.

She’d tossed and turned all night, finally falling asleep in the wee hours of the morning. When she awakened, feeling hungover, she’d found him dressed and ready to go. She’d offered to make breakfast, but he’d said he’d helped himself to a power bar.

Did she need further proof of his eagerness to leave?

“Thank you, but it’s best if I get an early start. I used the wipes. They work well.”

“I did put some in your pack.”

“I saw.”

“They’re biodegradable.” She rubbed her hands together. Even after she’d first dragged him back to the cave, their interactions hadn’t been this stilted and uncomfortable.

“Thank you for the wipes. For the food. For saving my life.”

“I have a hunch you recovered on your own.”

“Well, you were there.”

I couldn’t let you die alone. By some miracle, he’d pulled through. “You saved my life. I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth to prevent herself from crying. There’d be plenty of time for a pity party when she was alone. Lots and lots of lonely time.

“Well.” He shrugged into his pack.

“Well,” she replied.

“Goodbye, Laurel.”

“I’ll walk you out,” she said.

He didn’t dawdle but rushed out the neck of the cave and pushed through the covering brush.

The morning air held a frosty chill, but the sun shone brightly, and there wasn’t a cloud in the blue-blue sky. It looked like the start of a beautiful early spring day. A perfect day for leaving. I hate sun.

“Goodbye, Grav.” She gave him a stiff hug, resisting the urge to cling.

“Be well.” He strode away.

Well, this is it. Her throat clogged with tears.

I survived a fucking apocalypse, and I’m going to let him walk away without a single word? Without a fight? When did I become such a coward? “Don’t go!”

He halted. Turned.

“Don’t go. I have no right to ask you, but I’d like you to stay—with me.”

He moved toward her. “I only wanted you to ask me.”

Her lips quivered. “What are you saying?” She had to be sure they were on the same page.

“I don’t want to leave. I wish to stay with you.”

“Really?” Her eyes filled with tears. “F-for how long?”

“For as long as you’ll have me.” He broke into a big smile.

“What about your people?”

“Why would I want them if I can have you?”

“Oh, Grav.” She launched herself at him, and he caught her in an awkward hug, like he didn’t know what to do with his arms. She pressed her lips to his in an exuberant, happy kiss. He stiffened, and blue-blue eyes widened, but he tightened his arms.

“What about your people? Won’t I complicate your life?” He peered down at her. She hadn’t realized how tall he was. Most of the time he’d been with her, he’d been flat on his back.

There were still many details, way more important details than height to learn about each other, but they had the time.

“You’re willing to go with me when I try to find them?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Complicated is the new normal. I’d rather have you and a complicated life than live a simple life without you.” She looked up at him. “Let’s go inside.”

In the cave, he shrugged his pack and dropped it with a satisfying thunk . Laurel couldn’t stop grinning. He wants to stay!

She shuddered at how close she’d come to letting him walk out of her life because they both had waited for the other to say something first. Note to self: Ask for what you want. Don’t expect him to guess.

She wasn’t na?ve. Hooking up with him would complicate a reunion with her fellow humans. It could be dangerous—people might shoot first, ask questions later. They would have to be extra cautious. But if she’d been able to accept him, hopefully once she vouched for him, others would, too. And she wanted him at her side on the journey called life.

Blue-blue eyes sparked with speculation. “That thing you did…”

“What thing?”

“Pressing your mouth to mine.”

“Kissing?”

“That’s what you call it?”

She sighed. “Let me guess: Progg don’t kiss.”

“No, we don’t.” He shook his head.

Well, shit. Overjoyed, she hadn’t stopped to think; she’d just reacted. We do have much to learn about each other.

“I would like to do it again.”

“You would?” Her lips curved.

“Yes. I liked it very much.”

“Well, then…” She curled her arms around his neck. “Let me show you what a French kiss is,” and proceeded to show him.

“You have some strange but wonderful customs,” he said when they came up for air.

She took his hand and led him to the sofa. “Speaking of strange and wonderful customs, I need to ask you an important question.”

“What is it?”

“Do your people have sexual intercourse?”

“Of course. That is how we reproduce.” He cocked his head. “You wish to have a baby?”

She would not consider having a child until she could bring him or her into a safer world. It remained to be seen if their two species could produce offspring together—but she didn’t want to find out until their two species could manage to coexist without killing each other. “Uh, no. At least not for a while,” she replied.

“Oh.” He looked crestfallen. “That’s disappointing. Sexual intercourse is very pleasurable. But I accept your decision.”

Oh, for goodness’ sake! “I take it you don’t have sex just for fun?”

“Progg don’t do anything just for fun.”

She should have guessed. She nudged him in the ribs. “You didn’t used to do anything just for fun. Stick with me—I’ll show you a good time.” While they adjusted to the new paradigm and got to know each other a little better, she’d make a trip to the pharmacy. Maybe he couldn’t impregnate her at all, but she wasn’t going to risk it at this juncture.

“More fun than cards?” he asked.

“Much more.” She kissed him. “Just wait and see.”