Page 35 of The Intergalactic Duke's Inconvenient Engagement

He straightened, his hands still behind him. “I mean because I’ll be there.”

Her mouth made a little O of surprise, but she couldn’t push any air out.

When she didn’t answer, he widened his stance. “In the past, you’ve told me how you sometimes felt alone, facingtroubles with no one at your side. I just wanted you to know this will not be one of those times.”

The way he held himself so stiffly, his jaw tight, it seemed as if he didn’t even want to say the words. So why did he bother? Old resentments—and okay, she admitted, more than a touch of anxiety—made her want to stomp away. She didn’t need anyone’s help, not even his. If he wanted to walk awayfrom her, fine. She’d just…

Oh waaaaaait. Maybe this was why he was uneasy about holding his hand out. Because she might bite it off.

Tentatively, she slid one foot toward him, her lips curled inward to hold back her instinctive snap. She’d had to be the strong one for so long, for her dad and sister, after Mom left, but in some ways, that had given her a reason to hold herself together. ThenDad had passed and Vaughn had moved on with her life, and it seemed like they were leaving her too—not that she blamed either of them. Instead, she’d told herself she could finally relax. But she’d always stayed on the defensive, waiting for the next time she’d find herself alone. She’d been basically hiding in Sunset Falls, as if in a small enough, backward enough town, working at a dead-end job,telling herself that even casual hookups were too much heartache, she could finally protect herself from being left behind. Because there was nowhere else to go, no one else to walk away.

And then Blackworm had abducted her and now she was facing a whole universe.

With another faltering footstep, she glanced up at Raz. He looked as wary as she felt inside. No wonder she’d felt such a connectionto him, even if he was an alien duke and she was just herself.

Holding her breath, she settled her hand on his chest. He wasn’t wearing that militaristic uniform or the tight workout shirt that had distracted her so much the last time they were alone together. This pale gray tunic was looser and softer, the neckline an open, sloping V, and the pants were equally unstructured, as if maybe he’dbeen getting ready for bed too when he decided he needed to talk to her, to reassure her.

Her throat tightened a little, and her voice was husky when she said, “Last time we kissed…”

He raised his head, like a wary beast, and she felt his heartbeat thud under her palm. “I shouldn’t have kissed you,” he broke in. “Not because alien dukes don’t kiss, but because you’d just woken up from a terriblenightmare and were too vulnerable. I should’ve been protecting you, not taking advantage.”

She narrowed one eye thoughtfully. How did she feel about him thinking she was too vulnerable, in need of his protection? It was…sweet, she decided. If misguided.

“I’ve never asked for anyone’s protection,” she said. “And yet since I busted out of that glass coffin, I’ve needed it more than once.” Shelet out a sigh, staring fiercely at the center of his chest where the neckline of the tunic exposed a V of his lightly tanned skin just above her flattened fingertips. “I can’t begin to tell you how much that bothers me.”

At his huff of a laugh, she peeked up at him.

With his thumb, he levered her face up. “You did tell me, pretty clearly, when you rejected me.”

“I didn’t…” she sputtered.

He tipped his thumb higher, over her lips. “And fair enough,” he continued. “It wasn’t the time or place for seduction.”

Had that been what it was? A seduction? She gazed up at him, keenly aware of the soft weight of his touch on her mouth. “Is this the time and place?”

“No.” He dropped his hand.

She blinked. “Oh. I thought…” A hot flush of embarrassment—and lingering arousal; she didn’t kidherself—blazed up her cheeks.

“But I have a proposal for you.”

“An indecent one?” she muttered.

He tilted his head, obviously not getting the reference. She’d have to introduce him to the joys of questionable cinema and over-buttered popcorn. Except both those things were very far away, and she wouldn’t be here long enough for that.

“Not indecent,” he said slowly. “Merely inappropriate.”

“That doesn’t seem right for a dignified duke,” she said with an attempt at a smile.

He didn’t smile back. “I think we can help each other.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You’ve already helped me, but I don’t see how I’m of any use to you.”

“I’ve not been entirely forthcoming with you,” he said.

“You mean like you’re supposed to be getting married?” She lifted one eyebrow.

He scowled. “My mother’sbeen at you, hasn’t she?”