Page 16 of The VaDorok’s Unexpected Mate (The Mate Index: Dorok #1)

Katie yawned and flopped over onto her other side, her eyes slowly opening.

Why was she even awake? It was too damned early.

That much could easily be discerned. The room was still dark; its only illumination was the hidden lights in the walls and the glowing coals in the hearth.

That was enough to confirm how early it was since the lights were set to a timer to brighten at an hour in the morning that she personally felt was already far too early.

That the setting was still on the night cycle was enough to give her a hint about just how early it was.

She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dim light and jumped when she finally focused on the broad angles of Kull’s alien face.

Her heart pounding in her ears, she stared at him.

He was in bed with her.

Of course, logically, she knew that he was sleeping in the bed with her every night, but he was always so careful about going to bed after her and rising before she woke that there was always an illusion of sleeping alone. Until now.

Seeing him sleeping so soundly and comfortably at her side made something twist inside of her.

Part of it was the apprehension of being so close to a male.

The anxiety that sang through her she understood.

It was the other part that she didn’t get.

She felt... comfort. It was as if his large body was a warm cocoon protecting her from the world.

Even his tail was curled over her hip as if holding her gently to him like a cord of connection.

She had little doubt that if she moved suddenly that he would come awake, ready to protect her.

She wouldn’t test it, however. She would rather let him sleep.

His rhythmic breathing in steady, soft exhalations was loosening something within her, and besides, he was an entirely different male while he slept—one that she had only caught glimpses of in unguarded moments.

With his face relaxed in sleep, he looked soft and warm.

There was a sweetness in the faint curl of his mouth that often seemed absent when he was awake.

During the day, he was often stoic and somewhat unapproachable in appearance.

She slowly reached out with her hand and traced the tip of his ear with her finger.

It flicked in response, and she sucked in a smile.

He was always so guarded that she doubted he would enjoy knowing that she saw him when he was so vulnerable.

She liked it even more for that reason. It was like seeing a secret part of him that no one really got to see.

“I think I prefer you like this,” she whispered.

Kull’s tail twitched against her hip before unconsciously uncurling and sliding over her lower back.

It pressed against her back, holding her tighter, and a deep purr began to rumble from his chest as the corner of his mouth crept up slightly.

She leaned forward, her nose just scant inches from his, uncertain if he was really sleeping.

He didn’t so much as stir when she ran a finger down the broad, feline-like bridge of his nose.

Even there, his fur was incredibly soft.

She could pet him forever, especially if he merely purred louder at the contact.

It seemed that he was a heavier sleeper than she had thought.

Not even bothering to hide her smile while he was so soundly asleep, she continued to pet him, running her fingers along his cheeks and through his mane, and rubbing gently at his ears.

She even explored the taut tissue around the horns that he had spoken of with Ren.

She didn’t venture any lower than the short, velvety fur on his chest—she certainly had no intention of molesting him in his sleep, after all—but the longer she explored him from his horns to the broad muscles of his shoulders and chest, the more familiar he became to her and the comfortable she slowly grew with his big body tucked so closely around her.

She stroked his cheek thoughtfully, her fingers suddenly going still, however, when his eyes slowly slitted open to peer back at her.

His purr stuttered briefly as his eyes met hers, and they stared at each other.

It was so much like being held captive in the gaze of an enormous predator that her breath caught with wonder.

Her fingers twitched reflexively, and he blinked, his purr tentatively coming back to life again as he subtly leaned into her touch.

She moved her fingers in a tiny caress, and his eyes slid closed again, his purr growing louder as he looped one around her and drew her snugly against her chest.

She lay there petting him, his purr vibrating through her with their proximity, stirring the strangest sensation deep within her belly.

More than that, she was so very warm in his embrace that it slowly sank into her along with the most appealing smell that she couldn’t quite define.

Her eyes grew heavier with every moment that passed until, finally, her hand slid along his mane in a final stroke as she fell deeply asleep once more.

When she woke in the morning, she wasn’t sure if it had all been a dream or not, but it sent a warm feeling through her every time she thought about it and she was forced to hide the ridiculous smiles that spread across her face.

Especially since Ren gave her a sour look any time she so much as smiled at all, much less in Kull’s direction.

As for Kull, she wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed at him for ignoring it and acting like nothing happened or grateful that she wasn’t being flustered by any knowing looks from him.

Thankfully, the more he ignored it, the easier it was for her to forget it had happened at all and fall back into their usual interactions without another thought to it.

Maybe it was all just a dream after all.