Page 24

With a slight tilt of my head, I claimed her lips in a soft, lingering kiss, relishing the intimate connection. I hummed contentedly as Grace let out a hungry moan.

Her arms tightened around my neck. Her seductive sounds filled the air as a surge of heat coursed through my body. The growing heat from my chest left me unable to catch my breath.

I felt her lips part, and without hesitation, I intensified the kiss. Our bodies merged as our tongues danced to the rhythm of our hearts.

With one arm around her back, I pulled her in even tighter and cradled her head. Another moan escaped Grace’s lips, and I echoed it with a low, guttural growl.

Our tongues entwined, and the passionate kisses grew more intense, fueled by an undeniable desire. Her taste was as sweet as the nectar of a blooming emond flower.

I wished the moment could last forever and was overjoyed by her acceptance. But the anticipation of conveying the significance of our bond kept me on edge.

After several minutes of intense, passionate kissing, I pulled back and noticed her cheeks had a rosy hue.

Grace looked up at me before pressing her hands against my bare chest.

HER HANDS GLIDED BENEATH the leather straps, making contact with my mating marks and sending electric sensations across my body. She pulled away quickly and looked up at me in alarm.

“Your chest is hot. Are you okay?”

Standing, I removed the leather straps that hid the center of my chest and placed them on a nearby table.

She inhaled sharply when her eyes skimmed the activated markings that were now visible.

I looked down at them. They were glowing, and the color was darker than before I’d kissed her. But they would not finish changing until I claimed her fully.

Still, she could see them now.

Grace stood and reached out her hand, her fingers tracing the raised etchings. “What happened to you? Why are they hot and glowing like that?”

I took her hand in mine and kissed it before holding it against my chest.

“Do humans believe in predestined soulmates?

“No. Why? Do your people?” She shrugged and her eyes took on a curious look.

“Yes,” I grinned, stroking her cheek with the backs of my fingers, and she leaned into them.

Grace was so open to my touch that I felt sure she would accept what I was about to tell her.

“Alaran males are born with these markings. They were given to us by the gods.”

“What are they...I mean, what do they do?”

“They are mating marks. They awaken when we have met our K’sha.”

Grace tensed and I let go of her hand, allowing her to pull back.

“There’s that word again. What is a K’sha?”

I watched her, praying she would accept what I was about to tell her.

“We are mates. You were created for me and I was created for you.”

“Is that what K’sha means? Mate?” Her eyes moistened.

“Fated mate, yes.”

Grace’s mouth fell open, and she paused for a long moment.

When she spoke, her voice was shaky. “Let me get this straight, because the scientific part of my brain is fighting this. You are telling me we should be together because your gods put these markings on you to tell you so?”

I bowed my head once. “Yes. We are connected...predestined for one another.”

“But how? The odds of me ever leaving Earth and meeting you...no way. I can’t believe that.” She waved her hands in front of her body, backing away further.

I didn’t move. The last thing I wanted was to scare her into running away.

“Yet, here you are. Is that not a divine miracle?” I offered up a grin.

“I hardly know you, but I will admit there is something ... I can’t stop thinking about you.” She said, echoing everything I was feeling.

I watched her in silence.

Grace shook her head and leaned back to gaze up at me. “So what happens now?”

“Do we have to get married because I kissed you and your markings glowed?” her voice was sharp and I could see she was not accepting the truth as well as I’d hoped.

Maybe I should have waited longer before telling her?

She continued to stare at my chest markings, then her eyes drifted lower, down my abdomen to my aching cock that was rapidly deflating.

A mix of fear and excitement was wafting from her. Had I frightened her by telling her too soon? But surely she felt the connection? She’d said as much.

“I do not understand this word marriage,” I explained. “But we have not completed the claiming yet.”

I looked forward to strengthening our bond once I mated with her.

Grace put her hand up and her back straight. “Can you clarify what you mean by claiming ? You’re not implying that I become your property, right?”

Her statement caught me off guard, considering our previous conversation. I pursed my lips. “The claiming happens in our first mating with our K’sha. Then there will be a mating ritual when we return to Alara. We call it the weaver’s bond. From that moment, you will belong with me and I with you.”

Her head moved side to side while her mouth twisted. “I can’t believe this. You say I belong to you like I’m a piece of property. I belong to no one. We barely know one another,” she insisted.

“You are not property, and I did not say you belong to me. I said you belong with me. They are two different things, Grace. You are my K’sha. We belong with one another. We will get to know one another in time.”

Great work, Trex. I was turning this into a colossal mess.

Grace closed her lips, then cast her arms out to the side. “I’m utterly baffled and don’t understand any of this. You don’t even know if you will be happy with me once you get to know me.”

“Of course I will be. You are perfect for me,” I offered.

She put her hands to her hips. “What if I want to travel the galaxy? What if I don’t want to live on Alara?” She stopped and ran her hands through her hair, shaking her head. “I...I don’t know...this is such a shock. Honestly, I don’t even know where I belong.”

She belonged with me, but I could not force her to accept me. That was not the way the mate bond worked.

There was so much sadness in her voice, and it pierced my heart.

“Would you like me to show you the galaxy? I will if that is what you want. My knowledge of humans is minimal, but we are mates. I am certain and wanted you to know the truth.”

“I will never tire of you, Grace.” In order to not worry her more, I spoke softly. Stepping to her, I wrapped her in my arms half expecting her to push me away. And although she tensed, she did not withdraw from me.

Instead, she relaxed and put her arms around me.

Her body began to vibrate, and she sniffled.

Leaning back, I could see tears leaking from her eyes and down her cheeks. “Why are your eyes leaking?”

She wiped her eyes with the heels of her hands then smoothed them down her tunic. “It’s called crying, and it’s just...all of this...everything that’s happened.” She shook her head, looking more distressed. “Until a few days ago, I was alone with no one who cared about me.”

Grace continued to do more of the crying, then wiped her face again. “I’ve been abducted by pig faced aliens, then rescued by you...”

She inhaled and exhaled before continuing.

“And now you tell me I belong with you? This is all a bit much to take in....to process.”

There were no more tears and her distress appeared to be easing off. “I can’t believe you are attracted to me let alone think I am your mate.”

I smiled a closed lipped smile and leaned in closer.

“Sweet Grace.” I stroked her hair. “I have traveled through space for many tenris and seen many incredible things.

The spectacular Karasis Nebula, the exotic spice planet of Molan 4. Even Alara has the most fragrant and eye-catching flowers and trees.

But none of those things makes me feel the way I do when I am with you. When I look at you...nothing else compares to your beauty. You are the most incredible female I have ever seen.”

Her jaw dropped and her eyes moistened again.

Had no one ever told her how beautiful she was?

Grace’s inner strength was evident. She’d been through so much yet remained composed and excited about her future.

She admitted. “This is the first time someone’s ever said these things to me. How? How can you be so damn perfect?”

She was crying again and this time her chest was wracked with a loud sob and her cheeks were soaked with tears.

I pulled her close and softly spoke words of comfort that my people used to soothe powerful emotions in others.

She clung to me like she never wanted to let me go.

Nor did I want her to.