Page 25

Grace

I CLOSED MY EYES AS my sobs subsided. With my head against his chest, I focused on the comforting rumble of Trex’s soothing purr.

Despite his imposing size, Trex possessed a surprising gentleness.

I’d meant what I said. He is perfect...and sweet...and kind. But this couldn’t possibly be real. Could it? How could I be his K’sha? His mate?

He sounded so sure of himself even though we’d just met. I didn’t understand how that could be possible, but I also couldn’t deny how I felt about him already.

Sighing, I mulled over all he’d just shared with me.

My mind spun in disbelief. There was something to what he told me.

The marks on his chest were unmistakable.

When I ran my fingers over them, I noticed they were raised.

Their glow was an incredible shade of blue with a hint of red, with silver shimmering within.

Each time we kissed, my soul felt a familiar stirring from deep within. He was amazing both inside and out.

But mates? That sounded unbelievable. Too good to be true.

I straightened up and rubbed my eyes again. “Is there a bathroom I can use?”

He paused a moment as if interpreting my words, then stood. “Of course. The closest cleansing room is in my quarters. Allow me to show you how the bathing tub works.

I raised my hand and couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s okay. I’m not taking a bath. I just want to clean my face after crying all over you.”

He stroked my head with a tenderness that made my eyes moisten again, then took my hand and we left the observation room. We walked down a hallway and then stopped outside a door that he opened with a wave of his hand.

Once inside, he gestured with his head towards a door on the other side of the room. I began to survey his living quarters, then suddenly felt self-conscious and hurried through the door he’d pointed out.

Upon entering what he called the cleansing room, I was surprised by the size of the tub. It would fit both of us with ease.

The image of us naked together in the tub played out vividly in my thoughts. Damn.

Closing my eyes, I let my imagination wander, envisioning the sensation of his touch on my skin.

The taste of his lips.

His hands touching me everywhere, slipping into... Eek! Stop.

I covered my face with my hands, shaking my head, and warned myself against such fantasies.

If my thoughts continued down the same path, I doubted my ability to resist him much longer.

I began to have an internal monologue.

‘Maybe it’s worth considering not resisting him? After all, he is your mate.’

Absolutely not. I need to make sure.

‘Of what?’

Who the hell knows?

Talking to myself like a crazy woman wasn’t helping a lot.

Even as I washed my face, I couldn’t shake off my surprise that he was even interested in me. Out of nowhere, a thought hit me. Is it possible that his feelings for me are solely due to the markings on his skin? I’m not unique or special. I’m an ordinary individual. How can he be attracted to me?

Smoothing some hair off my face and drying my hands, I released a heavy sigh of both resignation and relief. The recollection of our scorching, toe-curling kisses made me moan, and I immediately brought my hand to my mouth in response.

His declaration that I was his mate unnerved me. It was unexpected to hear that from him. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to be with him. I mean, there was no denying my attraction to Trex.

For god’s sake, I have eyes...plus he has a kind heart, I quickly told myself. When he kissed me his eyes had transformed into a mesmerizing deeper midnight blue. His voice was deep and smooth, as sweet as honey, when he spoke to me. What woman could resist that?

Yet it didn’t stop there. It wasn’t only his appearance that stirred a hunger within me, but something deeper and more primal.

There was an overpowering chemistry that existed between us.

It was something I couldn’t put words to.

He awakened something within me, something I had never felt before in my entire life.

Whenever he held my hand, a surge of delightful energy would travel from his touch, making me feel like a giddy schoolgirl with a crush.

Was that what he meant by being my mate?

I have nothing to offer the sexy turquoise adonis; I reminded myself.

Trex sometimes looked at me like he wanted to devour me, which made my body come alive in the most intimate of places.

A thought occurred to me and I put a hand to my mouth when I gasped. I hope to god he can’t tell I am turned on by him. What if the scent of my arousal is detectable to him?

In a rush of embarrassment, I washed up, blew my nose, and composed myself before rejoining the main room to leave. Even though I wanted to get to know Trex, I didn’t want to be too demanding of his time or appear overly needy.

I am sure he has more important matters to attend to, rather than spending more time with me.

Exiting the cleansing room, I found Trex sitting forward in his chair, hands clasped. He cast a smile in my direction and gestured for me to join him.

It surprised me he didn’t appear upset or angry at my earlier freak-out. I grimaced as I slid my hands down my tunic. “I apologize for my reaction after hearing what you said. It was a lot to absorb. I just needed a minute.”

He rose and rested his hands on my shoulders, tilting his head to meet my gaze. “Does this mean you accept we are mates?”

Unsure of what to say or how to act, I anxiously bit my bottom lip. The undeniable connection I shared with Trex was profound.

The concept of soul mates or fated mates didn’t feel incorrect.

It was surreal to think that I had been abducted and traveled across a galaxy, only to find a person who genuinely craved my company.

The concept of destiny had never resonated with me before, and I had always been skeptical of the idea of fate. I constantly felt like a victim of an unfair world and unfortunate circumstances.

Throughout my life, I felt unlovable, leading me to develop a strong sense of independence and self-reliance.

Now I stood face to face with a perfect guy, okay, alien...who proclaimed we were meant for each other. What could I say in reply to that?

Did I accept we were mates?

“What concerns you?” he asked in his irresistible tone.

I shrugged as I explained.

“This all seems too good to be true. Back on Earth my last relationship ended when my mother got sick. I was in an on-and-off relationship with a guy for two years. But he was never interested in committing to me, telling me he wanted to keep his options open.” The asshole.

“The moment my mother got sick and I couldn’t visit regularly, he ended our relationship, citing his busy work schedule.” I compressed my lips before continuing, then thrust out my chin. “This proves my absence won’t be noticed on Earth.”

I never wanted to go back. Particularly not now.

Trex’s grip on my shoulders was firm, but not painful. “That male was not worthy of you,” he growled in a deep voice.

Trex was right.

I was sure I could be far happier out in space discovering new cultures and maybe becoming closer to a certain hunky space ship Captain.

“Will you stay a while longer here with me?” he asked, smiling.

Of course, I wanted nothing more. I smoothed my hands down my sides again as my palms began to sweat.

What if he’s just being polite? My mind taunted.

“Don’t you have to work? I mean....you don’t have to do this.” I was giving him a chance to get off the hook.

The last thing I wanted was to appear too clingy or needy. I’d been accused of that in the past.

I held my breath when he grinned back at me, taking a moment before answering. “They can manage without me for a little longer. I want to spend more time with you.”

I wondered if being mates guaranteed a happily ever after?

What if it didn’t? I grimaced.

My insecurity was the last thing I wanted him to see. I glanced downward, but he guided my chin to face him.

My foolish mouth blurted out words that I never intended to say. “Where are you planning to take me?”

His brows furrowed, and he looked at me as if I had grown a second head. “Would you like to go back to your quarters?” he asked while he studied my face.

“No...I mean, yes....Soon....Yes. But where are you planning to take me to live?” I placed my hands on my hips, trying my best to look calm.

Trex tensed and cleared his throat, looking uneasy. “I thought you wanted to stay on the ship?”

“Yes, I do. I just don’t want to be in the way here.” The vulnerability in my voice annoyed me.

God, Grace. What the hell?

I cringed inside. Needy much?

A relieved laugh escaped Trex before he spoke.

“‘No need to worry. You are not in the way. It may take a while for the crew to get accustomed to a female living on the ship, but you’re more than welcome to stay as long as you want. I don’t plan to drop you off anywhere, unless you ask me to.”

His eyes held a look of worry that I wasn’t sure how to interpret.