Page 14 of Zayrik (The Protectorate Warriors Alien Fated Mates #6)

SHE WASN’T WALKING away.

Not this time.

The realization hit like a physical force, making my blood surge hot in my veins.

I should’ve stepped back. Let her go. Protected us both from whatever this was becoming.

But I didn’t.

Couldn’t.

I waited.

Let her feel me there, close enough to touch but not touching.

Let her decide.

Every muscle in my body tight with the effort of staying still.

And when she turned—

When her eyes found mine, lips parted—

I knew.

She was done fighting this.

And I was done pretending I didn’t want her.

Done pretending I hadn’t been falling since the moment I found her on my ship.