Page 33 of Across the Crimson Sands

The sound of my name on his lips pushed me over the edge. I shattered around him, waves of ecstasy washing over me. Rokan followed soon after with a guttural roar.

We lay tangled together, both panting. I traced idle patterns on his chest, marveling at the coolness of his skin. What now? I wondered. Where did we go from here?

Rokan lifted his head, golden eyes meeting mine. Maybe, just maybe, there was a glimpse of something vulnerable in their depths. But then his walls slammed back into place.

“We should get some food,” he said gruffly, rolling off me. “Long day tomorrow.”

I nodded, trying to ignore the ache in my chest. One step forward, two steps back. But I’d seen a crack in his armor. And that gave me hope.

Rokan rolled off the bed and strode to the communication panel near the door. His muscular form moved with a predatory grace that did bad, dangerous things to me.

I pulled the sheet up to cover myself. My brain was not my friend when this man was around.

“What are you ordering?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.

He glanced back at me. “You’ll see.”

A few moments later, he returned to the bed, settling beside me with his back against the headboard.

“Should be here soon,” he said.

I nodded, unsure what to say. I wanted to touch him, to trace the swirling markings that mesmerized me. But I held back, afraid of breaking whatever fragile connection we’d forged.

A chime at the door interrupted my thoughts. Rokan rose to answer it, returning with a large covered tray. The rich aroma of spices and roasted meat filled the room, making my mouth water.

He set the tray on the bed between us and removed the cover. My eyes widened at the array of dishes - some familiar, others completely alien.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like,” Rokan said, his voice gruff. “So I ordered a variety.”

I smiled, touched by the unexpected thoughtfulness. “It all looks amazing.”

We began to eat, sampling the different dishes. There was a tender, spiced meat that melted on my tongue, accompanied by a tangy sauce that made my taste buds sing. Crisp vegetables provided a refreshing contrast. I couldn’t identify half of what I was eating, but every bite was a new adventure.

As we ate, I noticed Rokan watching me intently.

“What?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious.

He tilted his head to the side. “Nothing. You just... eat with such enthusiasm.”

I laughed. “Well, it’s been a while since I’ve had a real meal. Gorin wasn’t exactly known for his culinary skills.”

Rokan’s expression darkened at the mention of my owner. “Did he starve you?”

“Not exactly,” I said, picking at a piece of bread. “But the food was barely edible most days. This is like a feast in comparison.”

Rokan grunted, his jaw clenching. I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface. It surprised me - why should he care how Gorin had treated me?

“Well,” he said after a moment, “eat as much as you want. There’s plenty.”

I stole tiny glances at Rokan, admiring the carved cheekbones, the way his muscles moved as he reached for different dishes. He caught me looking once and held my gaze, his golden eyes intense. Heat flooded my cheeks and I quickly looked away.

“So,” I said, desperate to break the tension, “tell me about yourself. Where are you from originally?”

Rokan raised an eyebrow. “Why do you want to know?”

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Just curious. We’ve been through a lot together, but I still don’t know much about you.”

He was quiet, eyes focused on something I couldn’t see, and I thought he might not answer. But then he spoke, his voice low.

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