Page 44 of Dealing With Drak

Oh, he’s so fucking sweet. Drak is so brave until the idea of me being hurt gets put into his head.

“Want to hold me like you did earlier?” I offer, watching as his worried lips tip into a grin. The big sweetheart alien scoops me up, lifting my feet from the ground without further prompting.

Threading my hands behind his neck, I bring my face close to his, popping a soft kiss to his cheek. The way his lips immediately spread into a huge smile makes my stomach flutter. Normally, cliff jumping wouldn’t be done in clothes—let alone shoes—but with no one to watch our stuff, I don’t tell him that.

Besides, I’m not sure I can handle seeing Drak wet and naked again before we talk. I have towels on the ship, and we both have changes of clothes. Our shoes will be able to dry overnight and will be ready by morning when we need them again.

“Ready?” I ask, grinning.

Drak bobs his head in confirmation. “I find myself worrying much less with you in my arms, Mean One.”

Teasingly, I look down at the water below and, soon after, back at him. “Well then, what are you waiting for?”

Always one to rise to the occasion, Drak holds me tighter against him. I wrap my thighs around his waist for extra stability, and without questioning me further, he leaps. My body clings to him, flinching as a natural response to the adrenaline pouring into my bloodstream. I let out an excited yelp and relish the way cold water captures us from the air, surrounding our forms with greedy acceptance.

When we burst up from the surface, it’s Drak who lets out a hoot of joy.

17

Anna

“That was glorious, An-nana!” Drak cheers, clinging to me as he begins to swim us out of the deep water. More seriously, he adds, “It did not hurt you, yes?”

“I’m perfectly un-hurt,” I confirm, smiling as I feel his heart beating wildly under my hand. I’m still quite confused by the Aprixian anatomy, since they seem to have hearts and soul seeds in the same place. Perhaps his heart is his soul seed, and the organ simply glows with a feature humans don’t possess.

“Do Aprixians jump off of things for fun?” I ask curiously.

As his waist is now above the water, I let my feet fall and shiver as my toes sink into the underwater ground.

“The interesting ones do,” he jokes. “But most Aprixians, at least ones who were warriors in the past, often jump off of things more as a way of doing tasks than seeking adventure. Why should you climb down a mountain when you may descend through the air? Things like that. Am I explaining this well?”

“Perfectly,” I answer firmly.

“This water is a bit cold for hu-nim comfort, yes?” he asks, brushing some wet hair off of my cheeks.

“It’s a bit chilly?—”

“And you wish to share words?” he asks before I can continue.

Swallowing hard, I nod nervously.

“Then I shall carry you back to the ship?—”

I stiffen, cutting him off. “I can walk?—”

Drak cuts me right off in return. “You will not. My body heat will keep you warm and safe from the elements. I understand hu-nims have sensitive immune systems. I will carry you back to our ship, give you privacy to dry off and change, and then we will share words while you eat your nighttime snack.”

He’s not asking for permission, he’s telling me exactly what we’re going to do. Why do I have the urge to kiss the hell out of him for it? I should snarl at him and deny him kisses for a week for the demanding tone he’s taking with me. But god help me, I’m melting for it.

Trying to keep my response cool, I lift my chin at him. “Fine, you can carry me.”

Clearly testing my limits, Drak lifts me into the air bridal-style, causing me to squeal. “I was not asking, An-nana. But I like your answer.”

Damn you, suave alien.

Who the hell taught this man how to be so charming?

Collecting myself, I narrow my eyes at him. Our faces are so close in this position that I could kiss him with minimal effort. “You’re bold when you know I won’t shoot you, aren’t you?”

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