Page 46 of Dealing With Drak

Even though we haven’t made it to the ship yet, I can’t help but ask. “Is that what you want, Drak? To be my mate?”

Considering my question carefully, he nods. “I would have been your friend forever without complaint, An-nana. If that were all you wished to give me, I would still cherish it. Even as I have tasted you, I would yearn for you in secret, but I could not bear the thought of pressuring you in any way.

“I… wish that my soul seed would glow for you.” He breathes out shakily, collecting himself. “I do not understand why it is dormant and dull in my chest even as the most lovely female to ever live is in my arms. But… I should take you as my chosen mate if you wish for it.”

My lungs slam into my ribs as I struggle to breathe. That was the most honest and heart-swelling confession I ever—wow, just wow. Drak struggled to find the correct words for parts of it, even pausing to make sure he expresses exactly what he feels, but the confession is perfect all the same.

“Humans don’t usually work as fast as Aprixians do when it comes to these things,” I warn, voice shaking. “But I like you, Drak. I know I can be mean and snappy, and I know I should have let you in a bit sooner. Honestly, I should have apologized for the things I’ve said as soon as you offered to go on this quest with me.”

He opens his mouth to reply, but I shake my head.

“No, let me get this out,” I whisper, and he reluctantly nods. “I might be a terrible mate, Drak. I want to try, but I’ve never even been a good girlfriend before. I just… I need you to promise you won’t let me scare you off. If you can do that, I’d love to be your chosen mate.”

As soon as the last word leaves my lips, Drak is pulling me into a passionately brutal kiss. My stomach swoops with desire, and my eyelids flutter shut, mouth moving to match his rhythm. We come to a standstill, kissing hard under the setting sun.

“Today is the greatest of all days,” he rumbles, kissing my face all over.

Each touch of his mouth to my skin makes me glow.

“I still want to keep looking for my family,” I confess, keeping all of my cards on the table. “I don’t want to get caught up in you and have it be too late before we get to them. So maybe we—maybe we take this slow? Is that okay?”

Cupping my face with his free hand, Drak traces my bottom lip with his thumb. “You set our pace, An-nana. You could offer me no more than longing looks, hugs, quick kisses, and your presence, and I will be more than content. You are a gift, Mean One, know this. My determination to help you on this journey has not been swept away, I assure you.”

Not too slow, then. There’s no way I’m going to be able to resist taking more than sweet kisses and teasing touches when Drak is this goddamn understanding. I don’t know what I did to earn his fealty in such a way, but I’ll be damned if I don’t show him how much it means to me. A man this devoted deserves something.

“Have you ever heard of a hand-job, Drak?”

He hums, thinking about it. “It does not translate. What is it?”

Grabbing the hair on the back of his head, I tug him so that our lips are barely apart. “When we get back to the ship, I’ll show you.”

God, just saying it has my clit throbbing.

His eyes darken like he understands the naughty edge to my tone, and he begins walking us again. This time, he’s moving much faster.

18

Drak

An-nana needs many moments to change from her wet clothes into dry ones, but I do not mind. I am content to sit outside of the ship, guarding her from anyone or anything who may intend her harm. She could take hours, and I would not complain. Waiting around could never dwindle the joy of this day.

My pretty little hu-nim has decided to be my mate. There was a time not long ago when the very idea of An-nana warming to me felt impossible. I enjoyed her company all the same, but I find myself partial to the side of the female who wishes to have me as her male. Her kisses alone make me feel as if I am as powerful as The Mother. And no one is as powerful as the Aprixian Goddess.

I do wish An-nana did not tell me that she plans to show me something, though. It is very exhausting to think about. It is as if I can not pull my mind from the topic. I know it has something to do with mating—at least, I am mostly sure. We were discussing the topic when she brought up the hand-job. But she says she wishes to move slow in our mating, so I can not be certain.

Either way, my body is buzzing with anticipation.

Also, I am glad that An-nana wished to share words with me on our walk. I did not have to worry about what she might say on the ship for the whole journey. Instead, she opened herself up with honesty and spoke plainly to me. It was the most overwhelming lovely experience, just hearing how her mind functions around the topic of me. She is regretful for being sharp with me in the past, but I do not wish her to be.

Her strong and guarded ways are part of what drew me to her. I am glad that she shot me with her hu-nim weapon before another one of the females caught my attention. An-nana is the perfect match for me, and I would be unhappy with any other.

An-nana’s kisses taste like sunshine but any others would taste of poison.

“All set,” my Mean One announces, and my heart begins to hammer again.

Merely the thought of being able to see her has me breathing heavier. My soul seed is a fool, and I will remain firm in this until it glows for her.

Steadying myself, I climb up to my side of the ship, opening my door and gliding inside. I swallow hard, noticing that An-nana has moved the retractable center controls into the floor, turning our two seats into a large bench that she makes appear huge.

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