Page 25 of Willow and the Wraith

“Is that why you came here? To tell me that?”

He should feel relieved, not disappointed. He knew it was for the best, but he hated the idea that he had hurt her feelings.

“Well, yes. And to see if you wanted to join us for the evening meal. Just to be friendly,” she added quickly.

To share in the warmth he’d witnessed from outside the room? The thought was surprisingly tempting, but if he had any hope of keeping his barriers in place, it was impossible.

“No. Thank you.”

She seemed resigned, rather than disappointed, accepting his refusal without argument.

“If you change your mind, you’re always welcome.”

She left without another word and he watched her walk away, her slender body moving gracefully down the hallway. The urge to go after her threatened to overwhelm him, but instead he turned back to the vast emptiness of space.

CHAPTER EIGHT

The following evening Willow absently stirred a bubbling pot as her thoughts kept drifting back to Wraith. He’d returned to his self-imposed isolation and she hadn’t seen him all day. Well, aside from bringing him his usual mug of tea, but she’d simply deposited it and left without talking to him. She didn’t want to test the boundaries he was so clearly trying to establish, even though she didn’t think it would be good for him to continue to isolate himself.

She kept remembering the hint of vulnerability he’d shown when he’d given her a glimpse of his past - and the passionate way he’d kissed her. Her toes curled at the memory and she was honest enough to admit that she wanted more of those kisses, perhaps even more than kisses. She probed cautiously at that thought, a little surprised at how right it seemed.

No, it didn’t bother her to contemplate making love with him, despite her limited experience. She’d spoken the truth when she told Malacar that she felt safe with him and that extended to trusting him with her body - although she was not as sure about her heart. She’d been hurt by the way he’d backed away from their training session, even though she’d quickly realized it was because he’d felt vulnerable.

“Are these small enough?” Malacar asked, recalling her from her wandering thoughts.

He’d been quietly chopping the last of the fresh vegetables next to her. The supply of fresh food was beginning to run low although there were plenty of packaged supplies. Wraith hadn’t expected to share his food with three additional people, she thought guiltily, even though he’d told them to make use of whatever they wanted.

“They’re perfect.”

She smiled at him and added them to the port. She was attempting to make a version of chicken and rice, one of her favorite comfort foods. None of the ingredients were the same, of course, but when she took a cautious spoonful she was pleased with the result.

“Do you think he ever eats with anyone?” she asked softly.

The question popped out before she thought about it and Malacar gave her a quick, perceptive look before he shook his head.

“I doubt it, my dear. But perhaps that might change.”

She wanted to ask if he was implying that she might be the one to bring on the change, but she didn’t quite have the courage. He would be gentle, but he would be truthful, and she didn’t want him to dash her hopes if he thought it was hopeless.

The simmering pot filled the common area with a delicious odor, a stark contrast to the sterile air in the rest of the hip. It wasn’t quite right, but it was close enough to remind her of home - a home that already seemed to be far in the past. Perhaps it was because she had something here she hadn’t had on Earth. A family, she thought, looking from Malacar washing the cutting board to Sooni bent over a small mechanical device.

The hair on the back of her neck suddenly prickled and she looked up to see Wraith standing there, his tall frame filling the doorway. Her heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t look away from that unreadable purple gaze. They looked at each other for a long moment, and then she smiled and gestured at the table, silently inviting him to join them.

He hesitated, then to her utter shock he entered, sitting down next to Sooni on the banquette. The little girl beamed up at him and held out the gadget she’d been working on. He took it, the tiny device looking even smaller in his big hand, and examined it solemnly. He carefully manipulated the intricate parts, his touch surprisingly delicate, and her breath caught. Would he touch her with the same exquisite care?

A rush of heat surged through her at the thought and he suddenly raised his head, looking at her as if he knew what she’d been thinking. Their eyes met for a brief moment, sparks of purple fire burning in his gaze, before he turned his attention back to the gadget.

“Like this,” he murmured to Sooni, demonstrating how to realign a tiny gear.

As the little girl watched eagerly, Willow decided to take advantage of the moment. She quickly dished up a bowl of food and placed it in front of him, not waiting for him to say anything before returning to fill the other bowls.

He was still staring at the bowl when she and Malacar joined them.

“You need to eat,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

His eyes met hers again, unreadable once more. She held her breath, afraid he was going to reject the offer, but then he slowly picked up his utensil.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face as he took the first bite, and she could have sworn she saw the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. That tiny reaction sent a wave of warmth through her, but she deliberately turned her attention to the other two.

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