Page 25 of Chosen By Swift

“But this is not you,” Tirade insisted. “The old you—”

“The old me was an asshole,” Swift interrupted. “I was an arrogant bastard.” Even thinking of the way he used to behave made his stomach twist. “I didn’t think of anyone but myself and what I wanted and needed. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying to be a better man. I want to be a good mate to Alys.”

Approach proximity tones cut short their tense discussion. The rules were strict regarding this stage of the flight. All conversation was restricted to the topic of flying and docking. It was a completely normal and unremarkable end to their flight, and after handing off the ship to the maintenance crew, he picked up Alys’ luggage and slipped the strap over his shoulder. He held out his hand, and Alys took it without hesitation.

As they traversed the ship to their living quarters, he pointed out important places. He didn’t expect her to remember how to find them, but he wanted her to have a vague idea of where she was if she got lost on the ship. She paid close attention but didn’t ask any questions. He couldn’t tell if she was simply overwhelmed by her new surroundings or still tired. Probably a bit of both.

When they finally reached the door of their quarters, Swift felt an unexpected quiver of nerves. It wasn’t about the possibility of what would or wouldn’t happen between them. It was about his sudden fear that she wouldn’t find the home he offered worthy of her. It was clear from her sturdy frame that she had come from a better home than many on her planet. What if she was disappointed by what he had to offer?

“Use your chip to unlock the door,” he instructed. “We need to make sure it works.”

She had seen him use his wrist to access the elevators and their floor. She used the same motion at the door lock. It blinked green and the lock disengaged. She smiled up at him. “It works.”

He opened the door and gestured for her to enter first. She walked ahead of him into their quarters, and he noticed the way her head moved side to side as lights popped on to reveal her new home. He caught the disappointed look on her face before she smiled brightly and announced, “It’s lovely, Swift.”

Lovely? Not hardly.He wasn’t a mind reader, but he could tell she wasn’t thrilled. He tried not to let it hurt his feelings. She couldn’t help her reaction, and she was being gracious. Still, he felt the need to reassure her. “We’ll be moved to larger quarters as I promote up the ranks.”

“Swift, it’s fine.” She touched his hand, sending an electric arc up his arm. “I didn’t expect a farmhouse and acreage.” Her hand stayed on his as she looked around the living area and into the kitchen space. “I’m looking forward to completing all of my housekeeping chores much more quickly.”

“We can share them.”

She looked scandalized at the very thought. “Keeping a clean and beautiful home is part of my duties. What sort of wife would I be if I left the dishes or dirty floors for my husband?”

“You’d bemysort of wife.” Swift shifted his hand until he held onto her wrist and tugged her so close their bodies touched. She inhaled sharply, and her eyes widened. She seemed simultaneously frightened and excited. That look on her face ignited something deep inside him, a lust so strong he could no longer deny.

With deliberate steps, he backed her up against the nearest wall. He let her luggage drop to the floor and pushed it aside with his boot. Alys gulped. Her breaths came fast and close. “Are you going to tie me up now?”

Her question startled him. “What?”

To her credit, she didn’t drop her gaze even though her face was flushed with obvious embarrassment. “I heard that you do that. Tie your women up and hurt them.”

“I’m never going to harm you, Alys.”

“You can hurt me without harming me,” she pointed out. “Bruises hurt but they heal. It’s not everlasting harm like being maimed.”

“Alys, I would never—”

“Do you want to hurt me?” Her expression turned quizzical. “Do youneedto hurt me?”

“No, I don’tneedto hurt you. I don’twantto hurt you either. What I want is to explore pleasure with you.”

“Explore?”

“There are so many ways to experience pleasure.” He doubted she had a real understanding of what he meant. She might know about the ropes, but he was almost certain no one in her sheltered life had ever told her about things like vibrators or electrical play or even more daring acts like double penetration. He would be shocked if she knew about oral sex at all.

“Tying me up is one of the ways to explore? Do you want to tie me up?”

Determined to be honest with her, he admitted, “I would like to if you’d allow it.”

She quietly processed that bit of information before asking, “What else do you want to do to me?”

He let loose a rough sound. “A better question is whatdon’tI want to do to you, Alys?”

She studied his face, and her gaze turned sad. “I don’t think I can make you happy.”

“Whywould yousay that?” He needed to understand how her mind worked. What had he done to make her doubt herself?

“I know how to be a wife and mother, but I don’t know anything about marital relations the way you describe them.” She gestured toward herself with the most defeated expression. “I’m not the sort of girl who—”

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