Page 36 of Chosen By Swift

Stills of a man Swift had never before seen.

A man who had been on their ship.

Hiding.

Lurking.

A stowaway.

A saboteur.

The fine hair on the back of his neck stood on end. His skin erupted in goosebumps. It wasn’t only the creepiness of learning that another human had been moving around their ship unseen and unaccounted. That was bad enough, but the idea that this man could have easily killed everyone on the ship was even worse.

More importantly—where the fuck was this man now? Was he on theValiant?

Did he have unfinished business? A plan he was waiting to enact?

Swift glanced at the doorway of his office and thought of Alys sleeping in the other room. She was his future. She was the promise of a family and a life he had craved for so many years.

And there was no way in hell he was letting this nameless terrorist fuck that up.

Chapter Nine

With a startled intake of breath, Alys woke. Terrified she had overslept, she bolted upright and reached for the wind-up clock she kept on her bedside table. There was nothing there, and she slapped around for it, wondering which of her mischievous brothers had taken it this time.

“Alys?”

She gasped—and then realized it was Swift.My husband. My mate.

“Are you okay?” Concern filled his voice.

“Yes. Sorry.” She winced with guilt at interrupting his rest. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I don’t mind.” His hand found hers atop the covers, and he interlaced their fingers. It was a comforting gesture that eased her guilt. “It’s still night. You should go back to sleep.”

“I’m not sure I can. I feel like I need to get up and start working.” Years of following such a strict schedule left her feeling at loose ends. “Heat the oven. Make breakfast. Start bread for lunch. Gather eggs. Help the boys finish milking the cows and goats.”

She trailed off as she noticed a strange green glow coming from Swift. A moment later, he said, “It’s two in the morning, Alys.”

“My alarm usually wakes me at 4:30.”

“When do you go to bed?”

“10 if I’m lucky.”

He grunted—literally grunted—and then tugged her back down into bed. He wrapped his brawny arms around her and pulled her into a close embrace. Her head rested perfectly on his arm, and she wondered if they were always meant to meet. “Sleep, Alys. There’s no work waiting for you here.”

She figured there was no use arguing with him. At any rate, snuggling in tight against his hot body was incredibly soothing. She closed her eyes and relaxed. If she couldn’t fall asleep, she would enjoy being held by a man who seemed to think she was beautiful and worth protecting.

As it turned out, she had no trouble falling right back to sleep. When she woke later, it was to the gentle caress of Swift’s hand across her lower belly. It wasn’t exactly sexual, but it was intimate. It was the kind of touch only possible between a husband and his wife.

Well. In her world at least.

“Swift?”

“Hmm?” He nuzzled her neck, and her shoulders lifted slightly as a ticklish thrill scuttled through her chest.

“Have you done this with many women?”

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