Page 33 of Alien Protector's Mate

“Twenty-one,” S’aad breathed. “You’re an adult.”

“No shit,” Jay’s voice was sharp, lifting his chin in challenge. “That’s what I’ve beentryingto tell you. I’m not some kid you need to babysit.”

Something shifted inside S’aad at those words. All the fear and worry he’d felt twisted into a new emotion. One he couldn’t quite name. It burned through him like wildfire.

“An adult,” he murmured, taking a step closer to Jay. The human’s eyes widened slightly, but he stood his ground even though S’aad could see it cost him. “And you think that means you can handle anything the universe throws at you?”

Jay swallowed, hard, small fists clenching at his sides. “Yeah, it does. I’ve handled plenty already.”

“Have you?” S’aad asked, his voice a low rumble. He leaned in closer, so close he could feel the heat of Jay’s smaller body even through their clothing. He locked eyes with Jay, noticing what a beautiful color they were. Deep dark brown, but with swirls of amber, like the woods from home. “You think you’re ready for everything out here?”

Jay’s eyes were wide, his pupils dilated. S’aad could hear the human’s quickened breath and smell a mix of emotions rolling off him. Fear, yes, but also something else… Something heady and intoxicating.

His gaze dropped to Jay’s lips. Without thinking about it he closed the gap between them, bending his head and crushing Jay’s lips beneath his.

The contact sent a shockwave through him. Jay’s lips were soft and warm, tasting faintly of the mint toothpaste he’d used that morning. A growl in the back of his throat, he crowded closer. He slid a big hand to the back of Jay’s neck, tilting his little human’s face up so he could deepen the kiss.

Jay made a small sound, somewhere between a gasp and a moan, and the sound sent a bolt of desire straight down to S’aad’s cock. He nipped at Jay’s surprisingly full lower lip, demanding entry. Triumph rolled through him when Jay’s lips parted, and he surged forward, driving his tongue deep to claim his prize—the sweet softness of the little human’s mouth.

The kiss grew more passionate, more desperate. S’aad poured all of his fear, all of his anger, all of his confusion into it. He nipped gently at Jay’s lower lip again, soothing the sting with his tongue as he savored the little shiver Jay made. Then Jay’s hands fisted in the fabric of S’aad’s shirt, pulling him even closer.

The feel of those small hands against his chest finally broke through the desire clouding his mind. He wrenched himself free, stumbling back. His hip hit one of the lab tables, and his chestheaved as he struggled to catch his breath, his lips tingling from the kiss.

Jay stood where S’aad had left him, looking dazed. His lips were swollen, his cheeks flushed.

“S’aad?” Jay’s voice was husky, questioning. He blinked slowly, as if coming out of a trance, and took a step forward, reaching out.

S’aad held up a hand, stopping him.

“No. Don’t,” he said, his voice rough and raw. “Just… Don’t.”

Confusion and hurt flashed across the human’s face. “But I thought… I mean, you kissed me.”

“I shouldn’t have,” he said, closing his eyes. He couldn’t look at Jay at the moment, couldn’t bear to see the hurt in those beautiful, expressive eyes. “It was a mistake.”

“A mistake?” Jay repeated, his voice small. Wounded. “Is it… is it because I’m human?”

S’aad’s eyes snapped open at that.

“No,” he said firmly. “It hasnothingto do with you being human. Nothing whatsoever. I’m your supervisor. It’s… it’s inappropriate.”

Jay wrapped his arms around himself, a gesture that made him look small and vulnerable. S’aad’s protective instincts flared a lightyear wide, warring with his sense of duty. He had to protect Jay…

From himself.

“I… I don’t understand,” Jay stammered.

The sound of that soft, uncertain voice was almost S’aad’s undoing. He saw the confusion in Jay’s eyes, and it tore at him, knowing he was the cause of that pain.

S’aad ran a hand over his face, trying to gather his thoughts.

“Look, Jay, I’m responsible for your safety here. I’m supposed to protect you, not take advantage of you.”

“You weren’t taking advantage,” Jay protested with a gasp that went right to S’aad’s cock again. Draanth, he was a pervert. A complete and utter draanthic. “I wanted?—”

“It doesn’t matter what you wanted,” S’aad cut him off harshly.

Jay flinched, and he winced. “I’m sorry, that came out wrong. What I mean is, there are rules, protocols. I can’t just…”

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