Page 57 of Alien Protector's Mate

“This dress,” she whispered, her fingers brushing the silky fabric. “I’ve never had anything this nice. It makes me feel like a princess.”

His heart ached at the wonder in her voice, and he realized that, given what she’d told him about her past, since her brother’s passing, she’d never felt loved. He would spend the rest of his days making that up to her and showing her just how precious she was.

Clearing his throat, he offered her his arm. “Are you ready for our date, my lady?”

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching his face.

“Is this… is this what you really want?” she asked hesitantly. “AmIwhat you really want?”

The question hung in the air between them. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, one hand sliding into her hair to cradle the back of her head as he bent his head and claimed her lips.

He poured every ounce of his desire, his admiration, his growing feelings for her into that single moment. A rumble sounded in the center of his chest as heat rolled through him, and he fought the urge to scoop her up into his arms and stride into his bedchamber with her.

He fought it down, but he couldn’t stop touching her. A large hand spread out across her lower back as he drew her closer. Her breath caught in her throat as her soft curves melded against the hard planes of his body, a sound he swallowed with his kiss. The warmth of her skin seeped through the thin fabric of her dress, igniting a fire in his veins as he held himself rigid with iron control, allowing himself just this one kiss.

Her small hands found their way to his chest, her fingers curling around the edges of his jacket as if to anchor herself. She responded to his kiss tentatively, her lips parting slightly to grant him deeper access.

He couldn’t help it. Despite his determination that this would be one kiss so he didn’t push or scare her, he took full advantageof what she offered. His tongue explored the warm cavern of her mouth… tasting, teasing, claiming.

Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss further, male triumph roaring through him at the soft little moan that escaped her throat. The sound sent a jolt of desire through his body, and he had to summon every ounce of his self-control not to take things further.

His hand tangled in her silky hair, marveling at its softness. He traced the delicate curve of her ear with his thumb, feeling her shiver in response. Every touch, every sensation was seared into his memory, precious moments he would cherish forever.

When he pulled back, both their breathing was ragged.

“Does that answer your question?” he asked, his voice husky with desire.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide, lips swollen from his kiss slightly parted. The sight sent a jolt of heat through him, right down to his cock. He growled low in his throat, the sound rumbling in his chest.

“You need to stop looking at me like that,” he warned, “or we won’t be leaving these quarters.”

She blinked, confusion and a hint of disappointment flashing across her face.

“We… we don’t have to go out,” she offered hesitantly, but he saw the disappointment there. “We can go on a date another time.”

He chuckled softly, the sound rich and warm. Despite all her fire, she was so innocent.

“That’s not what I meant,kelarris,”he said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “We need to get out of here or I’ll claim you before the courtship period is over.”

“Oh?” Her brows creased slightly before her eyes widened, realization in their dark depths. “Oh!”

“Oh, indeed,” he said softly, offering her his arm again. “Come on, my love. Stop tempting me and let me court you properly, as you deserve.”

She slipped her hand onto his arm, and with a gentle tug, he guided her toward the door. As they stepped out into the corridor, he couldn’t help sliding a sideways glance at her. The soft lighting of the ship’s passageways caught the golden highlights in her hair, creating a halo that made her look almost ethereal. Perhaps the Latharhadencountered humanity before, and that’s where their stories of angels had come from.

“You truly are breathtaking,” he murmured, his voice pitched so that only she could hear. “I hope you know that, Jade. Not just because of this dress or how you look right now but because of who you are. Your strength, your resilience, your kindness… those are the things that make you truly beautiful.”

She ducked her head, a shy smile playing on her lips.

“I’m not used to… to this,” she admitted softly. “To feeling beautiful. To having anyone look at me andseeme.”

His heart clenched at her words. Stopping in the middle of the corridor, he turned her to face him fully. Gently tilting her chin up with his finger, he met her gaze.

“Then I will make it my mission to ensure you never doubt your worth again,” he promised solemnly. “You deserve to be seen, Jade. To be cherished. And I intend to do just that, for the rest of our lives.”

18

“Oh wow,” Jade murmured in wonder as she stepped through the door and into the lush greenery of the station’s park. Artificial sunlight filtered through holographic leaves, casting dappled shadows on the grass and creating the illusion of a perfect summer day. It was so realistic she could almost believe she was back on Earth rather than on a station in its orbit.

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