Page 21 of The Knotty Clause

He picked up a broken plasma cutter, pushing aside the memory of showing it to Liam. The diagnostic routine was simple, mechanical. He forced himself to focus on each step, fighting back the image of Gemma and Liam dissolving into darkness.

The morning crept by as he moved from one project to the next. A broken transmitter. A faulty power coupling. Anything to keep his hands busy and his mind empty.

Liam’s laughter drifted through the walls, bright and clear. The sound pierced straight through his careful defenses and his hand clenched around the wrench, the metal digging into his palm.

Footsteps approached his door, followed by a gentle knock.

“Yede?” Gemma’s voice, warm and concerned. “I made lunch. Won’t you join us?”

His throat tightened. He wanted to go to them, to feel her touch and see Liam’s smile. But the nightmare’s warning echoed in his mind—the crushing pain of loss, the void of emptiness.

“I have work to finish,” he called back, his voice rough.

A pause. “All right. I’ll save some for you.”

Her footsteps retreated. He stared at the tool in his hands, seeing nothing. The distance between them felt vast and necessary, even as it tore at his heart.

He forced himself to focus on a communication array, his fingers moving mechanically as the workshop grew dim, shadows creeping across the floor as night fell.

The door opened quietly behind him and he whirled around. Gemma stood in the doorway, backlit by the hallway lights, a plate in her hands. The sight of her struck him like a physical blow.

“I brought you supper,” she said quietly.

Her voice held no judgment, only a warmth that threatened to melt his carefully constructed walls.

“I’m not hungry.”

The words came out harsher than he intended, but she didn’t flinch. She came over to his side, her movements as graceful as ever. The scent of the food mingled with her sweetness as she set the plate on a clear corner of his workbench, careful not to disturb his projects.

“You have to eat, Yede,” she said gently.

She stood close enough that he could feel her warmth, see the flecks of gold in her green eyes. His hands tightened on the component he held, metal edges biting into his palms. The nightmare’s shadows lurked at the edges of his mind, but her presence pushed them back, replacing fear with something far more dangerous—hope.

Memories of the nightmare clashed with the reality of her standing before him. The walls he’d built threatened to crumble beneath her steady gaze.

He moved before he could stop himself, pulling her against him and capturing her lips with his. Her mouth was sweet and hot and welcoming. Real. He gripped her more tightly, seeking that reassurance, and she melted against him, her fingers curling into the fur at his neck. She made a needy little sound and heat blazed through his veins as his hand slid down to her ass?—

“Whatcha doing?”

Liam’s voice sent them jumping apart. The boy bounced into the workshop, eyes bright with curiosity, as he tried desperately to compose himself. Her cheeks flushed pink as hastily smoothed her hair.

“Just bringing Yede some dinner.”

She turned to go, but paused next to him.

“We can continue this later,” she whispered, her breath warm against his ear.

His skin tingled where she’d touched him. He cleared his throat, fighting to keep his voice steady.

“I’ll join you for dinner.”

They shared the meal, Liam chattering about his day. More decorations had been added to the living area, making his chest ache. He should have been there, should have been part of it, instead of letting his fears drive him away.

After they tucked Liam into bed, she put her hand on his arm and smiled up at him, her eyes warm with promise.

“Why don’t you join me in the hot springs?”

CHAPTER 11

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