Page 28 of K'Vella

"I've already decided," I tell her. The corners of her mouth rise even higher, and her lips peel back to reveal her stunning smile. "I'm housing you, K'Vella."

"Oh, really?" She tilts her head to the side, and I lift my eyes to hers so I'm not just staring at her mouth.

I lower myself so our faces are close together. I'd love to do what Jovi and Sloane are doing: wrap her in my arms, layher out, and enjoy being with her physically, but I can wait. I planned all of this out. I can wait.

"Yes, K'Vella," I reassure her. As much as she might not admit it, she needs reassurance all the time. Someone, probably her mom and sister, hurt her so badly that she doesn't think she deserves anyone to want her for very long. "But first, I think you're meant to sell yourself to me."

"Sell myself?" Her voice sounds almost outraged as she repeats the words. "No, you're supposed to sell yourself to me."

I scoff at that and sit down next to her on the couch. My legs cross in front of me, and I lean against the armrest of the couch. K'Vella quickly matches my pose so we can speak to one another.

"K'Vella, you absolutely stunning, intelligent, amazing female, you've already agreed to carry my young. I've sold myself to you already."

K'Vella rolls her eyes but doesn't argue with me. "I don't know if I should be insulted by that or not."

"Not," I reply, nudging her knee with mine. "I just want to hear you speak highly about yourself. You have many good qualities. Tell me of them."

K'Vella seems taken aback by my statement, but I don't say anything else. I'll watch the look of disbelief and surprise morph on her face. I'll wait out the way she shakes her head like she doesn't believe what I'm saying.

I'm fine with staring at her for our half hour of talking if that's what she wants. It's not, though. I can tell by the way she fiddles with her hands in her lap, how her eyes flicker from my face to around the room like she'd rather us not sit and stare at one another in silence.

"Fine," she finally sighs. "I'm considered beautiful on my planet—"

I cut her off almost immediately. "You're considered beautiful on every planet, K'Vella."

Her mouth opens and closes before she shakes her head again and tries to suppress her smile. "Okay, I'm considered beautiful on every planet. I'm strong as well." She looks at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I might even be stronger than the future father of my children."

My purr rumbles back to life, loud and vibrant in the room. I love it when K'Vella mentions what and who I am to her. "You probably are."

"I'm also proficient in tending to a house and preparing most Varon dishes, though cooking is never my favorite thing, and I believe we're compatible sexually."

I trail my tongue over my teeth, wanting more than anything to sink them back into K'Vella's pelt when she's teasing me like this. "Your nest building skills are top notch, too."

"Mmm," she murmurs as she leans closer to me, her lower hands resting on my knees. "Have I sold myself enough, or are you still pretending like you won't house me?"

I snatch her hand off my knee and interlock our fingers before she can think of pulling away from me. She bites her lower lip as a breathless giggle leaves her. I shift around until I'm sitting on my knees and can lean into her, invading her space. I want her to uncross her legs and let them go long so I can lie between them like Jovi is still currently doing to Sloane.

"You forgot to mention how friendly you are, how good you are at putting others at ease and building relationships with them. You didn't even mention how caring you are. Don't think I haven't noticed the books you've been reading when you're relaxing. You've been learning all about your future babe and their culture because you want them to know both parts of who they are."

K'Vella brings her lips close to mine, her upper hands interlocking behind my neck to tug me closer. I let her, but don't kiss her. Not yet.

"You haven't told me about your creativity either. Were you ever going to let me know about your writing or your drawings? I haven't looked, but I see you closing your journals when I get too close. All of this talent you have is tucked away inside, and I want to see it."

"Holoth," K'Vella whispers my name, a mixture of apprehension and joy in saying my name. "Please."

"Please, what, K'Vella?" I ask. The words are pressed against her lips, muffling them, but she hears them well enough.

"Don't be so nice to me if this is going to end," she whispers like she doesn't want to voice the thought at all. I hate the way it has my heart pinching and my stomach turning. How can she still not think she's worth keeping after all of this?

"Let me house you," I growl the words, lacing my command through it. "Tell me yes."

K'Vella doesn't answer me at first. No, she wants to distract me with kisses and touching, which partially works. I'm easy for her. If she wants me to yield to her, I will. But, that doesn't mean I'm going to drop the questions.

"K'Vella," I growl her name as she pulls her lips from mine.

"Yes," she answers with a blissful look on her face. "Yes, you can house me, Holoth."

I don't wait for her to tell me she's just roleplaying to go along with the housing ceremony I put on for her tonight. I don't let her qualify her answer with anything. She agreed to let me house her, and I'll hold her to that.

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