Page 49 of An Alien for Her Heart

The brushing of lips. It’s now.

Slowly, hesitantly, I lower my head, my gaze never leaving hers. She doesn’t pull away; instead, she leans into me, her digits tightening their grip on my claw as the others tighten on my shoulder. Our breaths mingle, and I can feel the warmth of her skin, the softness of her body pressing against mine.

Our lips are so close now, just a whisper apart. I can feel the heat of her breath on my mouth, and it takes every ounce of my self-control not to close the distance and claim her. But I wait, giving her the chance to pull away if she wants to. Even though each click that passes kills me.

But she doesn’t. Instead, she tilts her head slightly, her eyes fluttering closed, and in that moment, I know. I know that she wants this just as much as I do.

Our lips meet, soft and tentative at first, a whisper of a touch that sends sparks dancing across my scales. But then she sighs, a soft, contented sound that sets my lifeblood on fire.

I’m not sure what to do, this intimate act is foreign to me, but Catherine seems to sense my hesitation. She takes the lead, her lips moving gently against mine, guiding me in this dance of passion.

My whole being lights up. I’m dimly aware of those unmated males around us growing more curious but I couldn’t give a tarsals ass that they’re watching now. I have her and, gods, Zynar was right about this. It isn’t simply brushing mouths together. This…this is so much more.

Catherine’s hand slides from my shoulder to the back of my neck, her digits tangling in the short hairs there, and I can’t suppress the shiver that runs down my spine. She pulls me closer, deepening the movement of our mouths, and I follow her lead, mimicking what she does. Soon, I am lost in the sensation. Her lips are soft and warm, and the way they move against mine is intoxicating. I can taste the sweetness of the brew on her breath, mingling with the unique flavor that is purely her.

When her tongue suddenly brushes lightly against my lips, I jerk, a jolt going through me before I freeze, suddenly aware of my entire being. My breath stills as I expect her to shift away from me now. Because, surely, she can feel it. My shaft is like an unbendable rod poking through my trouse into her belly. I hesitate, unsure of what to do and unable to control the shudder of pleasure that goes through me. But Catherine is patient. She doesn’t pull away. Instead, her touch is gentle and encouraging. I dare to open my mouth slightly, allowing her to explore, and the moment her little tongue ventures in, the sensation is like a star exploding in the void.

A groan escapes me as her digits tangle in my mane. She pulls me closer and I respond, my claws tightening around her waist, anchoring her to me. The intensity of our mouths mating grows more urgent, more passionate, and I lose myself in the feel of her against me, the taste of her, the way she makes me feel like I am flying and grounded all at once.

As the Raki start a melody with a slower tempo, it suddenly breaks the magic between us. Catherine pauses, her lips sliding from mine as her chest heaves. There’s a panicked look on herface, and I fear I may have pushed too far. But then I catch something else. Another look in her eyes that I’ve never seen before.

Her eyes close. She squeezes them shut, and that’s when I realize she’s still holding on to me, because she grips me tight. When her eyes flutter open again, the look she gives me is filled with so much emotion that my lungs seize all over again.

“Varek—”

I stiffen. “No. It was my fault. If you didn’t want to brush mouths—”

But then she shifts her arm and two of her digits brush over my lips, quieting me.

“Varek, I…I wanted to.”

Her words hold me silent. Gods, I’m imagining things.

“I wanted to,” she whispers again. She stares up at me, her chest heaving still.

And then I ask something I’d have been terrified to ask just a few hors ago.

“My lodge is close by here. Would you…would you like to go there with me? Now?”

15

CATHERINE

His words should terrify me. For the simple fact that the implication is the exact thing I’ve been hiding away from.

I could blame it on Eleanor and the utter way she’s smitten with Varek’s brother. I could even blame it on Donna’s free spirit and the feel of life and fun around us. I could even blame it on the drink, but it’s none of those things. I’m completely sober and…I’m tired.

Tired of fighting.

I like this alien. This gentle alien male that’s been making me lose my inhibitions hour by hour, day by day. Feeling his lips against mine has only cemented that I have needs and…

And that I don’t want to be alone. Not really. I want company.

I want someone to love and someone to love me. Truly love me. My heart has been broken, a part of me ripped open and I’ve been desperately trying to heal it by pushing everyone else away.

Maybe I will change my mind tomorrow. I’m aware there’s a high chance I most definitely will. But Varek is not demanding anything of me. If he just wants to have some fun, I can do that. There’s nothing wrong with allowing myself to feel for just a fewmoments. Nothing wrong with giving myself permission for just one night.

My gaze shifts upward and his entire frame tense as he waits for my response. I notice the way he releases a breath, some tension leaving his shoulders the moment I nod.

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