Page 27 of The Alien's Private Redemption

Zoric didn't care that there were guards following them, and he didn't notice when they took up positions outside just as he closed the door behind him.

"Shower or bed," he asked. When she took too long to answer, he set her on the bed and started with removing her shoes. They were a slip on pair that did not put up any resistance.

"Wait," Angela protested. "Zoric, stop. I can take my own clothes off."

"Yes, but you didn't tell me what you wanted to do and you have conflicting desires when I try and read them."

"Which is why I hadn't answered you yet," she told him. "For now, just stop fussing and let me think."

The irritation that flowed down their Bond felt like a slap. He took a step back from the bed and held his hands out at his side. "Your exhaustion is beating at me, and so is your anger, and your confusion. I can't fix much but I can offer you some comfort and a chance to sleep."

Angela took a deep breath which turned into a yawn. "I want a proper shower but I don't think I can stand up long enough to take one. I'll settle for washing my face and taking a nap but I don't need you to hover over me while I do either of those things."

"We need to talk about some things before you sleep, as well," Zoric said. "And I can feel you flinching from the conversations."

She sighed. "Can they wait? You recognized something during the interrogation and I don't want to take the chance that-"

"Do you object to me sleeping in here?"

It wasn't his first choice of the questions he needed to ask but it was an important one. And it seemed to throw her out of her intended objections.

"Of course I don't," Angela said. "It's your room. I'm only allowed in here because of our Bond. Otherwise, I'd still be in a cell."

"Do you object to sharing the bed?"

She shook her head and blushed. Desire and embarrassment mixed with confusion flowed down their Bond and he took the opportunity to press.

"Do you want me to share the bed?"

"I want to be close to you. I'm not sure what else I want but I know I want that. And I have some questions about how everything…works."

Zoric grinned. "When a boy and girl like each other very much, sometimes they-"

Angela laughed. "No, I know how that works. But, how do you work? Do you even have compatible boy parts?"

"The important parts will fit," he said. "Everything else is going to require some finesse. Including my ability to kiss you."

"You did okay in the interrogation room," she pointed out. "I didn't realize you could shift parts of your body like that."

"I didn't either," he admitted. "I'm learning as much about this as you are. I don't want to hurt you but I can't deny my need to be near you. To touch you. And I don't think that need is going to restrict itself to cuddling."

"So we have to talk about it," Angela agreed. "Because I don't think so, either. We've been distracted by the interrogation but I didn't forget what it felt like when I touched you while I was in my cell. That's not going to get less intense if we're sharing a bed."

"It grows with every moment we're together," Zoric said. "And it has been a struggle to block everything that wasn't strictly necessary today. I don't know that I'll be able to manage it much longer."

Angela closed her eyes and he could feel her probing at their Bond, and the barrier he'd erected to keep both of them safe and sane. Finally, she sighed.

"I'm exhausted and I still just want a hot shower and a nap. Everything about this situation tells me that I should object to sleeping with you but I can't. So, because I haven't completely given up my good sense, I'm going to ask you to not crawl into bed with me while I'm asleep. Because I trust you, but I don't trust what I'll do when I'm unconscious and vulnerable."

Zoric thought about it for a moment then nodded. He understood the conflict she was struggling with and could feel her need for something lighter. "That's fair. Now, can I help you get to the shower?"

With a laugh, Angela shook her head. "You're not going to offer to help me in the shower?"

"First, I have to get you to the shower," he said, with a wink. "One step at a time, right?"

"Fastest way to do anything," she agreed. "And yes, you can help me walk to the shower, but I'm not going to be getting into it just yet. I'm going to see how I manage washing my face."

He finished taking off her shoes, then offered his hand to help her stand up. When she swayed on her feet, he wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her close. Her legs may have been moving but she wasn't putting much weight on them and that was fine as far as he was concerned.

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