Page 39 of Fated to the Alien Protector

Abby startles. “I didn’t realize there were fish in the river.”

Now that I have managed to get control of my body, I stand next to my mate. “There are a few peshku, although they are not easy to find. Most of them have shifted downriver, but on the rare occasion, it is possible to find some. The fun is in trying to locate them and see who the lucky person is that might actually be able to catch one.”

“Yeah, and I’m determined to win this time, since I missed out on the sparring tournament we had today.” Carter narrows his gaze at Cecily who preens a little.

I chuckle because they all underestimate the young female’s skill and determination. “Well done, Cecily.”

“Thanks.”

“We’ll be back later,” Carter tells Abby.

The three kits take off, leaving us alone. She watches them until they move behind a nenuphar bush and are no longer visible and then turns to me. To my delight, she closes the distance between us and wraps herself around me. I do the same and hold her close feeling the softness of her body against me.

“Thank you for listening and not judging me,” she whispers against my flesh.

“I will always lend you my ear and you never have to fear that I will think ill of you.”

We continue holding each other. I will be satisfied with whatever affection Abby gives me and patiently wait for when she is ready for more than mouth touching. We have time. It is more important to me that I earn her trust. After she realizes that I will never hurt her, everything will fall in place the way it is suppose to. I will follow her lead and whatever path she decides to go. My faith in Deeka’s choice is strong and I know she has picked the perfect mate for me with Abby. Soon, mykeeshlawill have the same realization. Until then, I remain patient and steadfast in my affection for her.

Chapter 19

Abby

An almost cathartic relief fills me that my secret is finally out. At least to Rojtar. Maybe, when he’s old enough to understand, I’ll confess to Carter along with my reasons for withholding it from him. I’d been a scared, barely seventeen-year old and my father said we would get a larger government stipend if we said Carter was his instead of mine. So I went along with it. I’m terrified my son will hate me, but it will be no less than I deserve if he does. I can only hope he’ll forgive me.

Of course, there’s still more I haven’t told Rojtar, but none of it is truly important any longer. Like the fact that the extra stipend eventually ended up being used by my father to buy drugs again. But he’s gone now and if I’m going to accept any kind of future with my…mate, I need to forgive him. If it weren’t for my dad’s mistakes and weakness against his addiction that forced us to flee Earth for Tavikh, I never would have met Rojtar.

Arthur Sanders may not have been the best father—or even a good one, really—but he tried his hardest, especially after Carter was born. In the end, he sacrificed himself to keep Carter and me safe when the Krijese attacked. For that alone, I will always miss him.

Finally, I put some distance between Rojtar and me and stare up at him. “What happens next between us?”

“Whatever you wish to happen.”

I don’t actually know. My relationship, such that it was, with Henry was the only one I’ve ever had and I can admit now that it was entirely unhealthy. He was the one who initiated intimacy between us and our time together was always brief and in secret. I’m not sure I know what a normal adult relationship looks like. Even my parents’ marriage wasn’t the most loving or the best example.

God, I feel like an idiot. I’m nearly thirty years old and feel completely out of my element. “I don’t know how to proceed. I mean, I suppose the next logical step is to…have sex. If we’re supposed to be mates, I guess.”

Rojtar cradles my jaw between his palms. “Do not think of what others expect. Not even me. Think about whatyouwant to happen. The choice, no matter what it is, lies with you. Think only of your wants and needs as those are the most important.”

I swallow as emotions overwhelm me. In a good way, though. “I want to spend more time together. Hunting. Talking. Learning all there is to know about you. I’ve shared so much about myself and I feel like I’ve been selfish with it, since I don’t know nearly as much about you. In fact, the only thing I know is your age and that your parents are gone like mine.”

“We will spend as much time together as you wish and do all those things you spoke of.”

Shyness hits as I recall what it had been like sitting on Rojtar’s lap and what we’d been doing before the kids interrupted us. It’s been thirteen years since I’ve had sex and the last time was when I was sixteen. “I know I mentioned sex, but to be honest I’m not sure I’m there yet. Emotionally, at least. Is that okay?”

“We have the rest of our lives to spend together. There is no rush for anything. When we are both ready to become fully bonded mates in the physical sense, then it will happen naturally,” Rojtar says.

I’m glad he’s not pressuring me, but I also love the way he makes me feel when we kiss and touch. “Would it be okay if we still shared physical affection each day though? I like being close with you.”

He grins. “I enjoy the closeness with you as well. Mouth touching has become one of my favorite things to do.”

I laugh. “Mouth touching? You mean kissing?”

Rojtar cocks his head. “Kissing?”

“Yeah, like this.” I rise up on my tiptoes and brush my lips across his.

Once. Twice. On the third pass I balance myself against him with my hands on his chest and deepen the kiss. He pulls me to him and the weight of his tail wraps around my waist to hold me close. I flick my tongue out to taste and tease and Rojtar answers in kind. His tangles with mine like he’s been kissing his whole life. For someone who just learned what it is, he’s doing a damn fine job of it. Will he be as skilled at everything else? I shiver in anticipation.

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