Page 40 of Fated to the Alien Protector

Far too soon the kiss ends, and we both draw back, each of us breathless.

“That is kissing.”

“Yes, this is most definitely my new favorite thing,” Rojtar confirms with a firm nod.

I giggle at how serious he sounds. Kissing might also be my new favorite. Especially doing it with him. Every flick of his tongue against mine almost has me begging for more. I’ll most likely go to bed tonight imagining what his kisses will feel like everywhere. My cheeks grow hot at the thought and I rub my thighs together to alleviate some of the heaviness and throbbing that’s started up between them. I can’t recall the last time I’ve been this aroused. It has me rethinking my decision to go slow.

“Maybe we could go kiss and touch some more in my tent while Carter and the others are out fishing? But over the clothes stuff.” I don’t want my son walking in on anything too scandalous. It’s going to be hard thinking of him as my brother again now that I’ve revealed our true relationship to Rojtar.

“Improving my kissing and touching skillsisvery important,” my…mate says in a serious tone, but there’s a hint of amusement in his gaze.

I nod in agreement, just as seriously. “Oh yes. One can’t be too skilled is what I always say.”

He laces his fingers through mine and we leave the river and head toward the tent I share with Carter. “Do you have your own tent? You may have told me, but I’m sorry I don’t remember.” Maybe it would be safer to go there instead.

“I do not,” Rojtar says. “Many of us unmated males share one large dwelling. But when you are ready, I will speak with the shefir about setting up a tent for the three of us.”

A flutter of anticipation tickles my belly at the idea of moving in with him. The only people I’ve ever lived with were my dad and Carter. What will it be like to sleep beside Rojtar all night? To feel his warmth? To listen to his breathing and smell his scent? What will it be like to wake up in his arms? I try to imagine it and to my surprise it doesn’t terrify me as much as I thought it would.

We casually stroll through the village where more people now wander as we get closer to the evening meal. People glance at Rojtar and me, especially at our clasped hands. Zara heads toward the healer’s tent and we pass by her. She drops her gaze to where he and I are connected and then lifts it to meet mine. A grin splits her lips and she winks.

“How are you two crazy kids doing?”

My cheeks heat. “We’re doing just fine, thanks.”

Rojtar moves closer and his tail circles my waist. “Greetings, Zara.”

“Glad to see you’re getting along.” She wiggles her fingers in a little wave and ducks into the healer’s tent.

I groan good-naturedly.

“Is all well,keeshla?” Rojtar gently squeezes my hand.

“You realize everyone in the village is going to know we’re together before the end of the day, right? Hell, probably by the time we make it to the evening meal.”

He comes to a stop, bringing me with him, and glances down. “Is that a bad thing?”

Seeing his uncertainty and maybe even a bit of hurt feelings, I palm his jaw. “No, not at all. I just sort of wanted to keep you to myself a bit longer. You know before they all bombard us. I guess I’m still not ready for all the attention and people talking to me.”

Rojtar relaxes beneath my touch. “The tribespeople will be incredibly happy for us and no doubt want to celebrate a new mated couple, but I will make sure to let the shefira know that we would like to enjoy taking time for ourselves for now. She spread the news to the entire village along with the announcement of the acceptance of our mate bond. The tribe will respect our wishes until we are ready to fully join them.”

“Really?”

One side of Rojtar’s mouth curls up. “Truly. I believe you will find only kindness and acceptance amongst the Tavikhi people.”

Finally, I nod and we keep moving toward my tent. It still doesn’t feel possible that they’ll actually leave us alone just because we ask them to, but I also have to remember I’m neither back on Earth nor in the human settlement.

Rojtar comes to a stop in front of my dwelling, and now that we’re here, nerves strike. Intentional kissing and touching is different than the spontaneity of it. The impulsive need to brush my lips across his. But we’re here and knowing that we’re walking inside to…make out has me overthinking. Rojtar tugs me close and threads his fingers together across my lower back.

“We do not have to do anything you do not wish to.”

I forgot how easily he has been able to discern my emotions.

“Remember, we have an entire lifetime and beyond together.”

Could there be a kinder, more perfect guy than Rojtar? As hard as I’ve been resisting, he’s slowly been chiseling away at the wall around my heart without me even realizing how much of it has fallen. What’ll happen when it collapses entirely? He truly is making me fall for him despite all the fighting against it I’ve been doing. Warnings continue to whisper in my ear, but more and more all I want to do is ignore them.

“Let’s go inside.” I swing aside the door flap and lead Rojtar into my private sanctum.

---