Page 6 of Bride for the Space Cowboy

My heart lunges in my chest. “He would?”

“Yes. Would you like to speak with him?”

“Should I?” I squeak

“If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to talk with him.” She paused, tipping her head to the side as she studies me. “Do you know what you want?”

“I have an idea, but I’m not totally sure.” My voice is breathless.

Jane’s gaze sobers. “Kayden wants to mate with you. Like I mentioned before, I believe you have what is called an infinity pulse with him. Asher has explained that Kayden may have some fears about it.”

“Oh.”

I think to myself that simply not getting beaten is more than I ever imagined before. I can handle any baggage that comes my way. Even though this concept of the infinity pulse is, well, alien to me, I think I know what Jane means on an instinctive level.

“Will we be able to talk privately?” I ask.

“Of course. Follow me.” Jane turns, sliding her hand through my elbow and squeezing gently. She walks me over toward where Kayden is speaking with Asher—Prince Asher to be specific.

Although the prince and princess, along with the king and queen are spoken of breathily, no one seems to bow or curtsy for them. When we reach them, Jane releases my elbow, saying to Kayden, “She’s all yours.” She gestures to a doorway just beyond us.

My heart pounds so hard that I can’t hardly hear over the rush of blood in my ears. Kayden’s golden gaze sweeps over me as he reaches for my hand.

Chapter Four

KAYDEN

Nadine’s small hand is warm in mine as I lead her down the hallway and through a doorway. I turn to close the door behind me. The latch clicking is loud in the small room.

Before I even turn to face Nadine fully, I can feel the reverberation from her presence in my own body. It’s like an echoing pull, drawing me toward her. The connection between us is powerful.

I take a breath to steady myself, squaring my shoulders as I face her. I’m not accustomed to this feeling. It’s a sense of vulnerability, of being in thrall to this woman.

She’s quiet as she waits. Her cheeks are flushed, and I can sense her nervousness. My eyes dip down, and I notice her fingers are laced together and one thumb rubs the other. She swallows, and the sound is audible in the space.

This room is unremarkable. Four square walls, the color white. It’s an office. I’ve been in here before. When I was a boy, they used to have summer activities in this building for the children when we had our lessons. Now, the space is used for various community events.

The room’s simplicity is a contrast to the connection vibrating between Nadine and me. I now understand why it’scalled an infinity pulse. Because it’s a true pulse. Without knowing with scientific certainty, I believe her heart beats in tune with mine, an echoing drumbeat through my system.

She clears her throat, and my eyes lock to hers instantly. It feels as if electricity is snapping in the air, crackling and sending sparks in a shower around us.

“You wanted to speak with me privately?” she asks. She slides her tongue across her bottom lip.

The mere sight of her tongue is like a whip cracking through the air, sparking my arousal. My desire for her is like sky fire just before the clap of thunder, the air heavy and weighted.

I’ve traveled all over the galaxy. Every planet has storms, and every planet has something like thunder and lightning. Ours is most similar to Earth in terms of our environment and the way the storms work.

“Sky fire,” I say, not intending to speak aloud.

“Sky fire?” she prompts.

“It’s like lightning on Earth but a little different. It sizzles and makes a loud sound afterward. There are actual flames. That’s why we call it sky fire,” I explain.

“Oh. We get lots of lightning, but it almost never rains on Earth anymore. Do you get rain here?” she asks.

I nod. Without thinking, I’m stepping closer to her. The pulse is strong with a magnetic pull to it. Imustbe closer to her.

I stop just shy of touching her. Her eyes widen slightly, and her pupils dilate. I hear the sharp intake of her breath as her lips part slightly. “You haven’t claimed me,” she whispers. “So someone else may.”

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