Page 28 of Alien Engineer's Mate

"I've seen how you are with your children. You would not have chosen a mate who was careless."

The simple certainty in his answer made her eyes burn at the backs, and she blinked to clear them. "The kids still miss him. Leo especially. He's had to grow up so fast, trying to help me keep everything together."

"He's very protective of his siblings," Maax said. "I noticed it yesterday in medical. The way he positioned himself, always keeping them in sight." His lips quirked at the corners. "He has a warrior's instincts."

"He's had to be." The words rushed out now, in a tumble that she couldn't stop. "Things got so bad after James died. The corporation kept raising costs, cutting services. Kyle's medication alone..." Her throat closed around the words, andshe shook her head, looking up to search his expression. "That's why I came here. Not to get married again, but for them. They deserve better than struggling just to survive. I'm sorry if that…"

She trailed off, looking at her hand in his. How did she tell him that she hadn't really wanted to get married again, but that she was doing it for her kids? Not for him.

He reached out with the other hand, tucking a strong finger under her chin to make her look up at him.

"You left everything you knew, sacrificed yourself to give them a better life," he said, something that sounded a lot like pride in his deep voice. "That takes real courage, Eira. And I am honored to be matched with a female who has such strength."

He straightened, formal dignity settling over him even as he cradled her hand in his. "I want to court you properly. Show you I can be what you need… what your children need."

Her heart stuttered at how naturally he included them. "What does that mean? The orientation covered some of it, but..."

"Three days together. Meals, activities - chances to learn each other." His thumb drew soft patterns on her palm that sparked tingles on her skin. "Have dinner with me tonight?"

Reality crashed back. "I need to find childcare first. They're still adjusting to the station, and?—"

"Bring them," he said quickly. "I'll bring Emily too. The children should be part of this from the beginning."

His expression softened. "She's already talking about playing with Grace again."

Hope bloomed in her chest as she looked up at him. "You wouldn't mind?"

"Mind?" Offense flashed across his face. "Eira, raising three such children would honor any warrior. And Emily..." His voice roughened into a low burr. "She needs a mother. Someonegentle and understanding, who knows what it means to protect those you love."

She blinked back tears. What could she say to that?

"There's a restaurant in the garden level," he carried on, giving her some space to steady herself. "The viewing dome shows the stars, and children can play within sight. Emily loves watching the fish in their aquarium displays."

Her throat tightened. "That sounds perfect."

His answering smile transformed him again. She squeezed his hand, savoring the connection until the station's chime broke the moment.

"Oh draanth," he murmured, looking at her. "I need to collect Emily from nursery. Shall I come to your quarters at 1800 hours?"

"Yes." The word felt natural. Right.

They stood, and he towered over her. Her breath caught in her throat as he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles. "Until then, Lady Coleman."

"Until then... Lead Engineer."

She watched him, unable to believe what had happened as he walked to the door. And, okay, she might have checked his ass out in all that tight leather as he did, but she was only human.

He turned at the door and caught her checking him out. His soft chuckle filled the air.

"Eira? I hoped it would be you, too."

9

Maax's hand trembled as he reached for Eira's door chime. The movement was so slight that only Emily's grip on his other hand betrayed it, and her tiny fingers tightened in response. He forced his arm to hold steady. This was ridiculous. He'd faced enemy hordes in battle and completed critical repairs while under fire, but faced with the prospect of a date with his matched mate, his heart thundered against his ribs like a power core about to breach.

"Are you scared, Papa?" Emily's voice drifted up, soft with concern.

He looked down at his daughter, taking in the careful way she'd arranged her dress… the one that matched Red Dragon's new ribbon. The stuffed toy hung from her other hand, its fabric worn smooth from constant companionship.

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