Page 35 of LeX

“ShouldItell her that she was once human?”

“Ido not believeIwould because that might cause more harm than good.Sheseems happy, and most of all, she is healthy.IfIwere you,Iwould simply make sure to keep her in your good graces.However, a male that has been mated this many rotations would know more intimate things about his mate.So, you need to start really paying attention to her wants and needs.AndIhave a feeling you may get in trouble for things not entirely your fault in the future because of this.OnethingIwould caution you is talking about the past too much.Ifshe brings up something, try to change the subject, as there is no reason forher to suffer unnecessarily.SAGEmy love,Ileave the clothing and decorations up to you.”

Andwith a nod of his head,SCOUTis gone.Immediately,SAGErefocuses on me. “SinceIhave no real knowledge of what clothing she prefersIwill fill her closet with a variety.Letme handle the reason most of her clothing was missing from her closet to begin with.Iwill also take care of the decor in your rooms as well.Goget cleaned up andI’llhave some new garments readily available for you as well by the time you get out.”

SAGE’simage disappears andIturn toward theIonizer, only to hear voices in the other room.

Chapter Twenty

RYLIE

Iwas just aboutto doze off whenIheardSAGE’snormal bing. “Greetings,MistressRylie, you all have been gone for ages!Forgiveme for stealing your used garments and emptying your closet.Ifigured after such a long trip you would be ready for some new designs.AlanaandCIPhave been working on some very risqué, but flattering ideasIthink would look amazing with your coloring.”

“Thankyou,SAGE.Ihave missed talking to you andIappreciate the new clothes, since my others were getting quite ragged.Ifthis jumper is one of their new patterns,Isimply love it.Iwill say it was odd walking into the closet only to find three garments in there, though.Ifelt like a stranger in my own house …Imean dwelling.BecauseIhad full intentions of seducingLeX,Ididn’t even take the time to throw on panties or even a bra, but his mind is off somewhere else as usual.Thefact thatIhave coaxed him into reading to me in the evenings is a miracle.

SpeakingofLeX, while he isn’t in here, do you think you could do something with this room?It’sas sterile as the med bay.Iwas going to ask you before we departed, but things got busy quickly,and we ended up leaving in a hurry right after theDestroyerwas cleared for the mission.Iwould love to have some color in here, and maybe some new furniture.Alarge chaise lounge where we could snuggle after a hard day would be amazing.”

“Rylie,Iwill get right on the remodel; do you want me to run my ideas by you beforeIimplement them?”

“Lord, noSAGE…Weall know you’re the best at what you do.”

“Ibelieve your lunch is on its way andIwill have your closet restocked by the time dinner is served.Whileyou are enjoying your reunion with all the others,Iwill work on this space;Ialready have some ideas in my head.Wewill talk again later.”Shecurtseys, then blinks out as usual.Thenthe door to our rooms open, and a bot comes rolling in with lunch.

“Crap,Iwas going to ask her howEmberwas doing,”Iwhisper out to an empty room.

Pickingup the holo pad lying onLeX’sside of the bed,Itry to open it several times, but it isn’t responding to my touch.I’mliterally shaking it when he walks out of the bathroom, andIstop dead asIwatch him button up the shirt he’s put on.

“Itmust not be my day because it seems like everything electronicItouch isn’t working.Youknow you are just as handsome today as you were the first timeIsaw you.Icould just lick every inch of all that yumminess.”

Hejust rolls his eyes playfully before giving me that unique smile that makes his sharp cheekbones rise, highlighting the multiple scales along his hairline.Histall, lean shape slowly disappears as he finishes closing the shirt before tucking it into a pair of dark pantsIdon’t remember seeing on him before.

“Don’ttell meSAGEtook all your stuff, too?Arethose new?Idon’t remember seeing those …turn around soIcan see your butt.”

Awkwardly, he turns slightly, shaking his butt at me.

Confusedand suddenly worried,Iscoot off the bed and walk over to him.Grabbinghim by the arm,Ipush myself up against his chest, taking his hands and placing them on the top of my hips. “Hey, is everything all right between us?Youjust seem stiff and uncomfortable with me all of a sudden, andIdon’t know whatI’vedone.”

Hemoves his hands off my hips to grasp my face as he looks down lovingly at me. “Iam sorryRylie, please forgive me ifIhave made you feel that way.Iam just having a hard time winding down.Wehave been working at such a fast pace my mind has not caught up yet.Youhave done nothing … you are perfect in my eyes.”

Liftingup on my toes,Ipull him closer only to falter whenIcatch him regarding me so intently. “What?DoIhave a booger on my face or something?Whyare you looking at me like you’ve never seen me before?”

“Ihave never seen you this way before … it’s a new rising.Ihave not seen that sparkle in those glorious blue eyes of yours or felt the heat of your skin against my hands or got to kiss you for the first time all over again.Thingschange so fast;Idon’t want to take you for granted.Youmust know that my entire existence is and would be nothing without you.”

“So, what you’re saying is, you kinda like me?”

“Yes, just a little bit.Whydon’t you lay down and take a quick nap?Iwill go check onViNandEmber, then come back to get you before dinner with everyone else.”

“Anap sounds amazing actually, you don’t mind going by yourself?”

“Notat all.”

“Ok, you talked me into it, but you’re not leaving untilIget a kiss, mister.”

“Mypleasure.”

LeX’shands become firmer on my face as he leans down.Hisfingers trace over my jaw line asIpull myself tighter against his chest.Mylips part as his thumb brushes over them.Reachingup,Icomb my fingers into the thick hair at the nape of his neck.Tingleswash down my back as he closes the gap between our mouths, first with the utmost gentleness, then with the hunger of a starved man.Ilose track of time asItry to push myself even closer … my only rational thought ismore.

Hedoesn’t even release my lips as he effortlessly lifts me up into his arms.Walkingus over to the bed, my heart races as he kneels down, slowly lowering me to the sleeping platform.Releasingmy lips,LeXgently unlocks my arms from around his neck before kissing me on the forehead. “Takea nap,I’llbe back in a little bit.”

---