Page 36 of LeX

Reachingout for him, he backs away, but not beforeIcan clearly see the effect the kiss also had on his body. “Nofair, tease.”

“Isimply did whatIwas told … you only asked for a kiss.”

“Remindme to put it in writing next time.”Onceagain, my stomach is full of butterflies, because his kisses seem to always do that to me.

LeXpulls a light cover up over me before tucking one of my wild curls behind my ear. “Youare so beautiful.”

“Don’ttry to butter me up now, if all you’re going to do is tease a girl and then run off.”

“Butyou knowIwill always come back.”

Hiscomm unit goes off on his arm and he hits the button, not even looking at the message as he sits staring down at me like he has never seen me before. “Doyou need anything beforeIgo?Iwill not be gone long.”

“Nahh,I’mgood, but promise to wake me up if you need me.”

“Iwill.”

Hereaches over, turning the light down over the bed before getting up.Fora tic,Ithink he might change his mind, but he just turns away andIwatch as he practically flees the room.Slightlyconcerned,Idecide to try and find a way to talk to him later.Somethingis wrong,Ican just feel it.

Chapter Twenty-One

LEX

Stoppingright outside our door,Ilean my head against the wall.Mostof my lifeIhave dreamed of a mate of my own, only to find myself running from her instead of pulling her to me.LordofLight, howIwant to devour her.HeavenknowsIwishIcould walk back into that room, strip her clothes off and explore her more thoroughly.ButIcannot, it is wrong on so many levels.

IthoughtIwould have to prove my worth, my love, my devotion, but we have jumped straight to the encore, andIfeel like this turn of events has cheated us both.DoIworship her?Absolutely!DoIknow without a shadow of a doubt that she is allIwill ever need or want, yes.Butno one gave her those choices andIfeel likeIam straddling an abyss.

Partof me says dive in and hope for the best, yet the more rational side says to proceed with caution.Ican see the hurt in her eyes when she feels likeIam pushing her aside.Shehas no way of knowing thatIam only doing it out of worry for her.WhatifIsay or do something that makes her regress, or even worse … remember?

Forcingmy feet forward,Itake the lift down to the dock and head for theExplorer.Mythoughts are everywhere but where they should be right now.JustasIstep onto the ship, the sound of a small cry jerks my head up and out of my own concerns.

“ViN, what are you doing here?Youshould still be in bed resting.”

“Iam sore and slightly uncomfortable brother, butIfelt like it was wrong to enjoyAmiwithout her mother.So,Ihad theDestroyerhave one of the med bots roll me down here in this chair.Thankfully, no one witnessed me in such a weakened state.”

“MayI?”Holdingmy arms out,ViNhesitates for a moment before handing the youngling to me. “Ohmy, what a heartbreaker you are going to be; you are quite beautiful little one.”Shecoos sweetly, a small smile on her face asIbounce her gently.ViNtakes a minute to stand up and stretch his arms where he has been holding her for so long.

“MedicLeX,Idid a complete scan of the youngling while you were taking a slight break, and she is in perfect health.Shedoes seem to run slightly warmer than other young humans, butIbelieve that is normal for her since that has not changed since her birth.MasterViN’snatural healing is coming along nicely as well.”

“Thankyou,Destiny.”

“Mypleasure.”

“ViN, look at all this hair.Ididn’t notice this when she was born, it’s so light it blends right in with her skin.Fromthe initial scans,Ithought she would have her mother’s coloring, but it appears she is taking on her own features.”

“Iam pleased that she is so striking.Iwould not make a very pleasant looking female, soIwould have hated to kill anyone who told her she was unattractive.

Mysudden laughter makes her jerk, andIswear for a second her eyes turn red.Blinking, they are back to bright blue, andIwonder if my own are playing tricks on me. “WhereisTordan?”

“Youjust missed him andLuna.Theystayed until the med chamber started shutting down.Ifthis screen is right and that is a countdown, it should be opening any time now.”Andsure enough, not a tic later the system beeps and the med chamber’s top starts to slide upwards.ViNimmediately has his arms aroundEmber, lifting her out gently.

“FrackViN, give her a moment to awaken.”

“Shewill be more at ease in my arms.Iwill carry her anywhere she needs to go.”

“Whatabout this one, she can’t exactly get around on her own yet.Ifyou are carrying her mother, what is she going to do?”

“Iwill hold them both so that she never feels neglected.”

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