Page 47 of LeX

“Liver?”

“Youhave had to digest a body organ that was only designed to remove toxins?Ican guarantee nothing of the sort is on this menu.WhatisKeida’sfamous word …Yes, ‘yuck’!”

Iquickly order a sampler for her to choose from, and as the menus disappear, soft music fills the room.Withoutthinking,Ihold my hand out. “Wouldyou care to dance?”

“Youdance?”

“Ido.”

“I’mnot sure ifIdo, but if you’re willing to sacrifice your toes,Iwould love to try.”

Beforeshe can change her mind,Ilift her out of the chair, guiding her onto a raised platform that leads a little further out.Oursurroundings are so clear it looks as if we are floating in space itself.Rafewhistles loudly andIsee a soft blush graceRylie’scheeks.

Ryliestarts to raise her arms up around my neck, butItake her hands and place them whereIwant them asIlead her through a few intricate steps.Asshe becomes more confident,Iadd in a few more.Dippingher quickly, her pale curls swing around her smiling face asIlift her back up and it’s plain to see her pure joy.

“Wherein the world did you learn to dance like this?”

“Onthe dance floor of course, that is where all the females are.SincephysicallyIcould not have a deeper relationship with anyone who was not my mate, this was the next best option.Ithought the other males were stupid standing against the wall because they were scared to look foolish.Everyoneknows you always want to be where the girls are, since they are always having the most fun.Malesare in too much competition.”

“Iwould normally argue it’s the females that are the competitors, butI’mso happy at this moment.Idon’t care what the rest of the world is doing.”

“Yourhappiness is all that matters to me,Rylie.”

“Ibelieve youLeX, and those are big words.Maywe always share this happiness, andIprayInever become a disappointment to you.Idon’t think my heart has ever felt this light.”

“Youand me both, my love.”Ihave just spun her around whenIsee our food being delivered to the table.Pickingher up playfully,Ikiss her forehead before putting her back on her feet asIlead her off the dance floor.Rylie’sflushed cheeks and large smile only get bigger whenMandystarts whistling.

“Whoohoo, you two were tearing it up out there.Itried to get grumpy butt out there, but he says he only dances in private.However, he promised he would make it up to me later ifIdidn’t make him go out there in front of everyone.”

“Lookslike you have backed yourself into a corner,Rafe, asIhave never witnessed you dancing a day in your existence.”

“Ican dance, maybe not as fluidly as you do.Ido not think it is natural for a male’s hips to move that way.”

“Didyou just admit out loud that you were staring at my ass?”

Themoment those words come out of my mouth,Mandyhas to cover her own to keep from spitting out her drink.Therest of the meal continues on the same; smiles, and familiar teasing make for a pleasant evening especially as it seems the darkness crept up on us quickly.

Rafethrows down his napkin, then rubs his belly like he is an older male. “Well, this has proven to be a fun and enlightening get together.Hopefully, we will be able to continue this ritual onDestiny…Although, it’s going to take a bit for me to get used to her name change.LeX, you andRylieare staying onboard, right?”

“Wehave not discussed it enough to make that final decision yet, butIwill let you know.Ihave promisedRyliethat wherever she goes, so willI.”

“Iunderstand, butImean the reasoning is simple.Wewill be on the ship as well, what more motivation could one need?”

Laughing, we all get up, leaving at the same time and heading back toDestinyand our assigned chambers that happen to be right next door to each other.Onceagain, the females chatter on as the lift accelerates only to stop when it opens to our floor.

Mandyreaches out, grabbingRyliein a quick hug. “Ihope you guys decide to stay on the ship because it would be great to have a friend nearby.Idon’t know if you’ve gotten to talk toQwinmuch, but she’s great, too.”

“LeXsaid we have a few days before we have to give our answer, butIpromise to let you know first.”

Rafegrabs my arm in a warrior’s shake before seizing his mate and throwing her over his shoulder.Laughing,Mandywaves at us while hanging upside down as they disappear into their rooms.

Wavingmy hand over our door’s sensor, we walk in together and my eyes drift over to the closet.Iwill never look at that place the same again asIcan still taste her on my lips.

Grabbingher mirthfully,Ispin her around a few times admiring her long legs as well as her laughter.Quickly,Ihave her backed up against the wall her beautiful blue eyes sparkling as she gazes up at me andIrealize my whole future is standing before me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

RYLIE

---