Page 97 of I'm Not Your Pet

“I am not good at flirting.”

There were butterflies in my belly. “I think you’re doing well.”

“I am trying,” Roark’s nostrils flared as his eyes shut for a moment like he was gathering strength. “I am not…good with words.”

“Coulda fooled me.”

“I am trying,” he repeated, his eyes opening, the vivid blue as striking as ever. “For you, I will do anything. Evenflirt.” He said that like flirting was the worst thing I could’ve ever asked him to do. Which was…so cute. Jesus.

“You don’t normally have an issue when you’re being all captain-y,” I said, curious.

“That is different. They are my subordinates. You are…you.I can’t get this wrong. I only have one chance.”

I couldn’t believe we’d had that exact same thought.

I grinned, unable to help myself. “Your middle name is effort, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?” Roark frowned, and I snickered, though I was too distracted by how good he looked to answer the question.

I gestured at his outfit. “You’re in atux.” Maybe Roark needed reassurance too?

“I am.” Confusion forgotten, Roark was obviously amused. I didn’t mind. Behind him the room was empty, Ushuu waslong gone. I was glad, even though that might make me an ass. Because having one person witness my total brain melt was enough humiliation for one day, thank you very much.

“I love it!” I choked out. “I don’t—I mean.” I paused to get my thoughts in order. “You’re definitely getting this right. I think you might have broken my brain.”

“Impossible. Your brain is too brilliant for that.” Roark barked out a laugh, stroking a single claw down my arm with a shake of his head. “The feeling is mutual,” he added. “My thoughts are far from coherent.” His big-hot-delicious hand latched onto my hip, fingers tickling against the silky fabric as he gazed at me. Roark’s eyes flashed black for a moment at the same time his spots grew molten red. There was no doubt in my mind that he liked what he saw.

“Adress, Hugo?” Roark murmured, stricken. “That is notfair. How am I supposed to let you leave the room without touching you?”

Grinning, I stood taller, my nerves all but forgotten. I never should’ve worried that things would be awkward between us. They weren’t. I reached up to shift the translator he’d put over my ear more comfortably into place. It hadn’t occurred to me until now how absolutelyemotionalbeing able to speak to Roark freely would make me feel. If I didn’t get ahold of myself I was going to start blubbering. And while I knew Roark wouldn’t judge me, ugly-crying was not hot.

Pretty one, do not cry.

I will make it okay.

You make my knees weak.

You always have.

Since we’d met I’d collected each of Roark’s sweet words inside my heart. Keeping them close at hand for the days when I felt weak.

My eyes were wet as I fanned my fingers over the back of Roark’s hand, still trying not to cry. “You’re looking pretty hot yourself, big guy,” I managed, voice rough. “I can’t believe you found a tux in your size!” Sure, a lot of aliens in the lobby had worn similar clothing. But none of them had been close to Roark’s size.

Roark grunted, spots flushed pale pink with pleasure. “Finding one that fit was no easy feat. Ushuu helped. I can’t take credit.” His voice was still warm, but stiff.

Did talking to me make him nervous?

Is that why he’d been so quiet the day we’d met?

That was…flattering to say the least.

Roark chose each word carefully and slowly, like if he didn’t pick the perfect ones he’d rather not speak at all.

“You are correct, itishotter than I am used to,” Roark added, jolting me from my thoughts. He frowned down at his clothing like it had personally offended him, plucking at the mussed collar where it hugged his thick throat.

Hotter than he?—

Oh.

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