Page 29 of Krin

Krin leaned in, and our lips collided in a long, sensual kiss. I threaded my fingers through his hair while our tongues intertwined. Seconds passed as the kissing grew more passionate.

He pulled back, panting.

“Shall we get out of here?” he asked, his voice husky with desire.

I nodded, pulling my lip between my teeth as my lady bits throbbed.

11

Krin

ANTICIPATION PULSEDthrough me as I looked forward to finally claiming my K’sha. When the door to my quarters slid shut, I stepped closer to Riley, placing my hands on each side of her head, stroking her cheeks with my thumbs.

The corners of her lips turned upwards, yet doubt filled her eyes. I began to question if the brief walk to my quarters was enough to make her change her mind about allowing me to claim her.

“What troubles you, my mate?”

After briefly looking away and chewing her bottom lip, she turned her gaze back to me. “Are you sure you want me? As a mate, I mean. What if I don’t make you happy in the long term?”

“Gods, Riley. There is no one I want more than you. I am very certain I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Why do you doubt my feelings for you?” I stroked her dark mane of hair.

This was unexpected. Her sudden shift in energy had me worried. Did she not want me as a mate?

She began to chew her lower lip again. It was the first time my mate appeared so vulnerable. My only goal was to reassure her, but I did not know how to do it without making her more upset.

Riley spoke before I had a chance to. “I don’t want to mess this up.” She pointed to herself, then me. “Us, I mean.”

“Would it help if I explained what the claiming means... for both of us?” I asked.

“Maybe...yes. I mean, Grace told me a little about what it was like for her when Trex told her they were fated mates. Which is why I am open to the idea it’s a real thing. If you’d have told me when we first met, that I was your K’sha, I would have laughed in your face. But now, after being around you for a while I can’t ignore there is something special about you. I’ve never felt this way for anyone else. I want to understand what it means to be your K’sha.”

She frowned after speaking, and I was unsure if I had been wrong in assuming this was what she wanted.

Dropping my hands to my side I spoke. “The claiming process is crucial in strengthening the bond between us. The first time fated mates have sex is a moment filled with a powerful connection that I cannot really explain. Our souls will join as one. Forever. You are already my K’sha, Riley. That will never change. The claiming will allow us to communicate telepathically through a link only we will share. It also intensifies our bond, and feelings for one another. For the rest of eternity, I will crave you in my very soul.Onlyyou.”

She stared, wide-eyed. “Really? What happens when one of us... you know, dies.”

I lifted my shoulders then gave a slight smile. The consequences of one of us dying were unclear to me. Yet, I understood that her absence would shatter me.

“We only have one K’sha. I do not wish to find out what would happen if you were gone.”

If Riley refused to be with me, I would spend the rest of my life alone, wanting her with me. Now that I had met my K’sha, I could not imagine being without her, ever.

She sighed, then reached out and ran her hand down my chest, leaving a trail of pleasant tingles. “I don’t plan on going anywhere, big guy. It’s just, I haven’t been great at the wholecommitted relationship thing. It’s not something I’ve ever really done.”

Disappointment flooded me. My throat tightened and my hands clenched. “Are you refusing to be my mate?”

Riley tilted her head, her brow furrowed. “Look, Krin. The idea of us being fated mates is still sinking in. It’s a lot. And aside from lusting after you, I never really thought about what a permanent relationship with you would be like. From my understanding, Alarans have a strong connection with their K’sha. This is a big deal for you. I can’t afford to screw it up. The last thing I want is to hurt you. Or me. No, I am not refusing to be your mate.”

I studied her face. It was easy to read her emotions. She cared for me, but was afraid of it. “If you are not ready for me to claim you, we will wait. This is not something I would force on you if you do not want it.”

Riley’s face filled with sadness. “That’s not what I’m saying... I want to be with you. God knows I’ve never wanted anyone so badly as I want you.” She turned, then began to pace back and forth, chewing on her bottom lip.

I waited in silence, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts, fearing I had made a mistake bringing her to my quarters so soon.

After several moments, she stopped and turned her head towards me. “You can read my thoughts, right? I mean, because I’m your K’sha?”

Confused, I opened my mouth to object. “I would never do that without your permission. I have not read your thoughts.”

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