Page 50 of Krin

“One thing you have to know about me, is bullies are something I detest, and I cannot turn a blind eye to injustice. I will not allow anyone to be hurt or taken against their will.”

Krin stood tall with his shoulders back, watching me.

“Nor will I. I give you my word. But you must be more careful. Always come find me first. I will help.” His mouth quirked.

Leaning towards me he grazed my lips in a chaste kiss.

He appeared to be bursting with pride yet I got the feeling he didn’t want to encourage me going rogue.

“I am sorry, Krin. Don’t worry, I’ll be more careful in the future.”

He gave me a sincere grin that warmed my heart. I think I could get used to having my own hunky hero.

Krin noticed the old paperback books I had packed before he picked up my shopping bags.

“What are these?” He lifted one out and studied it, with its bare skinned chest of a purple alien.

“It’s uh...a romance book. Apparently, they print them on one of the colonies and sell them here to those who want the experience of holding a book in their hand.”

He eyed me with one brow cocked.

“I don’t expect you to understand. Everything you guys write is on tablet form. I haven’t seen a paper book anywhere.”

His mouth showed distaste. “Nor will you. This is archaic. How can it be better than a tablet... and the images...”

I laughed. “Trust me, they are good books.”

“Why do you read this? What did you call it?”

“Alien romance. Do Alarans not read fiction?”

“Sometimes. I have never heard of this... romance.”

“These stories have gotten me through some lonely times, big guy.”

He gazed at me, surprised at my confession.

“What can I say? I like sexy aliens.” I teased.

His chest rumbled, teasing me back. Krin knew I was all his.

“Okay. I like one sexy alien,” I corrected, winking at him.

He put the book back in the bag and we walked back to the ship.

I ran my hand along his skin while our arms were linked. For such a big tough guy, his skin was silky smooth. Krin’s mating marks glowed with color as I ran my hand up his huge biceps.

My lady bits fluttered as my imagination kicked in. I whispered in his ear, standing on tiptoes. “Maybe we could play out some of my favorite scenes from my romance books?”

Before I realized it, his pace quickened, and we found ourselves on the ship headed to our quarters.

20

Krin

MY MATE WAS MUCH HAPPIERnow that she was working at something she enjoyed. Even happier still we were now working the same shifts on the bridge again.

My K’sha brought me an unimaginable amount of happiness and contentment. She completed me in every way imaginable.

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