Page 76 of Tis the Season for Tentacles
“Give me time to think on this, and I swear I will formulate a plan that will make all of us happy.”
I search his face. “You honestly think we can make this work?”
“I do.” He reaches up and cups my cheeks tenderly. “I’ve lived a life of duty and responsibility ever since my parents died. After losing them, I never wanted to let anyone else into my life.” He gives me a wry grin. “Well, apart from Khephren and Luna, who basically forced their way in during childhood—the way they still butt into my personal life for my own good. But I never let myself even entertain the notion that I could have a life partner of my own.” He lovingly strokes my cheek with one of his tentacles. “Until I met you, that is.”
Oh, freaking hell. This is turning into the most swoonworthy moment of my life. I just pray my heart doesn’t explode from the emotional overload I’m experiencing.
“You make me want things I’ve never dreamed of before,” Najar says. “You make me need in ways no one else ever has.”
Damn.
“Me too,” I whisper. “I think we understand one another so well partially because we have similar backgrounds. We were both forced to become adults at an early age and didn’t have many people in our lives that we could rely on. We quickly learned that being self-sufficient was easier, less painful. Whenyou only rely on yourself, no one lets you down.” I pet his tentacle. “We’re kindred spirits in that regard.”
“You speak sound words of wisdom.” Najar’s eyes are full of a tender affection that I want to bask in forever.
It’s a struggle, but I force myself to be an adult and ask the hard questions.
“So, how do you think this would work? Not even considering the question of Gemma, we’ve only just started dating. It’s been fast and overwhelming. Sometimes that can lead to everlasting love, but it can also flame bright and then fizzle out. If I leave Earth behind to be with you, what happens if, in a week, a month, or a decade, we break up?” I hate thinking of that but I have to. “Afterward, I can’t imagine we could stay together on the ship very easily, and trying to return to life on Earth would be a logistical nightmare for me if I’ve basically gone off the grid for an extended period of time.”
Najar considers this, digesting all of my concerns. “You are right. There is greater risk on your side of this equation. But I will do everything in my power to make you happy. There are no guarantees when it comes to love. So I can’t promise anything about our feelings. But I can prove just how dedicated I am to you.” He repositions me on the couch and kneels on the floor in front of me. “While I’m not an expert when it comes to Earthling customs, but I am offering myself to you, heart and soul, for the rest of our lives.”
I gape at him, and for a second, I think I might swoon—as in, literally faint. Najar is being so serious and so gentlemanly, it reminds me of how Gramps always treated Nana—and damn does that ever work on me.
Najar clears his throat. “I believe that, in the customs of your people, I am asking for your hand in marriage, Felix Taylor. This is a calculated risk for me too. You’re the first man I’ve ever given my hearts to. Who’s to say you don’t grow tired of me and wantto end things? I could be the one left brokenhearted—and that scares the hell out of me. But I’m willing to take that risk because you are the one and only man in the universe that I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
It’s all too much. To my surprise, my vision becomes blurry as hot tears roll down my cheeks.
Several of Najar’s tentacles flail with worry. “I have upset you. How?”
I shake my head. “You haven’t. I’m just on a bit of an emotional roller coaster right now.” I sniffle. “You really want to marry me? You’re willing to risk your heart for me?”
His answering smile is breathtaking. “Yes, I am. I want us to be monogamous life partners until the end of our days. How do you feel?”
My rational brain tells me it’s too fast. Too soon. Too…reckless.
But I tell those thoughts to go to hell. For once in my life, I’m willing to take the risk and be a little reckless.
If not for love, then for what?
Besides, I’m rather certain there’s no other man quite like Najar out there and I won’t let him get away without a fight.
“I want to be your life partner too. Our feelings may have happened fast, but my instincts tell me I can trust you to protect my heart.” I lean forward and put my hand on his chest. “And I, in turn, will protect yours.”
He grins sheepishly. “Just so you know, I have three.”
I blink at him kneeling before me. “Three what?”
“Hearts.”
I sputter. “Y-you havethreehearts? How did I not know this before now?”
“Well, it hasn’t happened to come up in conversation until now.”
I facepalm. “God, I feel like an idiot. I’m a veterinarian, for Chrissake. How many times have we been naked in bed together and I never noticed you have three freaking hearts!”
His lips twitch. “To be fair, we’ve usually been quite busy in bed with other things, and once done with our lovemaking, you tend to fall asleep right away. It’s only natural you wouldn’t notice.”
My cheeks warm. “Hey, I told you, that’s just how it is with me. No making fun allowed.”
