Page 97 of Across The Stars
His hands slid around the back of my neck and he pulled me close, kissing me just as hard. In front of everyone. Flinging my arms around his shoulders, I leapt up, locking my legs around him.
We were probably getting weird stares. I think someone was shouting at us. Someone may have been clapping. I didn’t care about any of it.
When I pulled away, I glowered at Vahko, hitting his shoulder with my fist.
“I don’t care,” I said.
“You don’t care?”
“You’re selfish and I’m dumb. Let’s get that out of the way right now. Whatever excuses you want to tell me, I don’t care. And you’re not my boss, so you can suck my dick. I’m coming with you.”
“I can what?”
“Shut up,” I said, kissing him again. “So? Give me all the reasons I shouldn’t come with you so I can make my choices and alleviate you of that burden.”
“I’m going to space, Innifer. Probably for a long time. I practically live on that ship behind me.”
“I don’t care,” I shook my head. “Take me with you.”
“And what Omira said—”
“You know what birth control is? I’ll start taking it until we know more. And aliens don’t have protection? I mean, you travel space and you don’t have condoms?”
“We have protection. It’s hard to come by, you know. It’s a little counterproductive.”
“But it exists. So, until things on that front look more promising, we’re covered, right? I mean, I’m not opposed to kids one day, but one step at a time, yeah?”
That smile teased his lips, which made one tickle mine. He cupped my face in his hand and swiped a thumb across my cheek.
“Innifer, even if the day never comes, I want you.You. Not the child you have the potential to give me.”
“Good,” I said, my voice cracking. “Because I was really hurt when you left me. Don’t do it again. I swear to God, I won’t endure it twice.”
“Never. It was dumb of me. I panicked. The whole thing tore me apart. Ever since the day you bumped into me, I’ve been unraveling.”
“I’m not good at mending anything, so you better get used to being unhinged.”
“Ok,” he whispered. “Let’s go to the stars, then. It’ll be dangerous.”
“You’ll protect me.”
“It’ll be long.”
“You’ll make it interesting,” I shrugged.
“The food is bland.”
I paused, eyes wandering. “Shit. That might be a deal breaker.”
“Really?”
I was beaming with amusement and laughed. “No. I can take bland food.”
“Good. Because I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too. Now, prepare yourself because this is when most human men run away.” He watched me intently and as I descended into his eyes, I knew what I was about to say was the truth. So, fear had left me and I boldly said, “Ili feya, des sechi.”
He raised a brow. “You’ve been learning Takesh. With a terrible accent, I might add, but I think I know what you’re trying to say.”
