Page 26 of Kissed By the Alien
I set her down, even as I stare at all the red.
“That’s the bathroom,” she says, rushing forward to hold the fabric to the side. “Nothing dangerous inside. Except bad plumbing.”
“I should go,” I say, as I turn and head to the hole through which I entered. Lexi will be safe here. The place is secure with no way for anyone to know she’s inside.
“Please don’t go, Lutan. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“You did not.”
My eyes shoot to the red fabric again. Until gentle hands press against my cheek and guide my face away. “Can’t you stay a little longer? Please?”
There’s a need on her face, one that pulls at me. “I’m sorry, sholani. I do not belong here.”
She approaches me, a softer expression gracing her face now. Red moist lips remind me of the brief kiss we shared. Decadent and surprisingly warm. It...she... made me think of home. Of the familiarity there. The serenity.
That kiss ended much too soon. I want to taste more of my sholani. Which is why I step back.
“So you’re abandoning me again? All because of the gun? I didn’t go to the ball tonight for the gun. I’d hoped you’d bring it, but it’s not the main reason I went. I like your smile, Lutan.”
“My smile? I don’t smile.”
She brushes a thumb over the corner of my mouth. “Not much, but you smile in here.” Her hand presses against my chest. “There’s a joy inside you, but it’s trapped.” She bites her lower lip. “And now I sound like a fool.”
“Not a fool, but I’m not ready for a sholani.”
“You called me that before. What’s a sholani?”
“A heartmate. You’re my heartmate, Lexi. The one the gods destined for me…”
CHAPTERNINE
LEXI
I’m hearing things. This otherwise sane guy just said I’m his destiny. It must be all the blood rushing to my head from all that time I spent flung over Lutan’s shoulder as he carried me around like I was a jacket. Weightless. That, too, was a first. He doesn’t look at me like I’m an oddity, that I’m not as good as other people because I’m heavier than most women my height.
“You think I’m your shola…” I forgot the word already. Some mental block.
“Sholani,” he repeats the word. “Heartmate, in your language.”
He calls me sholani with a possessiveness to his voice. “You mean soul mate?”
“No, it translates to heartmate. A mate of the heart. Our souls may join, but our hearts will beat as one in time. We are fated for one another.”
I don’t see the difference, but either way, I’d consider it a sweet notion, if he wasn’t stripping me with his eyes.
“I must admit, I’ve never heard that line before.”
“Line?”
“A come-on. To get me into bed.”
“I am not lying to you, Lexi. We are heartmates. I have proof.”
“Proof? Show me.”
He starts unfastening his pants.
“Woah! What are you doing?”
