Page 12 of Shadowed By the Alien
“I did not want to deceive?—”
“No, of course not. That was my father’s doing. But I’m a grown woman. He should have told me. Or you should have.”
“If I had told you, then I would have been removed from my position. And I would not leave you unprotected like that. Whether you agree with your father’s actions or not, he is right. This is a dangerous world for a female, and even more so for one who cannot see.”
“I’m sure he would have hired another bodyguard in that case.”
“I will not trust your life to another,” Ren says with a stern voice that tells me I’m more than a job to him.
“Can I touch your face?” I ask.
“Why?”
“I want to see you.”
“But you are blind.”
“I can draw an image of you in my mind by learning the contours of your features. The depth of your eyes, whether your jaw is square, or your cheekbones are high and angular or low and subtle. If your eyebrows are thick and bushy, if your nose is long or wide. Right now, your face is a blank outline to me and that bothers me, because I really like you. You’re no longer some faceless entity I question even exists, but you have the face of one. I’d really like to discover the details, to know you better.”
“Yes, sholani. I want you to know me.”
When my fingertips glide over his cheeks, he inhales a long breath, one that makes my lower half thrum. That’s nota reaction I’ve ever had with a male, especially from touching his face. And Ren’s is a strong face. A square jaw with a hint of scruff, but no mustache. Smooth skin except a scar above his left eyebrow, and deep-set eyes. His brows perch upward. Confusion, perhaps.
“How are you doing there, my shadow? Surviving my sandpaper hands?”
His hands cover mine, and his thumbs stroke my skin. “Soft. And perfect.” He draws my fingertips to his lips and kisses them. It’s innocent, and yet as erotic as the kiss we shared moments ago. How does he do that?
“Ah, well, you’ll think differently when the cold weather gets here,” I say.
“I hope to still be here.”
A jolt of fear moves through me like an undertow threatening to drag me under. “Where are you going?”
“When your father learns you know of my existence, I’ll be forced to return home.”
I don’t understand why that would be the case. My father would never have hired him to protect me if he didn’t think he was a good person. If Ren’s assessment is accurate, this will be a huge issue. I can’t even convince my dad to let me go to the ocean several miles away. A trip to Russia, Africa, or wherever Ren’s from, is not going to happen.
I can’t imagine not having Ren by my side, talking, supporting, and just being himself. A great guy who feels like…home.
Only better.
My hands sink into his hair. Thick and longer than I imagined. He moans once causing my lower half to pulse. The need to touch more of him, to elicit that erotic sound again, has me reaching higher and higher.
When my hands near the top of his head, his hands capture mine and bring them to his lips. This time he kisses my palms, the tease. I want those lips on other parts of me.Farther down.
I lower my hands. “I think maybe you were right.”
“About?”
“Touching isveryintimate.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
RAVEN
“Excuse me.” I walk in a straight path, hoping no one and nothing is in my way. I don’t have my cane and I’d like to make a classy exit, but if I don’t get away from Ren soon, my fingers will explore more of the man than is proper, especially in public. I need to clear my head.
“Where are you going? I didn’t mean to upset you,” he says, his voice pitching high with concern.
