Page 63 of Invasive Species
“I'll provide the best care I can, I'll be sure not to jostle your ankle?—”
“No, I mean… being close to you. It'll hurt, because…”
I wait as she bites her lip. Unable to watch her hurt herself, I touch her jaw.
Her gaze finds mine as if magnetized. “I… I’m…I’m falling for you, okay?”
“Falling?” I take her shoulders to brace her. “Are you feeling dizzy or nauseous? Are you seeing double? How many of me are there in your vision?”
“No, I’m fine.” She purses her ripe lips together, cheeks flushing a welcome healthier pale pink.
She isn’t making sense. “Whatever you mean by falling for me, I’m a Selthiastock, one of the finest physicians on the planet of Oloria. I’m sure I can help with your condition.”
She chuckles, but stops when she sees my face, no doubt glowering. “Oh, I thought you were teasing. Didn’t Planet ofthe Pirate Prince cover the term falling in…love?” She blurts the last word.
Love. Love!
“Yes, it does,” I manage to say calmly. “Usually toward the end of the narrative. They fall in lust first, then progress toward mutual understanding along with their multiple couplings.”
“Right.” She hangs her head, miserable. “You touching me right now, it's… hard. Even though I know it's my fault.”
My fingers twitch on her shoulders, as if in a reflex. “Yes, it is your fault,” I say. “It made me feel used. And confused, over whether you want me or… the humanized version of me.”
Her eyes burn fiercely. “Always you, Gara. Just as you are. No changes.”
My lips twitch. “None at all?”
“None. I want all your moods, all your many colors, especially… when you're with me, and it's like you come alive. I reckon you could be like that more, but maybe that's a long-term thing, and no pressure either. Whatever you wanna be, whoever you want to be, I'm here for it.” She sniffs, gazing up at me, waiting.
And all I can think to do is pull her close to me. This infuriating, adorable human.
She rubs the back of her neck. “I… I almost feel like I shouldn't be the one to ask, but?—”
“Do you want to continue giving in to lust, whilst developing a firm foundation for a loving relationship built on mutual trust?”
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” she says, with a small sad smile. “I'll never betray you again, Gara.”
Words are easy for females to say, but these ones? They come from her heart. Despite all cold logic, all theories of what the bond truly is, I know what I'm feeling.
She is my mate.
And as maddening as she is, as exasperating, she's equally as unexpected, and I suspect her love is as boundless as her ideas.
I duck, put my arms around her shoulders and knees, and sweep her against my chest.
Her fingers crawl through my hair, then pull back. “Sorry, I shouldn't touch you right now.”
“No, you should.” I lean my forehead against hers, meeting her gaze, drinking her in. “I want you to want to.”
And her joyous smile is almost bright enough to light the rocks surrounding us. “I have the weirdest feeling. Like I know you’re… happy. It’s kind of a glow, here.” She rubs the center of her chest.
“I am. I’m happy. Hm. This lends evidence toward an actual mating bond taking shape between us.”
“Mating… bond.” Her mouth opens, then closes. Water drips from her nose, and I wipe it off with my finger.
She takes my hand, tight. “Fuck. That’s a lot, but… I’m a lot, if you hadn’t noticed. I think I’m happy to roll with it, if you are.”
I can barely form the words. “I am.” Such joy surges through my chest, I gasp from the sensation. She smiles, adding to my euphoria, and wraps her small arms around me as much as she can.
