Page 70 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space
Then he started crying.
The test clattered to the floor as I pulled him into my arms.
I’d had no idea how much he’d wanted it, but it was clear in the way his shoulders shook and he clung to my shirt. Years—decades—of pent-up longing burst from him.
And I held him as the emotions coursed through him.
Our lives were about to change again, and in a way we both wanted.
∞∞∞
Eashai and I sat on opposite sides of the long table, reviewing test results. I’d resorted to printouts after having stared at screens all morning, and my readers were perched on my nose. He’d somehow transferred the data to his tablet that rolled into a pen thing, and kept using his finger to make notes.
At first glance, we’d have probably appeared professional. But if anybody looked under the table, they’d see us playing footsie while we worked. It was our way of dealing with the continued intense urges for physical contact.
He finished his review of the data first, set down the tablet, and leaned back to stretch. I took a few more minutes, making my own notes about things I wanted to look at further, then I set the papers down.
I removed my glasses, massaged the bridge of my nose, and smiled as I met my mate’s gaze.
“Shall we swap?” he asked. “Or do you wish for the others to have a chance to review before we discuss?”
“They should be back from PT soon,” I replied. “Let’s get lunch since we don’t need to babysit the machines. That’ll give them a chance to review.”
He nodded. “That is a good idea.” He looked down and ran his hand over his still-flat belly. “I have noticed an increase in my appetite.”
I stood and rounded the table. He turned his chair to face me as I looped my arms around his neck. He spread his knees and wrapped his arms around my middle, pulling me closer.
“You’re growing our baby,” I murmured. “It makes sense that you’re hungrier.”
He smiled. “It is still difficult to believe.”
I tipped my forehead against his. “It’s the same for me. It’s been a few weeks since the doctor confirmed, and it all still feels so surreal.”
“Because I am a man?” he asked cautiously.
I chuckled and kissed his cheek. “Because I never expected this for myself.”
He smiled softly, then his stomach grumbled.
I laughed. “Let’s get you fed… Bapi.”
He let out a happy sigh as I stepped back and allowed him to stand. Then, as soon as we were in the hall, I looped my arm with his.
“It scares me sometimes,” I mused aloud. “How much I still want to constantly touch and be intimate with you, I mean.”
“Why is that?”
“I had expected those desires to diminish as we settled in and got back to work. But they’re still almost as strong as they were right after the rush.”
He stopped, then stepped in front of me and met my gaze. “Is it not normal for human mates to want to touch and show physical affection often?”
“I think so?” I admitted. “But even then, I don’t know if it’s this constant.”
He frowned. “Do you wish for it to be less?”
“Oh, E,” I pulled him into my arms. “Of course not. I like touching you, and having you touch me. This isn’t a complaint, just an observation.”
He nodded into my shoulder. “On Lyll, this is quite normal.”
