Page 74 of Tribute
Shrugging Kai’s hand off his shoulder, Aled went over to the kitchen and opened the fridge to get thekvas. The obvious closeness of Anna and Rehz defied Kai’s stated belief that relationships forged in the heat of the training ground couldn’t survive.
“Thanks.” He turned to find Anna at his elbow. She took herkvasand smiled at him. “And not just for thekvasbut for everything.” Her smile faded. “I don’t think I could survive going back in there again.”
“Me neither.”
She waited until he set the other bottles on the counter, blocking his exit from the kitchen. “If they took your sperm, what did they take from me?”
He froze in place. “I don’t know.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Don’t be nice. I bet they stole my eggs, didn’t they?”
Rehz suddenly appeared behind her. “What’s up, Lee?”
“They took my eggs, didn’t they?” She turned and grabbed a handful of Rehz’s black T-shirt. “Can you find out?”
Aled almost had to look away as the big, scarred man drew his mate into his arms and stroked her hair with unexpectedgentleness. “Sure, we’ll find out. I’ll get hold of every medical report I can find on you, and we’ll work it out.”
Aled finished hiskvasin one gulp and got another as Anna looked up into Rehz’s face and he kissed her. Since the kitchen exit was blocked, he vaulted over the countertop and headed for his room.
“Aled, stop.” He only turned because it was Anna calling him. She came toward him, her hand outstretched. “Don’t go. I wanted to ask you something.”
“What can I do for you, Anna Lee?”
Her smile was a mixture of sweet and sad. “I . . . wanted to thank you.”
“You already did.”
She came even closer. “I also wanted to offer you a place in our bed tonight.”
“I . . . what?”
“I know how hard it is to have sex after being with theUngrich. I thought you might like to start with me, or Rehz, or Kai. Or even all of us together.”
He couldn’t help his wary gaze shifting to Rehz, who appeared to be resigned and totally okay with the offer.
“It’s very kind of you, but I’ve never been attracted to females.” It wasn’t exactly true; he’d probably been with more women than men before the training, but Anna Lee didn’t need to know that.
“Then just take Rehz and Kai.” She bit her lip and her cheeks reddened. “As long as you don’t mind if I watch.”
“I would be honored if you wanted to watch, and I repeat: this is very kind of you, and I don’t want to give offense.” He smiled at her. “But I prefer one man at a time, and seeing as that particular man doesn’t want me, I’d rather sleep alone.”
“As you wish.” She kissed his cheek. “Be well, Aled, and thank you.”
He walked away, leaving a heavy silence behind him. If Kai didn’t believe he was wanted now, then there was nothing else Aled could do.
Kai turned away from the sound of Price’s door shutting, to find Rehz and Anna staring at him.
“What?”
Rehz raised an eyebrow. “You seem to have hurt your trainee’s feelings.”
“He’s still emotional about hisUngrichexperience, and he’s fixated on me as his savior.” Kai managed to shrug. “You know how it goes.”
“Nope, never happened to me.” Rehz looked down at Anna. “Even Lee wanted to kill me when she got out, but I talked her around.”
“Huh.” Anna poked Rehz hard in the chest. “I had to convince you that I was worth a shot. Kai is just like you. Both of you think you’re too damaged or unworthy to be loved.”
Rehz’s glance collided with his and they both looked away.
