Obsidian(72)
He tensed a little until he realized she was cleaning him with it. His body relaxed. “You are tending to me.”
“Yes.” She could stare into his eyes endlessly. “You look pretty comfy right where you are.” She tossed the towel toward the bathroom when she was done, happy she hit the tile floor with her aim. “It’s got to be past the time you usually go to bed. Tired?” She stretched out naked next to him.
He rolled to his side to face her. “I liked that.”
“I know. So did I.”
He glanced down her body. “You were aroused.” His nostrils flared as he sniffed. “I want to tend to you.”
“Why don’t we get some sleep first?” She was tired. It had been a long, emotionally draining day between dealing with the stress of her possible future and the argument she’d had with him earlier. “I could use a few hours sleep.”
He used his arm to brace his head to peer down at her. “You don’t want me to mount you?”
“I do. Just give me a few hours rest.”
“You’re human.”
She wanted to flinch. He said it as though it were a bad thing, from the brusque tone he used. She wondered if he regretted coming to her house. “I am.”
A smile suddenly changed his features into downright handsome. “I enjoy our differences.” He shifted to lie on his back and glanced at her. “Curl into me tight.”
She wiggled closer and hooked her leg over his, one hand on his chest, and lifted her head when he adjusted his arm to pillow her. His warmth was welcome and she remembered the light was still on.
“One of us should turn that off.”
His hand rested over the top of hers, pinning it over his heart. “Later. I just want to hold you.”
Her eyes closed as she yawned. “That’s a good thing about being a doctor. I can sleep anywhere, at any time, under any circumstances. I just thought it would bother you.”
“I have all I need.”
She smiled against his skin. “Me too.” She’d worry about tomorrow when it came. Right at that moment they were together and it was all that mattered.
Chapter Fifteen
Alli watched Obsidian eat breakfast, amused. He sniffed at the sausage and his tongue darted out to lick it before cautiously taking a nibble. His dark gaze fixed on her while he chewed after finally taking a bite.
“I told you it was safe to eat.”
“They didn’t bring this on a tray.”
“I cooked it.”
Eyebrows arched while he studied her. “How?”
Her thumb jerked in the direction of the stove. “On the stovetop. It heats and cooks food.”
He rose slowly to his feet. “Teach me now.”
She sipped her coffee but didn’t budge. “It’s not that simple.”
He settled back in his chair, watching her as though she might start pulling rabbits from a hat or something. She grinned while holding his stare. “It’s not magical or anything. It’s basic living skills. I’ll let you watch me fix lunch in a few hours. That’s how I learned. My mom taught me.”
She studied his handsome features. He looked well rested. His hair was still wet. Her hand reached up to push back her own wet strands. They’d woken, made love and she’d gotten out of the shower first to make scrambled eggs, sausage and toast for them to share.
“What was that like?”
“Learning how to cook? Kind of boring, actually. I didn’t really want to but she insisted I should have those skills. I’m glad I do now.”
“What was it like having a mother?”
Her humor fled quickly. It reminded her of his upbringing in a cold setting by Mercile Industries. “My parents were terrific. They remained together until I was in my teens before they got divorced.”
“What is that?”
“They decided they’d grown apart over the years and stopped living together. Both of them met great people though and remarried. I get along great with my stepparents.”
A look of horror wrinkled his face. “They stopped living together and are with other mates?”
“Yes.”
A low growl rumbled from him. “That’s wrong. Mates are forever.”
She took a deep breath. “Humans tend to get divorced often. Fifty years ago not so much but these are modern times. People grow apart and they leave if they are unhappy to be with someone else who makes their lives better.”
“You aren’t leaving me. You’re happy.”
She was stunned.
“I’ll kill any male who attempts to lure you away.”
She decided against being disturbed by the threat, knowing he wasn’t exactly like other men. Alarm bells would normally be going off inside her head if anyone said that to her. “I’m not your mate,” she gently reminded him.