Protector:A Scifi Alien Romance(34)
“Yes. But it’ll take however long it takes. Trust takes time.” Lore reached down and stroked her slim leg. He knew that better than anyone.
He heard her breath hitch. He knew she didn’t realize it, but she was incredibly sensitive to his touch, and he loved that. There was so much passion locked away inside this woman, and he wanted to help her set it free.
He trailed his fingers higher and she closed her legs, trapping his hand.
“I enjoyed last night,” she said primly, her muscles tightening. “Thank you.”
Lore rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “It was my pleasure.”
“As long as you understand that this is just sex. A biological response.”
“Oh?” He hated hearing her say that. It was strange, usually he was the one telling a woman that they were just having some fun. He pressed his fingers into her tense shoulders, massaging the knots of tension. When she tried to stifle her moan, he smiled.
“I think you enjoy a variety of women,” she said. “You have quite a smorgasbord of easy offerings.”
“You aren’t easy.”
Now she went stiff, turning her head to look at him. “So why are you here?”
“Because you fascinate me, Madeline.” He reached out, fingering her damp hair. “Because this isn’t just sex.”
Her eyes flashed. “Lore—”
“Because I’ve been in your position, your entire life destroyed, and I have to say, you’re coping a lot better than I did.”
“I don’t feel like I am.”
“One day at a time.”
She leaned back against him. “I liked it when I was in control of my life. When I knew what I was doing and I felt like myself.”
“Dushla, I think I should tell you that you’re in control here, as well. And you always seem to know what you’re doing.”
She froze, considering that, her gaze turning inward. Had she not realized how much she was doing around the House of Galen? How much she was helping in the search for Blaine?
Lore traced the shell of her ear and pretended to pluck out something. He held it out to her. A beautiful blue jewel the same shade as her eyes.
“It’s lovely.” She stared at it but didn’t touch it.
“Just take it.”
For a second, he was sure she was going to argue with him. Then she snatched it.
Then she really surprised him, turning in his lap to cup his cheeks. She yanked him forward for a deep kiss. It only took a microsecond for fire to thrum through his veins.
“I never expected anyone like you,” she whispered.
Those quiet words broke his heart. He knew what she really meant. That she never thought she deserved someone who cared about her. He pressed his mouth back to hers. He deepened the kiss and had them both groaning.
He rested his forehead against her. “Unfortunately, we have a meeting to go to, to get maps to the sewers.”
She pulled back, her gaze sharpening. “A meeting with whom?”
“With the information merchant.”
Her eyebrows rose. “The mysterious Zhim.”
“He’s really not mysterious. More annoying than anything. But yes, we’re meeting him at the spaceport. Apparently, he’s doing work there.”
Madeline shot to her feet, water sluicing off her body. “Then let’s get going.”
Chapter Eleven
Lore regretted leaving the nice, warm bath, and he regretted even more watching Madeline pull clothes over her naked curves. They strode into the living area where Raiden and Nero were waiting for them. Raiden was wearing his red cape and Nero wore a leather harness across his chest, topped with gray fur.
“Ready?” Raiden asked.
Lore nodded, watching Nero’s gaze move between him and Madeline. Yeah, it was pretty obvious what he and Madeline had been doing. “Any word from Galen?”
“Still locked up with the imperators,” Raiden answered.
Lore snatched a cloak from a nearby closet and held it up to Madeline. “Wear this.” The gray fabric was trimmed in red, and fastened with a medallion embossed with the House of Galen logo. “It marks you as House of Galen, and will give you some protection.”
She nodded, letting him clip it on. He stayed close to her as they left the arena and headed out into the city. As they stepped out into the morning sunshine, he watched Madeline take a second to lift her face to the sky and close her eyes.
He knew that she’d been kept in cages and ships for months, and it would take a long time for the memories of that to fade. He grabbed her hand, pleased when she let him, and they followed Raiden and Nero into the city streets.
Away from the towering spires of the District, the buildings of Kor Magna were simple, two-story buildings all made of local stone. During the day, the streets were filled with locals going about their business—working, heading to the underground market, herding their children to school. At night, it was a different place. People locked themselves in to avoid the dangerous gangs that roamed the darkened streets.