Quicksilver Dreams(175)

                “What the hell are you talking about? Why are you saying this?”

                “Because you aren’t saying anything, so I’m left guessing about what you think and feel. And now you’re accusing me of something, and I don’t deserve it. I’d rather just go home and take care of myself. I don’t need anyone.” I jerked the door of the closet open and grabbed my empty bag out of it. “I don’t know how you guys do this on your planet, but ...”

                “On my planet?”

                “Relationships.” I dumped the bag on the bed and turned to him. “I’m probably considered evil for sleeping with you when we’re not married, or something like that.”

                “No, you’re not. If you lived on my planet, I would ask your family for permission to court you.”

                “You need permission from the woman’s family?” I asked with some snarkiness.

                “Yes.” He tried to hold my gaze. “To show respect for both the woman and her family. It’s a promise that you’re going to protect her and care for her while she is with you, away from the safety of her family.”

                “And then what?” I asked curiously, crossing my arms. It sounded a lot like what he was doing with me.

                “And then I’d be allowed to be around you, take you places...like what you would do on Earth with a boyfriend, but more formal.”

                “What would you do with a girl who didn’t have a family?”

                His eyes burned into mine. “I’d ask her if she would consider allowing me to be in her life. Taylor, don’t go.”

                “Ryder...” I turned away uncertainly, a mixture of tenderness and fear clogging my throat.

                “Please, stay.” He came up behind me and curled his body around mine, his front to my back, his strong arms gently encasing my rib cage. His rumbling voice was soft against my ear. “Tell me I can be in your life.”

                “Why?”

                “I need you.” He paused a moment and nuzzled the side of my neck, inhaling deeply, which made goose bumps trail delicately down my arms. He rested his forehead against the back of my head before answering in his deep voice. It seemed vulnerable and naked. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. It’s making me crazy that your life is in danger, and it threw me for a loop that you were tied to my world and the world of my enemy, an enemy that I’ve warred against for my entire lifetime.”

                Reluctantly, I allowed myself to acknowledge that I understood that. I couldn’t fault him for that.

                “I don’t see you as an enemy.” He nuzzled my ear and squeezed me close to his hard body. “I see you as an innocent. I don’t usually lose control like this. I don’t recognize myself. I can’t seem to control my emotions when I’m around you.”

                I didn’t know what to think of that, except that it was working to warm the cold chill that had invaded my heart. “Then what’s this about? Why are you picking a fight with me?” My voice was softening, my spine bending, fitting into the curve of his body almost naturally.

                “He was looking at your legs. And you were smiling at him.” Ryder sighed.

                “Who is ‘he’? Who are you talking about?”

                “Sy.”