“No, we aren’t going to take over the world,” Ryder said. He sounded tired. His body seemed drained of energy, and he rested his head on my forehead with his eyes closed, as though the act of delving into my mind had sapped some of his energy. “I had to know.”
“Am I in the clear?” I asked sarcastically.
“I still don’t know how you did it, but you’re in the clear.”
“I’ve never even heard of that stuff, of course, being from the trailer park. We don’t get no book learnin’ ’bout no scientifical stuff.”
“I’m so tired of this war,” he murmured, more to himself. “Mylunate has been the source of our growth as a culture, but it’s also been the cause of so many of my people dying in war.”
“Yeah. Whatever. I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Next you’re going to tell me you’re from another planet.” I tugged at my wrists. He still wouldn’t let them loose.
“Taylor—” His deep voice was like sandpaper. Remorse and confusion tinged his proud features, along with lines of strain around his eyes and by his mouth. “I thought you were one of them. Betrayal and treason have become part of the water I swim in. You don’t understand what’s going on, but in time I’ll be able to explain.”
His eyes were suddenly so soulful and...sad. No, no, no. I couldn’t let him do this to me. I wanted to stay mad. I couldn’t be vulnerable to him. I needed to strengthen my resolve.
“Just, please...trust me? There are lives at stake. Please know that there are reasons beyond what you understand. This isn’t about you.” He watched for my reaction as though it somehow mattered. I squeezed my eyes shut, frustration washing over me. Against my will, my brain latched on to his request.
Trust. He wanted me to trust him. Was he trustworthy? He’d helped me at the club the other night with the guy and the roving hand, and he’d gone into my apartment for me, not even knowing if he was going into a dangerous situation. When I really looked up into his eyes, there was pain there. It wasn’t just that I saw the pain, but somehow I could feel it, and it was deep and dark. He seemed lost.
There it went. Done. My heart softened. I released a quivery breath and looked at him again.
Just like that, I felt the need to soothe those lines of worry, kiss them away and tell him I wasn’t one of the ones who would betray him. The sigh came from deep within my soul, filled with resignation.
And so began the stupid melting process.
Anyone can do anything to me, and if they’re sorry for it, I let them have another go at hurting me some more. Pretty sick, isn’t it? Always looking for approval from someone. It’s part of what makes me so dysfunctional and pathetic.
“It’s part of what makes you beautiful,” he said in his deep, growly voice, reading my surrender. My startled eyes flew to his.
Oh, yeah. He could read my mind now.
And it was kind of sexy how he just did that.
An awareness of his body pressed against mine started the butterflies in my lower regions. The sweetest desire settled over me with gentle shivers and a slow simmer in private places. I breathed in the newness of it, unable to break from his pale eyes. The veins of gold that braided through the green grew darker. They flared with heat. They turned hungry as he inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring.