Smiley(68)
She closed her eyes. He wanted her to love the sex but she was afraid she was going to fall in love with him. Her heart and body were connected. It was a package deal with her.
“Vanni? Look at me.” He kept hold of her face but stopped brushing his thumb along her cheek.
She couldn’t resist. His smile had vanished and the seriousness of his gaze held her full attention.
“That was apparently a bad joke. I meant to put you at ease. As I said, we will work this out. I want it too. There’s something powerful between us.”
“Your muscles?” She could try humor too.
His lips twitched. “You look tired.”
“I didn’t sleep much last night.”
“Nor did I. We need a nap.”
She nodded.
He slowly withdrew from her body. She hated the separation. The second he was off her though, she frantically shoved her shirt down to cover her lower half. Vanni sat up and reached for the edge of the couch to stand but Smiley gripped her hand instead. She looked up at him. He’d tugged his pants up but they weren’t zipped. The V of skin showing was an attention getter.
He pulled her to her feet and then surprised her by letting her hand go as he bent. One of his arms wrapped around her back and he hooked her behind her knees, just scooping her up as he straightened.
“I’m sleeping with you.” He turned with her in his arms. “We just shared sex and all I want to do now is strip us both naked and hold you close.”
She put her arm around his neck and didn’t protest. He carried her down the hallway into the bedroom. “How did you know I picked this one?”
“Scent. I’d know yours anywhere.”
Vanni bit her lip and said nothing. It was a strange thing but he was New Species. He gently set her on the bed and stood. He tore his tank top off and then shoved his jeans down. She stared at his body, a little in awe. Every ripple of muscle displayed on his arms, chest, and stomach were testament to how fit he was.
“Jeez.”
Smiley froze. “What’s wrong?”
“Your body is perfect.”
He blinked at her a few times. “No.” He turned around.
Faint scars marred his lower spine. She was on her feet and reaching her trembling hand outward before she gave it any thought. Smiley peered at her over his shoulder. She jerked her fingertips away, worried he might not want her to do that.
“You can touch me anywhere.” He seemed to guess her thoughts. “They don’t hurt.”
She traced one of the thicker ones. “How did you get these?”
“I killed one of the technicians and this was my punishment. They whipped me. It was worth it. He abused females.”
Horror washed through her. “Oh Smiley.”
He spun to face her. “I’m not perfect. That’s why I showed you those. I’ve had to kill to survive or to make certain others of my kind survived.” A muscle in his jaw jerked. “Do you want me to leave?”
She shook her head. “No. Why would you even ask that?”
“The look in your eyes. You’re revolted.”
“By what was done to you. Not anything else.”
He reached out and took her hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb. “It’s important that you know the real me. I usually have a good temperament but I will kill to protect those I care for. I’d kill for you.”
Her knees felt a little weak. She may have swayed a little on her feet because Smiley took a step closer and wrapped his arm around her waist, helping to steady her. No man had ever said those words to her but she could tell he meant them.
“I’d never hurt you though. I never want you to be afraid of me.”
“I’m not.”
“Good. Your opinion of me is important. I don’t want any lies between us, Vanni. I want you to accept me for who I am, instead of just showing you the better sides of me. I try to be the best male I can be but I have flaws. Everyone does.”
“I know I do,” she admitted.
He grinned. “Tell me a few.”
“Beth tells me I’m too trusting because I don’t want to be one of those negative people who always look for deceit in others. My older sister is like that and she’s a downer. I always look for bright sides.”
“I think that’s a good trait.”
“I didn’t see what a liar Carl was.”
He scowled. “That male didn’t deserve you.”
“Thank you.”
He jerked his head toward the bed. “Let’s rest.” He released her and gently nudged her closer to it. “Take everything off.”
She hesitated but then tore the shirt over her head. It was probably the fastest she’d ever climbed under the covers in her life. Smiley might have some scars but he did have a perfect body otherwise. It made her more aware of her flaws. She peered at him while he went to the curtains and pulled the thick drapes closed to block out a lot of the light. He approached the bed and climbed in.