"I'm sorry we had to leave before I could assure we found your family."
"It's okay. I wouldn't want to put everyone else on the ship at risk, no matter how badly I want to see them safe and sound." Hope's lip quivered and Viper desperately wanted to soothe her fear for her family.
"I have other ships searching for them. We don't believe the Morbo have reached the area your sister lives." He quickly reassured her.
Though she was sad, Viper was shocked that Hope was so accepting, particularly where it pertained to her family's safety, particularly since she was so outspoken otherwise. Many of the females in his family wouldn't have been so calm or understanding. Hope was constantly surprising him.
He never would've imagined that he'd like such a spirited female. Viper still wanted to grin at how she'd taken the ambassadors to task that afternoon. He could see now that his mate would never be content to just sit back at let him handle things the way a male traditionally would. She'd want to be involved.
Not only was Hope's personality different but also her body. She was delicate in coloring and stature, but certainly not in temperament. Hope was curvy and soft. The sight of her posterior, made him want to grip the luscious globes. The way her full breasts strained at her top, the tips of her nipples poking out, was positively tantalizing.
Viper shifted in his chair, uncomfortable with what his thoughts of Hope were doing to his groin. The calm flute continued its melody but sadly didn't relax him.
"You are close to your friends?" Viper asked since they had been talking about friends. His curiosity getting the best of him.
Hope nodded as she adjusted her blanket.
Viper had no idea how to even approach the delicate subject. He wanted to know specifically how close she was with her male friend. But then again did he really want to know? He might kill the male. Viper was doing his best to not let his jealousy control him since his reaction to the male earlier had made Hope angry. Viper had no doubt that she'd leave entirely if he couldn't reign in his possessiveness. But dammit it was hard! All he wanted to do was toss Hope over his shoulder and blockade them in a small room again.
"What is your relationship like with your male friend?" Viper asked but quickly followed; "We don't have a lot of male, female friendships among my people."
"We work together and will go to lunch or go out drinking. Just the usual stuff."
Viper wanted to growl at the thought of the male escorting his subeo.
"One time I got so trashed JP had to hold my hair while I puked in the bushes, then helped me home. It was pathetic, I was way too old to be doing that nonsense." Hope shook her head. "I don't know how I would've showered and made it to bed if JP hadn't helped me."
Viper really, really had to suppress the urge to kill. This male had seen his female nude.
"Hope is bonded with JP. I'm the usurper!" Viper was leveled by the sudden realization.
Viper felt as if his hearts were breaking. No wonder Hope rejected him. She already had a male. Why had the human male let Viper take Hope away? Was the male so afraid of him? What was Hope doing separated from JP by half a continent in the first place?
"I understand. I have come between you." Viper stated feeling miserable.
Hope snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Not hardly." She yawned. "The only way JP could come between us, is if he tried to steal you from me." Hope laughed quietly again as she closed her eyes and started to drift off.
"Steal me? Why would the male steal me?" Viper wondered.
He didn't understand what Hope was talking about, but liked the sound of her laugh. Instead Viper concentrated on the fact that Hope said he hadn't come between her and the male. Viper assumed that meant they weren't bonded or mated in the human tradition. That seemed odd if JP was showering with her and dressing her. Maybe he shouldn't have asked. Viper was more turned around than before.
Viper shifted uncomfortably in the chair, it looked nice but he was too damn tall. Hope roused and looked at the way his legs hung over the footrest.
"Why don't you take the other side of the bed. You look uncomfortable." She said groggily then drifted off again.
Viper looked at Hope in the large bed. There was more than enough room. Viper's hands flexed as his fingers itched to touch her. There'd be no way he could lay in that bed and not pull her close, Viper didn't trust himself. Hope only invited him to lay in the bed because she was a considerate female, not because she invited his touch. She had made that clear earlier today, and it was evident now by the way she dozed off. Instead he stayed in the chair and watched Hope sleep. Her scent was calm and peaceful as she made quiet snoring noises.