Page 30 of Warrior Revealed

It didn’t help that Aculus grew uncomfortably quiet as they made their way toward the sleeping quarters. He’d wanted to talk to her this morning, too, looking just as somber as he did now. She thought he was going to give her the brush-off, but after what happened in the hall, that obviously wasn’t the case. He was serious with his crew, but never with her. With her he teased and flirted. The only time he’d been grim with her was when…

“This is about my dad, isn’t it?” she blurt, starting to panic. “What did Cartil tell you? He said there was a chance Dad’s condition could degrade even in stasis.” She pulled in a sobbing breath, tears springing from her eyes.

Aculus’ eyes grew incredibly wide. “No.” He shifted everything to one hand so he could pull her into a hug. “It’s nothing like that.”

He swiftly ushered her to her room, which was the closest, and set the pet supplies at the end of the bed.

“So, you don’t have bad news?” She gazed up at him, trying to gauge if he was just telling her what she wanted to hear or not.

“No. Your sire’s condition hasn’t changed.” He tugged her onto his lap as he sat on her bed.

She pulled in a shuddering breath and tried to calm down, but the tears kept trickling down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry. You kept telling me you needed to talk today, looking all serious, and I jumped to conclusions. I’ve been so high-strung lately. I’m sure all that’s happened is status quo for you, but not me. It’s totally insane for me. My sister’s alive but now two of them are going to be living on a whole new planet. And Dad’s supposedly going to get better, but there’s a chance he won’t. A big chance in my mind, because I don’t understand any of this technology. I just can’t shake the feeling these last few days have been the calm before the storm. Any minute the other boot’s going to drop. And say everything goes perfect, what are we going to do when we get back home? We’ll have to hide from the government. I probably won’t get to see April and Bethany for fear of putting them in harm’s way. Everything has changed so fast and I’m having a really hard time keeping up,” she weepily babbled, letting out the fears that had been hounding her.

“I’m sorry.” Aculus wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his firm chest. “I wish I could fix this for you. Believe me, I understand what if feels like when life suddenly changes.” He kissed the top of her head.

She relaxed against him, soaking up the comfort he was offering as she attempted to pull herself together. Aculus rubbed her back and nuzzled her hair. For as much as they taunted each other, he was also amazingly supportive. Aculus made it possible for the Cadi to go to Earth so she could learn Providence still lived. He was the one who provided the armor that saved Abby when the cruiser crashed. And he was the one giving her father a second chance at life. Not to mention he’d generously given her anything she requested, not that she’d asked for much, but still.

“I feel like such an insecure, needy freak. You’ve tried to talk to me twice and both times I’ve unloaded my bullshit on you. You totally didn’t deserve any of that. What was it you really wanted to talk to me about?”

“It can wait. You’re dealing with enough,” he murmured into her hair.

Nadzia frowned and looked up at him. She smiled momentarily seeing his shell had receded, revealing his amazing skin. The sight of his electrifying eyes almost made her forget what she was going to say.

“That doesn’t make me feel better. You obviously wanted to tell me something important and my garbage got in the way.” She patted his chest.

Aculus sighed. “It’s complicated. But I wasn’t just agreeing when I said I understand life changing. I met you, ivory beauty, and my life changed. You’re funny, gorgeous and, despite what you think, have taken all these changes very well,” he admitted, his hand shifting to cup her cheek.

“Oh.” She smiled at him.

There he goes again, making me feel better.

“I know you accuse me of being overly friendly with females, and you’re probably right. But I never softened for any of them. I’m totally exposed with you.” Aculus caressed her cheek as he cradled her, while sitting on the bed.

Hearing that he’d only revealed himself to her made her heart skip a beat.

“Oh.” Her grin broadened. “Well, I have to admit, you’ve kept me sane these last few days. And I shouldn’t really judge you since I’m hardly innocent.”

“No. Really?” He looked down at her, feigning surprise.

She snorted. There it was again, his mischievous side.

“To think I was about to tell you I’m pretty fond of you, too.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

As she pulled her tongue back in, Aculus swooped in and kissed her.

“Mmm,” she sighed then moaned.

His kiss was gentle and sweet at first, then like the man, turned playful as he nibbled her lips and explored her mouth. She caressed his strong chest, then meandered lower to feel his washboard abs. Twin bulges wedged against his stomach, beneath the suit, made her pause and Aculus groan. She pulled back and looked down at his lap, where his pants were pulled taut across his cocks.

“How can those things be comfortable trapped in your suit, let alone your shell?” she asked.

“You have madethingsvery hard lately.” Aculus tugged her closer and rubbed his arousals against her hip.

“Aw, poor Aculus. We can’t have that.” She shifted so she was straddling his lap. “The suit will just have to come off.”

“Done.” Aculus eagerly gripped his collar and yanked, splitting his suit open to the waist.

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