Page 52 of Einar

Indecisionflits across her face as she contemplates whatIrelayed to her.

“Youdo not have to answer me now, and you are more than welcome to think about it.Iknow you may not be quite ready to socialize, and that is nothing to worry about.”

“I’llthink about it.Thankyou for letting me know and giving me the option.Rightnow, whatI’mmost interested in is food.”

Rumblingout a low laugh,Ipull a chair out for her to sit down while noting that there will have to be some adjustments made now that there are humans on board.Allof our furniture isRuksized, and not ideal for a species so much smaller.

“Whatwould you like to have for your meal?”

“Honestly,Ihave no idea.Thelast several years all of my meals were picked out for me.Roberthad me on a strict diet soIkept the figure he preferred me to have.”

Herquiet reply fills me with rage.However,Icannot let her see that.Sheis not yet to the point where she would believeIam angryforher, not at her.Fightingto keep my tone level,Iwait for her to scramble up into the chair before moving over to the replicator.

“Comenow, there must be something you enjoyed…?”

Shescrunches her precious little face up in contemplation.

“Hmmm.Canyou see if it has something similar to steak with potatoes and some sort of green vegetable?Steakis meat from a species of animal on earth called a cow, and potatoes are a tuber vegetable.”

Scrollingthrough the replicator under the human nutrients,Iam surprised to find that thissteakis listed, but thepotatoesare not.Thinkingabout her explanation,Ienter the sequence for the steak as well as two vegetables from my home planet.Oneis a tuber that grows under the soil, while the other is a leafy plant found in most dwelling gardens.Afew nano-tics later, the replicator dings, announcing it has finished creating our meal.Hittinganother button,Iselect a sweet, fizzy drink that is popular on many stations, and is favored by most females of multiple species.

Grabbingboth plates,Iamble back to the table, setting her plate of food down in front of her along with her beverage, before moving around the table across from her.Itis unlikely she will want me to sit next to her, let alone put her in my lap where she belongs so thatImay feed her, as is customary for someRukuhkpairs.Herdelighted cry makes satisfaction permeate me, as my chest swells with pride.

Finally,Ihave done something right that pleases her instead of causing her distress.

“Einar, this is delicious!Thetexture is a bit off, but the flavor is perfect, even if the not-potatoes are blue, and the leafy green veggie is actually orange.”

“Iam glad whatIselected is to your liking.”

Bothof us fall silent as we eat.Watchingmy mate relish each bite, sometimes emitting a small moan, becomes tortuous because my mind contemplates if she would make similar sounds wereIto pleasure her.Discreetly,Iadjust myself, trying to ease my pivy into a more comfortable position within my trousers.JustbecauseIam patient and understanding, does not meanIam not a male with base desires.

Herslim arm reaches for the cup next to her plate andIwait in anticipation.Aftera tentative sip, her exclamation of delight over the beverage makes me grin.

“Idon’t know what this fizzy pink stuff is, but it’s wonderful!”

Beamingover at her,Itake it as yet another win when my ugly countenance does not make her wince or shrink back in fear, but what truly gives me hope is the fact that she offers me a tiny grin in return.

ChapterThirty-Three

ROWAN

I’msofullI’mabout to pop … but the last piece of steak on my plate is taunting me with its flavorful deliciousness.Stabbingit with whatIassume is a fork,Ishove it into my mouth with a groan of appreciation, only to smirk whenIseeEinaradjust himself again.He’sbeen trying to be sneaky about it so he doesn’t make me uncomfortable, butI’velearned to be extra observant over the years.

So…

I’vebeen teasing him without mercy.

It’sa test and there is not one single part of me that feels bad about it.Ihave to know ifIam safe with him.Oh,Irealize whatRubyandKallentold me, and intellectuallyIunderstand it.

But.

Neitherof them can fathom whatI’vebeen through, so they can’t truly understand whyIneed to be sure that he won’t hurt me.Fatedmate bond or not.

Whichbrings me to the here and now.Sexuallyteasing the green giant in front of me that “fixed” me supper.He’sthe first guy that’s ever prepared a meal for me.Sure, he didn’t cook it from scratch, but the second he realizedIwas hungry, he set about fixing it.FromwhatI’veobserved so far, that is a big part of his personality.

Einaris a fixer.

Ifhe sees a problem, he does his best to remedy it for the ones he cares for and sinceI’msupposed to be his one true love,Ineed to know if this is all just an act to get me naked.

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