Page 26 of Xara and the Xenobeast

“No,” she said, surprising herself with the ferocity of her tone. “I refuse to accept that.”

His head jerked up, eyes fixing on hers.

“You’re not a weapon. You’re not a beast. You’re a person.”

His head jerked up, a sudden desperate hope in his eyes, but then his face shuttered as he shook his head.

“Xenobeast.”

She crossed her arms and glared at him, taking refuge in anger to avoid the ache in her heart.

“Well, I refuse to call you that so you can either give me your real name or I’ll make one up.”

He shook his head again and for a moment she thought he was rejecting her offer, but then he spoke, the words halting and hesitant.

“Don’t... know.”

The hurt in his eyes made her want to gather him into her arms and hug him tight. Instead, she held out her hands.

“Come here. Please.”

He hesitated, then set aside his kill and washed his hands before reaching for her. Her hands looked ridiculously small in his but she did her best to tighten them around him as she studied his face.

“I think perhaps, Ash,” she said at last, and the silver of his eyes gleamed brighter.

“Ash?”

“Yes,” she confirmed. “I like it.”

She thought that he might object, but he remained silent. Then his hand lifted and the back of one claw stroked along her cheek, a surprisingly tender gesture.

“Xara,” he growled, as if testing the sound. “Ash.”

She smiled up at him, and his expression eased, the harsh lines of his face softening.

“Do you like it?”

Instead of answering, he lowered his head, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both fierce and possessive. Heat flooded her body, his hunger awakening her own. His claws threaded through her hair, sending prickles of desire down her spine.

“Oh,” she gasped as he deepened the kiss, and she clutched at his shoulders, anchoring herself to him. The powerful muscles shifted beneath her touch. He was all sharp angles and hard lines, the only softness the velvety tendrils that explored her with equal curiosity before he raised his head

His conflicted expression had returned but he didn’t immediately pull away. He bend his head, his forehead briefly touching hers before he finally stepped back and returned to his kill.

Despite the arousal still coursing through her body, she smiled as she went to rescue Trouble from the vines in which he entangled himself. She was making progress.

The rest of the day passed in a rhythm that was rapidly becoming familiar. He hunted and gathered while she tended the fire and the pups. She chatted cheerfully to him during their shared meals, telling him about her life on Earth, her research, her students.

He rarely responded, but she caught him watching her with those intense silver eyes, tracking her movements as she moved around their shared space. She half-expected, half-hoped he would join her at bedtime, but he remained by the fire and he was still there when she finally fell asleep. He was gone when she woke but she’d dreamed that he was holding her and his wild scent still surrounded her.

That day he returned early and began working in a small alcove at the back of their cave. Trouble immediately tried to investigate the odd sounds coming from the alcove, but Ash gently brought him back to her and she did her best to keep the pups out of his way, although she was as curious as they were.

He didn’t pause for the mid-day meal, and finally finished his project half way through the afternoon. He stepped out of the alcove and beckoned to her, that intriguing almost smile on his face.

“What have you been up to?” she teased as she joined him, then gasped with pleasure.

He’d created a small opening in the rock, allowing a natural spring to bubble out of the opening and gather in a wide basin beneath it before flowing down to the floor and under the wall.

“Running water? That’s marvelous!” She gave him an excited hug and smiled up at him. “Can I try it out? I’d love a real bath.”

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