Page 29 of Signed, Sealed, Seduced
The admission hangs between us like a charged particle in the air. I can feel my pulse accelerating, can see the way his gaze drops briefly to my throat where my heartbeat is probably visible.
“I didn’t mean to,” I say softly. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“I know.” His voice is gentle now, the hard edge of command replaced by something warmer. “Your reaction to the beacon’s nature, your immediate desire to warn me—these are not the actions of a willing saboteur.”
Relief floods through me so strongly it’s almost dizzying. “You believe me.”
“I believe you,” he confirms. “Though that does not diminish the danger. Someone has gone to considerable effort to place you in my fortress. Until we know why, you are both asset and liability.”
“So what happens now?” I ask, though I’m not sure I want to know the answer.
Instead of responding immediately, he moves closer, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. The heat radiating from his body is noticeable even through his armor, and I catch that scent again—wood and minerals and something uniquely him.
“Now,” he says, his voice dropping to that register that does strange things to my insides, “we discover who sent this. And why they chose you as their courier.”
He reaches out, his fingers brushing against my cheek in a gesture so unexpected it makes me gasp. His touch is warm, careful, as if I’m something precious rather than a potential threat.
“And you will help me,” he continues, his thumb tracing along my jawline. “Because whoever did this to you—whoever used you, violated your ship, your life—they will answer for it.”
The protective fury in his voice sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with fear. “You’re angry on my behalf,” I realize aloud.
“Someone harmed what is mine,” he says, the words rumbling from deep in his chest. “That is... unacceptable.”
What is mine. The possessive declaration should alarm me. Instead, it sends heat pooling low in my belly, makes me want to lean into his touch rather than pull away.
“I’m not yours,” I say, but there’s no conviction in the words.
His eyes darken, the crystalline markings on his face pulsing with deeper color. “Are you not?” he asks softly. “Then why does your heart race when I touch you? Why do you lean toward me rather than away?”
Because he’s right. I am leaning toward him, drawn by his warmth, his strength, the way he makes me feel protected rather than trapped.
“This is complicated,” I whisper.
“Yes,” he agrees. “It is.”
But he doesn’t move away. If anything, he steps closer, until there’s barely a breath of space between us. I can feel the heat radiating from his body, can see the way his chest rises and falls with controlled breathing.
“I should leave,” I say, but I don’t move. “As soon as my ship is fixed, I should go. This isn’t my fight.”
“Should,” he repeats, his voice a low rumble. “But will you?”
The question hangs in the air between us. I know the smart answer—yes, I should leave, get back to my simple life of delivering packages and avoiding complications. But looking up into his alien eyes, feeling the way his presence seems to surround me like a shield, I realize I don’t want to give him the smart answer.
“I don’t know,” I admit honestly.
Something that might be satisfaction flickers across his features. “Then we proceed as allies,” he says, his hand falling away from my face. “Partners in discovering the truth.”
“Partners,” I repeat, testing the word. “That’s not exactly how I’d describe our relationship so far.”
“No,” he agrees, and there’s something almost like amusement in his tone. “It has been... unconventional from the beginning.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “That’s one word for it.”
He reaches for the beacon, his movements careful and deliberate. “Your ship will be properly repaired,” he says,becoming more businesslike. “The damage was extensive, but my engineers are skilled. When you choose to leave, it will be your choice, not necessity.”
“And until then?”
“Until then, we hunt those who would use you against me.” His eyes meet mine again, and there’s something fierce in them now. “They made a mistake when they involved you, Suki Vega. They will learn the cost of that error.”
