Page 20 of Zinnia and the Zombie
“Because I’m not alone,” she admitted. “I will miss Earth…” She trailed off, thinking of the Jensens, of the flower shop, of thesmall apartment that had become her home. “But at least you’re here.”
His expression softened. “Yes. We are here together.”
They were stranded on an alien world, but they had each other. After a lifetime of feeling alone even in crowded rooms, there was comfort in this strange partnership. Perhaps more than partnership, she thought as he stood and moved around the fire, his purple eyes glowing.
He knelt beside her, reaching for her hand. A current of electricity seemed to arc between them. She swallowed hard, unable to look away.
“My Zinnia,” he murmured, lifting her hand to his lips. “I am honored that you wish me as your companion.”
“It’s not like I had a choice,” she whispered, unable to keep a small note of challenge from her voice.
“No. We did not choose this path, but I find myself grateful for it.”
“I am glad you’re here too,” she admitted, the words seeming inadequate.
He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips to her palm. Another spark shot through her and her breath caught.
“Jaxx,” she said shakily, “what are you doing?”
“What do you wish me to do?” His voice was a low rumble, vibrating through her body and settling in the pit of her stomach.
“I’m not sure.” She should have pulled her hand away, but she didn’t. “I told you, I’m…”
“Afraid? I swear I will never hurt you.”
Despite everything, she believed him.
“I know,” she said, a shiver running through her body.
“Then may I kiss you, my Zinnia?”
“Yes.” The word came out barely louder than a breath, but his eyes blazed and a wave of golden light rippled across his skin.
His big hand cupped the back of her head, holding her still as his mouth descended. The moment their lips touched, the world seemed to fade away, leaving nothing but heat and need and the feeling of his lips moving against her own.
“Zinnia,” he growled, deepening the kiss, and the sound of her name on his lips sent another wave of heat through her body.
Her free hand curled around his neck, pulling him closer, and he responded by drawing her into his lap, kissing her hungrily. Her hands traveled over his broad shoulders, then skimmed across the armored planes of his chest, his skin warm and hard beneath her fingers. She followed the trail down his stomach, then suddenly remembered that it continued uninterrupted down over his loins. His people must be able to have sex, but how?
“How do you have sex?” she gasped, pulling back.
“With my mating organ,” he said, trying to recapture her lips.
“But where is it?”
He finally raised his head, giving her a confused look.
“My lamellae protect it while it is dormant.”
“And if it’s not dormant?”
“Then my lamellae draw back and out of the way.”
“Out of the way for what?”
“For mating,” he said, his voice dropping. “And for pleasure.”
She stared up at him, the implications slowly sinking in.
