Page 12 of Jorax
We sway in silence for a minute, Jorax’s movements stiff, as if afraid he’ll do the wrong thing or accidentally hurt me. I rub the knots at the back of his neck, inhaling his wild, masculine scent. Slowly he relaxes into my touch.
“See? Not so bad,” I murmur.
He watches my face as though it holds the secrets of the universe, oblivious to how his rugged allure makes my knees weak. My heart flutters at how sweet and serious he’s taking this lesson. It would be wonderful to see him completely let his guard down.
A picture flashes through my mind of him in the throes of passion, unguarded. Is it odd that I want to be the one who gives him that kind of physical bliss?
When I try to teach him the box step, counting out the rhythm, he grimaces in concentration, citrine eyes fixed on our feet. I bite my cheek so I won’t grin; he’s absolutely adorable.
“Ugh, I’m just clomping around,” he huffs when he steps on my toes for the third time, his stony face coloring darker green. “Maybe at the gala we can just watch everyone else dance.”
I smooth my palms over his shoulders. “You’re doing wonderfully for your first try. Just have patience with yourself.”
At my encouragement, some of the tension leaves his frame. He takes a deep breath and we try again. This time, when I count out the beat of the nonexistent music, Jorax manages several graceful steps before a slight misstep throws off our rhythm.
He growls in frustration and rakes a hand over the flat top of his head. “I knew this was a terrible idea. I’ve got all the grace of a drunken Rancorian.”
My heart cracks at his crest-fallen expression. Standing on tiptoe, I cup his rugged jaw tenderly.
“Hey, none of that. We’ve only just started. You should have seen me at my first ballet class—I was all elbows and knees, accidentally whacking the other girls. And don’t even get me started on my first—and last—day on point shoes.Brutal.”
That surprises a rumbling chuckle out of him. Buoyed, I ask about his inspiration for his current hypothesis so I can distract him from his self-consciousness. As I hoped, Jorax lights up, describing the bioluminescent phenomenon of theplythianfish from planet Abachae. His movements become smoother and more confident as he focuses on our conversation instead of the steps.
Pride for him swells inside me; his dedication to healing others through science is incredible. By the time the moon hangs heavy overhead, we’re gliding easily to our own rhythm. Jorax expertly whirls me under his arm, both of us laughing breathlessly.
“See? A natural,” I declare, slightly giddy from spinning, as well as his proximity. His eyes smolder down at me, their luminous citrine darkened almost to amber. My heart kicks into a gallop.
“A natural? Only because of your kindness and patience.” He brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear with a feather-light caress that makes me shiver. “I don’t know why you tolerate this stubborn beast.” Raw vulnerability edges his hushed voice.
Emotion clogs my throat. I take his dear face in both hands, willing him to feel every ounce of my sincerity. “You are the farthest thing from a beast, Jorax. You’re brilliant and compassionate, and in such a short time, you’ve become… important to me.”
His breath hitches, nails grazing my hip gently as he struggles for composure. When he finally speaks, his gravelly voice resonates with awe. “No one has ever looked at me the way you do, Syrryn.Not since…” Perhaps he’s not even aware that he whispers the word, “never,” so low it’s more breath than sound.
My eyes prickle. Overcome with tenderness, I guide his head down until our lips meet, pouring all I feel for him into this kiss. Jorax makes a helpless noise, crushing me closer as he returns my caresses with delicate restraint, even as passion flares hotter between us.
Reluctantly, I ease back, trying to suppress a shiver of pure emotion. Jorax rests his forehead against mine, both of us trembling as we bask in the intimacy of breathing each other’s air. His smoldering eyes brim with wonder and an emotion full of affection that steals my breath more thoroughly than his searing kisses.
Clasping his nape, I guide him to sway with me once more on our private dance floor. Hallion’s version of crickets chirp softly around us as we turn slow circles, bathed in moonglow. Jorax holds me securely against his pounding heart as though I am infinitely precious, his normally sad eyes alight with joy.
Here in his strong arms, gazing up at his beloved face, I know without any shred of doubt that I am completely falling for everything that makes him Jorax.
Chapter Fourteen
Jorax
My breath catches as I pull up to the rental house where Syrryn is staying. Through the window, I glimpse her hurrying to the door in a shimmering gown that clings to her curvy frame. She looks resplendent, an ethereal goddess gifted from the stars themselves.
Standing outside her door, I smooth my hands down the fashionable black formal jacket I’m wearing, suddenly self-conscious. I affixed various steampunk-style cogs and gears to my face in an attempt to camouflage my obvious shortcomings, but now I worry I look foolish instead of dashing. Seeing Syrryn’s radiance, I feel woefully undeserving of her companionship.
She opens the door the moment I knock and gives me a smile fit for a toothpaste ad.
“Syrryn…” I’m speechless. Thunderstruck. Tongue-tied as I drink her in from hair that’s adorned with tiny glowing lights to her glittering heels. My mouth goes dry at the alluring vision. Her smile outshines the tiny lights embellishing her delicate gown. “Breathtaking,” I manage. Though it’s not a full sentence, it’s absolutely true.
“Jorax, you look amazing!” Syrryn slips her hand into mine and glides down the walkway until she slides gracefully into the passenger seat. The clean scent of her shampoo and the underlying cinnamon sweetness of her skin envelop me.
“What a clever costume.” She’s looking at me with… what? Admiration? Appreciation? How would I know? No one has looked at me like this since before the explosion and the horrible aftermath decimated so much of my skin.
I duck my head, pulse skittering at her enthusiasm. “Not nearly as well done as yours, Syrryn. You look…” I falter, struggling for adequate words. “Like an ethereal princess.” I almost said goddess. I stopped myself at the last moment. That would have been so over the top it would have embarrassed her, made her wonder if I’m lying, though it’s absolutely true.
