Page 39 of Indentured Companion
“I think we should probably discuss that at home, don’t you?”
“Oh, yes, of course I-” He starts to fluster.
“But the short answer is yes.” I grin, enjoying messing with my space vampire sweetheart. Oh good lord, he ismyspace vampire sweetheart, isn’t he? I don’t hesitate to defend him. I don’t hesitate to stand beside him. Ididhesitate to accept how I feel about him…but fuck it. I think I’m past that point too. “I am yours too, big guy.”
Vrajan makes another booming noise from his chest, startling the guests for a moment, before they realise what it is. He isn’t hissing or snarling this time. He’s purring. Vrajan rests his brow with mine, and we both shut our eyes. “Promise you’ll never abandon me?” I whisper so softly, I wonder if he can hear me. I don’t know what made me say that now, but I knowwhyI’ve asked it. If I’m truly accepting the fact that I, Valerie Stone, am totally and ridiculously in love with Vrajan, I need to know he won’t leave me like everyone else has. If I give him my heart, I need to know he will keep it safe.
“Never.” He doesn’t even hesitate. “AndI believe you knowwhy.” I open my eyes to see he’s looking deeply into mine. Yeah. I think he’s right. I do know why. I’ve known what ‘I care deeply for you’ has been covering for all this time.
“…I want to go home.”
“As do I.” He squeezes my hand on his lap and chuckles. “But that would be rather rude, don’t you think?” Oh yeah. We’re at the big boys and girls table. I groan with frustration and pout, which seems to make Vrajan laugh even more.
“Fine, but as soon as wecango home, we’re going home.” I point at his face with my free hand. “I mean it. We have shit to talk through, andstuffthat needs to happen.”
“Oh, I look forward to it.” He lifts my hand from his lap to kiss the knuckles through his veil. “But I feel I must warn you, that ‘stuff’ will likely have tothoroughlyhappen, before I’m capable of civilised conversation with you.” Hunger flashes in his eyes, his pupils dilating, and I feel it between my thighs.
“AHEM!” Ninthor calls out again with his hands up like ‘seriously?’ “Dynast, since it isapparentthat we are going to be honoured with both your presence, and the company of Miss Stone, might I ask that you conduct yourselves appropriately?”
“Lay off them.” The Sacron speaks up with a grin. “As long as they don’t start mounting each other in public, there’s no harm in some goo-goo eyes and hushed whispers, is there? I mean, ifmywife was here, the minx wouldn’t be able to keep her hands off me.” He barks with laughter, and Ninthor rubs his temples. I chuckle as well, and Justina gasps like she’s had a wonderful idea.
“Partners! From now on, let’s bring our spouses with us too! My husband has fantastic jokes. He has me laughing all the time.”
“Miss Stone isonlypresent as the Dynast’s feeding companion.” Getrata sneered, piping up from his seething stew with a snarl on both faces.
“Ay, she is, and she’s giving us all envy.”
“I would love to bring my girlfriend.” The lovely Sacron beside Justina cooed. “We hardly ever go outtogetherthese days. It would be nice.”
“Perhaps put it to a vote?” Vrajan offered with a grin.
“Why not?” Justina giggles and puts her hand up. “All in favour of inviting our spouses moving forward to social work events, raise a hand.” Everyone bar Ninthor and Getrata raised a hand. Vrajan even raised our clasped hands together, making me roll my eyes at him. “Then the motion is carried!”
“Is there a reason you don’t want to bring your partner with you?” The Sacron Councillor teased Ninthor.
“Olphan? You know why.” Ninthor chided him. Ah, that was his name. Olphan. “My husband is shy, and his work is very important.”
“Give him the choice. He might surprise you.” Justina winked at Ninthor, who scowled…but it melted into a pensive look. I keenly felt his gaze as he looked over me and Vrajan like he was weighing something up. I don’t know why, but I smiled at him and nodded with encouragement. Maybe he wouldn’t have such a stick up his ass if he had his partner here with him.
“Very well. I’ll ask him.”
And just like that, the conversation became full of excitement and anecdotes about their loved ones. Food arrived, we all ate apart from Vrajan, and no one commented on that at all! In fact, they continued to engage him in conversation over dinner. Getrata didn’t really speak at all for the rest of the evening, and he’s the only one I glared at in retaliation to the stink eye he kept giving me. Asshole.
Finally it was time to leave. The main Gala had been cleared out already, and security escorted us all to the docking ports to our own transfer shuttles. I yawned and stretched my arms out by my sides as we waited for our shuttle to dock.
“What time is it?” Vrajan also yawned and looked around us until he locked onto a wall clock.
“It is a little after 1am.”
“No wonder I’m tired.” I roll my shoulders and smile up at him. Sleep is fogging up the edges of my mind. “Time flies huh?”
“Indeed.” He held my hand as the shuttle docked and the doors opened. We walked side by side into the shuttle, and I can’t help but giggle when he yanks me down suddenly to sit on his lap. The door auto locks and the shuttle launches a few moments later. I snuggle to his chest, the chiffon soft against my cheek and his pecs below firm. I start to doze off when the shuttle docks at our cruiser. “It’s alright. I’ll carry you.” I am not going to complain.
Chapter 28
Noted.
Vrajan.
