Page 32 of Lorran
“This is a onesie,” Wyn said.
“The fewer seams, the fewer vulnerable points.” He stripped off his shirt and had unbuckled his trousers when Wyn gasped and slapped a hand over her eyes.
“What are you doing?” Her body turned away, but her fingers widened enough for a peek.
“The suits are quite warm. It is better to wear minimal undergarments.” He pushed down his trousers and briefs. Her body stiffened, and she gave a small gasp, letting him know she appreciated the view.
“Not much for modesty, are you?” she asked.
“There is little room for privacy among warriors,” he said truthfully. Warriors learned to share accommodations, mess halls, equipment, locker rooms and nearly everything else. It was a communal life. TheJudgmenthad enough space to offer private cabins, which were little more than a bunk. A warrior only gained true privacy and space when they had a mate and, presumably, a family. “And you are my mate. I am not shy,” he added.
“Yeah, looks like you have nothing to be shy about.” Her cheeks darkened.
Adorable.
“Observe how to open and fasten the suit, or I will have to assist you while dressing,” he said.
Wyn nodded, removing her hand from her eyes. Her gaze swept over him, lingering at his hips, then his shoulders, followed by another glance down. His tattoos, normally black against his lavender complexion, itched and burned with attraction. A silvery fire spread up his thighs, torso, and arms, following her gaze.
Lorran grinned. He might be the little brother in the family, but he was not the littlest brother. Instead of sharing his very clever insight, he held up the armor. The seam at the side was not obvious, but it opened easily with a stroke. He shoved a foot into the armor. “The fabric is self-sealing and will adjust size when closed. The flexible soles on the feet provide traction and are magnetic. The closure is on the side.”
He twisted and pushed the edges together, and the fabric melded with ease. Working quickly, he sealed the other leg, pulled the suit over his hips, and put his arms through the sleeves. The fastener closed at the shoulder, and the entire suit tightened, shrinking to fit his form.
Wyn clutched the suit to her chest. “Can you go up front and close the door?”
“We are mates. Do not be shy,” he said.
“I don’t know you. No undressing in front of strangers.”
“I am not a stranger—”
“Oh my God, are you serious right now? I’ve known you for a few hours, and in that time you drugged me. By the way, if you had just asked, I would have agreed that the sedative was a good idea. You didn’t and I don’t know you, so that makes me feel vulnerable, which makes me upset. Next time, use your words like a big boy alien.”
“You are correct. I will use my words.”
She watched him, as if searching for deceit. “No joke about being a big boy?”
“You have seen my cock. I do not need to compensate with humor.”
She rolled her eyes, but a hint of amusement tugged at her lips. “Out.”
Lorran joined Mylomon at the helm and closed the partition.
As the shuttle approached,SRV-P11increased in size on the screen. The belly of the ship slowly rotated across the screen.
“The ship has failed to answer our hails. I believe it to be abandoned, as one escape pod has been deployed,” Mylomon said. “The likelihood of survivors has increased, but I detect no rescue beacon.”
The male’s words barely registered. Lorran focused on the situation with his mate. Despite their earlier game of Truth or Dare, they did not know each other. His mate felt uneasy around him.
Unacceptable.
Yet he was at a loss at how to bridge that gap. More games?
No. He had made a serious error, and playful games were no longer the solution. If he asked Seeran, he’d get a lecture. Mene might be more helpful, but he also defaulted to lectures.
Lorran dreaded asking his father. He knew his mother would say the best way for a newly mated couple to get to know each other would be to give her a grandson as soon as possible.
While that appealed to him, he did not think Wyn would approve of those tactics.
