Page 102 of Lorran
“Our time together has been chaos, you said, and you could not think.”
“I…well, shit. I said that, and I apologize. I was tired, and it was a long day with Mikah, and I shouldn’t have said that.”
“But it was not untrue.”
“I do need stability and predictability,” she said. “But I know we’re still figuring out how to be with each other, and I’m liking the experience so far.”
He sighed deeply, his chest rising and falling. “Stability and predictability? That is not unreasonable.”
“All the ilities, really.”
“Civility?”
She wrinkled her nose.
“Tranquility,” he said, trying again.
Her lips tugged up in a half smile because her man was like sunshine. You just couldn’t keep him from shining.
“Flexibility,” he said, followed by a waggle of his eyebrows.
Or flirting.
“Yeah, that one, too. Stability and tranquility. I don’t think it’s too much to ask,” she said.
“You do not ask for nearly enough.”
“I already have all I need,” she answered.
Chapter 21
Lorran
Lorran made a list of all he needed to accomplish. Patrolling ships needed to be on alert for Caldar. He needed to arrange transport back to theJudgment. Arrangements had to be made for Saavi.
“Right, we’re going to have sex and you’re going to bite me,” Wyn said when they returned to their room.
Lorran’s mind halted at her words, dumping all other thoughts. “Yes?”
“Oh yes, having a gun waved around in my face made me realize that life is short. There’s never going to be a perfect time.” She twisted a curl around a finger in that way she did when nervous. “I know you wanted to wait and for it to be special, but it’ll be special because it’s you. I’m sorry if I’m being pushy but—”
He took her hand. “I thought I lost you.”
“I was too angry to be scared, but now it’s catching up with me. Oh my God, he had a gun. In my face.” She took a shaky breath. “Why am I freaking out now? It’s over.”
“The adrenaline is wearing off. Sit. A beverage will help.” He guided her to the ridiculously small table and prepared tea. The selection that came with the room was not ideal but, as his mate said, the perfect situation would never arrive. For a few terrible minutes, he thought he lost her.
He would embrace this experience fully.
With the tea poured, Lorran changed the viewscreen away from the planet to open space. Starlight twinkled on a black expanse.
He had Wyn move chairs so her back was to the window. As he sat, he realized that for all he thought about this moment, he hadn’t thought about what he would do or say. He planned the robes, the placement of the cups, and starlight behind his mate, but even that was a shadowy figure.
Lorran realized he was completely unprepared.
He hadn’t thought about what his mate would be like. Those details remained a blank in all his plans. Warriors had no say in choosing their mates. A male waited with as much patience as possible for a match to be found. There was little point in listing desired qualities. He could only control himself, his expectations, and focus on being a worthy mate.
Wyn held up her cup and sniffed at the tea.
