Page 40 of Coveted

She gestured at the space next to her. For him the couch may be on the small side, but she could stretch out on the cushions perfectly fine.

“No, I shouldn’t have presumed and should have made arrangements before I came to get you. I didn’t think about it, but I can just take the extra bunk.”

Alana shook her head. She felt she had more than enough reason to insist on separate beds, but he didn’t need to leave the room entirely. He was right that he was supposed to become her mate, so she’d be sharing his room and bed eventually if everything worked out.

She had to admit she had no complaints so far. There had been a few bumps, but that was to be expected when two people were thrown together for the first time. She was sure there would be more, but they could figure them out when they came to them.

“It’s fine. I’ll feel bad if you go sleep somewhere else. This is your ship, your suite. You should stay.”

Vax’s eyes were locked on her, and she felt a flush spread up her chest as he continued to stare at her. Her core fluttered, and heat built beneath her skin at the way he was looking at her.

“Tell me you want me to stay, and I will.”

She shivered at the husk in his voice. He was sitting at his desk and she was on the couch, but the way he said it made it feel like he was right next to her, speaking into her ear, hot breath on her neck.

Her tongue slipped out to wet her lips and his gaze zeroed in on her mouth. Her insides quivered, but she forced herself to say the words.

“I want you to stay.”

It was nothing more than a whisper, but it was all she could manage as breath abandoned her. He continued watching her as his lips lifted in a smile, hungry eyes devouring her and making her want to squirm.

“Okay.”

His head turned and he went back to whatever he was working on, but Alana was left restless. She clenched her thighs, the squeeze nothing more than added frustration. It had barely been a day, yet she was already beginning to question how long she wanted to wait before giving in to the promise in Vax’s smile. She was nervous, but she was also curious, and she wasn’t sure which was stronger.

She tried to turn her attention to doing more research on education needs for children and where to get supplies andsuch, but she couldn’t focus. She found herself watching Vax as he worked, nimble fingers turning a projection in different directions as he studied it. Unlike the smooth hands of the alphas she’d danced with at the ball, she’d noticed Vax’s hands were rougher, and she shivered at the thought of what they’d feel like on her body.

Huffing in irritation when she realized where her thoughts were going again, she tossed the tablet aside and stood. She’d showered while he was working earlier and put on a soft pair of pants and loose shirt to sleep in, so there wasn’t much she needed to do before going to bed.

The little closet in the bathroom held extra linens, so she collected them and brought them back to the couch. She pulled her hair over her shoulder and braided the end to keep it out of her face before shaking out a blanket and smoothing it over the cushions.

Humming to herself as she layered more blankets and added a couple pillows, she was surprised to suddenly feel heat behind her. Jerking around with a gasp, her hands shot out on reflex when she lost her balance, latching onto soft fabric covering a broad chest.

Heat soaked into her palms. Vax’s shirt felt like nothing between their flesh, his heartbeat strong and steady beneath her touch, her fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of his pec as her head tipped back. His arms were wrapped around her, holding her upright, and for a moment she considered giving in and pressing herself to the length of his body.

“Are you okay?”

The words were slow to make sense, Alana having to shake herself to bring her focus back. She tried to take a step away from Vax, pushing against the circle of his arms until he let her go.

“Yes, sorry. I turned too fast.”

It took all her effort to peel her hands off his chest and let them hang at her sides.

“Sorry for startling you.”

His eyes moved over her face before going over her shoulder to the couch, then back to her face.

“Is your heat close?”

The question cleared her fuzzy brain, and she took another step back.

“What? No, why?”

Vax looked over her shoulder again and she turned around, finally seeing what she’d done to the couch. With three sides, it hadn’t taken much to add a fourth. The nest looked so cozy she wanted to sink into it, but it was the first time she’d ever built a nest in front of someone, and her ears burned as she turned back to Vax.

“I was just making it more comfortable. My heat won’t come until around the end of spring.”

She spoke to his chest but darted a glance up, noticing his frown.

---