Page 78 of Coveted

“We should.”

Vax hummed though he made no move to release her.

“Tell the Chancellor we’ll meet him on the landing field shortly.”

Varner acknowledged Vax’s request, the quiet bleep letting Alana know he’d ended the call. Vax’s warmth made her want to stay exactly where she was, but she knew the longer they kept her father waiting, the worse his temper would be. It was hard to resist the habit of reacting as soon as he made a request.

“Vax.”

He grumbled, letting out a low growl before releasing her and rolling onto his back. She pushed up onto her elbows, turning her head to drop a kiss where her head had rested on his arm.

“Do I have to?”

She chuckled, the tone of his question making him seem younger.

“Time to get up anyway. There’s work to do.”

His sigh followed her from the bed as she crossed to his bathroom. As much as she loved Vax’s scent on her, she couldn’tface her father without showering, knowing what they’d done the night before.

She was in and out as fast as possible, twisting her still damp hair into a bun to make herself presentable. Vax got into the shower after her, but was out before she’d finished dressing, and despite it not taking long, anxiety still pressed on her chest.

Vax stopped her before they left the room, putting both hands on her shoulders as he looked down at her.

“Relax. He can’t do anything to you now.”

She sucked in a stuttering breath, trying to explain the feeling of dread always associated with seeing her father. She loved him, but he’d controlled her for too long for her to be comfortable around him.

“We’re not bonded yet, maybe he could—”

“No.”

Vax pulled her against him as he cut her off, his brows lowered as he stared down at her. She could feel his chest vibrating as if he wanted to growl, but it was too quiet for her to hear.

“Only you can make that decision. He cannot control you any longer.”

She pressed her nose to his shirt, inhaling his cinnamon cocoa scent. She knew the rules, knew Vax was right, but the anxiety was still there.

“It’ll take time to believe that.”

Vax’s finger slipped under her chin, tipping her head back until she met his gaze again. The lines of his face had softened, and a small smile tipped his lips.

“I’ll believe enough for the both of us. And I’ll kick him off my planet if he tries anything.”

Alana huffed a laugh, the pressure on her chest easing. It was hard to remember she didn’t have to face everything alone anymore.

“Let’s go then. Then sooner he leaves, the better I’ll feel.”

Vax nodded before swooping down for a kiss. His tongue demanded entrance and she opened for him, but he kept it brief and released her before she got lost in the feel of him.

Her father was waiting outside his ship when they made it to the landing field, the look on his face telling Alana that he was irritated, though most people wouldn’t notice. Her gut clenched, but she tried to swallow the automatic reaction to duck her head and cower.

“Chancellor Ca’Harse, I’m sure Alana appreciates you waiting to say goodbye.”

Her father’s eyes narrowed at Vax but his lips lifted as if he smiled.

“I couldn’t possibly leave without having a moment with my daughter.”

He stopped and waited as if he expected Vax to leave, but Vax only pulled her closer to his side. Alana could feel the tension rising and she didn’t want it to get worse, so she knew she’d have to be the one to break through it, but making introductions when they already knew each other seemed pointless.

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