The Alien's Equal (Drixonian Warrior #7) - Ella Maven Page 0,4
to the sound already. “Not at all.”
I nodded with an exaggerated frown. “You’re right. He’s much more handsome than me.”
She shook her head, that delighted smile still on her face. “No, he doesn’t hold a candle to the Drix.”
I didn’t know what her saying meant, but the way her eyes sparkled at me, I didn’t really care. We stood there, grinning stupidly at each other before her cheeks reddened and she looked away. “So, um, the repair.”
Moment broken, I stepped toward the center of the room. “Ah yes, this repair. What do you need help with?”
“My lantern, um, sometimes I worry it’s overheating.”
“Overheating?”
“Yeah, it gets too hot.”
Seeing as a flame flickered inside, she was right that it did get hot. But the casing of the lantern ensured it was cool to the touch. I reached for it, placing my fingers along the top, bottom, and sides. “Feels okay to me.”
“Oh, really? Maybe it was just … maybe I imagined it.” She clapped her hands together. “Well that solves it. So, thanks for—”
I stepped behind her and wrapped my fingers around her wrist. “Let’s make sure. You feel it.”
Her body quivered, and my forearm brushed the underside of her breast. When her eyes met mine over her shoulder, the flame flickered there in her pupils. “What?”
“You might be more susceptible to high temperatures. You tell me if it’s too warm for you.”
Her chest heaved, and the tendons in her wrist bulged as she flexed her fingers. After a heavy swallow, she nodded. “Okay.”
With my other hand, I let the side of the lantern brush along her fingertips. “Too hot?”
“No,” she whispered. I admired the way the flames caused the light to dance across her face. A flush rose in her cheeks, coloring the skin to a pretty pink.
I ignored the way my cock thickened in my pants. I’d gotten used to it reacting to her presence after nearly a lifetime of inaction. When our females died in the virus, so did our libidos—until these human females showed up and woke us up. I resisted pressing closer to her but inhaled the fresh scene of her hair.
Her skin felt so soft and delicate under my fingers, reminding me how fragile these females could be and why we had a duty to protect them.
I placed her palm on top of the lantern. “How’s that?”
“Fine.” Her voice quivered, and a shiver ran down her spine. She panted softly, causing her hardened nipples to rise and fall against the fabric of her shirt.
I was so hypnotized, I nearly forgot what I was doing.
Next, I placed the lantern on top of the back of her hand. I leaned down until my lips skimmed the rim of her ear.
A breath left her on a rough exhale.
“And now?”
“Feels good,” she whispered breathlessly. Her body swayed into mine, and for a brief moment, I felt what it would be like hold the skittish female in my arms. Then, as if she realized what was happened, her back stiffened and she cleared her throat. “I mean, it’s fine.” Her tone was cold and emotionless.
I could feel her start to pull away as she became aware of our proximity. I couldn’t push my Justine. I knew that, no matter how badly I wanted to draw her into my arms and press my lips to hers.
Releasing her wrist and stepping away, I placed the lantern back on her side table. She didn’t move and continued to stand where I’d left her, her opposite hand circling the wrist I’d held. “Justine?”
“Thank you for your help, Nero. I appreciate it.” Her back still to me, she walked over to her bed and began fussing with the furs.
This was as far as I could push her tonight. And while I wished to make her mine, I felt almost giddy at how much she’d let me in tonight. I’d felt her reaction to me, and that would carry me for many rotations. Knowing it was time for me to make my exit, I took a step toward the door. “Sure. And in the future Justine, mingoes have a nasty bite and prefer raw meat.”
She froze and then slowly turned on her heel to meet my gaze. Angry fire flamed in hers as her nostrils flared. “Excuse me?”
“If you’re going to feed mingoes—”
“You saw it?”
“I heard it eating before I even turned the corner.”
Her eyes went wide as she sputtered. “And you … you … why didn’t you tell me?” Her hand flung out, nearly sending a