Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,47

cleansing chamber as it opened, allowing someone entry while she was in the shower. It had to be Lo'San, no one else had access to their quarters.

When he said nothing, she wiped away the fog on the glass-enclosed shower and found him standing there, looking back at her.

“I wish to apologize for my behavior,” he said simply, his face showing his guilt over walking away from her so coldly.

“It’s okay. I should have asked you if you wanted them to visit,” Synclare answered, as she stood there in the shower with hot water cascading down over her back.

“My behavior was not acceptable. No matter the situation, I should never have left you to deal with anything, especially my family, on your own. It will not happen again,” Lo'San promised.

“Thank you. I’m sorry, too,” Synclare said, quietly. “I only meant to make you happy, not upset you.”

“If you wish, we will have dinner with them this evening,” Lo'San said.

“Really? I’d like that. I think your mother would like that, too.”

“I have just left them. They seem to be interested in establishing communication again,” Lo'San said.

“So, maybe I didn’t screw up too badly?” Synclare asked.

Lo'San gave her a small smile and shook his head. “It will be fine, Sink Lar. I give you my word.”

“Okay.”

“You know my people are a matriarchal society,” Lo'San said.

“You’d explained that, yes,” she said.

“The females of my planet are very manipulative. They vie for the best matches, the best social positions, the most profitable situations. All the power is with the females. They think themselves beyond reproach in their machinations to achieve whatever it is they decide they desire.”

“Okay,” Synclare said.

“My mother is a master at all of it. When she attempted to better herself by arranging a mating on my behalf, I refused to be one of her pawns, and I left.”

“That is when you were claimed, right?” Synclare asked.

“Yes. I’m simply trying to explain to you that nothing any female on my planet does is without premeditation.”

Synclare nodded, understanding that he didn’t trust even his own mother.

“Just beware. I have been assured that all is as it seems, but remain guarded. Perhaps I will be proven wrong.”

“Do you hope to be?” Synclare asked, reaching up a hand to wipe away the steam that was beginning to fog the glass of the shower again, just in front of her face.

“I do,” Lo'San admitted. He stood there, watching the suggestion of her naked body through the steamy glass of the shower door. He wanted his mate, felt the need to touch her, taste her, make everything okay by showing her how much he loved her.

“Have you been in the water for very long?” Lo'San asked.

“Just for a little while,” she answered.

“I spoke with Re’Vahl just before I entered our quarters. He is on deck at the moment, and doing well. I have a few moments to spare. Perhaps I could join you?” Lo'San suggested.

Synclare smiled seductively and opened the shower door, inviting him in. “That would make me very, very happy.”

Lo'San pulled his uniform shirt off and dropped it to the floor as he toed off his boots, and reached for his pants. A rumbling purr sounded in his chest as he stepped barefoot and nude into the shower and Synclare’s arms went around him, pulling him closer. “You are all that matters to me, Sink Lar. Only you. As long as I have you, I don’t need anything, or anyone else,” he whispered. “Do you understand?” he asked.

Synclare nodded. “I do.”

Chapter 13

Synclare and Lo'San arrived in the commissary early and chose one of the larger tables that could accommodate Lo’San’s family comfortably.

“Shall we choose our meals?” Lo'San asked. “We’ve been waiting a suitable length of time and they have not arrived.”

“Yes, we can do that. Then we won’t have to leave the table at all once they arrive,” Synclare answered.

It didn’t take long before Lo'San had returned to their table, plates full of food and glasses of Synclare’s favorite fruity drink before them. They were laughing and whispering to one another when Lo’San’s smile fell.

Synclare’s laughter died off as she watched his expression turn cold and hard. She followed his gaze and found his family walking toward them across the large room, weaving their way through the tables.

“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly, leaning toward him. “I thought you wanted to have dinner with them? You were even the one to arrange it,” she pointed out.

“I did not know SHE was here,” Lo'San spat.

“Who? Your brother’s wife?”