else?”
She thought about the shop. She was proud of what she’d accomplished with it, but art had been Geoff’s love not hers. “I need my family to be happy.”
“No one here expects you to live without your family. Natalie is very close with her family. She holo-coms them at least once a week and Salvo takes her home for dinner when they both have the energy. Would that sort of thing work for you?”
She hadn’t really thought about it, but he’d just described the relationship she’d had with her family ever since she moved to Arizona. “Then Natalie’s family knows that Salvo isn’t human?”
“Thanks to the battle born, humans aren’t terrified by aliens anymore. Accepting an ‘elf’ isn’t that much different.”
Especially, if her parents already knew about the Sarronti as her genetics indicated. “Does Salvo ever get tired of being an interdimensional chauffeur?”
“We all try not to abuse the privilege. Maybe we can coordinate our visits to Earth with Natalie so Salvo only has to make one trip.”
He’d said “our visits to Earth” which meant he intended to go with her. The knot of tension in her belly released and hope filled her being. “Does this mean we can have sex now?”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Absolutely!”
Chapter Six
Nikki and Jaron walked back to his cottage in companionable silence. Tension built with each stride but it was based in anticipation rather than uncertainty. They had known each other less than a week, yet they had been together continually since leaving Cretz so it felt much longer.
Stealing glances as they strolled along, Nikki was moved as always by the masculine grace in his features and movements. He was clearly aware of his handsomeness but he didn’t seem ruled by it. She had dated a male model once and he had been obsessed with his physical appearance. Jaron’s priorities and focus were much more balanced and selfless. He cared deeply about the rebellion. He was a loyal and supportive friend. And he cared about her.
She didn’t understand how their feelings for each other could have deepened so quickly, but there was no denying how desperately she wanted him or the scope of her longings. She ached for their physical joining, but she wanted so much more than sex. She wanted to share her thoughts and feelings with him, learn everything there was to know about him, and bask in the security that he knew her just as well.
They reached his cottage and went directly to the bedroom. Rather than turning on the lights, he deactivated the UV filters that darkened the windows. Moonlight spilled into the room providing enough illumination for them to see each other without disrupting the sensual mood.
He pulled her into his arms and claimed her mouth with a slow, deep kiss. He caressed her lips with his for long moments, teasing her with his patience. She parted her mouth, lightly tracing his lower lip with the tip of her tongue. A low moan rumbled up from his throat and his arms tightened around her. He pushed his tongue into her mouth as his hands roamed over her back.
Desire had smoldered inside them all week. It burst into flames and urged them onward. He pulled his tunic over his head and tossed it aside then tugged off his boots. Echoing his urgency, she removed her shoes and unfastened the front of her sleeveless blouse. He shucked his pants and reached for the fastenings on her skirt, but she caught his wrists and whispered, “Let me look at you first.”
“Finish undressing so we can look at each other.”
That seemed only fair, but she hesitated. One glance at his body told her that his form was as stunning as his face. She’d never been ashamed of her curves, had always been comfortable with her imperfections. But her lovers had always had imperfections too.
“What’s the matter? Our mind-link is shielded and I can still sense your anxiety.” He stroked her face with the back of his fingers as his gaze searched hers. “Are you a virgin?”
“No.” Challenged by the question, she shrugged out of the blouse and closely watched his reaction. His eyes narrowed then gleamed and he lowered his hand to cup one of her breasts.
“Lovely. Show me more.”
His sincere tone and passion-bright stare emboldened Nikki. Jaron could have any female he wanted, but he’d chosen her. She loosened the side seam of the skirt and let it slip down her legs. Jaron didn’t bother with undergarments, but Nikki felt