between them. Still naked, he hurried down the steps as he searched for her. He followed her sweet flowery scent and found her trying to push open the front door. When it failed to open, she moved to the nearest window, but it didn’t budge either. She was wearing the yellow dress again, though in her haste to get dressed, it looked as though she’d put it on backwards.
He cleared his throat and waited for her to look at him. When she turned, her eyes went wide and she quickly looked away. “Jesus, Rem. Put some clothes on.”
He glanced down at himself. His cock was still hard and bobbed slightly with his movements. “I left my clothing upstairs.” He reached out a hand to her. “Come, Tyra. We are going back upstairs.” He wanted her back in his bedroom, where he could hopefully make a proper apology and then they could pick up where they’d left off. He still longed to make her his, to claim her as his mate.
She shook her head back and forth. Tears glimmered in her eyes and she blinked rapidly as she made another futile attempt to open the window. “Fuck!” she said, slamming a hand against the reinforced glass.
“Tyra,” he said, “I am sorry.” The apology felt strange on his tongue, as strange as the one he’d issued in the forest after grabbing her too hard. Before these instances, he couldn’t remember the last time he had apologized to anyone for anything. Perhaps when he was a child, or a young warrior. Gods. No wonder Jav was his only friend.
She exhaled a shuddering breath and stared at him, her expression wary as she remained pressed to the wall near the window. She made no move to step closer and he didn’t invade her space. He cursed his jealousy and the Marttiaxoxalian female who had caused him to harbor such distrust in his heart. Tyra didn’t look as though she accepted his apology. How could he mend the rift between them?
“I-I was wrong to react the way I did, my sweet mate. Please know that I am sorry.” He reached out his hand again, holding his breath and hoping she would take it.
“Rem, could we perhaps talk and get to know one another better before…” Her voice trailed off and her cheeks reddened. “Before we, um, go back upstairs.” She met his gaze and his heart clenched at the fear reflecting in her dark eyes. Fear he had caused.
“Yes, Tyra,” he answered without hesitation. He certainly wouldn’t force her to go back upstairs with him, not until she was comfortable doing so, anyway. How could he calm her? How could he erase the worry that glimmered in the depths of her eyes? He was vastly inexperienced with females. It had been many years since he’d spent more than a short moment speaking to one, let alone engaged in a full conversation. Suddenly, he felt woefully unprepared to accept a mate into his life. And yet, he couldn’t fathom letting Tyra go.
He still felt possessive of her, still ached to claim her as his forever.
After a tense moment, she finally stepped forward and reached out to take his hand. When their fingers touched, warmth flowed through him, a river of emotion that couldn’t be tamed.
Why was he drawn to Tyra unlike any other female?
As he pulled her closer, he experienced an emotion he hadn’t felt in ages, one that startled him to the very depths of his being. Hope.
He gathered her closer and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her to his chest as he stroked one hand through her hair. She shuddered against him but made no move to return his embrace. He couldn’t blame her, after the way he’d acted.
Her stomach abruptly grumbled, and he eagerly latched onto this distraction. He pulled back to stare down at her, still caressing his fingers through her soft tresses. He placed a finger beneath her chin, reveling in the silkiness of her skin. Were all human females so soft and delicate? Gods, he wanted to undress her again and run his hands all over her body. He wanted to examine every little part of her. He inhaled a deep breath, attempting to calm the desire that was rushing through him, and gave Tyra a brief smile.
“Come, my sweet mate, and I will get you settled in the sitting room while I prepare an early midday meal. It sounds as though you’re hungry.”
“I-I could eat. Thank you. That