Chapter 18
Vaelor
He had set up the tent and bedding, then ate and watched Mara talking to the Bestial female across the fire pit. She had such compassion in her for the other female’s loss. It gave him a moment to observe her.
The kiss they shared was still playing in his mind and affecting his body.
No female had ever affected him so strongly.
She made him want to forget his mission and concentrate on her.
He loved how the firelight danced across her face.
Her blue eyes sparkled when she talked and was animated, her hands making motions. It was… adorable.
Some of the males tried talking to him. But his mind and eyes were on Mara. Was she okay? Was she warm enough? He wondered what animal life was out there that he might be able to hunt down and cook for her.
These were all crazy thoughts. He wasn’t on his home world trying to woo his female. This was not the time or place for that. But he couldn’t stop thinking about Mara. Vaelor might even say that there was a slight chance he was obsessed with her.
When she stood up to go to their tent, he followed. He heard her voice.
“What the hell?”
“What is wrong?” he asked, stepping into the tent.
She turned to face him. “Where’s my bedding?”
“I thought sharing my bed would be better. Your biosuit isn’t moderating your body temperature. I give off more body heat.”
Her cheeks pinkened.
“Is that a good idea? Would it be crossing a line and complicating things?” she asked.
“This is simply about keeping you warm and alive.”
He watched as different expressions crossed her lovely face. Finally, she nodded with her agreement.
Vaelor got in first, turning his back so that she would feel more comfortable without him watching her. She pulled the sheet back and got inside. Once they were both laying down, the tent’s inner lights dimmed off.
“How is it so warm here already?” she asked.
“It’s my natural body temperature core.”
“So, you could probably go without the biosuit?”
“Yes. I would give you mine, but the technicians adjusted it specifically for my anatomy. It would be much cooler on you.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to suggest you give me your suit. Plus, you don’t have anything to wear. You can’t go naked.”
He laughed. “It is definitely too cold to go naked, even for me.”
It got quiet. Vaelor wondered if she was picturing him without his clothes. He hoped so. That would mean that she was just as affected by him as he was by her.
Her quiet sobs had him turning on his other side to face her.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Cold?”
“It’s… it’s not…”
Vaelor couldn’t stop himself from pulling her into his arms. Her head was against his chest. He said calming words in his own language while rubbing her back.
“Yo ton ti lattan.”
“What does that mean?” she asked.
“It means… I am with you little one. Tell me what has upset you.”
“It’s been a long grueling day. I’ve never seen anyone die before, not like that.”
“I’m sorry you had to experience the worst of the games. Death caused by something like this is senseless.”
“I knew people have been injured and even died from the games. But I think I was in denial about all of it.”
“Perhaps it’s time to withdraw from the games and go home.”
She pulled back to look at him. “No! Why would you suggest such a thing?”
“This is dangerous, Mara. It could have been you that had fallen in the water.”
“Could have been you just as easily.”
“That is true.”
“If I withdraw, you will automatically be disqualified. What happens to your people then?”
“Being in the games achieved one of my goals. My planet is now a recognized part of the Galactic Nations. That will bring much needed protection and trade.”
“But if you win, the money will be able to do a lot more for your people. Besides, my father needs that treatment, he will die without it. No, I am not withdrawing from the games. I’m going to fight to win.”
He rubbed her arm to sooth her. She was very determined and had an inner core of strength.
“Very well.”
She eased a little with the decision made. “We just need to look out for one another and trust each other.”
“Agreed. What did the Bestial female talk to you about?”
“Her name is Gora. We mostly talked about Beast, the male who died.”
“They weren’t mates.”
“No, but they connected.”
He snorted. “They… connected quite a few times—loudly.”
She hit his chest lightly. Not hard enough to hurt him.
“They weren’t mates, but she cared about him. His loss hurts her. Talking to her about it not only helped her, it helped me.”
“How?”
“She reminded me that life is too short to waste it.”
“You know that already.”
“Yes, but Gora’s take on it is that you should go after what you want at full speed and not let anyone stop you.”
“What is it that you want?” he asked.
She reached up and touched his face. Her fingertips were light and warm. It surprised him at first but then he leaned forward to get more contact with her.
“I want to kiss you again,” she whispered.
“I want that too,” he admitted.
He held still as she moved toward him. It was hard to do since every impulse in him wanted him to pounce. But that could scare her away. This needed to be her choice.
Her soft lips touched him gently. Exploring and learning everything about him. He only touched her waist to steady her. When her teeth nibbled his bottom lip, he growled with need.
He lifted one hand to her face, thumb brushing her cheek, and drew her closer as he kissed her back—deeper now, surer. Heat flared between them, sharp and intoxicating, the world narrowing to the feel of her lips and the quiet rush of her breath.
When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against hers, both of them breathing harder than before.
“We should rest,” he said, though every part of him argued otherwise.
Mara smiled, eyes bright, and nodded. “Tomorrow’s going to be hard.”
“Yes,” he agreed softly.
And as they settled down in bed, the memory of her kiss stayed with him—warming him in a way the fire never could and keeping him awake long after her breathing evened in sleep.
This female was becoming someone he suspected he would not be able to walk away from at all.