Chapter 13
Despite my whispered promise to Naomi, I had no idea how to get her off the syto cruiser.
I sat on the floor, my back to the cot, and pondered our escape.
Naomi’s legs hung over my shoulders as she twisted my hair into braids.
The soft skin of her inner thighs brushed my neck, making it difficult to focus on my already muddled thoughts.
“How big is this ship?” she asked, her fingers catching on a tangle and ripping through it. I ignored the slight sting and considered how to reveal how ignorant I was.
“I do not know,” I admitted. “I’m only taken to the training room and the lab. I haven’t even been to the arena on this cruiser yet.”
Mentally retracing the path I’d taken when I was sold to this cruiser, I tried to remember if I’d seen anything that could help us.
“You haven’t been to the arena?” her fingers stilled on my hair. “I thought you were a gladiator?”
“I was sold to this cruiser recently. A month ago?” It was hard to judge the time before Naomi appeared. The last few decades felt like a hazy nightmare, this was real life, moments where I had Naomi close.
“So we have no idea what this place looks like.” Her voice was heavy with defeat and I flexed my shoulders at the urge to smash whatever was upsetting my female.
“I am sorry,” I murmured. “I am a fighter, not a thinker. Until I met you, I never thought of escape. I rarely thought at all.”
“It’s not your fault.” She scraped my hair away from my face and I shivered as her nails dragged over my scalp. “Before the world ended I was a receptionist. I’m not exactly bringing a lot of ass kicking battle skills to the table, either.”
“I will find a way to free you.” I swore, settling my hands over her knees. The intimacy of the position was both the best and worst thing I’d ever experienced. The scent of her surrounded me, her warmth seeped into my skin and my cock hadn’t stopped throbbing since she put her hands in my hair.
“I’m not holding you to that Carn,” she murmured. “It’s not your responsibility to save me. But I won’t stop you from helping if we come up with a plan.” Her last words ended on a chuckle and I let myself relax beneath her again.
“I will not claim you until we are free,” I said, my eyes closing in happiness as she twisted my hair around her finger. There was no memory in my clouded mind that could compare to this moment. If I could relive this forever, I would die happy.
She cleared her throat.
“I haven’t agreed to anything,” she warned. “I’m not sure I’m ready to marry someone and we just met.”
I tried not to cringe at that. The last thing I wanted to do was force Naomi into anything. The fantasy of being her mate filled my head and the words had popped out without permission.
“I will still help you, even if you don’t want me,” I hurried to assure her.
Firm hands pulled my head back until I was staring up at her face, her fingers pinning my brow in place.
“I didn’t say that, either.” One of her pale brows quirked up and I lashed my tail behind me in frustration.
“You are confusing me,” I huffed out. “I will help you no matter what, Naomi. You do not have to fear being honest if you do not want to be my mate.” My hand scraped over my misshapen horns and I sighed. “I’m aware I am not right, I’m barely a turoch anymore.”
She snorted and smacked my forehead.
“Don’t be dramatic. I don’t care if you look different than the other turochs. You look nothing like a human man and no turoch does. All I’m saying is I’m not ready to jump into a lifelong commitment yet. Maybe, if I have time, I would want that.”
I rubbed the spot she’d smacked even though it didn’t hurt at all.
“You would agree to being claimed, in time?”
She rolled her eyes and started another braid.
“I find you very attractive, Carn. I’m not sure if it’s because my world went up in flames and you’re big and scary and make me feel safe.
Or if I’d be interested in you anyway.” Her gaze went distant and she shrugged.
“I’ll never know because this is the life we’re living and Earth was invaded and you do make me feel safe in all this craziness. ”
I smiled at that.
“I will keep you safe, fearless female. If have to kill every syto on this ship and stomp them into mush to do it.”
She grimaced even as she chuckled at my words.
“That was really gross and really really sweet, big guy.”
And then she pressed a soft kiss to my eyebrow and shoved my head out of her lap. The contrast of her actions kept me off balance, but I let myself hope all the same.