Chapter 7
SEVEN
Kim found Klae in his quarters, at his console. He didn’t see her as she slipped inside, so she took the opportunity to watch him.
His attention moved over the large screen, packed with data in various languages. His blue tail unconsciously twitched as he worked. His hands flicked all over the screen, addressing a mind-boggling array of data. It scrolled in lines of multicolored text.
The gravity of Klae’s responsibilities became very clear as she watched him. He was methodical, moving from one message to another. He seemed to know exactly how to prioritize them and rarely took more than a moment to decide and reply.
She waited until he came to what looked like a natural pause, to softly say, “Klae.”
He froze, but didn’t turn around. “Can I help you, Kim?”
Ugh, she hated the cool tone of his voice and the tense line of his shoulders. “I—I was hoping to talk with you.”
He turned, but his expression was guarded. “About what?”
“Look, I’m bad at this.” She pulled in a deep breath. “I made a misjudgment earlier, and I want to apologize.”
He shook his head. “I have to admit, I don’t understand what’s going on. It feels like I’m missing half of a conversation, but I’m expected to follow along anyway.”
Kim winced and rubbed her forehead. “I get why you’d feel that way.”
He put his hands on his hips and raised his brows expectantly. “So, are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?”
She bit her lip. “The attack on that cargo ship scared me—I won’t lie. Suddenly, things didn’t feel as safe as they had.”
“I would never—”
“I know.” She held up a hand. “But when you appeared to be only interested in the cargo, I got it in my head that you didn’t care about the crew.
I thought you were just looking after your profits.
That’s what I misjudged.” Kim crossed her arms and shook her head.
“Taron explained about the danger to your crew if the containers were damaged and that gas leaked out. I should have just asked you about it. I should have told you what I was thinking, but I’m afraid I’m a little thin in the communication department.
I didn’t have to do much talking while I was younger, and I guess I have some work to do there. ”
“You and me, both.” He ran long fingers through his hair.
“I should have trusted you and told you what was going on, instead of trying to shield you. I can see how you drew the conclusion you did without all the information.” A weary smile curved his lips.
“It looks like we were both only getting half of the conversation.”
She only intended to take one step forward, but her feet just kept moving. Before she knew it, she was hurtling toward him. He rose and walked toward her, too, and they came together. Her arms eagerly wrapped around his broad shoulders. “I’m sorry, Klae. I—”
His mouth crushed down on hers, wiping away the babbled apology that would have followed.
She let out a whimper and tightened her grip around his neck.
There was a desperation to this kiss. It was a homecoming and a claiming—on both their parts.
It was a kiss of new beginnings, because there was no denying that their hearts had done all the talking.
She dragged her mouth from his with a shuddery gasp. “So, you don’t have to take me back to Earth. Not unless you still want to.”
“I never wanted to,” he growled in reply.
“Oh. Good.” Her voice wavered as she smiled up at him. “Because I would like to stay.”
His gaze was intense. “For how long?”
This was the question. THE question. Kim gazed up at him. The weight and warmth of the gemstone necklace he had given her sat right above her heart. She never wanted to take it off. “Indefinitely?”
A wide, beautiful smile spread across his face, lighting his eyes and softening his brow. “That works for me.”
She spread her palm over the cheek she knew so well. “I admit, I didn’t entirely buy the whole, ‘high sage’ thing, with the choosing and the necklaces. But now? I am a believer.”
His hands moved over her back. “Why did you change your mind?”
“Because that Ferias lady really did choose my match. I love you, Klae Rillim.” She pressed a quick, hard kiss to his chiseled mouth. “And I think you kind of love me, too.”
He jerked her to him, sealing their bodies together and stealing her breath. “There is no ‘kind of’ when it comes to my love for you. It is an absolute.”
“I like that.” She grinned and ran a finger over his lips. “Do you think there’s room for a pottery studio on this ship?”
“There is room for anything you want,” his voice rasped over her skin. “As long as you’re here with me. I need you, Kim.”
“You have me.” She tilted her head back and shivered as his lips slid over her throat. “Indefinitely.”
Thank you for reading!