“He does.” Lore sighed. “Sometimes I’m not sure why. He can do better.” He looked into her eyes and stared. “You are so easy to talk to. You make me feel at peace.” Then he blinked, his expression horrified.
“What’s wrong?”
“I am a very worthy mate, despite what I said. I mean, you could not find better. No one will suit you as I can. And Zehn. Yes, Zehn is ideal.”
“Lore, relax. I like your honesty. And I think you very worthy.” She saw the hope light up his eyes and found it impossible to squash it. “But, if I were to mate, and I would have no problem being with you, I’d want it to be my choice.”
“Of course.”
“After I live my own life. I’ve been controlled by others for a long time. I need to be independent for a while, before I consider mating.”
He watched her, his eyes now gold and green, normal. “How long would you need for this independence?”
“I don’t know. A few years?”
He sighed. “We do not have that long.”
“Why?”
Someone called his name, and it seemed to her that he looked relieved. “I must go. Stay. I’ll have Watta and Kahl guide you back.” He gave her a peck on the cheek then left her with Watta, one of the attractive females, and Kahl, her old friend and resort guard, who trailed behind.
She watched Lore go and missed him already.Damn it.Skye had been right. These barbarians had a tendency to grow on a girl, getting under her protective shields when she wasn’t looking. Handsome, intelligent, skilled in bed, and emotionally available.Crap.She was falling in love with the guy.
When she turned to greet Watta, a woman she’d briefly met a few days ago, it was to see Watta staring after Lore with a hungry look on her face.
Whoa. Not cool. “Watta?”
The woman turned to her, smiled, and said something to Kahl that didn’t translate. Kahl nodded and stayed back even farther. Ah. A need for privacy. But then, why not speak the common tongue all on the planet used? Not all of the barbarian language translated, despite the subtrans packs.
“Offworlder, you do not belong here.” Watta glared. “It’s time you go back home.”
