Before I have time to adjust, Kitaico's arms and the brothers wrap tightly around me, shielding me from the chill of the makeshift shower.
“It’s cold, I thought you knew.” He chuckles as I shiver. “Deep breaths, Leeenuh.”
He still absorbs the brunt of the cold water as he runs his hands over the bottom of my belly. Kitaico splashes more of the water over my skin to remove the purple marks he left there last night.
I wish they would dip lower, I wish he would?—
“I could arrange for a hot bath tonight, if you think you’re up for it?” He says softly as he works his fingers into my hair and massages the nape of my neck until I’m slumping against his firm chest. “We’d have to travel a short distance to the surface, but I’m confident it will be quick enough that your human lungs won’t struggle.”
A head massage? A warm bath?
Maybe it’s not the venom…maybe Kitaico is just a fucking gem.
“Yes.” I nod, letting myself sag further back into him, the tension of my neck muscles melting away.
“I like taking care of you, you know,” he whispers as he guides me away from the water, grabbing a fresh woven blanket and shimmying it over my body to dry me. He spins me to face him, rubbing the cloth over my hair.
When Kitaico pushes my hair back, he lets down his usual polite facade. His eyes are intense, and they darken as he speaks. “Even if I never bear your mating mark, this could be enough. I would devote myself to you, Leeenuh.”
“Oh,” is all my brain can get together.
Is that what I want?
I want to fuck him, I know that.
“I can’t promise you that, Kitaico.” My voice cracks. “I like you…but this situation is fucked. You’re so much kinder than the Deenz, but I might need some breathing room before I commit to anything long term.” It pains me to be honest, even if I know he can’t understand me.
His brows knit in confusion—for Chrissakes, I can’t even communicate to him properly.
If he’s implying what I think he’s proposing, it hits me one thousand times harder than the cold water. Forever, in a cave, with albeit a delightful alien gentleman, isn’t how my story is supposed to go.
“Go slower,” I say, my hands raised and pushing him away slightly. “We’ll talk”—I mime my hands speaking to each other—“once your translator chip is turned back on.”
I bring my finger to his head and tap where I think his chip would be, where it is on me, at least.
“I’m sorry.” He plays it off as though he didn’t just offer to dedicate his life to me, wraps me in the towel, and turns back to his stores as though he’s looking for something.
“God, don’t be sorry, Kitaico. You deserve someone better than a lost bubble babe, someone who can give you what you want. A real mate.” I put my hand on his shoulder.
He covers my hand with his own and looks back at me.
“What is it?” he asks.
“Never mind.” I place an apologetic kiss on his fingers. I can feel him freeze as my lips touch his skin—its patterns shift to a deep purple that creeps up his arm.
There’s no way to mime the conflict I feel about the sweet alien right now. This conversation is going to have to wait.
I shuffle to the other side of the cave, sitting next to the shallow pool that Kitaico normally sleeps in. I trace my fingers through the teal water, my mating mark tingling as I do.
For as good as he makes me feel, and as well as he treats me, maybe we’re just too different.
There’s a part of me holding onto the idea that one day I might be able to go home—which feels like a delusion after hearing about the few girls who escaped the Deenz. Earth is off-limits for everyone but the alien hivemind that trafficked me here.
I glance over my shoulder to see Kitaico staring at me before he quickly looks away.
Maybe if I had any control over my life and how I ended up here, it would be different. I could give him what he wants, and I could give in to these feelings that are rooting deep inside of me.
Maybe.
