“I’ll rest right here.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight, rubbing her cheek against his bare shoulder.
He thought his heart would explode. His arms enfolded her, and he rested his cheek against her bandaged head. Blood, grass, and an essence wholly hers filled his senses, reminding him of how precious she was. “I could have lost you.”
“But you didn’t. I’m still here. We’re both still here.” She paused. “I’m sorry I spoiled your reunion.”
“No. None of this is your fault. Grav and I were able to talk a little, and there will be plenty of time to get to know him. Today is just the beginning.”
The sight of her still and bloodied was the absolute worst moment of his life. If she had beenkilled, part of him would have died. She had opened his eyes and his heart. Since meeting her, he’d come to experiencehumanemotion.
To say Progg were unfeeling would be inaccurate. But the emotions his people felt—or acted on, anyway—were those of pride, patriotism, power, and determination. Grief, fear, mercy, and love were as alien as the people they annihilated.
But not to him.
“You mean a lot to me, Rok. I’m glad our paths crossed, and we’re together. I can’t promise a future, but I’d like to take the next step of this journey with you. See where it leads us.”
Journey? “We’re not staying in Springfield?” He’d go anywhere she went, but he’d just found his brother!
She lifted her head. “We are—I assumed we would. Your brother is here, and I will be among my people. I think Laurel and I will be good friends. I was referring to—our future—yours and mine together. We teamed up to get to Springfield, and I’d like to continue being partners and allow nature and our feelings take their course.”
His heart swelled with the promise implied in her words. He would wait for her. He’d wait forever. “I would like that very much.”
She rose on tiptoe, closed her eyes, and pressed her mouth to his, her lips lingering. His eyes widened in shock at the peculiar contact and his body’s response to it. Why would putting her mouth to his cause heat to coil in his groin?
She opened her eyes and scanned his face. “Progg don’t kiss?”
“No.” They didn’t do a lot of things, and there were many more they did but shouldn’t.
“Oh.” She stepped back. “Sorry about that, then.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it! I will be ready the next time.”
“Oh…” she said in a sultry tone. “You want there to be a next time?”
“As soon as possible,” he said.
“Well, then.” She slid into his arms again, and this time he was prepared. When her lips moved, his moved too. And when their lips parted, and the kiss deepened, an instinct he didn’t know he had, took over, and he knew just what to do.
“Wow!” she said, when they parted. “You’re a quick learner.”
“I am,” he acknowledged modestly. It was why he’d done so well at the MEC. He caught on fast.
She smiled and stepped back then swayed.
He grabbed her elbow to steady her. “You should sit down.”
“Kevin has to be fed.”
“I’ll do it.”
“How? The smell of meat makes you sick.”
“I’ll handle it. Don’t worry about me. You rest.” He led her to the sofa.
“Yes, dear,” she said facetiously, but sank onto the cushions with evident relief.
Satisfied she’d stay put, he left her to unload the trailers. In two trips, he brought all their stuff inside. He set the dog food cans on the counter. “What should I do with our clothes?” he asked.
“Put them in the bedroom.”
