“Got it.”
“He was good. We talked about possibly connecting after the games. But we didn’t commit to anything. I like to roam around. No roots. Any guy will do it for me. But Beast was making me think twice.”
Mara had a hard time relating to her. They were completely opposite. She was raised by her dad and had a strong sense of family ties. Though traveling with her dad was fun. she preferred having a sense of home.
“What’s the Crytharian like? Is he good in bed?”
That question had her spitting out the swig of water she just took.
“What?”
“Your partner, the Crytharian. Tell me what he’s like? Does he do it like a wild animal? I know nothing of his people except that they live on an ice planet like this one.”
“We haven’t had sex,” she denied.
The other female sat up straight and looked shocked. “Are you kidding me? If I had that male in my tent every night, I would not waste him. Can I give you some advice?”
“Sure.”
“Ride him and ride him hard. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Life is short and only death is guaranteed. You just need to decide if you want him or not.”
Mara had to admit, Gora had a way of putting things into perspective.
When she felt tired, Mara headed for the tent. Entering the shelter, she found only one bedding set up—Vaelor’s bedding.
“What the hell?”
Chapter 18
Vaelor
He had set up the tent and bedding, then ate and watched Mara talking to the Bestial female across the fire pit. She had such compassion in her for the other female’s loss. It gave him a moment to observe her.
The kiss they shared was still playing in his mind and affecting his body. No female had ever affected him so strongly. She made him want to forget his mission and concentrate on her. He loved how the firelight danced across her face. Her blue eyes sparkled when she talked and was animated, her hands making motions. It was… adorable.
Some of the males tried talking to him. But his mind and eyes were on Mara. Was she okay? Was she warm enough? He wondered what animal life was out there that he might be able to hunt down and cook for her.
These were all crazy thoughts. He wasn’t on his home world trying to woo his female. This was not the time or place for that. But he couldn’t stop thinking about Mara. Vaelor might even say that there was a slight chance he was obsessed with her.
When she stood up to go to their tent, he followed. He heard her voice.
“What the hell?”
“What is wrong?” he asked, stepping into the tent.
She turned to face him. “Where’s my bedding?”
“I thought sharing my bed would be better. Your biosuit isn’t moderating your body temperature. I give off more body heat.”
Her cheeks pinkened.
“Is that a good idea? Would it be crossing a line and complicating things?” she asked.
“This is simply about keeping you warm and alive.”
He watched as different expressions crossed her lovely face. Finally, she nodded with her agreement.
Vaelor got in first, turning his back so that she would feel more comfortable without him watching her. She pulled the sheet back and got inside. Once they were both laying down, the tent’s inner lights dimmed off.
