She shook her head, trying to erase him from her mind.
Overhead, she heard the familiar whirring of a hovercraft engine, the sound growing louder as it approached. Her breath hitched and she pressed closer to the window.
Similar to last night, she heard the hovercraft land on the end of the terrace and Lainey knew that it washim, returned from wherever he’d been since he’d left earlier that evening.
Even though she told herself she didn’t want to see him, she craned her neck out the window even further just to catch a glimpse of him. But the house next door didn’t allow her a view and that frustrated her.
Her breath hitched when she heard footsteps on the terrace stone, approaching their house. And like a coward, Lainey ducked back inside the window, biting her lip as she heard him enter the front door.
Would he come see her?she wondered, not sure if she wanted that or not.
Stilling, she listened for his voice and heard him speak in low tones with Vixron. Just checking in, it seemed, though she couldn’t distinguish the words, couldn’t even tell if they spoke in English or Luxirian.
After another moment, she heard the front door open and close again. Footsteps echoed, but disappointment made her sag when she heard them retreat back down the terrace.
Lainey blinked, frowning, and she raced back to her spot at the window, craning her head out to see if he’d truly left.
There was no sign of him.
Lainey blew out a long breath, not sure what to think about that. Shaking it off, she decided it didn’t matter whether he came to see her or not.
So why did she feel so disappointed?
It was better for her if he stayed away, right? At least she wouldn’t be tempted to do something stupid.
Lainey breathed in the fresh, cool air, letting it fill her lungs and clear her mind. Nothing had ever felt so good, especially after the scorching afternoon.
She closed her eyes, savoring it, trying to think about nothing at all except how wonderful it felt.
A slight rustling sound reached her ears and her eyes flew open. She gasped, her eyes bulging with surprise, when she saw Kirov.
He’d come from the back of the house, not the front. Probably so as not to alert Vixron.
Lainey opened her mouth, but Kirov’s hand flashed out and he pressed his fingers to her lips to keep her quiet.
He was wearing a black, tight tunic that hugged his body, his black hair swaying behind him, blending into the dark fabric. But it was his eyes that caught and held her attention. Those goddamn beautiful eyes that pinned her in place and made her think and want things she shouldn’t.
Lainey licked her suddenly dry lips, forgetting for a moment that his fingers were there. He stiffened when her tongue touched his flesh and Lainey saw his throat bob at his swallow.
Slowly, he pulled his hand away, but he pressed closer, close enough that Lainey had to crane her neck up to meet his gaze. His arms draped over the window sill, his posture relaxed, but his eyes held that intensity she’d grown familiar with.
“I needed to see you,luxiva,” he said, his voice so quiet she hardly heard it.
Lainey stayed quiet, not quite sure how to respond. And when had she ever been at a loss for words?
Practically never.
But he had her tongue tied up in knots and that knowledge grated on her.
When she didn’t reply, he asked, “Have you given any thought to our discussion earlier?”
Her eyes narrowed and his lips quirked up.
Maddening alien, she thought.
“To which discussion are you referring to?” she whispered, her spine straightening, her chin lifting. “The ridiculous part of me being your ‘mate?’” She made air-quotes, though she knew their relevance went over his head. “Or the other ridiculous part where you think I’ll be ‘warming your furs?’”
Just saying it made her feel a little breathless, which irritated the hell out of her.
