“I can understand why you would find it so, I suppose. I hadn’t thought of it from your position,” he finally said. “Truly, I found it amusing, and I enjoy telling it for many reasons.”
What were those reasons? I wanted to ask but lacked the courage to do so.
“I would…” I trailed off, and Monqilcolnen placed his hand on the couch near me, not touching but close. Gathering my remaining courage, I continued, “I would prefer in the future if you didn’t tell this story.”
“I can do that.”
My eyes darted downward once again as a smile tugged at my lips. Monqilcolnen bent his head to catch my gaze, and I cleared my throat, looking away. Why did he insist on looking at me? His golden eyes always made me squirm.
“I must offer you my sincerest apologies.”
“What?” I asked.
“I struck you. I hurt you, Wyn.” His voice was so distraught I almost closed the space between our fingers. “That’s something I never wanted to do, and I am truly sorry.”
“It was an accident.”
“Nonetheless. I injured you, and I apologize.”
Impulsively, I touched his hand, then whipped away. It wasn’t appropriate—I didn’t have his permission to touch him. Themovement also surprised me. I wasn’t a physically affectionate person. Normally, I only touched people during fucking, except with Urgg and Seth.
His fingers followed my quick retreat, brushing against me for a single moment before sliding away. I swallowed at the tingles of electricity skittering through my veins. What was happening?
Meeting his gaze for a second, I said, “I accept your apology.”
“Thank you.”
Cincin meowed at me, and I sank my fingers into her thick fur and smiled. Her solid weight and warmth was comforting. I stroked her nose, and she purred.
“She likes you,” Monqilcolnen commented.
“You said she was friendly, so that’s hardly surprising.”
“I lied.”
“What?”
Monqilcolnen gave me a small smile as he rested his chin in his hand, just staring at me. “Cincin doesn’t like anyone besides me, but I was hopeful she would like you. It seems I was correct.”
I gave a breathy chuckle. “It seems you were.”
His eyes traced down my form on his couch. His voice turned impossibly soft as he said, “So very right.”
Wyn was lying on my couch with my cat in my quarters. It was perfect, absolutely perfect. I couldn’t contain the smile playing on my lips as I watched him worship Cincin. My instincts were screaming,Not yet. Not yet. Not yet.Soon. I wanted to tell them to be silent. I wanted this elusive “soon” to be now. Whatever this was between us was something I wanted to come to fruition right now.
Cincin stood, stretched, and hopped off. She rubbed along my leg, and I petted her. She didn’t choose to remain beside me; instead, headed to her fountain with fresh bubbling water and her overflowing food bowl.
Facing Wyn, I commented, “Now that she’s moved, I should take you to the medbay for Doctor Qinlin to examine you.”
His gaze shifted away from me yet again, and I wanted to growl and grasp his chin, forcing him to look at me, as I rather liked Wyn’s clear blue eyes. I didn’t, of course. One day, I hoped he would become more comfortable with me and be able to meet my gaze without prompting. Perhaps not telling the story would assist in that, though I loathed to stop. My instincts demanded I tell it—subtly claiming Wyn, or at the very least, linking our two names together.
Besides, it was a humorous story.
“I can go myself,” he replied, pushing the blanket back and sitting up.
I moved to a crouch. “I don’t wish to force myself where you don’t want me to be, but Qinlin left you in my care. I’m responsible for you. Please allow me the honor of keeping you safe, for now.”
Wyn finally looked at me, his eyes narrowed and tail flicking. “I do not need you to protect me or assist me. I am not weak.”
