Our fingers brushed as I took the flowers and his cheeks turned three shades of blue. His tail would have been thumping the ground, but he had grabbed it before it could.
He was so fucking cute, I just wanted to eat him up.No, Taylor, you cannot like this man. Not like that. I chastised myself.But I want to like him. I argued back. It was no use. I knew Brexl and I were not meant to be.
We continued on only stopping for lunch. Then we didn’t stop again until we reached Orsu’s den.
“It’s weird being back here,” I said as I sat down on the dirt floor. “The last time I was here I was so scared. Everything about this place was so unknown to me.”
I’d been relieved when we crashed, giving us the chance to escape from our captors, but I’d also been relieved because I knew I’d never have to face my ex-fiance again.
Kent had been nice enough, and he was understandably heartbroken and confused when I broke things off with him. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t commit myself to someone who had no idea who I really was.
I couldn’t hurt Brexl like I’d hurt Kent. Somehow that seemed so much worse to me. No matter what, we couldn’t ever become anything more than friends. I refused to put myself in a position to break things off with Brexl like that. Brexl and I would remain friends. He would know me for me. Life would be perfect as long as we never crossed that line.
I looked over and found Brexl sitting at the bottom of the steps, and I did my best not to roll my eyes. He was only sittingthere so he could be closer to the entrance to the den than I was. I’d let it go this time. He was doing much better today. His gash was healing nicely and I didn’t think the stitches would break open if he had to defend us from a predator.
“Thirsty?” He held up a water skin.
“I’m good.” I was tired though. Very tired. After traveling to the spaceship, being held hostage by the other dekes, being kidnapped by Scaron, and then spending the day traveling back home. I was feeling very spent.One more day.I told myself. We’d be home tomorrow, where I could curl up in my own bed, catch up with my besties Fatima and Beatrice, feel safe, eat some good food, and sleep for as long as I wanted.
Just thinking about being home again made me yawn. I was full from all of the nuts and tubers I ate on our walk here. Brexl was eating some dried mushrooms and berries.
“I’m going to go ahead and go to sleep.”
I pulled out the blanket from Brexl’s pack and snuggled up against the wall.
“Don’t fall asleep by the entrance. You can sleep back here with me, sharing the blanket like we’ve been doing.”
“But I’m better now.” Brexl argued looking offended that I’d even suggest he do anything other than guard the entrance the whole night.
“I said what I said.”
I stared him down, just daring him to argue further. When he didn’t, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Chapter 12
Brexl
Orsu’s den might be safe from animals, but what about the other dekes? I didn’t think they’d be foolish enough to come after us again, but Scaron was about as foolish as they came.
Besides, I was almost fully healed from my wound. If I wanted to fall asleep guarding the entrance, then I would do so.
I rested my head on the steps and listened for any signs of danger. Orsu’s den was below ground and much colder than our beach cave had been, which proved to be a problem as the night wore on.
I’d almost fallen asleep when I heard the clatter of Taylor’s teeth. She was shivering. Mot! I should have realized that she’d be too cold down here.
I didn’t want to rouse her. We couldn’t leave now, there were too many predators that roamed the forest at night.
I took a deep breath and got up to do the only thing I could think of. I laid down behind Taylor, under the blanket. Then I pulled her to my chest as I wrapped as much of my body around her as I could.
Her shivering stopped and the tension in her body seemed to ease.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You do not need to thank me. It is not a burden to hold you.”
The den fell silent again, as Taylor’s breathing evened out.
I marveled at how small she was compared to me. Such a smart, stubborn female in such a small body. I wanted to hold her like this forever. I wanted to keep her safe, and warm, and well-fed. I wanted...I wanted too much, much more than a cursed male should hope for.
