Zac
Watching Laila sleep was sweet torture for Zac. She was curled slightly towards him, her hair spread across the pillow like a halo, the soft curls brushing against his arm. He touched one of the brown locks, stroking it between his fingers. She shifted in her sleep, sliding a hand around his waist to hug herself more closely to him, her soft breasts pushing against his side.
He groaned, shifting to adjust his misbehaving dick.
He hadn't felt this comfortable with a woman in years. If he was really honest with himself, had heeverfelt like this?
The more time he spent with Laila, the more he questioned his adherence to his strict upbringing.
Ever since his parents had sent him to the military academy at age ten, as was Taurean custom, he had feared disappointing his father, who had loomed larger-than-life in his childhood memories. His mother had not wanted him to go, had not wanted to send her only son, her only child, away at such a young age, but his father had won that argument.
Zac had been so afraid of letting people down he hadn't risked letting anyone get close to him in years, except T’arq… and now Laila?
Military service was a Taurean tradition, a Qu'Rell family tradition. A son from such a prestigious family as the Qu'Rells was expected to follow in the footsteps of his father, and eventually become a War Commander in his own right, only a step below the Supreme Commander himself.
Ten generations of Qu'Rell men had attained the rank of War Commander, and Zac would not be the exception. He had no choice but to succeed. Letting down his family was not an option. It was not only a matter of pride; it bonded the old families together, and he could not risk breaking his family’s social standing.
He sighed. It was as if there were two sides to him: the side that longed for approval from his father, and the real Zac. The Taurean who just wanted… what exactly did he want?
Zac pushed aside the uncomfortable thoughts as Laila snuffled softly in her sleep. He smiled indulgently, pushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. She was so determined, and he admired her for that.
He sighed as he watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. “Perhaps I've been too harsh on you.”
How could he have considered her soft? She had shown, time and time again, that she was tenacious and strong. A formidable commander of warriors. An equal.
Her role was significant, the most important of her life, he knew that. If he were in her place, he would want nothing to impede his success. She had excelled at every challenge he had thrown her way, every test.
He was not worthy of this woman; that he knew, but a small part of him wondered and hoped that maybe shewouldwant him. He shook his head. All he could offer her was something temporary. His family expected him to mate a Taurean of high standing. To ally the Qu’Rells with another politically powerful family.
Mating a human was out of the question… wasn’t it?
But Laila had intrigued him from the first time he had seen her. She demanded loyalty from her team. Unafraid of hard work, she was not afraid to stand up to him, which took guts. She was kind, but strong.
He admired her.
He wanted her like he had never wanted anyone before.
Shaking his head, he shifted, trying to dislodge that thought. Even before he was injured, people had considered him too distant, too wrapped up in his work, to be attractive to all but the most daring Taurean women. He was intimidating, and he knew it, but he did little to change that.
But Laila had not been afraid of him, not once.
He smiled, feeling a rush of affection for the fiercely determined human. She had done everything he'd asked of her, pushing herself to exhaustion and never complaining. She had worked herself harder than anyone else, not showing any weakness until this evening, when fatigue overcame her.
He shuddered, thinking about what could have happened to her if he hadn't met her in the elevator. But she was OK, now.
He yawned, relaxing as he settled down against the pillows, tucking Laila securely against him, and slid into sleep.
* * *
Zac woke slowly, not wanting to open his eyes, enjoying the warmth of the bed, and the woman tucked against his side. He checked the comm unit again. No messages, and it was hours yet before he needed to be anywhere.
He watched her smiling in her sleep, snuggling deeper into the pillows. The covers were warm and cozy, and she shifted to roll onto her back, squeaking in surprise as Zac's arm tightened around her.
Laila's eyes flew open, and she darted a look at him.
“Good morning, Laila.” Zac smiled.
“Hi,” she breathed, lifting a hand to cover her mouth as she yawned. As she lifted her arm, her breasts pushed against the soft fabric of her t-shirt. He tightened his arm that was slung across her hips, pulling her against his chest, and his fingers slid underneath her top, splaying across the skin of her belly.
