Page 153 of Tamed By Her Touch

“Then there must be another route,” Maera said.

Clair thought about Titus Four tradition of “the Taming.” About older women taking young men to bed during the dangerous period when the virus first became active…about the elaborate emphasis Titus Four culture placed on sexual pleasure and intimacy.

Her cheeks warmed as she began putting the pieces together.

“It’s not just kissing that passes the metabolite,” she murmured. “It’s more than that—much more.”

Maera followed her gaze, an understanding dawned on her face.

“Oh, I see,” she murmured. “The metabolite is passed the same way the Love Virus is—what you call the Savage Syndrome—through sexual contact.”

“Exactly.” Clair nodded. Then she started laughing.

“What is it?” Maera asked, a curious smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Why is this finding so funny?”

Clair swiped at her eyes, which were watering with laughter.

“It’s just that I came halfway across the galaxy to cure a deadly neurological virus and apparently the answer might be kissing and sex.”

Maera laughed too.

“Well, there are worse medicines,” she pointed out.

Clair nodded.

“True.”

She looked back at the data and the excitement bubbling inside her suddenly became unbearable. She wanted Kaelus!

Not sexually. Well, yes, obviously sexually, but that wasn’t what she meant. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to see his golden eyes sharpen when she showed him the numbers. She wanted to watch him argue with her interpretation and then reluctantly admit she was right. She wanted him beside her while they fitted another piece into the puzzle.

“I wish Kaelus was here,” she said, speaking her thought out loud before she could stop herself.

Maera laughed softly.

“You have said his name at least eleven times today.”

Clair felt her cheeks get hot.

“I have not…have I?” she asked.

The other woman nodded.

“You have. I think maybe last night’s massage brought the two of you closer than you’ve ever been before—am I right?”

Clair couldn’t deny that was true, but it was still embarrassing that she was apparently obsessed with the big Hybrid. She looked away, focusing on the data again.

Maera laughed.

“I see the longing look on your face—you don’t have to hide it. Why don’t you go tell him?”

Clair looked toward the window.

“At the Blood Archive?”

Maera shrugged.

“Certainly. It is not far, and you have been working for hours. A change of surroundings would do you good.”