Page 44 of Commander’s Mate

“I know.”

“You are frightened.”

“Yes.”

“You are grieving.”

“Yes.”

“You do not owe me comfort.”

“I know.” I swallowed. “But I want to know if the kiss feels like the look did.”

For the first time, his control looked close to breaking.

“You should not ask what you do not want answered.”

“I didn’t.”

He crossed the space slowly and crouched in front of me instead of looming over me.

“May I kiss you, Harper Avery from Earth?”

My heart pounded.

“Yes.”

His fingertips brushed my cheek.

Then he kissed me.

It was soft for half a breath.

Only half.

Heat crashed through me when my mouth opened beneath his. A low groan vibrated from him. His hand slid to the back of my head, not trapping me, simply holding me while my fingers found his shoulders.

I forgot the open door. Forgot the ship. Forgot everything except the taste of him and the impossible pull that had started the moment his eyes found mine.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathing hard.

Zared rested his forehead briefly against mine, then forced himself back.

“I asked you here to speak,” he said roughly. “I should let you return to your friends before I forget every useful word in my language.”

Despite everything, I laughed.

That seemed to surprise him.

It surprised me too.

At the doorway, I looked back. “Zared.”

His eyes locked on mine.

“I still haven’t decided whether I like you.”

That fierce small smile appeared. “Then I will have to give you reasons.”