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Desire. And curiosity.

Yes, he’d already seen her naked, but that was during an emergency. Perhaps he hadn’t gotten a good look. Or even if he had, he hadn’t been able to appreciate it at the time.

She hugged the dress and cardigan to her chest as she watched him, trying to decide whether to order him to turn around or even ask him to leave the room.

She suddenly realized the pile of clothing at her feet didn’t contain any underwear or bras, but she knew exactly where they were in her suitcases. Of course, she would need to hop off the table with the blanket still wrapped around her.

She would have to walk very close to where Errik was still standing.

As though reading her mind, he glanced at the suitcases before looking back at her. “Do you require something else?”

Her face grew hotter. “Um. Panties. A bra. You know… undergarments.”

Did Vaxxlians wear unmentionables? Her gaze traveled over Errik’s perfectly sculpted form and the black pants that clung to his body like a second skin. Her breath caught when she noticed the massive bulge at the front of those tight pants.

“Which suitcase?” he asked.

“The one closest to you.”

He brought the suitcase over to her, set it on the floor beside the table, and opened it up. Then he stepped back and glanced at the door.

“Would you prefer that I leave while you get dressed, Holly? Or do you require help?” His nostrils flared again, and the desire in his eyes burned hotter than ever.

She resisted the urge to glance at his crotch to see if the bulge had become even larger.

“I… I think I can manage. But I appreciate your offer.”

“In that case, I will leave you alone for a moment.” He headed for the corridor. “When I return, I will escort you to the bridge, buckle you in, and prepare my ship for takeoff. We must leave Earth as soon as possible.”

“Understood.”

And just like that, Errik was gone. Holly stared at the open suitcase, her heart pounding as she realized there was no turning back now.

Chapter 6

What was wrong with him?

Frustration swept through Errik as he stood in the corridor outside the medical bay. After he’d brought Holly her clothes and suitcases, he should have done the polite thing and automatically stepped out to allow her some privacy while she got dressed.

Instead, he’d stood there staring at her like a lovestruck fool.

Even worse, he’d become fully erect as he watched her select the clothing she planned to wear. Then she had glanced at his crotch a few times. Clearly, she had noticed his excitement.

Fluxx. He dragged a hand down his face.

She’d just endured a stressful medical episode, and though she was now fully recovered, he still felt ashamed of himself for ogling her as though he intended to take her right there in the medical bay.

That was not how he wanted their first mating union to happen.

Holly deserved better.

Their first coupling would not be a hasty, reckless act.

Once they repeated the mating vows of his people, they would be bound to each other for life. He wanted their first union to be something they both entered into willingly and with clear minds, not something that happened because he’d been unable to control his desires.

He was supposed to be protecting Holly. Caring for her. Making certain she felt safe.

A low growl rumbled in his chest.