“We do not know what another male’s blood would do while his tether is active. I will not feed you or bite you until we understand the risk.”
“That was not quite what I asked.”
Dax turned toward her.
“No. The tether does not decide whether I touch you.”
Veya’s eyes held his.
“And what do you decide?”
“That I want you.”
The answer settled between them.
Dax continued before speed could become pressure.
“I also want to know you when neither of us is naked, furious, or surrounded by imminent death.”
“That sounds less interesting.”
“It probably will be.”
Veya laughed quietly.
Dax’s gaze dropped to her mouth.
The sound disappeared.
Veya saw the change in him.
“What are you thinking?”
He attempted to look away and failed.
“That I want you again.”
“How badly?”
His eyes darkened.
“Badly enough that you should not ask unless you want an honest answer.”
Veya rose from the bed and crossed the small distance between them.
The tether remained quiet beneath her ribs. Her thoughts were clear, and no pain drove her movement.
She stopped directly before him.
“Give me the honest answer.”
Dax stood.
“That I want to strip that robe from you and make certain you remember exactly who you chose.”
Heat moved through Veya, but this time it belonged entirely to her.
“Then do it.”
