Page 140 of Bride of the Enemy Alien

“Kessa.”

“If you make me say it twice because you are stunned, I will.”

“I heard you.”

“Good.”

He is the one trembling now.

“I love you,” he says.

I believe him.

“Despite all evidence that this is a terrible idea?” I ask, trying my best to not choke on the words.

“Because I have considered the evidence.”

That gets me. I laugh, wipe at the tears I can’t stop, and kiss him.

He lets me set the pace. Warm mouth, careful pressure, his free hand hovering near my waist until I catch it and put it where I want it.

“Here,” I murmur.

His fingers settle against me and the kiss changes.

We have done desperate. This is slower. He waits when I slow down and follows when I pull him closer. No implant. No enemy. No excuse. Just us.

When I pull back, his eye is almost black.

“More?” he asks.

I smile broadly.

“Yes.”

He looks pleased with himself.

“You are very demanding about questions.”

“I am an excellent teacher.”

“So you have said.”

I kiss him again before he can become too pleased with himself, then a knock hits the door and Merra’s voice comes through the wood.

“If either of you tears anything I spent the night repairing, I will become unreasonable.”

I stare at the door, struggling to not laugh.

“You are already unreasonable,” I call.

“I can become even more creative.”

Her footsteps move away. Rhazek looks at me.

“Your healer frightens me.”

“She should.”