Page 141 of Bride of the Enemy Alien

“Should we obey?”

I look at the bandages crossing his body, then at the heat in his eyes.

“Mostly.”

His laugh is low and rusty from pain and disuse. I love that sound too.

We do obey, at first.

He sleeps for several hours because Merra returns with food, medicine, and threats sufficient to make even Rhazek accept that his body has limits. I stay and drink her terrible tea. I answer two route questions through the door and refuse six more. At some point I fall asleep in the chair with my head against the edge of his bed.

When I wake, warm fingers are combing carefully through my hair. The light coming through the narrow wall vent has shifted. Afternoon.

“You stayed,” he says.

“You asked.”

He stops combing through my hair and I lift my head.

“Don’t make that face. I wanted to.”

“I know.”

“Good.”

He looks better after sleeping. Wounded, exhausted, but some of the gray strain has left his skin.

I stand and stretch until half my body complains. Rhazek watches, not subtly. I raise an eyebrow.

“See something you like?”

“Yes.”

I step closer before I can overthink it.

“Ask.”

His gaze holds mine.

“Come here.”

“That sounded suspiciously like an order.”

He considers that. “Will you come here?”

“Much better.”

I step beside him. He keeps his hands on his thighs, waiting. I touch the side of his face.

“You can touch me.”

“Where?”

I laugh softly. “You’re taking this very seriously.”

“Yes.”

I guide one of his hands to my waist, and the other I place at the back of my neck.