Page 178 of Tamed By Her Touch

The male you love, whispered a little voice in her head.

The realization wasn’t new—Clair had known it before. But now there was no room left to pretend.

I love you, you big idiot! she thought fiercely. Why can’t you see that?

Kaelus’s head jerked slightly and he looked at her with a quizzical frown.

Clair’s heart leapt into her throat—had she said it aloud? Surely not. But for one moment she’d thought that he’d heard her.

Then Kaelus bent, grabbed Sendar by the back of his clothing with his good hand, and hauled the unconscious scientist upright.

“We need to get him to the authorities,” he said roughly. “And we need to get you examined.”

“Me?” Clair exclaimed. “You’re the one who got shot!”

“Yes, but you lost consciousness after⁠—”

He broke off abruptly, his jaw going tight and Clair wondered what he was thinking.

After they made love? After he savaged her?

Clair didn’t know which phrase he had been about to use and the silence between them suddenly felt enormous.

She sighed.

“Fine. We both get examined.”

Kaelus nodded.

“Agreed.”

“And after that, you’re going to explain why I can hear you in my head,” Clair added.

Kaelus’s face tightened.

“You are exhausted. You may be imagining things.”

“Oh, bullshit.”

“Clair…”

“Kaelus,” she returned mockingly.

They glared at each other and Clair clenched her jaw. Even half dead, he was infuriating! For some reason that made her want to laugh and cry at the same time.

She settled for taking his uninjured arm and putting it around her shoulders so she could help support some of his weight.

Kaelus resisted.

“I can walk.”

“So can I.”

He frowned.

“That is not the point.”

“It is exactly the point. Now lean on me before you fall over and squash me flat.”