Page 100 of Commander’s Mate

The translator gave me the words, but something in the rhythm did not feel translated. It felt older than language.

“Yes. It means my life is bound to yours. My protection, my fidelity, my name, my home, my body, my future. All of it.”

“What about mine?”

“The same, if you offer it.”

“Yes. If.”

I leaned back, needing air. The chair was cool under my bare thighs. The ship hummed. Scarlet shifted in the corridor but did not speak.

“And if I have sex with you but don’t say that vow?”

Zared’s jaw flexed. “Then I would stop before completing the bond.”

“You could?”

“I would.”

Not could. Would.

I tried to imagine it. Touching him. Kissing him again. Letting his hands move over me. Letting my hands move over him. Stopping at the edge of something his whole body wanted.

My own body protested the idea.

That was another problem.

“I’m attracted to you,” I said.

My eyes narrowed.

He looked almost apologetic. “I can scent it.”

Heat flooded my face. “That is extremely unfair.”

“Can you stop?”

“No.”

At least he didn’t lie.

I looked toward Scarlet. “Did you know they can smell everything?”

Scarlet lifted her cup. “Adding it to the list of alien inconveniences.”

Then Zared said quietly, “I am attracted to you as well. You do not need scent to know it.”

No. I did not.

He sat still, but there was nothing relaxed about him. His whole body seemed leashed. His gaze held on me with open hunger and equally open restraint. He wanted me. Not politely. Not theoretically. Not in some distant future after dinner and a few dates and the reasonable steps Earth women were supposed to pretend mattered more than wanting.

He wanted me as if wanting had weight.

I pressed my thighs together before I could stop myself.

His nostrils flared.

His eyes snapped back to mine. “I said nothing.”