Chapter 28Camila

Chapter 28

Camila

Berus was coming her way. No. He was storming her way. And he did not look one bit happy. He didn't look healthy either, she noticed with a pang. Cami hadn't seen him since the incident and hadn't realized just how much the poison had taken out of him. Poor guy.

Still. She wasn't going to let him rain on her parade.

She held out a hand, somewhat defensively, because even though Cami knew he wouldn't hurt her, he still looked very scary when angry. Did it really upset him that much to see her? Well, there went her hopes about patching things up and being friends. But that was okay. She could handle this. She was here for the job. It was a damn good offer, so she was going to do a damn good job.

She hadn't wanted to do this in front of everyone, but the way Berus was stomping toward her, she didn't have a choice. Well, maybe it was best to get it out there now before she started her first day of work on a bad foot. She could deal with the heartache later when she was alone in her room. She took a deep breath.

"I know you don't want me here, Berus. I get it. It was just a fling. But I'm not going to turn down this job because of that. I don't want any trouble. I won't bother you. I won't be clingy. We'll just be crewmates. Okay?"

She'd thought he'd be happy to think that she wouldn't be forcing anything between them, but her words only seemed to make him angrier. Camila took a hesitant step back, only to bump into Tuhror. Instead of protecting her, Tuhror gave her a little shove right into Berus's arms.

Which wrapped around her, powerful but gentle.

"No," he growled. "That is not okay. We cannot be just crewmates. Because you are already my mate."

What?

"You have been my mate since New Rhea. I overheard you talking with Delaney and Roxy. I know you do not want a mate after what happened with Rehden. You said it's the last thing you need. But you are mine, Cami. I tried to let you go, but it was a mistake. My life is nothing without you. Food doesn't taste good. Sleep never comes. If I have to spend the rest of my life convincing you to accept our bond, I will. But we will never be just crewmates."

Shit. Camila had said that, hadn't she? But what she really meant was that she didn't want a mate if he was anything like Rehden. Berus was different. He was…Berus.

So this was why he'd avoided her?

"I didn't mean you, silly! You're different. You're caring and protective, and you treat me well. You told me I was brave, and I was. You"—the tightness in her chest had her inhaling a shaky breath—"you don't need to convince me to accept the bond. I'm happy to accept the bond."

"You are?" Berus's arms tightened around her. "Then if I no longer need to convince you to accept the bond, I'll spend the rest of my life convincing you to love me. Because I already love you."

"You don't have to do that either, my big bear." She sucked in a shaky breath. "I already do. I love you too." And even as she said it, Cami realized she meant every word.

Since the day she was taken from Earth, she'd always thought she'd never find her way home again. How wrong she was. Because here, inside Berus's arms, she was home.

"Ha!" Delaney exclaimed, turning to Gavin. "I win! Told you they wouldn't even make it out of the common room. That box of chocolates is mine!"

"Damn it!" But their mechanic didn't really look too upset. "I was saving those chocolates for a special occasion. Good job getting her back here, Ulrek." Then, to Cami, "Welcome back, Cami."

This was followed by a round of "Welcome backs" from everyone.

Gavin turned to Tuhror. "Now that Berus is going to be very busy with his mate, we can finally use that goddamn training simulator!"

"Finally!"

But Cami wasn't paying any attention, because Berus had already scooped her up and was taking big strides toward his quarters. When he finally let her go, it was onto his bed.

"I'm sorry I was so dumb," Berus said. "And don't say I wasn't, because I was. My actions hurt you, and I promise I will never do anything like that again."

"Hey—it takes two to communicate. Or not communicate. I didn't do my part either, and I'm sorry too." She snorted. "I guess we were both dumb."

"But now we will both be smart, right?" Berus's warm baritone had her tummy fluttering.

"Yep. You know, the last time I was here, I tried to convince myself that we couldn't possibly end up mated by the time when we got to Reka 5, so I let you hold me, and it was the best feeling ever." She looked up at her amazing, devoted, protective Tallean warrior. "I'm so glad I was wrong."

"Me too, little one. Me too." He prowled toward her with that sexy, predatory look in his eyes. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way… Let's get my scent all over you again."