3. Brandon

3

brANDON

B randon held on to Morelle's hand as their group made its way through the campus, which was buzzing with activity, but as more people turned to stare at their unusual-looking procession and then their gazes landed on her, he switched and placed it on her lower back.

Her muscles were so tense that he wrapped his arm around her and tugged her closer against his side.

"Is there a movie shoot going on, and no one told us?" someone murmured, but it was loud enough for his immortal hearing to catch.

"Has to be. Look at that stunning woman. She must be an actress with that perfect face and starved look. I bet it's a sci-fi movie, given that shaved-off hair."

"I'm going to Google it. She looks familiar."

Morelle must have heard everything as clearly as he had, but judging by how stiff her posture remained, she didn't understand that the comments were complimentary.

He leaned closer to her ear. "They are saying that you are beautiful, and they think we are actors on our way to film a scene in a movie."

"The woman said that I looked starved," Morelle whispered. "I didn't understand what she said about my shaved-off hair. The translation must have been inaccurate."

It made sense that the term science fiction did not translate well to Kra-ell. "They think that you are an actress in a futuristic movie, and having a shaved head is the style of the future. They might also think that you are playing the part of a soldier in an elite unit. They usually shave off most of their hair for practical reasons."

"Is that why they assume I am a performer of fictional stories?"

"Performers are usually the most attractive people. They are chosen for their looks." He smiled as her shoulders relaxed slightly. "They think you are gorgeous, which, of course, you are."

"Thank you," she whispered back. "I don't know why this is important to me, but for some reason, it is."

Looks were important to everyone because people wanted to be deemed attractive and desirable, and although Morelle had grown up in a warrior culture that worshipped strength above all, some things were universal.

She lifted her chin and actually smiled at a group of passing students, causing several of them to stumble.

When they reached the lab, Amanda sauntered toward them with a big smile on her lips and her arms open wide to embrace Morelle. "Welcome to my domain."

Syssi followed with her own embrace and then hugged her husband as if she hadn't seen him in weeks instead of mere hours.

That was what Brandon wanted.

He wanted to be loved like that.

"Can I see the nursery?" Morelle asked. "I've been thinking about it and imagining it since you told me about it at dinner."

Brandon's heart squeezed at her enthusiasm.

Her natural affinity for children had taken him by surprise. He'd watched her with Allegra on Saturday, and the way she'd instantly connected with the child had been heartwarming.

"It will have to wait until after the testing," Amanda said. "I only cleared the lab for two hours, so we don't have time to visit the kiddos now, but we can visit them after we are done."

Morelle looked disappointed, but she nodded. "I understand."

As Amanda and Syssi led Morelle deeper into the lab, Brandon and Kian stayed in the seating area that was located by the entrance and was comprised of a row of six chairs and two small side tables on each end. Stacks of old magazines that had seen better days had been left on the tables.

Anandur and Brundar had remained outside, guarding the entrance to the lab.

"Any progress with InstaTock?" Kian asked as he sat down.

Brandon shook his head. "Not much since I'm dedicating most of my time to Morelle. I had a few ideas sketched out and ran them by Kalugal. He suggested that I show them to a sample of our target audience—Lisa, Parker, and Cheryl. He also told me that Cheryl is an expert on the platform."

Kian nodded. "So I've heard. But there is no rush with InstaTock. Morelle's well-being takes precedence, and she needs you." He smiled. "It would seem that the most unwavering of bachelors is off the market."

Brandon lifted his hands. "What can I say? I was enthralled by Morelle from the first moment I saw her."

The past four days had been extraordinary. Morelle was unlike any female Brandon had ever been with or known, and he'd known many over his long life.

She was fierce and guileless at the same time, and she had a darker edge that fascinated him. It was just a hint of the Kra-ell ruthlessness and tenacity that emerged at certain moments.

She was exciting.

The many kisses they had shared had been a trial of his self-control, and so far, he had proudly managed not to take it any further despite Morelle's encouragement.

She might have believed herself to be ready for more, but he knew better. She was still recuperating, getting stronger each day, and learning more about the new world she found herself in. They had unlimited time to explore each other's desires, and rushing things would only diminish the experience.

Each night, after Morelle fell asleep, he'd slip away to his own house, returning before she awoke. Annani had offered to let him stay, but he'd declined the invitation even though he'd originally planned on sneaking in at night.

He had realized that he needed to slow down for his own sake as much as for Morelle's. This was new territory to him as well, and he needed time to adjust to thinking about himself as a committed male and not the free agent he had been throughout his life.

Different skills were required for seducing a female than for maintaining a relationship.

"She needs time," he'd told the Clan Mother. "Even if she doesn't realize it yet."

Morelle had spent millennia in stasis and, before that, her entire life in enforced isolation. Everything was new to her, including feelings, experiences, and choices. He wouldn't risk overwhelming her with physical intimacy before she'd had time to process the emotional connections she was forming for the first time in her life.