Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

R ixx did not move, did not breathe, did not speak. Had she said what he thought she had? "But you are—?"

Myrria sat up abruptly. "What? Because I'm married?" Her breathing was ragged but she lowered her voice. "My husband is either dead or gone for good. Everyone knows it, and I've been fooling myself by saying I've been waiting for him."

Rixx did not know how to respond, but he could sense the turmoil of her emotions. She was not lying. Dothveks could sense deception. She believed that she was alone in the world, that she'd been left alone by the one person who was supposed to be by her side.

"Do you want to know the crazy part? Myrria asked. "I'm glad he's gone. He was never a good husband, and he would have been a lousy father if he'd bothered to stick around long enough. But the truth is that he left when things got hard and he got bored. I don't miss him, and I don't want him back."

Rixx had never gone after a mated female. He had always considered them off-limits, so even as she told him that she considered herself free, he hesitated.

Myrria twisted to face him, her face in shadows but her eyes locked on him. "I've been loyal to him for all these years, but he never deserved it. My friend at the pleasure house admitted to me that he frequented her girls even when we were married, when I was pregnant." Her voice broke. "I guess I always knew he was no good, but I had to tell myself that he wasn't as bad as I thought because if he was so bad, why did I choose him? Why did I stay with him? What kind of fool am I?"

"You are not a fool."

She waved a hand at him. "It's okay. I was a fool, but I'm not anymore. I don't owe him one more second of loyalty. He's gone forever, but I'm not." Her breathing was heavy. "I'm right here."

Rixx's heart hammered so wildly he was sure it was going to burst from his chest. He had never had a problem seducing females before, but there was something about Myrria that made him not want to rush things. Maybe it was the fact that he'd grown fond of her. Maybe it was because he was fond of her daughter. Maybe it was because he feared hurting both of them when he left because there was no way he could remain on Kurril with them, even if they asked. He was a hunted Dothvek who still needed to leave the planet as soon as possible, which meant leaving Myrria.

"I cannot stay with you," he finally said, his words hoarse. "Kurril is not safe for me, but I do not want to be like your husband. I do not want to abandon you."

Myrria reached out a hand and brushed her fingertips down the side of one cheek. "You could never be like him."

Her fingertips scorched his skin, her desire pulsing into him and sending heat arrowing straight to his cock. Rixx bit back a groan as he fought to control himself. He was not a beast who was powerless over his hunger, but he was also not immune to the power of their connection. His head swam as need stormed through him hot and fast, as much of it hers as it was his.

Impossible, he thought, even as he knew it was not. Not if they were mind mates. His Dothvek brothers had formed mind mate bonds with their human females. But how could his true mate be a claimed woman?

Because she is not claimed. She is yours. She was always meant to be yours.

Rixx groaned and rolled his head back as the last shreds of self-control snapped like the thinnest threads. "Do not ask for something you do not want. I no longer have the strength to resist you. Not when I know that you are mine."

"I don't want you to resist me, Rixx." Her whispered words danced across his skin like silk. "I am yours. I've been yours since the moment I saw you in that doorway.'

He raked a hand through her hair, tipping her head so her gaze was on his, her dark eyes sparking with fire. "And I have wanted you since the second I opened my eyes in your bed. I have wanted you in this bed with me every night, but I was sure it would never happen. I was sure I could never have you."

Her eyes fluttered and the pulse on there side of her neck throbbed beneath the hand that cupped the back of her head. "You already have more of me than you know."

"I want all of you." He pulled her face close to his, his gaze going to the curve of her lips.

And I want you inside me.

Her words echoed in his head, jolting him with desire so potent he crushed his mouth to hers. Her wish was his command.