He nodded and slid a hand up my shirt to my breasts. "Yes, like you own it. Make yourself at home, little one. I’d like to see you here for quite some time."
I looked him over, soaking in his appearance, enjoying him thoroughly, enjoying is touch. Lightly, I slipped my finger in the waistband of his pants and moved it back and forth teasingly, placing the book back on the shelf. "What are you saying, Kane? Make myself at home as in that I'm a welcome guest and should enjoy my time here?"
He words were mumbled as he replied, "Absolutely, my personal guest."
I tried to hide the disappointment that surfaced at his confirmation of the guest status. "Oh. Yes. Guest.".
He tipped his chin up and leaned into me more. "A lover that I want to get to know. So, a very personal guest."
"Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, what else, you know? Guest. Lover. Yeah." I hated myself in that moment for feeling like I did, and my shoulders dropped, betraying my secret as I rested my forehead on his chest.
He pressed his lips to the top of my head. "What I do know is that we both feel something. We are still bound to different worlds and know so little about each other, let alone how or why you’re here. But there’s something that brought us together. We owe it to ourselves to take our time to figure out what this is, don't you agree?"
I hadn't moved my head from his chest, speaking as I looked down. "Nope. you're right." I wrinkled my nose. "I'm okay. Just being dumb. Not sure why. Kinda feeling super foolish. You can ignore me. I'm about to die from embarrassment anyways. I truly don't start to wonder about things like fate or..." I growled, still rambling. "Never mind me. Really. I'm going to shut up now. I’m sorry. Gods I’m being stupid!"
I pushed myself back and went to go find a chair … to escape my embarrassment, even if just a little bit. But Kane caught me by the arm and pulled me in to him. His hand landing on my lower back, the other on the back of my neck, he held me tight.
The firelight bounced off his features as he leaned back and looked me in the eyes. "Will you stay with me for a while Auriena Raulson?"
My warm skin felt like it was on fire against his cool body. "I'm going to fall for you if I do, Kane Rathmore."
"Are you?” There was a sinister touch to his grin. “I could really get used to you being here.” He flicked his finger up the tip of my chin. “And yes, before you ask. That scares me."
He lifted me up and carried me back to the room. I clung to him as we walked, head tucked into the crook of his neck, arms wrapped around his shoulders.
I stuttered as he sat me down on the edge of the bed, before he knelt between my knees. "It… it ... It's soon. It's fast. I have no fucking clue why I’m here or how or what any of this is. But yes. Maybe I am going to. Maybe I’m already starting to..." I cleared my throat, my brain finally registering what else he'd said. "Wait. You can what? You're scared? Why are you scared?" I looked down at him.
He set his hands on my knees, his eyes meeting mine again. Several of his long, blonde hairs had fallen in front of his face, making him appear slightly disheveled. "I am not used to having someone around that I care for or want to look after. At least not ones that can’t stand in a fight against some of the beings we have here. I live a rough life, and people would benefit from my death. Some would hurt anyone that I loved. There have been cases where people have been hurt because of me. And because of this, I have kept to myself aside form a very select few," he confessed.
I ran my hands down his arms and back up. "I'm not a fragile flower. And for the right... for lo... for whatever. Not saying we are or will be or... I just mean." I growled in frustration at my stumbling. "Real love is worth the risk." I searched his eyes.
The corners of his mouth turned upward, his smile reaching his eyes. "It is worth the chance."
We both sat in silence, looking into each other’s eyes. My green hues watched the blue of his, vibrant and swimming with emotion. My hands on his arms. His hands on my hips.
I blinked and pulled back, looking at him curiously. "Did you ask me to stay a while? Did you say the words stay with me for a while?"
He chuckled. "Yes, Auri. Stay with me for a while, won't you?" He massaged my sides, waiting for my reply.
"Careful, Kane. I might be melting that ice cold exterior of yours." I joked, working to pull myself out of my stupor. "But in all seriousness. I would love to. But only if you promise to protect me, keep me safe, take care of me here while I learn my way and promise to give this…" I waved my finger between us both. "a real chance. And not for a doll or a pet or a toy or whatever. Like let me in."
“I think we are definitely past that.”
I tapped on his chest above his heart. "And one last thing... okay, two. More feminine clothes and maybe some stuff so I can make some jewelry or something? I would rather not look like a Conan the Barbarian action figure. And when we can get a working portal, maybe let me visit my planet to be sure those that rely on me are okay and maybe, if
