He chuckled and lightly squeezed her hand. “That sounds like a compliment.”
“It is.” She peered into his eyes before focusing on their hands. “Can I ask you something?”
“Ask anything.”
“Why are you holding my hand?”
He hesitated before saying, “I like touching you. Do you want me to stop?”
“I’m just going to be blunt…okay?”
“Please do.”
“I can’t tell if you’re just being nice to me because I’m a stray alien that you think needs emotional support, or if you’re interested in me as a woman. Which is it?”
“I’m interested in you as a woman, Jill. Is that a problem?”
Her heart pounded, and she had to swallow. “Nope. I just like to be clear.”
He smiled. “We’re compatible, just so you know. I’ll assume you’re already aware of that, after speaking to Nara. She’s also into being very blunt. When I go into heat, it won’t be a problem. We’re sexually compatible in all ways.”
Jill was glad to be seated. “I’m not past my breeding years.”
“I know.” He leaned in closer, glancing at her lips. “I―”
The doors opened. Nara and Cathian entered, followed by York and Sara.
Frustration rose in Jill. She wanted to know what Cavas was about to say before the interruption. He what? Didn’t care that he could get her pregnant? Had a plan to avoid it? When did he go into heat? Would it be soon? What exactly did that mean?
The couples grabbed drinks and sat down at the same table as them. Nara grinned. “Did you hear the news yet?”
Cavas scowled, staring at Cathian. “Is it about Father?”
“We haven’t heard from Dax since informing him we found Crath and he’s safe. I know they are moving against Father soon. He’ll inform us when that’s been handled. I expect it to take a few days.” Cathian grinned. “It’s about Raff and Lilly.”
“Lilly isn’t sick!” Nara squealed. “We have two pregnant mamas now! She’s carrying a baby. I saw the scan myself. It’s tiny but healthy!”
Cavas couldn’t respond at first. “A baby? Just one?” He locked gazes with Cathian, confused. “Is that because Lilly is human? Can they only carry one?”
His older littermate shook his head. “Humans can carry litters. Raff’s single birth is from his mother’s bloodlines. He may appear all Tryleskian, but his breeding abilities aren’t.”
“How?” Cavas’s confusion grew.
“He doesn’t go into heat the way we do. He’s always fertile. Do not ask him about it,” Cathian warned. “It seemed to make him feel shame.”
That bothered him. “It shouldn’t. There’s nothing wrong with inheriting traits from a mother. Raff’s mother was another race. It’s to be expected.”
“He’s way touchy about it,” York whispered. “Like, punch-you-in-the-face-if-you-say-a-word touchy. Just grin and tell him congratulations.”
“Of course.” Cavas turned his head to see Jill’s reaction.
She seemed lost in thought. He squeezed her hand, and she lifted her head, her gaze meeting his. He smiled. She gave him one back, but it didn’t reach her eyes. He wondered what she was thinking. He’d love to ask, but didn’t feel it was appropriate to do so with witnesses.
Midgel came out carrying plates. The female put them down and rushed back to the kitchen for more. Dovis and Mari entered next.
“Did you send a message to Marrow? I want her back.” Cathian shot him a look.
Cavas knew his older brother was still irritated that he’d asked one of his crew to leave the ship. “I did that last evening. She’s on her way back.”
“Did she find a mate?”
He shook his head at Sara. “Not yet. It disappointed her that she didn’t have more time. I offered her the use of my shuttle for longer, but she refused. All the males she met were disappointing to her.”
“Damn,” Nara muttered. “We were hopeful. She’s been moping around since Raff found Lilly.”
York laughed. “If he can find a mate, anyone should be able to. I’ve heard her say it a thousand times.”
The doors opened again, and the Pods entered. Cavas watched Midgel serve everyone before taking a seat at another table. He had to release Jill’s hand, missing the contact, once they began to eat. She had such soft skin.
Conversation flowed between the crew. The topic mostly revolved around the upcoming babies and if they could help Marrow find a mate.
“Is Raff and Lilly not joining us? Crath is missing, too.” Cavas had thought they were just running late but the meal was almost over.
Cathian answered. “Lilly is experiencing morning sickness. It’s normal for humans. Raff is keeping her in bed and tending to her.”
“It was horrible for the weeks it lasted,” Sara muttered. “Puking is not fun.”
“I took good care of you.” York leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Cavas envied the way they smiled at each other.
“You so did,” Sara agreed.
“Crath has decided to stay in his cabin for a few days to recover.” Cathian glanced at the Pods before holding Cavas’s gaze. Then he darted a look at Jill, before they studied each other again.
He inwardly cringed. Crath was probably avoiding him and Jill, not wishing to see them together.
“Is he handling it well?”
His older littermate gave a nod. “He’ll be fine. Once he’s recovered, we’re going to make sure he is happy.”
Cavas understood. The crew wanted to find Marrow a mate so she wasn’t lonely. They’d want to do the same for Crath. “I’ll help with that.”
“We all will.” Cathian lifted his glass in a toast. “To good futures for us all.”
After the meal ended, Cavas took Jill’s hand again and led her back to the lift. At his door, he stopped. “Would you like to come in to talk? I think we should.”
She bit her lip. “Yeah. Sure. We should.”
He let her enter first, glad for his time in the military. His bed had been made and everything was in order. No female liked a messy male. He figured that had to be universal, regardless of the alien race.
Chapter Ten
Jill was alone with Cavas. His cabin was almost exactly like hers, only the color scheme was a little more masculine with darker colors. He waved for her to take a seat on his couch, dropped his data pad on a table, and walked to the food replicator.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Another rust would be great. I like coffee. It tastes very similar.”
He ordered himself a claw, carried the mugs to the small table in front of the couch, and sat close to her. He turned, facing her more. “I would like to discuss us. I’m not like your father or other males on Earth. I’m not looking for something only physical with you. I will admit I never considered taking a life-lock—but then I met you.”
Her mouth fell open. “Life-lock? As in marriage? We just met yesterday.”
“I’m more than aware. I take it humans don’t make quick decisions about that?”
“Um, no. It honestly never crossed my mind that I’d ever get married, until I was arrested and told that bullshit about becoming an alien’s bride. Once they handed us over to the aliens, I realized we were lied to. Not brides—slaves.”
“I would like for you to consider that commitment with me now.”
She tried not to gape at him. “You want to marry me? Just like that?” She snapped her fingers. “We don’t even know each other.”
“That’s not true. You’re brave. Smart. Attractive. I like you, Jill. Do you know how the males in high-standing families on my world find life-locks?”
“You know I don’t.”
His expression turned grim. “I was the exception since I was in the military. Every time one of my brothers was about to go into heat, notification would be sent to other families who were considered suitable. The fathers would send information about the breeding history of their unattached daughters to ours. Beauty and the ability to have many litters takes precedence over everything else. The head of our family, my father, would chose anywhere from three to five of them to meet with my brothers. It’s a short process, during which they only spend a few minutes together. Once a female is selected, the couple shares his heat, and if the breeding is successful, the life-lock ceremony happens immediately after verification that she’s carrying his litter.”