Page 154 of Sohut's Protection

“Well, time to get this phekking thing off you,” he said, sending a smile her way and again there was a note of bitterness…or was it sadness…in his eyes.

He was working for maybe five minutes with tools and devices she’d never seen before, when Nia stepped into the room.

“Hey, Cleo. Wanna go check on the robots that are in the field? Gets a bit lonely when I do it myself,” she said. Her gaze flicking over the room before landing on Ka’Cit.

The clang of metal hitting the ground drowned out Cleo’s answer and her gaze fell on Ka’Cit too.

His mouth was slightly agape, wide enough for her to see his fangs and he was staring in Nia’s direction.

“I—Yea, sure. I think he’s almost done removing this thing from my neck,” Cleo answered, her gaze still on the large male kneeling before her.

Nia smiled back. “Ok, cool,” she said before turning and heading back toward the guest room.

“Ka’Cit?” Sohut broke the silence that enveloped the room and Ka’Cit shook his head a little before he picked up his tools.

“All done,” he said. But he didn’t meet her gaze or even Sohut’s.

As Cleo rubbed her neck, it felt like nothing had been removed, of course, but the pressure that was there was gone.

Sohut moved over to her, his hands touching the spot.

“Is it gone?” she asked.

Sohut nodded. “How do you feel?”

Her gaze met his.

“Better, much better,” she answered truthfully, tilting her head so she could plant a kiss on his lips. “Thank you,” she said.

“For what?”

“For everything.”

His gaze searched hers for a moment before he dipped his head and his lips touched hers.

“My gnora, I’d do anything for you.”

“And you have.”

She stood and Sohut straightened with her against him, their lips entwined.

Someone cleared their throat as Riv and Lauren walked in.

“Oh, you got that thingy taken off!” Lauren noticed immediately.

“Yes, Ka’Cit came and removed it,” Cleo answered, clearing her throat as Sohut put a little space between them.

“Ka’Cit? He was here?” Riv asked and it was then that she realized Ka’Cit was nowhere in the room.

Sohut looked just as confused.

“He must have left when we weren’t looking,” Sohut murmured.

She didn’t even get to thank him, Cleo realized.

“Aw,” Lauren pouted a little, “we’d prepared enough for him since you’d said he was coming. Now, what are we going to do with all the extra food?”

Sohut raised his hand immediately. “I nominate myself to take that burden.”

“You.” Lauren rolled her eyes.

Cleo smiled.

This was her new home, her new family.

She couldn’t have asked for anything better.