Page 77 of 20% Stud 80% Muffin
“Yes, let’s…” Ginger paused. “Shit, my bag is back at the sono. I’m not going anywhere in the dark with giant-ass worms on the loose.” She frowned, shivering at the blue snow drifts piled against Raz’s dwelling, visible in the silvery moonglow through the lamar.
Geo picked up his plate and gathered Ginger’s and mine, taking them to the kitchen. “That was too close of a call.” Geo’s gaze met mine. “I hope Mayor Yurst has a plan.”
“Yurstille is far enough away from the rocky outcrop that we don’t have to worry.” The quaver in my voice had Ginger’s eyebrows rising.
“Anyway,” Geo said to Ginger. “I thought you might want to stay here for the rest of your time on Tern. It’s awfully crowded in the archbuilder’s sono.” Geo’s gaze snapped to mine, brow raised as if to say ‘is that okay?’ before he lowered the dishes into the sink.
“Of course. I should’ve offered as soon as my brother left.” I spun to face Ginger. “Think of all the mittens and hats we’ll be able to make before the market if you stay.”
Geo’s shoulders relaxed as he turned on the water to wash up.
“I’ll stay too.” Geo’s alpha voice hit low in my stomach. “To keep Ginger company.” Still facing the sink, his back stiffened. “Shit,” he muttered. A spike of pain rippled along the tether, and he
held his finger up before pinching it.
My chair skidded backward as I darted to where Geo stood. Bright red blood dripped through the soap bubbles into the sink, turning them pink.
“I’ve got you,” Ginger yelled as she jogged to the bathroom. Cupboard doors slammed from down the hall.
“I’m fine.” Geo pressed the edges of his cut together with his thumb as I leaned into him. His heat calmed me. “Just a dummy, that’s all.” His pale green eyes met mine, full of apologies that had nothing to do with his injuries. I reached for his finger, taking hold of it with the lightest touch and blowing on it.
My tail unwound from where it hugged Geo’s waist and rose between us. “Let me take care of this.” His gaze consumed mine, finger long forgotten.
“Where the hell are your Band-Aids, Makir?” Ginger called from the bathroom.
Band-Aids?
The fluffy tip of my tail parted, exposing the suction pad hidden within. It latched on to Geo’s throbbing wound, sending pulses of healing energy. The tether lit up with sparks of joy, contentment and…love? The sensations shuddered through me, and another thick strand wrapped around our temporary bond, strengthening the connection.
“Fuck, that’s amazing.” Geo’s pupils dilated. “What are you doing to me?”
His thick arm warmed my waist, pulling me closer. I pressed my lips to his. His mouth tasted of spice, roast chicken and the whiskey he loved. I whimpered atthe closeness, the vibration of the healing energy weaving between us, knitting us tight together.
“Well.” Ginger huffed, flicking her long straight hair over her shoulder. “Here.” She held out a small sticky length of fabric that definitely hadn’t come from my bathroom. “I thought it would be a bloodbath out here, but you’re lip-locked instead.” She emptied the water in the sink and refilled it. “Must have been a near-death experience.”
Under Ginger’s curious gaze, my tail dropped away from his finger.
Her brow wrinkled. “Honestly.” She shook her head and pushed Geo away from the sink. “Let me finish up here before you cut your finger off altogether.”
Blant, I shouldn’t have done that. My hands trembled as they kneaded my tail. It was understandable to heal someone when unconscious, but healing a non-life-threatening cut was off-limits. Not to mention that Geo had been perfectly aware, and Ginger had been just down the hall. Bonic would have my head. Every Lornian youngling knew by heart that this precious gift required secrecy.
Geo waved his finger in front of him in awe. “That’s incredible.” His voice dipped low so Ginger wouldn’t catch it. “How did you do that?”
“It must not have been as bad as you thought.” I brushed his question off with a false smile.
“You can trust me, you know. I’m good with secrets.” Geo’s voice rang with sincerity, and I tipped my head to the side. His lips were pressed into a thin line, but he threaded his warm, calloused fingers through mine, and his rough palm sent shivers along my tail. The perfect mix of hard and heart.
Not ready to disclose anything, I tried to distract him. “Why don’t we com JayJay and ask if he can bring over Ginger’s things? You can’t see when it’s dark.” I squeezed his hand. “And you need your stuff too, since you need to keep Ginger company.”
I teased him, but my heart swelled. Despite his want, he couldn’t outright say he wanted to stay with me. The next few weeks spent with Geo would be a dream come true. Maybe I’d convince him to stay when Ginger returned to Earth.
“Let me show you your room.” I pulled the drying towel from her hand and reluctantly unwound my tail from Geo before we walked to my guest room.
The space was bright and cozy. A nest of linobee furs filled one corner next to an oversized chair, and a shelf stood beside it with a couple of books Jast and Bonic had brought me. “You won’t be able to read these.” I ran a finger over their spines. “But there are some spectacular pictures of Lorne if you’re interested in my planet.”
The books, combined with the picture Jast had commed earlier, weighed down my heart. The blanket she’d made from the pelts of the linobee Bonic and Geo had trapped was spread over her pregnant belly in the image. ‘With gratitude and love,’ the sweet message addressed to Geo and me had read. A wave of longing swept through me.
Charz and Pika nudged my ankles, wanting to be picked up, and Ginger nudged my shoulder. I needed to mention the shadows under her eyes to Geo.
