Page 249 of Red Marked

“How did it go with Pryce?” I glance at him.

“Very well. He’s still sulking about being kept in the dark, but he had a call with the Council this morning, and an invitation to the castle is on the way. The king wants to meet him. Alastair is going to dine out on this for the rest of his life.”

I laugh. “The media will love it. We’re about to return from the dead.”

“Exactly. You’ll all be celebrities. The clinic will get acclaim. Everybody wins.” He glances at me. “There’s going to be a lot of attention on this place. It should all be positive.”

“What does the Council say? Did they apologize for telling us to stay away from the mountain range?”

“They’re eating humble pie. They say they had no idea. They knew the mountains would be a perfect ambush spot for ferals and were worried we would want to explore them, trying to find these nonexistent females. That’s why they were so harsh with the ban. They were afraid for the team. They regret not listening to us.”

“And Holt? Have you seen him since we got back?”

“He’s doing well. He ate everything on his tray this morning and asked the doctor for a haircut. He’s already talking normally again. It will be a week, two at the most, and he should be ready to go home.”

“I’m going to see him before we leave. I owe him a secret ingredient. That chocolate cake recipe has been in my family forever.” I pull some hair behind my ear. “I want him to know I’ll stay in touch, too. He shouldn’t have to do this part on his own.”

“What’s the secret ingredient?”

I snort-laugh. “I can’t tell you that.”

He smiles. “Why not?”

“I’d have to kill you.”

He laughs, and I laugh, and then the laughing runs out. We stop at the fence. The same fence the males hauled Jett over last night. Flint looks at the trees. I look at his hands.

“Did you come to say goodbye?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “I came to tell you that I enjoyed our time together.”

“Me too.”

“And I wanted to see if you’d be interested in spending some time together. In the future…when you get back.”

“Okay,” I say slowly. “Maybe.” I have no idea what he’s asking me. “Are you talking about more sex?”

“I’m not sure what I’m talking about.” He shifts his weight. “Maybe go on a couple of dates to see where it goes.”

“I like the idea of that.” I like it far too much. That’s the problem.

“Good.”

“I’m just worried about one thing.” I make myself look at him. “You told me you never wanted to mate or have kids. Has that changed? Do you feel differently now?”

He groans and tips his head back at the sky. “I don’t know, Star. I can’t tell you that. I’m not ready. I don’t know if I’ll ever be.” He looks at me again. “You make me want to want those things. I don’t know if that helps at all.” He gives a one-shouldered shrug.

Shit.

Shit.

Everything in me wants to say yes. To take whatever he’s offering and worry about the rest later. I could do it. I could say yes right now, go and pack my bag, and be happy for a while.

I can’t.

“Here’s the thing. I promised myself a long time ago that I would never settle. Being with someone who might never commit to me feels a lot like settling.”

“I wish I could promise you more.” He doesn’t look away. “I wish I could tell you that in a month or a year I’d be ready. I’m not going to lie to you. I’d never do that. I love spending time with you. I’d like to get to know you better. That’s all I have right now.”