When She's Wary (Risdaverse, #11)

by Ruby Dixon

Even a prickle of fear can’t make my erection go away. I don’t know if it’s the noli or the edge of danger, but I’m harder than ever when she casts a snarl in my direction. I breathe in another whiff of her glorious scent and it takes everything I have not to come. Again.

I can make this work, I decide. Sure, she’s angry now, but I can charm her. And then when she’s charmed, maybe she’ll straddle me and take her pleasure like I’m a tool to be used. Keffing noli. I like that idea way too much.

“I am trying, by the way. So you don’t think I’m completely irresponsible.” “Why does it matter what I think?” “Because you smell keffing amazing and you’re smart and resourceful, and I like you.”

I’m going to have to come back here, I realize. I want to get to know this female better. I want to see if I’m as affected by her without a hint of noli in my system. And more than anything, I just want to have more of the push-pull conversation with her, because it excites me more than anything has excited me in a long keffing time.

Who knew that Risda III would have such a treasure living here?

That earns me a smile. A real, genuine smile blooms across Tabitha’s face, and it might be the best thing I’ve ever seen.

Even though I’m coming across as a fool, I’m enjoying this conversation far too much to stop. I love that she’s needling me. I love that she wants to prick me with her words.

There’s something about Jrrru that makes me pause, though. It’s like some part of me instinctively knows he’s not out to hurt me. That he really feels as lonely and isolated as I do.

It’s like he really has my back, and the feeling is staggering. Overwhelming.

Please, please be my friend. Please be someone that’s there for me. I don’t think I realized until this moment just how much I needed that. I’ve been so used to coping, to managing, that the idea of having another person in my life to rely on is both terrifying and exhilarating.

I like that he remembers that I’m Tabitha. Not Tab or Tabby. I like that he pays attention to me, too. I like that he’s willing to let me establish the rules. That if I want to keep him fetching things for a chance to see me, he’s content to do so. He wants me comfortable, and I like that most of all.

I didn’t really think of myself as lonely before I met him. I was surviving.

I’ve gone slow with my female, even though in my mind I know she’s absolutely the one for me. Tabitha is smart and funny, clever and brave and determined. Her scent is the best thing I’ve ever smelled, and her eyes sparkle when she’s feeling fierce. I love everything about her. I hunger to hear her voice and breathe in her scent. I want nothing more than to spend every moment with her…but

“Every keffing day I wake up and I’m thrilled to be on this planet, because it means I get to see you again. I thought my brother was just infatuated with his female when we moved here and he’d get bored of it, but I understand now. It doesn’t matter where you live when the best person on the planet is right next door.”

I don’t think things between us can go back to the way they were before this moment. I’m not sure I’d ever want them to, either.

I think of Jrrru, and how safe I feel when he’s around. Maybe I don’t need an arsenal behind my door and pit traps dug in the yard to feel safe. Maybe I just need to let Jrrru in.

I want to tell her that she doesn’t have to thank me. That I’ll always take care of her.

Just being with Tabitha feels like a gift.

“You’re so wet, aren’t you?” He breathes, and rocks his hips in time with mine. “Your scent is everywhere. It’s amazing. Keep using me, Tabitha. Use me until you come. I want to feel you come apart in my arms.”

We fall back onto the floor with her atop me, and I hold her close. “I’m obsessed with you. You’re my mate. You know that, right?” “I love you, too,” she whispers.

I’m tired of protecting myself from the universe. And if anyone is going to catch me if I fall…it’ll be Jrrru.