Lauren's Barbarian (Icehome, #1)

by Ruby Dixon

I guess that’s the good thing about leaf clothing—easy access.

I feel an intense sweep of pleasure over the control I have right now. I’m the one on my knees, but I’m the one in charge of the situation.

there are things you just know at your core, and I guess I know how to be a tease.

“That’s just T’chai. Ignore him. He follows me like an angry puppy ever since we resonated.”

The realization strikes me hard. The work never ends here on this planet, because there’s always going to be more that needs to be done. If you’re in danger, all you’ve got is your own two hands and that of your friends.

After all, without mates, what do we have to live for?

I’m obsessed with him. He’s the first thing I think of when I wake up, and he’s the last thing on my mind before I go to sleep. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.

Tomorrow, I’ll be back to myself. Today, I’m going to be a little bit of a mess and that’s okay.

“If we waited for these two to pull themselves apart, we would be waiting a very long time,” Vektal says, voice amused.

“Hi there,” I whisper back to him, and then because I’ve wanted to say it for so long, “I love you.” My alien breaks into a massive grin.

We’ll figure out the best way to survive and we’ll thrive here. We can thrive anywhere, as long as we’re together.

Life has changed, but it does not mean that it is bad.”

I’ve crossed galaxies while I slept, crossed an ocean and back again, but none of that matters. I know where my home is—right here in his arms. It’s where I’ll always want to be.