In The Corsair's Bed (Corsairs, #2)

by Ruby Dixon

Instead, he smiles again. “Did you just try to kill me? Kef, that’s cute.”

“You keep fighting all the time,” he tells me. “Never let anyone think they own you or you’ll start to think it, too.”

"What is this, the alien version of Hoarders?"

There’s a lot to be said for small kindnesses.

Someday maybe she’ll tell me what happened. I suspect it’ll make me sick, but if she needs to speak about it, I’m here for her. Really, I’m just here for her in whatever way she might need me.

She’s going to be the death of me, I think, because I’m already wrapped around her small human fingers and she doesn’t even realize it.

“So what’s our new name if it’s not the Dancing Fool?” Sentorr asks, annoyance stamped through his demeanor. “How about the Lovesick Fool?” Kivian smirks in my direction.

He’s the best thing on this ship, hands down, and everything on this ship is pretty fucking amazing.

Doesn't mean he can't love you from afar.

I look over at Tarekh and he’s just watching me, his eyes soft with affection. My heart squeezes at the sight, and I smile at him. I adore this man.

"Watch me break seven sanitary laws in a single swoop, my pet." He pulls her wrist to his mouth and licks it sensuously. "Done."

“Be right back, love,” he murmurs to me and brushes his lips over my brow as he stands.

“You have my heart, little Cat. I’m afraid that I might never let you go after that.”

I caress her head, stroking her hair back from her face. “None of that is who you are. Who you are is this person here. The one with me now. The fierce little human who does what she must to survive and spits in the face of danger. I love her. I loved her since I met her.”