Violet ran to him and threw herself at him. He caught her, pulling her against his chest as he inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. He was free! This was his chance to tell her how he really felt.
“Violet…”
His mouth was dry. He swallowed and cleared his throat. The words were easy to think, not so easy to say.
“Yes?”
Her arms were wrapped around his waist, and she leaned back. Poised on her tip toes she smiled up at him.
“I want you to be my mistress.”
“Xan, I told you, you’re free here.”
She didn’t understand. He wracked his translation chip and tried to piece together the right words.
“I want to date. I want you to be mine and me to be yours.”
She blinked.
“Xan, you’ve been through a lot. I’m the first person you’ve met here on Earth. I don’t want you to rush into a relationship with me only to regret it later.”
“I could never regret being with you.”
The thud of her heart became a staccato. Hope sprung up inside him. She hadn’t said no.
“You’ve been working with me on becoming independent. Well, this is what I want.”
§ § §
This is what I want. The words sounded so sincere and his eyes held deep emotions. Could she take the chance? She licked her lips, and opened her mouth so speak when an audible whine came from the broken pieces of the arm bands. Xan tensed, and pulled away.
“We should leave; she may have pinpointed our location.”
“Right.”
Violet pounced on the opportunity to change the touchy subject. She grabbed his hands and they rushed to the car. Once inside, she turned over the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, driving as fast as she dared on the streets.
“Will she be able to follow you after this?”
“No.”
The wide out gr
in she caught in her peripheral was radiant and the happiness infectious. She giggled. Her mood switched to somber. It was only a matter of time until he left.
Only if you let him.
“Where do you want to go next?” she asked.
“I’d like to go back to the cabin.”
“Cabin it is.”
“Did my words earlier displease you?” The concerned tone made her heart ache. She didn’t want him second guessing himself.
“No, Xan. I just need to think about things before I give you an answer.”
“It’s okay if you do not wish to keep me. I understand I have nothing to offer you in lieu of the views of Earth. Here the man provides, and that I cannot do.”