“We are not bonded,” Kao reminded me.
I yanked my braid out of his grasp. “You’re thinking about Choosing me.” I threw down the statement like a dare.
“Yes.”
“If you do that, you can’t change your mind. You’ll have to bond with me.”
“Of course,” Kao agreed. “Someday.”
“Someday?” I squeaked. That wasn’t in the data I’d read about my boyfriend’s culture. There was a definite, short time frame involved in the progression from Choosing to bonding on Joren.
“Cherijo, I respect HouseClan traditions. Indeed, I hold them close to my heart. Yet I have journeyed through the stars for many revolutions. Were you a Jorenian female”—Kao made a small gesture I’d learned meant mild exasperation—“my ClanParents would be constructing a ceremonial chamber and sending a bond proclamation to every Torin within signal range.”
“But I’m not a Jorenian female,” I said slowly. “Does that mean your parents will hate me?”
Kao chuckled. “No, my heart. The fact that you are Terran will not alter their happiness for us.”
“Then I don’t see what difference it makes.”
“Terran culture has its share of customs regarding these matters. Do you think I would demand that you follow the practices of my world and ignore your own?”
I was slow, but finally it dawned on me. “You mean, if you Choose me, you don’t expect me to bond with you right away?”
“Not unless you are willing, and the time is correct for you.” Kao released a sigh at my obvious disbelief. “Cherijo, how could you think me so uncompromising?”
I still wasn’t entirely convinced. “You’re sure you’d be willing to wait?”
“Yes,” Kao insisted. “I could not honor you without honoring your beliefs, your work. Even when at times it seems there are a thousand and one demands upon you.”
Two thousand and one, I thought. “That won’t change.”
“It is part of what you are. A strong, dedicated, compassionate healer.” Kao pressed his lips upon my forehead and his arms came up around me. God, it felt wonderful when he held me like that. “Believe in what I say.”
“I’m sorry. I do.” I nuzzled the lower vault of his chest. “I want to be with you, Kao.”
“I want to be a part of you, Cherijo. I want to wake with you upon each star rising, I want to sleep with you, like this. I will wait for all those things. For both of us.” His eyes gleamed. “I would wait an eternity for you.”
“I don’t think it will take that long,” I said as I cuddled against him. “As long as Dr. Mayer doesn’t personally plan my schedule for the next thirty years, that is.”
“There is another matter I would discuss with you,” Kao said as he worked my hair loose from the long braid and spread it free. His fingers were magic. He breathed in the fragrance of the cleanser I used, and a deep sound rumbled under my cheek. “Terrans do not require a bonding ceremony to know one another intimately. Do they?”
“Oh.” I tried not to sound like an idiot. I failed. “Terrans generally—I mean, it’s accepted that—” I cringed. I was babbling. I never babble. “Uh—no. Why?”
“In this matter, Cherijo,” he said as he lifted my chin, “I do not wish to wait an eternity.”
Kao kissed me. How can I describe it? It was stimulating, exciting . . . No. It demolished me. I stopped breathing, stopped thinking, and just held on.
I never knew kissing could be such a fierce, prolonged, arousing activity. It was sort of like being caught in a cardiac stimulator set on continuous biofeed. My nerves sizzled as his mouth and tongue moved over mine. He tasted exotic, dark, and delicious.
When he lifted his head and our lips parted, I was much more experienced on the subject. I was also breathless, clutching him with tight, numb hands, my limbs trembling, my blood roaring through my veins.
“Okay,” I managed to gasp out. “How about now?”
“Not yet. You are not ready.” My pained expression made him chuckle. “Soon, I promise. When we are both decided.”
I started to ask him exactly what I was supposed to decide, but a group of students chose that moment to enter the observation dome, and we were forced to leave. Kao escorted me to my living quarters, where he embraced me once more.
If women back on Terra ever learned how well Jorenian males kiss, the Genetic Exclusivity Act, along with the World Government, will be overthrown in a week. I would have drawn him into my rooms, but he stepped back.