Page 53 of Tarek

I could smell his vanilla, sea salt, and pine more clearly than before. It was subtle, but it threaded through the air between us, making the instinctive part of me that recognized my mate settle more firmly into place. Darren's cheeks warmed. He glanced down at his food, then back at me, and the attraction in his expression was unmistakable.

I kept my movements relaxed, not wanting him to feel pressured. We had time, and I intended to give him the space to decide what he wanted and when. But the knowledge that he was attracted to me, that he was beginning to look at me as more than a legal obligation, was enough to make my tail curl slightly against the chair, as I fought the urge to wind it around his ankle.

Across the table, Sarah noticed. I could tell from the way her eyes moved between us and the knowing smile that appeared on her face. Nick noticed, too, and his mouth twitched as though he were trying not to laugh.

Sarah set down her drink. “You know, I've been thinking. The children seem to be getting along rather well, and I've got plenty of room in my quarters since I'm travelling alone. Why don't the boys have a sleepover with me tonight? Nick can come over and help me get everyone ready for bed, so we'll have it all under control.”

Darren looked at her, then at me. I felt my chest tighten with a sudden, hopeful anticipation, but I kept my expression neutral. I wasn't going to assume he wanted the same thing I did simply because we'd spent a pleasant afternoon together.

“And Laura, too,” Sarah added. “Just put her pack-and-play in the corridor, and we'll grab it so we don't disturb you.” She gave Darren a meaningful look.

“That's very kind of you,” I began, “but you don't have to - ”

“It's fine,” Darren said.

I stopped. He was looking directly at me now, his arm stretched across the table so one hand was now resting on the table beside mine. His expression had changed. There was still a little nervousness in his eyes, but beneath it was a clear, deliberate choice.

“I think we should have some time alone, as we have things to do,” he continued, and his fingers brushed lightly against mine. The touch was light, but it sent a rush of heat through me. He held my gaze, and the look he gave me was anything but uncertain.

I lowered my voice. “Are you certain? We can wait.”

His fingers closed around mine. “I don't want to wait.”

For a moment, the noise of the chow hall seemed to fade into the background. I could see the warmth in his eyes, the faint colour in his cheeks, and the determination beneath his smile. He was nervous, perhaps, but he was choosing this. He was choosing me.

My venom sacs, which had been swelling steadily since our first meeting, ached, begging for the venom to be released by my bite. The mating response was ready, and I felt the familiar instinctive certainty that the time had come. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and nodded.

“Then we won't wait,” I agreed, my voice soft.

Sarah's smile widened. “Well, good. That's settled.”

Nick chuckled into his drink, while the children reacted to the announcement of their sleepover with immediate enthusiasm.

“Can we watch movies?” Matt asked.

“And have snacks?” Evan added.

“Can they make popcorn in the replicators?” Jake asked.

“Can we stay up late?” Vrann asked, looking from Sarah to Nick with an expression of hopeful excitement.

“Yeah, we should have popcorn if we’re gonna watch movies!” Tom agreed.

“And candy!” Gil added.

“We'll see,” Sarah said, laughing. “But there will definitely be movies and snacks, and you'll all have to listen when we tell you it's bedtime. It will be late for you anyway, I’m sure.”

The children began discussing which films they wanted to watch, apparently unconcerned that their parents were making arrangements that would change the course of their lives in one way or another. I couldn't help smiling. They were safe, happy, and already beginning to form friendships that would no doubt last for years, if not their entire lives.

Darren rose from his chair, still holding my hand for a moment before letting go. “Right, boys. You be sure to listen to Sarah and Nick, and mind your manners. I'll see you in the morning.”

“We will!” Evan promised.

Matt was already asking Nick whether they had any films about dragons who were the good guys, and I heard Nick and Sarah both answer almost at the same time about one apparently called “How to Train Your Dragon”.

Darren leaned down to kiss Laura on the cheek, careful not to wake her from the doze she'd fallen into after her meal. Then he straightened and looked at me, his expression warm and inviting.

“I’ll put some diapers in her bag and stuff for some bottles out with her crib. I’m sure you both know by now what to feed a baby her age.”