“Your husband screwed around, right?” Crystal asked.
Eva nodded. “But even before that, when he made love to me, if you could call it that, he didn’t care about me.”
“He never gave you an orgasm?”
“No, he never even tried.”
Crystal leaned forward and took Eva’s hand.
“Look, honey, that was him, and Larson is Larson. Obviously, Larson knows how to make love to a woman, and it’s obvious he really loves you. He’ll always make sure you’re happy.”
Eva stared down at their linked hands.
“But how can I know?” She drew her hand away. “How can I take the chance?”
“Oh God, honey. How can you not? How can you turn your back on a guy who’s going to love you and bring you pleasure at every opportunity? Look how he held back when he obviously wanted to make love to you. He left himself totally at your mercy. How can you chance losing that?”
A few moments later, a buzz sounded, and the door to the quarters slid open. The man named Terrien stood in the doorway. Despite his somber expression, Eva could see all too clearly the love in his eyes as he gazed at Crystal. And the pain.
Crystal clasped Eva’s hand and squeezed, then stood. Crystal avoided looking at Terrien as she crossed the room.
Clearly, the two of them had some issues to work out. Crystal had said she couldn’t be with one man, and clearly, she denied the link between them, but it was so obvious.
To Eva, anyway.
The same as Eva’s link to Larson seemed to be obvious to Crystal.
The door closed behind them, leaving Eva alone. She sank into the chair.
Could it be true? Was Larson really Eva’s soul-mate?
That would mean she could find true happiness in his arms. He wouldn’t stray because, according to his own beliefs, she was the perfect woman for him.
And he was the perfect man for her.
Oh God, she wanted to believe. If he loved her…truly loved her…they might find a happily-ever-after. A love that could endure time.
A few moments later, Larson stepped into the room. He sent her a guarded glance, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
“Don’t worry, Eva. I know you were caught up in the moment. I’m not expecting you to jump into bed with me again.”
He was angry with her. She could see it in his stance, in the tautness of his muscles, in the set of his jaw. She walked toward him, drawn to him like a magnet, and gazed into his eyes. No, not anger. Restraint.
He wanted her, but he would not push himself on her.
As she continued to gaze at him, his eyes softened. She could see love in the teal depths. Tender and sweet. If she allowed herself to accept that love, it would fill their lives with bliss.
She felt her barriers breaking down, bit by bit. Could she trust him? No question. He’d proven himself time and again. Would he stay by her side? Absolutely. He believed he was her soul-mate, and that was forever.
Her heart swelled as love bubbled up from deep inside. She wanted him. Heart and soul.
She closed the distance between them and cupped his cheeks, then brushed her mouth against his. The sweetness of the contact almost brought tears to her eyes. He slid his arms around her gently as he answered her kiss with a light brush of his tongue across her lower lip. She opened and swirled her tongue against his.
“Come with me,” she murmured in his ear, then took his hand and led him to his room. “Where are those bands?”
His eyes lit up, and he opened the drawer on his bedside table and pulled out the two black bands. He started fastening one around his wrist, but she caught his arm and took the band.
“On me,” she said, and released the tie on her robe, then dropped the garment to the floor.