Page 59 of Tamed By Her Touch

Kaelus agreed with him about that much.

Varell nodded.

“My transport is waiting,” he said. “Please come with us.”

The group started toward a long, low vehicle parked beside the landing area. Kaelus automatically stepped ahead of Clair, wanting to examine the path and vehicle before she reached them.

Behind him, Varell cleared his throat again.

Kaelus stopped—he was beginning to dislike that sound very much.

“Is there another problem?” he asked.

Varell gave him a look that was genuinely puzzled.

“Why are you walking ahead of your wife?”

Kaelus stared at him.

“To ensure the path is safe, of course,” he said. “Shouldn’t that be evident?”

Maera smiled.

“That is understandable. On Titus Four, however, the goddess walks first.”

Kaelus frowned.

“But what if there is danger? I don’t want my, er, mate to get hurt.”

“If he suspects danger, then her husband walks beside his goddess,” Varell replied. “Never ahead.”

Clair came up beside Kaelus and they resumed walking.

“This is going really well,” she murmured.

Kaelus glared down at her.

“You appear to be enjoying yourself.”

She gave him a sunny smile.

“Maybe a little, sugar-booger. Do you think you could act just a bit more affectionate? We are ‘married’ after all.”

“Fine.” He transferred both of her bags to one hand and placed the other at the small of her back.

But the instant he touched her, her warm scent rose around him.

Kaelus clenched his jaw. Goddess-damn it—why did she have to smell so enticing?

Clair looked up at him.

“Everything okay, big fella?”

Could she see the tension on his face? Kaelus forced himself to relax.

“Nothing,” he growled. “Except that apparently I am required to walk beside or behind you.”

She winked at him.