Page 23 of Her Alien Owner
His gaze softens just a fraction. "With people like you around, Ariana, I believe I will."
Dessert arrives, a delicate confection of exotic fruits and creams that looks almost too perfect to eat. Valen leans forward, his gaze never leaving mine as he takes a bite. The intimacy of the moment makes my heart race.
"You seem lost in thought," he observes, his voice breaking the comfortable silence.
I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just... thinking about your vision for Armstrong. It's ambitious."
"Ambition is necessary," he replies smoothly, "especially in a place like this."
I nod, taking a small bite of the dessert. The flavors burst on my tongue, but my focus remains on him. "Do you ever think about what might have been if you'd stayed where you were?"
His eyes darken slightly, and for a moment, I see a flicker of pain. "No," he states flatly. "The past is a trap. It’s the future that matters."
His words resonate with me more than I'd like to admit. I reach for my wine glass but pause when his hand covers mine, warm and firm. The contact sends an electric thrill through me.
"Valen..." I whisper, my voice barely audible.
He leans closer, his eyes intense.
The sound of distant laughter from inside the estate breaks the moment, and he pulls back slightly, though his hand remains on mine. I can’t help but be taken by him—by his presence, his mystery—but fear still gnaws at the edges of my thoughts.
I swallow hard, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside me—hope, fear, desire—all tangled together in an inexplicable mess.
As we finish dessert, a maid collects our used dishes. Valen helps me to my feet, quietly signaling our time together has come to an end. He leans forward again and this time presses a gentle kiss on the back of my hand.
The simple gesture feels profoundly intimate. His lips are warm against my skin, and it takes all my willpower not to shiver in response.
"Goodnight, Ariana," he murmurs as he straightens up.
"Goodnight," I manage to say, my voice barely steady.
As he walks away into the shadows of his grand estate, I'm left alone with my racing heart and conflicting thoughts. Part of me wants to run after him, to see beyond that enigmatic facade and understand who Valen truly is. But another part warns me to tread carefully—to protect myself from whatever secrets lie hidden in his past.
Torn between these two impulses, I head back to my quarters with a mind full of questions and a heart that’s more uncertain than ever.
CHAPTER 10
VALEN
Dinner with Ariana lingers in my mind like a persistent echo. Her laughter, soft and genuine, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke of her dreams—every detail stays with me. I didn’t expect to feel this way, didn’t want to admit how deeply I’m drawn to her. Yet here I am, haunted by the memory of her touch and the warmth of her presence.
“Tragan,” I call, my voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil within. The aide appears promptly, his face a mask of efficiency.
“Yes, sir?” he asks, ever the professional.
“I need you to hire additional security for the estate,” I say, leaning back in my chair. I can't risk taking any more security from the mines. It would not only open it up to theft and sabotage, but would also not go unnoticed in the business world. The last thing I need is more rumors spreading. “Discreetly.”
Tragan raises an eyebrow but doesn’t question me. “Any particular threats we should be aware of?”
“None specific,” I lie smoothly. The truth is, I can’t shake the unease that grips me when I think of Ariana outside these walls. The incident with her ex-boyfriend still burns in my mind. “Just a precaution.”
“Understood,” he nods, making a note on his datapad. “I’ll ensure they blend in with the current staff.”
“Good.” I pause, considering my next words carefully. “And Tragan, make sure they’re top-tier. I don’t want any slip-ups.”
He looks up, meeting my gaze briefly before nodding again. “Of course. Anything else?”
“That’ll be all for now,” I dismiss him with a wave, turning back to the window as he exits.