Page 40 of Her Alien Owner

I take a moment to think. "Because stepping away means losing everything I've built. And right now, Armstrong needs stability."

Ariana nods slowly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "And what about you? What do you need?"

Her question catches me off guard. What do I need? The answer seems so simple yet impossibly complex when it comes to her.

"I need..." I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. "I need to know you're safe and happy here."

She gives me a small smile, but there's a shadow of doubt in her eyes. "It's hard to trust when there are so many secrets."

I reach out, taking her hand in mine again. "Then let’s take it one step at a time. I'll be as open as I can be."

Her gaze softens slightly, and she squeezes my hand gently. "Alright," she says quietly.

We lapse into a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's presence. It's strange how natural it feels to be with her, like some part of me has always known this moment would come.

"I used to dream about places like this," she murmurs after a while.

"Oh?" I prompt.

"Yeah," she says with a wistful smile. "Growing up in Armstrong's ruins... it wasn't easy. I'd imagine grand estates and gardens where everything was perfect."

I squeeze her hand reassuringly. "It's not perfect here either," I say softly. "But maybe together we can make it close."

Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, there's an unspoken understanding between us—a fragile bridge built on shared dreams and whispered promises.

As the night wears on, we talk about everything and nothing—childhood memories, favorite foods, silly anecdotes that make us both laugh until our sides ache. It's easy with her; the weight of my responsibilities lifts just a little in her presence.

I feel like I can trust her with my burdens; all of them. And perhaps one day I will. I can only hope she feels the same way about me.

But trust is earned slowly and lost quickly—I'll have to tread carefully if I want this fragile bridge between us to grow stronger.

CHAPTER 17

ARIANA

Valen's eyes, usually a storm of guarded emotions, soften as he talks about his past. His voice carries with it memories, some painful, some nostalgic. He’s shared more tonight than I expected, and it touches me deeply.

“Genuine. Real.” He hesitates, as if weighing his next words carefully. “You see me for who I am, not just the facade.”

His honesty disarms me completely. I close the distance between us and press my lips to his in a kiss that feels like both a thank you and a promise.

He responds immediately, his hands finding my waist and pulling me closer. The kiss deepens, and I can’t help but move to sit in his lap, straddling him. His arms wrap around me securely, as if anchoring me to him.

“This is unexpected,” he murmurs against my lips, though there’s a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Unexpected good or unexpected bad?” I ask between kisses.

“Definitely good.” His hands travel up my back, sending shivers down my spine.

We continue to kiss, losing ourselves in the moment. His touch is both gentle and possessive, making me feel cherishedand desired all at once. Every brush of his lips against mine sends electric currents through my body.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispers huskily.

I pull back slightly to look into his eyes. “I think I have some idea.”

He chuckles softly but then grows serious. “You mean more to me than I can put into words.”

My heart swells at his confession. “You mean a lot to me too, Valen.”