Broken

.17.

It took me several moments to stop and I looked at him before removing my hand from his cheek and wiping my eyes. "You are scared of meeting my parents. I don't understand it." I fought to get rid of the smile off my face but I was failing miserably.

"You are terrified of flying. I do not understand that." His voice was sharp, he was pushing me away and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Hey, those flying cans can and have killed people. My parents cannot and have not. Thank you very much. My fear is perfectly justifiable." I crossed my arms over my chest and he tilted his head slightly, his eyes looking me up and down. I tried to ignore the heat that started crawling through my veins at it.

"So is mine. If you father so much caught a glance of what goes on in my head when I look at you. He would probably shoot me for even thinking of doing half the things I want to do to you." His voice was low and he turned in his seat so he was almost facing me.

I swallowed hard and tried my best to keep my breathing under control as I realized the car was far smaller than I had first thought. "Well that seems a bit specific." I cursed myself as my words seemed a bit uneven. He seemed to almost leaned towards me and the car seemed to get even smaller. I felt my breathing grow a little jagged.

"That is because it is a very specific scenario, Liv. Your father would kill me." He leaned closer before reaching up and brushing the back of his hand down my cheek with a soft smile. He leaned forward, his lips moving closer to mine. I resisted the urge to close my eyes. "It would be worth it though. Only if I managed to get to do at least one of the things that I want to do to you." He pulled back suddenly and chuckled as my cheeks flushed red. I glared at him darkly for his little trick.

He looked out the window. "We are here. It is best not to be caught in a compromising position by your parents." True to his words the front of my house came into view and I could see my mum waiting on the lawn. She looked worried, concerned, fearful, and happy all at the same time.

I clung to the car door my muscles tense as I waited for the vehicle to stop. I didn't wait for Rhex as I threw open the car door and threw myself at my mother. "Liviya!" Her arms wrapped around me tightly and I took in her familiar scent, dirt and lemons.

It was like being wrapped up in my memories of her. I felt tears build in my eyes. I had only been gone for six days but it felt like an eternity. "My baby girl. My sweet girl. I thought someone was playing a nasty trick on me. Ami'la told me you hadn't bonded to that last boy and I was devastated. I thought I had lost you." She gave me one last tight squeeze before letting me go to cup my face in her hands. She peppered my face in kisses, her brown eyes so much like my own were filled with tears. "I've been standing on this lawn for the past hour. Your father is probably having a fit right now. I've been ignoring him."

She had a soft smile on her face as she brushed my cheekbones with her thumbs. She dropped her hands and took in a deep breath. "Okay, where is this bo-" Her voice trailed off and her gaze was just over my shoulder and I glanced back. Rhex had finally stepped out of the car and pushed his long sleeves up to his elbows as he looked around.

"He's handsome and definitely not a boy." My mum blinked rapidly before nudging me with a sly smile. "Introduce us, Liviya. I want to meet the man who bonded with my little girl." I felt a slight embarrassment rise up at her words but I took a deep breath in and gestured at Rhex who slowly made his way over. I opened my mouth and he shook his head before handing me a translator.

I stared at it for a second before realizing what he had meant. "Okay, mum. This little device is a translator." I held up the small device before pointing at the one in my ear. "I have one too because Rhex doesn't speak English and I don't speak Orrian. It was actually quite thoughtful of him to remember to bring them. It completely escaped my mind." I shook myself out of the thoughts before reaching over and putting the translator in her ear and turning it on. I winced with her as the high pitched whine emitted. I knew what that sound felt like in my ear.