Species Unknown [Book 2: Pisces)

25. BECOMING CLOSER

I CLOSED MY EYES, waiting for the impact that never came. Instead, I felt a rush of wind beside me followed by a loud "oof".

I opened my eyes in time to see that the researcher from earlier had been taking advantage of the creature's sudden calmness and attempting to approach him from behind me. However, the creature had noticed his pathetic attempt and knocked him back, pushing him away from us.

As I looked back, I saw that the two remaining researchers stood a few yards away, seemingly knowing better than to get any closer. I caught a glimpse of Hunter too from the other side of the tank, and I swallowed.

His eyes were dead set, and his arms were crossed firmly across his chest as he watched me.

He looked impatient.

I closed my eyes with a sigh, before focusing back on the creature. When our gazes met, his blue eyes searched mine. For a few breathless moments, we looked at each other, his labored breaths matching the rapid beat of my heart.

With nothing else holding me back, I rushed over to him, coming up to kneel down in front of him. My eyes trailed up his body to his face and I let out a breath of relief.

He was alright.

When I left him the day before, I was so worried about what would happen to him while I was gone. After seeing the scene today, I thought my fears were confirmed, but I was wrong. Now that I saw that he was okay, I was overcome with happiness and relief.

While I assessed him, the creature remained still, his eyes flickering across my face down to my relieved smile. His long silver hair fanned around his face as he looked down at me. He was so tall that even when we were both sitting down he was still a whole head above me.

Peering up into his blue eyes, I could see his relief at my presence, and something else too, something warm, something affectionate.

It was the first time I had ever seen him look at me like that, and it threw me off guard, sending my heart fluttering in my chest.

Breathlessly, I watched as he reached a careful hand to my face, brushing aside a lock of hair that had fallen in front of my eye. The action was nothing new, he had done it before, but for some reason, it felt so much more intense this time.

I sucked in a breath as his fingers brushed delicately down my face to my cheek. His touch was featherlight as if the slightest pressure would send me shattering like glass, and I closed my eyes as a delicious shiver went down my body.

"You're here." The creature breathed, leaning in closer. He was so close now that I could feel his warm breath on my cheek.

I felt my face flush at our newfound proximity.

"I told you I wouldn't leave you." I replied softly, looking up at his face that hovered inches above mine.

I watched as his eyebrows creased together in a mix of pain and confusion. I opened my mouth to speak again, but before I could get any words out, the creature removed his hand from my face, and pulled me to him.

My eyes widened in surprise, and I held my breath as the creature wrapped his arms around my waist, clutching me to his chest. His skin was smooth and hard as stone, cold enough to send another shiver throughout my body. His cheek brushed against mine as he clutched me impossibly closer, as if I would vanish if he ever let go.

It was nice, being held by him. He smelled like the sea in the best way, and it gave me an odd sense of nostalgia and belonging.

Feeling my body pressed against his made me realize that we had never been this close before.