Page 30 of 20% Stud 80% Muffin (Alien Fated Mates #1)

“How could you get married without me?” Ginger exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air in disbelief. Charz and Pika were settled at my feet, and a cup of coffee sat in front of me in the home I now shared with Makir.

Makir had stars in his eyes as he spoke of his new nephew. “Believe me, Ginger, the whole trip was a disaster except for meeting Telya.” Smile lines creased the corners of his eyes. “Wasn’t he the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen, Geo?”

He rushed on before I could say, ‘yeah, he looks exactly like you.’ Would his designation be omega too?

“Oh, and Ginger, Jast adores the sling you made for him. She’s the envy of all the new moms, and if you’re interested, you’re welcome to sell your wares on Lorne.”

Ginger smiled and tapped a long, lacquered nail against the polished table.

I cleared my throat and rubbed the mating mark over my heart. “So, the only good thing that happened while you were on Lorne was meeting your nephew?”

Makir pressed a long finger to his lip. “Well, Reinik’s ass-kicking and banishment comes to mind.” A deep chuckle made his tail swish. “And have I failed to mention that the grand omega blessed us in a soul-linking ceremony like no other?” His voice transformed from teasing to awed, and the lavender in his eyes turned liquid with love.

I leaned over to kiss Makir on the cheek. “There was that little thing.”

“You guys are nauseating.” Ginger groaned as she pieced together a few pieces of mantu hide in front of her, pins stuck between her lips.

Ginger was right. We couldn’t stop touching. The tether fizzed with the heady newness of our love, and the constant feedback loop of undisguised reciprocation made me needy.

“Ginger, just how many orders have you accepted?” My eyes swept over the huge pile of cut-out hides stacked on the table. “You can’t possibly sew all that before the next shuttle leaves, unless…”

She plucked a pin from her mouth and wove it between the layers of hide. “Now, don’t you go getting any big ideas.” She bit back a smile. “As much as I love designing costumes for horror movies, I can’t stand watching them, and there is a huge freaking horror show creature on this planet, Geo.” Her eyes widened comically, but underneath the humor, a glimmer of fear lurked in their depths.

Makir fiddled with one of Ginger’s patterns. “JayJay said we don’t have to worry for a while. Winter will send it deep underground where it’s warmer.”

Ginger rolled her eyes as I leaned into Makir for a real kiss. She cleared her throat as I reached for his zipper. “I’m going to pack my bags and stay at Jay—I mean, the archbuilder’s sono for the next couple of days so the two of you can have a bit of a honeymoon.” She exhaled, sending her bangs flying off her forehead. “Though I’m not sure what’ll be worse—handling you two lovebirds or dealing with JayJay. I’ve seen teaspoons with more emotional depth.”

Makir pressed the translator behind his ear and jumped up, clapping. “Yes, a honeymoon. That’s what we need.” He waved goodbye to Ginger.

“Give JayJay a chance. He’s a good guy.” I hugged my best friend and left her in the kitchen, organizing her projects.

“You, my true mate”—Makir tapped the button on my shirt—“will learn how to fly a hoverbike. Let’s go to the hot springs.” Then, with a finger over my lips, he silenced any objections.

I scooped Makir into my arms and walked to our bedroom. “But first, sleep. You’ve exhausted me.”

Makir bounced as I dropped him into our nest. “Blant. Warn me next time, would you?” he yelped before discovering the gift I’d given him. “Goddess. What is this Sola-blessed thing?” He scrabbled the furs back from the nest to reveal the custom-made mattress I’d requested Ginger bring to Tern. He reclined on it, pushing at it with his heels, hips, shoulders and head.

My mouth watered as he rolled and pressed his body into the soft cushion.

“I think I’ve landed on a cloud.”

I pounced, landing with my knees on either side of him and licking a long stripe up his stretched-out neck. “You like it?” I growled.

He wiggled deeper into the new mattress. “Geo, we’re never leaving the nest again.”

Makir’s tail brushed over my heart, and my thumb over his mark. The suction from his tail weakened my knees, and I drew in a breath.

“Show me what you’ve got, stud muffin.”

Thank you for reading my story. You fill my heart with thanks!