Page 28 of 80% Beef 20% Cake (Alien Fated Mates #2)

Three weeks later…

Under a domed ceiling, stalactites hung like icicles. They sparkled overhead like a star-strewn sky. Hot water lapped around us in soothing ebbs, where I bobbed in JayJay’s arms.

“Well, that’s it.” One of my hands caressed the back of JayJay’s thick neck. “I’ve let my final contract on Earth go. Everything is tied up. You’re looking at Tern’s newest colonizer.”

With me attached to him like a monkey, JayJay swam us to the hot spring’s edge, where a polished bench awaited. There, he pulled me onto his lap. His puffy lips brushed over mine for a moment before he darted his tongue out to lick the water from my neck. “And most beautiful.”

I smacked at his wrist. “Stop it. Tuga will be here any second, and I don’t want to be a squirming mess.”

He continued to suck little kisses along my neck. “But your messes are like graneth honey on my tongue.”

“Who knew you would turn into such a sweet talker?”

JayJay’s grin turned me to putty in his hands. “Does that mean you’ll stop calling me King Kong?”

“Nope. You’ll always be my giant gorilla.” I kissed his nose. “Remember when I first arrived, and you couldn’t even look at me?”

“What did you expect? I’ve never known anyone like you.” His thumbs massaged the crease under my ass, sending hot shivers through me. “My body goes haywire anytime you’re in range.”

“Okay, maybe you’ve graduated to Mr. King Kong,” I groaned.

Tuga’s shout jerked me from my bone-melting massage. “I’m heading to the cold pool.”

JayJay frowned, still running his hands over my bikini bottoms. “I guess we should join him.”

“Yes, we should.” I wriggled out of his grip.

Fresh water fed the pool from a below-ground spring, and the soothing water lapped over my waist, dulling the ache in my core as JayJay carried me to the bench built into the cave’s wall. I sat on the smooth stone, fluttering my legs around his hips where he stood in front of me. RitRat and Nebula swam like otters next to Tuga.

“So, when do you start?” Tuga asked.

“New week. Last moon’s election established a council.” JayJay swooshed his hand through the water, and the ripples expanded until they reached the dorats. Their tails—one sable, one Technicolor—twirled together as they sank beneath the water. “Their first order of business was establishing a protector force.”

I shifted my attention from the playful dorats to JayJay as a surge of pride filled my chest. Rivulets of water ran down the deep grooves between his pectorals, and his iridescent skin shimmered in the low light. “And with TeyTey and D’ovey as part of the council, they’re already making smart decisions, like naming you lead protector.”

“Bish…” JayJay brushed off my praise. “The most important outcome was Yurst having a council to hold him accountable.” Then he laughed. “But cutting off his statue spending will certainly help with hoverbike replacement.”

“You’ve found quite the place here, JayJay.” Tuga admired the hot springs around him. “I didn’t believe you at first. But I feel our ancestors are present here. It’s just like the Black Rocks of Nara on Yagras.” He glanced at Nebula, who lit up the water and the etchings on the wall with her fiber-optic light display as RitRat nipped at her neck. “I’ve no doubts that Tern is a twin planet to Yagras.”

JayJay’s eyes roamed over the markings on the smooth black wall. “These are so similar to our written word. A keeper might know what they say.”

“Yes, a keeper needs to be assigned.” Tuga paced back and forth, arms braced behind his head as water sloshed around him. “Why is the Intergalactic Federation’s ruling taking so long? When I stood as a witness against Devile, I couldn’t get a read on the supreme councillors in attendance.” He worried a hand over his smooth head. “I can’t go back to protecting that disgraceful Rock Dweller.”

JayJay sat on the bench next to me and scooped me into his lap. “I know the truth in my heart, whatever they rule. You have a place here my friend, no matter the outcome.”

I smoothed my hand over the hard muscles in JayJay’s tense arms. “You’ll be cleared.”

After another dip in the hot pool, we strolled hand in hand the short distance to our house. Tuga strode ahead. Our wristports dinged as soon as we passed through the black rock entrance into the day’s light.

Sisip: I have news and will arrive in two suns

JayJay’s hand tightened in my grip.

Nebula twined around his calf, and I leaned into him. “Nobody in their right mind would let Devile go free.”

Hands in fists, Tuga turned to face us. “If they do, consider that bastard dealt with. I will not return to my position as his bodyguard. Or anyone’s blanting bodyguard.”

As we walked over the glossy rock path from the hot springs to our house, Geo and Makir came into view. They stood, admiring the plateau below them from the simple rail skirting our expansive patio. Charz and Pika circled their feet. Nebula and RitRat flashed in and out of their camouflage, and the greatest game of tag two tiny dogs could ask for began. An enormous crate blocked the front door.

“We brought you a little something,” Geo said to me.

I raced toward the crate.

“Here, we’ll move it inside for you,” JayJay said. With ease, he and Tuga carried the crate into the living room.

From out of nowhere, a pry bar landed in my hand, and I did a little shimmy. I smiled as if I’d just turned ten, and it was my turn to whack the pinata. The boards splintered and cracked under the pressure. “Oh. My. God. GEEEOOO! My stuff!”

My eyes grew glassy as I reached in and pulled my favorite things out. Various sewing machines, shears, scissors, needles and pins, thread of all colors, bolts of fabric, markers and tape and just everything. Beneath my office contents, stacked in color-coordinated piles, was my neatly folded wardrobe. I wiped tears from my eyes.

“Sweet mother of God,” I squealed, reaching for a tiny box before crushing it to my heart.

JayJay’s eyes widened with alarm. “Ginger, are you okay?”

I nodded like a madman. “Best day ever.”

JayJay’s eyes narrowed as he eyed the linnea leaves encircling our wrists.

“Well, besides the day we bonded. And when you defeated the hellsna and rescued me from a kidnapping. Oh, and that time you saved us from the landslide…”

He cupped his big hand over my nape. “I get it, Ginger. Breathe.”

I launched myself at Geo. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Geo staggered back. “Why do I get the impression that of all your things, you’re really thanking me for a little box of hair dye?”

My laugh may have been on the manic side. “Because have you seen this?” I shook my hair at him and ran toward the bathroom with my rose body wash, favorite green dress, and low-heeled brown leather ankle boots, calling over my shoulder, “You guys are in charge of dinner. Make sure there’s enough for Sisip. I’ll be a while.”

Heavenly rose-scented water cascaded over my skin as I rinsed the hair dye off. I shaved my legs, turned off the shower and smoothed on lotion before toweling off. My green wrap dress hugged me like a second skin, exposing just the right amount of cleavage. Copper bangles jangled as I blew out my hair until it fell stick-straight and silvery white over my shoulders. Freshly sharpened black bangs framed my face, and I smacked lips saturated a deep red. Matching copper earrings dangled from my ears as I wiggled my feet into well-worn boots.

With a new home, a man to spend the rest of my life with and custom orders coming in every day, I’d never been more excited to see what the future held. My latest check-up with Dr. Ten had shown that my red blood cells were well within the normal range, and my white blood cell count, for the first time in forever, had come back normal.

“Sayonara, idiopathic blood degeneration.” I blew myself a kiss in the mirror. We didn’t know for certain whether I was cured, but for now I was living the dream.

Mantu sizzled on the grill outside, alongside a long clay pot filled with herbed vegetables. My mouth watered as I inhaled the aromatic air. JayJay and Tuga stood over the smoking grill while Sisip chatted with Makir, and Geo tossed a ball to Charz and Pika. The dorats pranced around the dogs with their tails twined together, noses in the air.

I moved into JayJay’s line of sight with an extra sashay to my hips, loving the way his jaw dropped and the tongs fell onto the grill.

“Well, well, well.” Geo smirked. “It’s my old college roommate, live and in person.”

Tuga gulped. “Will your friends be visiting from Earth now that you’ve moved here?”

“You look lovely, Ginger,” Sisip said.

“Aww, this old thing?” I smoothed my skirt and smiled.

Makir passed me a glass of hiscus wine. “She’s dressed for good news.”

All eyes turned to Sisip except for JayJay’s. He was busy clambering to my side.

“Well.” Sisip cleared her throat. “Fill your containers, everyone—” She held her glass high to the sky. “—because JayJay’s been cleared of all charges!”

I turned to congratulate JayJay, frowning when I found his nostrils flared and his forehead ridge jutting.

“Blant, Ginger, what’s that terrible odor? And where has your lovely stripe gone?” He peered at the top of my scalp.

“Um…hair dye.”

“Your skin stinks, too.” His nose glided along my neck, sending shivers down my spine despite his words.

“Probably my rose body wash.”

“The linnea scent is buried—”

“JayJay”—my fingers rubbed over his linnea arm bands—“did you hear Sisip?”

His head swiveled back and forth.

Sisip repeated herself, schooling the smile on her lips. “The Intergalactic Federation has cleared you of all charges. Devile did not get off so easily. He’s been charged on six counts: the murder of Yula Rackver, kidnapping, attempted slaughter of you and Tuga, defamation and sabotage.”

“What?” JayJay stared at Sisip, then the others for confirmation.

“You can both return to Yagras whenever you want.” She lifted her tawny chin in Tuga’s direction. “Though I hope you don’t.”

“How am I meant to focus when you come outside looking like that?” Though he whispered into my ear, sliding a huge hand down my side over the smooth fabric until it landed on my hip, JayJay’s words carried to everyone.

Tuga nodded in agreement while sipping his whiskey. His eyes were riveted to where JayJay’s fingers sifted through my hair one idle stroke at a time.

JayJay locked eyes with Sisip. “Do you mean it? I’m free to live my life as I choose?”

My mouth went dry as the news started to get through to JayJay and he trembled in my grip. He leaned toward Sisip, every muscle braced as if he was expecting the worst.

Sisip stood taller and straightened the crisp edges of her enforcer uniform. “I would never lie to you, JayJay. You’re a free male.”

Relief flooded JayJay, so palpable it jerked through our bond, making my knees weak.

“We need music. A celebration is in order,” Makir shouted.

“Wait, what about Devile?” Tuga slugged back his whiskey. “Tell me they nailed him good?”

Sisip’s split lips turned up, flashing sharp canines. “The ruling body sentenced him to five annums on Docking Station 8. It’s a penal colony. He’ll be guarding the miners imprisoned there from Snaks.” Her tawny ears twitched as she turned to Makir. “Your brother may have helped with that.”

Makir reached for Geo with his tail. “Just what he deserves. Snaks are related to hellsna. It’s a death sentence. He won’t last a week.”

“Hey, how about that dance?” Geo tugged on Makir’s collar with both hands, and Makir’s face lit up again, tail swaying.

Moments later, a deep percussive bass thumped through the valley, and Geo and Makir spun across the balcony to its beat. Sisip unbuttoned her jacket and hung it over the rail before pulling me to her side, ears fluttering and hips twisting.

Geo’s arm jerked in front of him, and Makir’s tail bounced to the rhythm. Tuga’s eyes widened when Sisip’s hips dropped to the floor in time to the deep bass. JayJay’s eyes glazed over as my hair fanned out in a circle while I spun. Meanwhile, smoke rose from the grill they manned.

Dancing must not be a thing on Yagras.

After he rescued the mantu, JayJay’s forehead ridge turned to a thick slash over his eyes. Instead of celebrating, JayJay and Tuga’s conversation appeared to have turned serious. If I knew JayJay, they were likely already setting up drills for recruits. Their frowny faces were putting a damper on our party, so I ran up and grabbed their hands, pulling them under the spell of the music.

I placed both hands on JayJay’s chest and leaned into him on my tiptoes. “What’s got you so deep in thought, King Kong?”

“Tuga has offered to be my second-in-command. He wants to stay on Tern.”

Overhearing our conversation, Geo stepped away from Makir to shake Tuga’s hand. “Welcome to the building crew. There’s an empty bed in the sono with your name on it. Until trouble rears its ugly head again, you’re all mine.”

I jumped up and brushed my lips across JayJay’s. “Well, that’s another thing to celebrate. And there’s no way RitRat and Nebula would handle a separation, so it works out for everyone.”

JayJay sucked in a raspy breath. “Ginger, everything is too perfect.”

Just then, Tuga stumbled and tripped, and Sisip landed on top of him in a heap. Tuga’s forehead ridge jumped and jutted, as if he didn’t know what to do with her. He yanked Sisip upright again, brushed his hands off and excused himself to the grill.

“Ah, c’mon, King Kong, now is your time. You deserve this. Plus, not everything’s gone right.” I spun and shimmied my ass down his legs. “I stink now.”

His face grew serious once more. “That smell will go away, right?”

I tipped my head to the sunny blue sky above and laughed.

Thank you for choosing my story to read. Your support means the world to me!