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XYREK

"I need to talk to you." Josie stormed into my quarters as the door ticked open to let Alice out.

"You are not welcome here," I told her, moving my arms to shoo her back out.

"Too bad. We need to talk. Close the door."

Was this female for real? Who did she think she was giving me orders?

"The only way this door closes is once you leave."

She changed tactics. "Please, Xyrek?" Her full lips turned pouty, and her eyelashes fluttered. I didn't think I could take this for two more days. This female was hunting me. No matter how many times I told her that she wasn't going to share my quarters or bed, she wouldn't stop.

A sudden idea hit me. "Alice! Wait up!"

I rushed by Josie out into the corridor, where I pushed through the throng of people. The same throng of people that had made it hard for Alice to make much progress to the cargo hold. When she heard her name, she stopped and turned.

"What?" She looked confused in such an adorable way that I paused—momentarily struck by how alluring she made confusion look. I liked the way she blinked up at me like I had something worth saying—like she actually wanted to hear it. No one had ever looked at me like that before. I bent low to whisper in her ear when I reached her, "What would you do to stay in my quarters until we reach Astrionis?"

The crowd pressed around us, and Alice huffed out a long breath. "Anything."

"Good."

I pulled her into my arms, lifted her up because she was so frygging short, and pressed my lips to hers. The idea was to give these humans a show, carry Alice to my quarters, and make them think I made my choice. Hopefully, to give me some peace. However, the moment our lips met, my body developed different ideas. The sensations of bliss that ran through me were beyond anything I had ever experienced before. This wasn't just a kiss. It was like a coat enveloping us, sealing us into a bubble and fusing us together. Her arms slung around my neck, and she pressed herself closer to me; I felt her breasts push against my chest, which caused a fire in my loins that I instantly knew I would never be able to extinguish.

"Whore," Josie hissed as she pressed by us, ripping me out of my bliss. Had she been a male, I would have beaten the life out of her, but she wasn't.

"I think you’ve got that all wrong; a whore is someone who keeps pushing herself on someone who doesn't want her." Instead of my fists, I used words. I supposed there was a first for everything, and honestly, Josie's paling face was rewarding in its own right.

Josie hissed while Alice buried her head against my chest, shaking it. I readjusted my arm around her and carried her through the now-parting crowd to my quarters.

The moment I sat her down and the door closed, she whirled on me with blazing eyes. "Just to be clear, I'm not having sex with you."

That hadn't been my intention when I chased after her. All I had wanted was a reprieve from Josie and other females like her, hoping they would back off once they realized I’d made my choice. But after my body's unexpected response to a single kiss, I realized that instead of gaining peace for myself, I had just made the situation overwhelmingly worse. I had no idea what to do with the emotions and sensations warring inside my body, heart, and mind. Most of all, her words hurt me. Had she not just experienced the same wonder I had?

"No worries, this is strictly for show, so these skrevas —vipers—will leave me alone."

"Good," Alice nodded, crossing her arms over her chest, but not before I noticed her pebbled nipples. Hah, so she wasn't quite as immune to me as she liked to pretend to be. Now, that boosted my battered ego some.

"Okay, so what are the rules?" she wanted to know.

"Rules?"

"Yeah, rules. We're going to spend two days and two nights in here, right?" She waited for my nod. "I only see one bed."

"I'm not giving up my bed!" I blustered.

"Didn't think you would. No worries, I'll take that beanbag chair; that looks comfy enough."

What did she mean by didn't think you would? Did she mean she acknowledged it was mine , or… was I supposed to let her have the more comfortable sleeping spot? I had been on my own for nearly thirty years. How was one supposed to act around other people?

"Next rule: you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend when we're outside this room, right?" She continued; meanwhile, I hadn't even caught up with her first point yet. Girlfriend ?

"It's only a couple of days. As long as they know you're here, we shouldn't have to make a public appearance together. And I'll take the chair." I would? When did I decide to sleep on the chair?

"It's no biggie, really," she said, confusing me about what we were talking about now: the chair or public appearances… wait, that would mean I could kiss her again…

"We should probably go out and eat together," I suggested, congratulating myself that my brain finally seemed to be functioning again.

"Okay. So, holding hands and stuff?"

"And stuff." I nodded vigorously, too vigorously, probably, because she narrowed her eyes at me.

"No funny stuff."

"Sure," I agreed, having no idea what she meant. But the prospect of holding her hand and kissing her appealed to me. She was like a Black Abyss, drawing me in with her pull, making me curious to find out what was on the other side.

"You're sure about the bed?" she asked while simultaneously throwing herself onto it. The moment she landed, she groaned. "Oh my God, this is heaven!"

I couldn't tear my gaze from her face. Her eyes were alight with happiness as she rolled on my bed, quietly moaning. My cock, which had already been erect from our kiss, hardened even more at her sight. Made worse by the tiny sounds she was making. I rubbed my face. This had been a bad idea. A very bad idea.