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Cleaned up, dressed, and feeling a little more fluttery than usual, I manage not to run to Lochdon. Taking his offered hand, I let him scoop me up with two of his others and he kisses me voraciously, like it’s been weeks since he’s seen me, not minutes.

When he finally comes up for air, he says, “Will you let me take you to the place I’d like to be our home here?”

“Yes, please.”

I wrap my arms around one of his as we walk and I don’t try to stop him when he backs me into the corner of the elevator, kissing me senseless.

I’ll remember how to get here next time.

The door is nondescript, aside from an orange sign taped to it that feels like a construction warning, but I don’t know the language it’s written in.

When he opens the door, it doesn’t look like it’s under construction, but after he’s shown me the living area and a bedroom that has a very comfy looking bed—more than big enough for both of us—he turns me toward chaos.

“It’s not finished, as you can see. The bathroom was set up for an Opodean.”

“I don’t know what that means.” I know the species, but not what their bathrooms look like.

He winces. “You don’t want to.”

“It’s nice.” I say, looking at all of the little details.

“It used to be the station administrator’s… but he had other requirements he couldn’t make changes to accommodate.”

He picks me up and takes me inside, when he stops, I know what he wanted me to see. It’s hidden by a pile of construction debris.

“That… is a very nice bathtub.” Big enough for both of us and maybe a few friends—not that I’ll be issuing any invitations.

He turns, setting me on the counter. “Tell me what you need and I will make this a home for us, Maggie,” he whispers my real name across my lips and kisses me softly.

And I pull him to me for a deeper, sweeter kiss, so that I don’t lie to him and say, “All I need is you.”

Someone clears their throat and we both turn to look at the Cacillan man standing in the doorway, tools in hand. The cat-like alien smiles ruefully. “Sorry to break up the party, but you’ve got a schedule for us to keep.”

Chuckling, Lochdon picks me up again, setting me down once we’re in the bedroom.

He doesn’t let go of my hand and I don’t ask him to.

Once we’re out in the halls again, he turns me and hugs me close. “Do you have any more shifts scheduled?”

“No. I had planned to go back on the shuttle tonight.”

“Stay.” He brushes his thumb over my lips. “I don’t ship out again for three days. Stay and let me show you what our days could be like when you are my mate.”

“I’d like that.”