Page 130 of Stardusted

With the full force of his gaze trained on me instead of the road, I could see the dangerous gleam in it. He wasn’t just unhappy. He was borderline pissed. My throat tightened.

“Since you’re so interested in my physiology,” he murmured, running his eyes over me, “you may have also noticed I can experience sexual arousal.”

I choked on my own saliva. “I…”

Any response melted when Sky leaned a little closer, into the space between us. His voice dropped an octave. “I can evenorgasm,” he said, holding my gaze. “In case you were wondering about that, too.”

Was that a challenge? A promise? I didn’t know anything for certain other than the fact I’d forgotten how to breathe.

Fantastic. Now I was thinking about Sky and orgasms and orgasmswith Sky,and all the ways I was totally on board with all those things. My coffee nearly slipped from my numb fingers, and I caught it just in time, tightening my grip to avoid dumping it in my lap, unable to tear my wide eyes from his face.

He watched me fumble with a faintly arched brow, like he’d done it on purpose. Maybe he had. Maybe this was a defensive reaction to my prodding.

I recovered enough to sit back and managed to close my mouth, though I didn’t look away. Neither did he. A charge vibrated between us. His lips parted like he was about to say something else—but then he scraped his teeth over his bottom one, muttered something under his breath, and turned back around.

Hands on the wheel, he went back to staring out the windshield.

The silence stretched.

I eyed his profile, a little shocked, a smidge turned on, and more than a tiny bit confused.

But then he exhaled again, quieter this time, and ran a hand through his hair. I’d never seen Sky actually angry. It didn’t exactly feel great, being responsible for almost getting him there.

“Sky,” I started, intending to apologize, but he cut me off.

“I’ve got the same basic needs as you,” he said without looking away from the red light. He sounded resigned, like he’d accepted answeringsomeof my questions—if only to shut me up. Or maybe this was an apology for dangling the word orgasm in my vicinity. “The only real difference is the suit’s ability to manipulate and generate electricity, the cloaking mechanics—which include the interference with recording technology. And my enhanced immune system.” His gaze darted my way then back to the road. “My body runs at…peak performance, I guess you could say. I heal a little faster. Can’t get infections or viruses. Metabolize quickly…” He turned his head. That calm, reserved expression was back, but his firm tone held finality. “But I’m really not supposed to talk about it.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.” I slid deeper into my seat. My face still burned. Had he just told me his body runs atpeak performance?“I get the picture. I’ll stop pushing.”

“Thank you,” he said, subdued.

My pulse hadn’t settled quite yet, mostly because the tension lingered. Sky was quiet as the light turned green, and we took off again.

He couldn’t entirely blame me, though. Anybody would have questions. How many people could say they’d interviewed an actual alien over a to-go coffee cup?

Well…considering how many aliens I’d discovered were hanging out on Earth, maybe more than I thought. Maybe FETR had the market cornered on alien dialogues. I wouldn’t be shocked if they had a podcast or something.

Regardless of who was doing any interviewing, I couldn’t be the only one who knew about this. Somebody high up had enough information to come up with a cover story, after all. But even that lie would only last until the Enil decided to make a more public appearance. Hard to cover up a seven-foot-tall angry robot busting through walls and shooting pink lasers.

Then I remembered Sky was worried they were afterme,and thetwo and a half cups of coffee churned in my stomach. I tightened my hold on my thermos.

But that was why Sky was here. In case he was right, and the Enil were still a threat.I risked glancing at him. He didn’t lookirritated anymore, just pensive. Brooding, even. That was better than mad.

The silence felt a little awkward, though, filled only with the thump of his dark industrial music and swish of tires. I had a whole day of this, being in his presence. Being around him.

And I couldn’t decide if that fluttering feeling was anxiety or…anticipation. Maybe a little bit of both.

I went back to chugging my coffee.

The rain had subsidedto a misty drizzle by the time Sky pulled into the pothole-ridden employee lot behind Oasis. A few cars were scattered across the spaces marked with fading white paint, including Tony’s souped-up street racer and Kelly’s pink two-door coupe.

I nearly sighed. I wasn’t sure I had the energy for her this morning, but it didn’t look like I had a choice.

The clouds hovered, heavy and gray, promising more storms. I dodged one of the parking lot’s many puddles as I climbed out of Sky’s SUV and smoothed down my work dress, rubbing my arms against the chill. I really should’ve grabbed a coat.

I heaved my bag’s strap higher as Sky shut the driver’s side door. He looked my way, pocketing his keys. The wind tugged on his dark hair, and while he said nothing, his questioning look was enough—as if he was asking if I’d be okay.

I shifted from foot to foot, gripping my shoulder strap. Iwasokay, but…I felt strangely uncomfortable at the thought of being apart from him.