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“I am well, Caro. Only...” Malo dodged past and closed the door on Caro.
What was that all about? She shrugged and sank into a comfy then lunged out of it. A squeal lodged in her throat when it had cupped her backside like a horny old man.
Not willing to chance it again, she meandered around his quarters, finding nothing of a personal nature. Did he have a family? Friends? A wife or lover? She didn’t like the last two but doubted he had either. She couldn’t see him kissing her if he had a soulmate.
Soulmate? Her heart leaped at that thought. Sure, only one person as the other half of her soul? She didn’t believe in that nonsense for one important reason. What if it was true? Then no man she married would be good enough. After every argument, insult, or neglect, she’d always wonder if she’d chosen the right man. There were so many scenarios of what-if-she-had-a-soulmate. It was insane to put that kind of pressure on a relationship or marriage. But Malo believed it.
Perhaps it was different for aliens? Humans tended to be fickle. They’d dismiss any tangible evidence as a hoax or coincidence.
Then how could she ignore how much she liked him and that her affection for him had grown so fast? After one day, she was ready to hump his leg. She was a bad human representative. He must think all human females would do him. Guilt burned her cheeks. Sure, she dreamed of doing him. Hoped to. She brushed her fingers over strange glass surfaces in his ‘kitchen.’
The bathroom door opened, and Malo stepped out in a matching wrap. A deep V exposed glorious abs, bulging pecs, and sinfully delicious bronzed skin. Yes. All females would do him. Hot jam and buttered toast, he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever met. She could be forgiven for succumbing to the temptation that was all of...him.
“Now what?” she rasped then cleared her throat.
“If I had my way, you would be beneath me, and I would be buried in your softness,” he growled.
She gasped at his bluntness, despite the heat on her cheeks spreading. If he could be bold, so could she, right? “What if I said...yes, please?” She raised her gaze to meet his while fanning herself.
“Caro, no meaningless fulfillment. If you give yourself to me, you are mine.” His voice was steady and firm, but his body was taut, his hands curled into fists.
“Holy noodle, Malo, what does that even mean?” She threw her hands into the air. “Am I like your concubine to travel the stars with you until you discard me on some penal planet? Does that mean I’m yours for now, for forever, or for a set period?”
“It means forever, as my life force and the mother of my damu,” he said, his gaze unflinching.
Damu? As in children? She gaped. Sure, she’d thought of marrying him but when confronted with the reality... She shivered and folded her arms around her waist. “After one day?”
“As all Etterians do, I knew the moment I saw you,” he said.
She stilled. His words were a revelation. He knew when he met me? When he glanced at the distance between them, she realized he wished he could cross it. Yet he hesitated to do so. His wariness confused her. Does he want me or not? She studied him, his eyes, the fleeting expressions. He did want her. He’d told her numerous times. Yet he didn’t want to rush her. What does it matter if he calls me soulmate and I call him husband? Was it simply a terminology difference?
“Come, ensa, let us return to your Izzy.”
“But Malo...you need clothes.” Her gaze roamed over the length of him.
He groaned then stomped toward her as if she’d asked him to eat his Brussel sprouts. When he drew to a halt beside her, he gripped the counter with enough force to dent the surface. He punched in commands on the glass, and his military uniform appeared. With a cry, she brushed the glass. She almost laughed at her reaction. A science so fantastical, it appeared as magic?
“What’s this? What happened?” She stabbed at the glass surface like he had. The screen flickered with strange hieroglyphics. His language? Her mind reeled. Teleporting? Replicators? Holy noodles, she was inside an ancient movie. Faced with his weirdness, his strength, potency, handsomeness glossed over that he wasn’t of earth. But this? She brushed her fingers over his bare forearm, marveling at his smooth and shimmering skin.
He captured her fingers and held them to his lips. His breath burned her, sending tingles to her elbow. “Caro,” he whispered. “There is much in my world I will need to teach you.”
He took the bundle and disappeared into the bathroom.
She pressed more buttons, no doubt accidentally ordering an explosive device. That thought froze her fingers, and she snapped them back. Best to wait until he explained.
Within minutes, he strode toward her, once again in his full military armor. She sighed, refusing to blink. He was gorgeous, but not as sinful had he been naked and leaning over her. But like he said, she needed to be sure she wanted him for...forever. Granny’s nipples, to decide on forever after one day together? He’d known when I stood there drooling over him? How insane is that? Wait till I tell Izzy. She’ll pee herself.
He looped an arm around her, pulling her against his hard body. His ice blue gaze met hers with a level of intensity that snatched her breath. He didn’t blink or glance away when he spoke into his wrist.
“Holy shit,” Izzy squealed. “You can’t go around evaporating, then bam, coming back. Give a girl a warning, please.”
A shiver rippled down Caro’s spine. Teleportation was far beyond Earth’s technology and here she’d twice been molecularly dismantled and rebuilt. Caro forced a chuckle and disappeared into her room to don her usual office attire—pencil skirt meets shirt. Today was the dark blue skirt with a pale pink button-up shirt. She dressed as fast as she could, her knee twitching and her thoughts on Malo in the kitchen. Everything within her compelled her to join him, to languor in his presence. Her heart fluttered and sparked another wave of butterflies lower in her core.
Holy noodle, am I thinking forever as a definite possibility? Or is this just lust? Love can’t blossom this quickly, can it?
While glancing at herself in the mirror on the back of her bedroom door, she tugged on her stilettoes—wincing when her toes complained. She grabbed the brush off the chest of draws and ran it through her hair. Another glance at her reflection summoned a muttered curse. Her red lips were like sirens luring sailors to their doom. Monkey’s bananas, I can’t even lure a dead cat with a leash attached. She grabbed the citrus oil and scrubbed the lipstick off. Noodles, the citrus and my perfume clash. Is there time for another shower?
“Izzy, sweetheart, could you come here for a sec?” Caro called, desperate to talk to her friend. She needed guidance, ASAP.
“What is it?” Izzy opened the door a crack to peek at her.
“I need your help.” Caro gestured with her head to the bathroom.
Izzy entered the room, closed the door behind her then tiptoed into the bathroom. Caro snapped the door shut, then ran the basin’s taps at maximum.
“I need to talk to you,” she whispered.
Izzy smirked. “I can see that.”
“They have excellent hearing.” Caro ushered Izzy onto the closed toilet, only to pace in the tight confines. “Firstly, they believe in soulmates. They call them Dar Eths.”
“What?” Izzy squeaked. “For real for real?” She giggled, clasping her hands together. “That’s awesome.”
“Yes and no,” Caro said.
Izzy gaped. “Malo’s yours?”
“According to him.” Inevitability settled on Caro’s soul.
Izzy’s eyes widened and she mumbled, “Hot jam and buttered toast.”
“He’s given me time to think about it.”
“What? Why? What’s there to think about?” Izzy stilled. “Are you insane? You snatch that man up this instant, Caro. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
Caro waved her hands, trying to get Izzy to calm and lower her voice. “It’s not that easy.” She snuck glances at the door, half expecting Malo to appear.
“Babe, I know you’re scared, I see that, but to not grasp this opportunity for happily-ever-after? Then you take one for the team. You do this for all women on this planet who would snap him up on his offer in a heartbeat.”
Lose him to someone else? No, he’d said one female ever. “I would love forever with him, Izzy.” There. She’d admitted it.
“Do you think I could have a soulmate?” Izzy raised her big gray eyes, hope shining through.
Caro grinned. “You want one?”
“Hell, yes. To be loved forever, to be treated as if I matter?” Izzy tilted her head to the side on a sigh.
“Malo said he knew the moment he met me. Since Garix and Ronin remain protective and haven’t tried to kiss you, I would say neither of them is your soulmate.”
“Right, so I just have to find my alien.” Izzy rolled her eyes. “Not daunting at all.”
Warmth, exploding butterflies, delicious aches, and intense need swelled within Caro. “I can’t believe I’m considering this.”
“If you don’t do this, Caro, I’ll be so furious with you. Even Simmy will be disappointed.”
“Simmy would not.” Simone was Izzy’s older sister. She’d lost her sight at an early age. That Izzy had caused the accident was something her friend had yet to forgive herself for.
“Then think of your aunt.” Izzy leaped to her feet to wag a finger in Caro’s face. “She didn’t raise a fool, Caroline Masterson.”
“That’s a low blow.” Caro flinched as pain throbbed in her chest. Some days she was fine, other days she missed Aunt Lucinda, her wise council, and dry sense of humor.
“Not at all, babe. Your aunt would have dragged you onto the spaceship by your ears.” Izzy winced. “She was stronger than she looked.” She rubbed her ear. “Caro, I’ve seen how Malo stares at you. He’s smitten.”
“Smitten?” Caro chuckled at the word choice even though her heart lodged in her throat with hope and delight.
“He sniffs you, for tart’s sake. He’s always touching and kissing you. And he punched Gary in the face. What more do you need?”
Caro jerked back. “You know about Gary?”
“He was crying like a baby when we went for coffee. He tried to get the police to arrest Garix and Ronin, pointing at their uniform and making demands.”
Caro grinned and relived that moment. Yes, Malo defended my honor.
“Now, hurry up.” Izzy switched off the water then left the bathroom and bedroom.
Caro sank onto the closed toilet seat. Izzy was right. The more she thought about it, the more it was a no-brainer. She wasn’t afraid of change but to risk her heart. Malo had been nothing but honorable, polite, and too damn sexy for words, so she couldn’t see him toying with her. He cared—it was obvious how much he did.
“Caro, are you ready?” Izzy asked not a minute later. “I’m starving.”
“I’m here,” Caro sighed and pushed to her feet, marching with determination to the kitchen, hoping she didn’t perspire at any time during the day. At least her underarm was odorless. “I’m running out of shoes,” she said to Izzy. “Where’s Garix?”
“He went to cleanse.” Izzy bit into an apple, leaned across, grabbed another and tossed it at Ronin. “He waited for you two to return before evaporating. Said something about ensuring I’m protected.” She paused, pressing the apple to her chin. “I almost died. There was bacteria on the counter. Oh, heavens, thank you, my heroes.” She threw her hand over her temple in a melodramatic pose, her sigh overdone as per usual.
Caro snorted at her friend’s theatrics.
“You mock our need to protect you, Izzy,” Malo said, his frown thunderous to behold.
“We’re in our apartment, Malo. There are no wild animals, no attackers, just a pain-in-my-ass neighbor.” Izzy peered at him then her lips twitched into a sweet smile. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended.”
“We may be too overprotective, but your safety matters to us,” he said in a gentle tone.
“It matters even more to Garix. He is large for an Etterian male. Your size calls forth his protective instincts,” Ronin said, while munching on another apple.
“Thank you for explaining. I’ll try to be more understanding,” Izzy said to them. “But if he doesn’t get his ass here soon, I’ll need to be rushed to the hospital. My stomach’s swallowing me whole.”
“She’s joking, just Izzy being Izzy.” Caro waved her hands at Ronin and Malo, who looked like they were about to call for medical assistance. “And you, can it. You ate enough yesterday, so much so there should be two of you.”
“Garix and Ronin ate more than their share.” Izzy pouted. “I had to suck the butter from my fingers to avoid starvation.”
Caro arched a brow. “You would’ve licked your fingers anyway. Now get us two taxis, and allow Malo and Ronin a little peace.” As soon as Izzy bounced out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her, Caro faced the room. “She’s my friend, and I love her. My life would be pretty dull without her.”
“She says outrageous things.” Ronin grinned, revealing both his dimples. “Although, she is refreshingly joyful, Caro.”
“You won’t feel like that when she bounces on you to wake you.”
“She did so this morning. This was why Garix was vocal.” Ronin chuckled while he washed his hands in the kitchen sink.
Caro handed him a clean kitchen towel, lest he shake his fingers dry or use his military cargo pants. Garix appeared in the middle of the lounge. Ronin explained where Izzy had disappeared to before the bigger man asked. But as soon as Garix heard where, he bolted for the door. His thunderous steps echoed along the passage.
“What is that scent?” Malo grasped Caro’s hips to hold her against him, not that she tried to resist. It was futile. “It is sweet, tart, surprisingly pleasant.”
“I’m not wearing perfume.” She fought to keep her breathing steady and failed.
He sniffed her neck then face and finally her lips when he brushed his mouth over hers. Drawing back, he rubbed his lips together on a hum.
She raised a hand to her chest, hoping to calm the warm fuzziness. “It’s citrus oil. I use it to remove my lipstick.”
“Lipstick?” His eyelids fluttered, as if he battered his eyelashes. “That captivating red substance on your lips? It was mesmerizing.”
“What just happened? Why did your eyes twitch?”
“My O.D.I. or Optical Data Implant explained a word I did not know.” He tapped his wrist twice, activating the holographic buttons then touched his temple. “It is connected to my neural system and transmits data into my brain.”
“That’s incredible.” She grasped his wrist to study the hieroglyphic symbols—like the replicator—hovering an inch above his arm. Unable to stop herself, she stroked his skin under her thumb. It was like velvet and so warm.
“Caro, where are the black lines around your eyes and the color on your eyelids?” By his wide-eyed expression, he hadn’t realized it wasn’t a permanent feature on a human.
“I didn’t put cosmetics on this morning. We apply it to feel nice and look pretty.” She stilled under his steady gaze, his ice blue eyes filling with an intensity that invoked something strong within her, something unfamiliar yet potent, and addictive.
“You do not need this...cosmetics.” He brushed her hair behind an ear, his fingers unerringly tracing the shell of her ear and down the line of her neck.
How he knew to do that, she didn’t know, but it swirled heat in her belly, uncoiling into a throbbing mess a little lower. She clenched her thighs together, praying she didn’t scent aroused...again.
“You are truly beautiful this morning, ensa.”
Her heart ceased to beat when his gaze traveled down her throat with a focus that bordered on obsession. The way his lips parted told her he would press an open-mouthed kiss to her skin if he could. And she’d let him. He had to know that. She had no resistance with him, no willpower. He made all her inhibitions crumble.
“Guys, the taxis won’t wait forever, y’know,” Izzy said from the door. Garix hovered behind her.
Ronin approached her with eagerness, but Malo held Caro back, wrapping his fingers around her wrist with a tender yet firm grip. She glanced at him, not expecting him to brush his lips across hers, to pluck at her bottom lip until she parted her mouth. He gathered her against him, one arm around her waist, and his mouth on hers, slipping his tongue in, groaning at the same time. It echoed her sentiments. When she met his onslaught with an exploratory forage, he rumbled before stepping back. He grasped her hips, strong enough for her to feel his hands shaking.
“I do not know why I keep doing this to myself,” he said in a hoarse and sexy voice. He didn’t glance away but gazed at her with hooded eyes. No wonder she had tambourines going off in her core. It had a right to throw a party.
“You’re a sadist and masochist, Malo,” she said.
“Caroline,” Izzy screamed from down the passage.
Caro chuckled and grabbed Malo’s hand, her bag, then slammed the apartment door behind them.
“About damned time,” Izzy huffed. She ushered Garix and Ronin into a taxi before climbing between them.
“Why do we not take the ground-vehicle...car?” Malo asked when they slid into the other taxi.
“I asked Izzy to organize the taxis to distract her. After breakfast, we’ll return to Director Reyes. He’ll want to know if you enjoyed your time on Earth.”
“And what would you prefer I tell him?” Malo teased then laced his fingers through hers before resting her hand on his thigh. The heat of him permeated his armor, making her shiver. The weather wasn’t cold, yet there was something enticing in his warmth and cologne.
“The truth.” She smiled.
“The truth, ensa?” He leveled his ice blue eyes on her upturned face. “Do you believe your superiors would accept my evil plans to abduct you?”
Mm. She tapped her chin as if giving his question serious thought. Abduct me, hold me captive, pin me to your bed, and promise to never leave me.
“Planning on restraining me? Blindfolding me and tying me to your...” Her tongue tied when she imagined what that must be like. Under his seductive gaze and mouth, with the heat pouring off him and the strength in his embrace?
He cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb across her bottom lip, then chuckled. “If you ever misbehave, I might do so.”
“Promise?” she rasped.
He laughed. “A vow I will easily make, minus susa.”
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