Page 48 of 20% Stud 80% Muffin
“Geesh, all right. Hold your horses.” I scrolled through my email and forwarded the one from Dr. Ten to Ginger. I wasn’t sure how they did it, but the Intergalactic Federation had seamless communication technology between the planets in the Reiner System.
Reading Dr. Ten’s report topped my to-do list, but it kept getting put off, filed in the same place as building my home.
What kind of archbuilder has no home to show off?
A private shower would be nice. Makir’s slick fur in the hot pools of the cave came to mind, and I hardened against the fabric of my overalls—something that happened with increased frequency these days.
Ginger’s annoying voice shook me from what was sure to be a pleasure-filled fantasy. “Geo, it says right here the reason your muscles have grown and your”—she cleared her throat—“cock has thickened…” She snickered. “It’s due to ‘shared DNA with Lornians.’ That’s Makir’s species, right?”
“Uh-huh.” Dr. Ten was a crackpot. Me sharing the same DNA as a furry blue alien with a puff on the end of its tail? No way.
Ginger continued to read. “The alpha traits the patient displays stem from latent chromosomes that, while present on Earth, in rare cases have remained repressed until exposed to a compatible omega. When exposed, personality traits consistent with an alpha behavior profile manifest, i.e., increased assertiveness, persuasiveness, desirability.” Ginger laughed. “I gotta get me some of this.”
Pika and Charz barked in the background, and I longed for my home on Earth.
“I’m going to keep reading this to you because otherwise I know you’ll ignore it forever. Among the physical changes that may occur, muscle development and genital adaptations are the most common.”
This couldn’t actually be a thing, could it? I cupped my cock and stared at the sleeve of my shirt. I’d had to rip it this morning so it wouldn’t cut off the circulation to my arm.
“He’s got it all laid out for you here, you big doofus. You should’ve read the damn email instead of worrying up eight thousand fatalistic reasons why your body has gone berserk.”
To get a little privacy, I walked outside.
Sully yelled at my retreating back, “Boss man, come back. We want to know more.” A chorus of laughter followed, which I casually waved off, but I wished the ground would swallow me.
As I walked, my mind drifted again. What Yurstille really needed were a few green spaces, like a community park, especially if they wanted to encourage new families. I didn’t want to hear what Dr. Ten had to say. If I read it, there would be no plausible way to deny the fact that I had the genetics of an alpha. At least when it came to Makir.
“Tune in, Geo,” Ginger scolded. “This is your life, and it has gotten exponentially more interesting.” She took a sip of something, likely an espresso. “This is straight out of a sci-fi movie. You might have blue babies with beards and fuzzy tails in the future.”
“Come on, Ging,” I said quietly. “That’s not funny. What the hell do I do if he’s pregnant? Fuck, I didn’t even know he had a brother until yesterday. I know nothing about the guy. Any time we’re together, I’m either a barbarian or under the influence of his pheromones.” And his hands, mouth and naughty tail. “How does a guy even know what’s real in the middle of so many chemical reactions?”
“It can’t be any worse than the bad decisions I take home after a night at the club.” Ginger laughed. “Geo, take a breath. Do some tai chi and get your Zen on. You need to get out of your head. It’s all too close, and you’re catastrophizing things.”
She tapped her nails against her cup in the background—probably neon with black tips, or something equally bold. Ginger was right, and I didn’t want to discuss it.
“I miss Charz and Pika.” I sighed.
“An unusual letter came for me yesterday, which is why I called. Someone can’t seem to remember my phone number.” Her excitement topped her sarcasm. “It turns out I can visit you because you put me as your next of kin. One paid visit a year!”
“Are you serious, Ginger?”
“I know, right? Crazy,” she replied. “I can bring Charz and Pika with me…” Her voice softened. “It’s not like I would miss them if they ended up—”
“Why didn’t you start with this? This is great news. I don’t care if I have to build the mayor three pools. I’ll do whatever it takes to get approval to bring them here.”
“I’ll have to wrap up a couple of contracts and set up a house minder. Unlike some people who take far-flung vacations that are a mere flight away, it takes two damn weeks to get to Tern.” Ginger soothed my dogs in the background as if they understood the conversation.
My cheeks grew sore from smiling so wide. “Do I need to remind you whose idea it was for me to move here, Ging?” I felt like I’d just won the lottery.
The sky darkened with brown clouds, and the wind kicked up pink dust around me. The tether between Makir and me tugged, a constant reminder of my need to be closer to him.
“I’ve got some planning to do, Ging. Thanks for making my day. Talk soon.”
“Bye, Geo. Send me a list of what I should pack.”
I wandered back into our shared accommodation and tripped through the entryway, standing there in a daze.
“Boss man, why are you staring into space?” JayJay’s deep rumble brought me back.
