Page 17 of Loving the Alien Spy

With that, he walks away. The galley has emptied of all the other guards in the time we spoke. I hadn’t even noticed. The commander’s words replay in my mind. I should ignore them. In fact, I have every intention of doing so. My decision has been made. It’s better for Lindsey. Once I am gone from this world, she can find a different mate. A better mate. One who doesn’t live in the shadows.

Chapter 10

Lindsey

I set down the data pad, and the virtual game of Damshah I’ve been playing, to tip my head back and enjoy the heat of the sun on my face. I’d gotten really sick of feeling sorry for myself, so I somehow managed to leave my apartment and find a bench to sit on a block or so away from the housing complex.

Up until recently, being on Bohna has been the best thing to happen to me. Despite the debacle with Lorik, I’d been…happy. Even without having found the right Bohnari yet. Except since the attack and this whole heart’s fire thing with Bannik, I’ve been having one giant pity party.

Especially after that disastrous half conversation at the barracks a couple days ago. Am I destined to continue being rejected by every guy on this damn planet? Lorik’s rejection had been embarrassing. Bannik’s had been more than that. Painful, almost, in a way I can’t explain. It doesn’t help that I’m also a little lonely.

Quinn and Olivia spend nearly all their time with their mates—or with the queen since it was announced that Janik really is her long-lost and thought-to-be-dead son. Although it’s only through their mating, they’re both related to Queen Veroneek and are basically royalty now. I’m happy for my friends, even if I miss them.

I haven’t seen Devon either, except for once when I caught her slipping back into her room the night before last, well after midnight. She’d been gone again when I’d stopped by her room yesterday and again this morning.

“Hello, Lindsey.”

I open my eyes to find Lorik standing in front of me. Shit.

“Hey.”

He gestures with his chin toward the empty space on the bench next to me. “May I sit?”

I scoot over to give him more room, and he makes himself comfortable. From the corner of my eye, I notice him wiping his palms on his thighs.

“Are you doing well?” he asks after an extended silence.

“Fine, thanks.”

“I have been wanting to apologize once more, for nearly an entire moon cycle.”

“That’s not really necessary.” In fact, I’d like nothing more than to forget it ever happened.

“I feel as though it is.”

My emotions are far too volatile right now, and I can’t deal with this. I swivel to face him. “I don’t need or want your apologies, okay? All I want is for you to drop it. I kissed you. You didn’t kiss me back, nor do you want to. It’s fine. Truly. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d really like to forget it ever happened and never to talk about it again. Can we do that, please?”

Lorik sighs but nods shakily. “I won’t bother you again.” He stands and glances down at me for a minute before walking away.

Great, now I feel like a bitch. It’s not his fault I’m out of sorts. I shouldn’t have taken my frustrations about Bannik out on Lorik. It wasn’t fair to him.

“You kissed that male?” The question is nearly growled, and the rough sound vibrates through my chest and lower.

I turn, already knowing who spoke. Bannik stands far too close. His skin is a deep, dark copper, and flames dance in his eyes. I drop my gaze to his mouth, where the tips of his fangs peek over the edge of his lips. His hands aren’t fisted, but his claws are long and sharp. The feral rage pulsates off him.

“Yes, but it was a while ago and didn’t mean anything.”

Bannik moves slowly forward, creeping closer and closer, like a predator stalking his prey. I swallow—because I’m the prey—and then stand, because I don’t want him looming over me. He doesn’t stop until my breasts brush against his chest. When he raises his arm and spears his fingers through my hair, I freeze. Not in fear, but with an intense need.

In helpless agony, I can only watch as Bannik lowers his head and stops just as his mouth touches mine.

“You kissed that male?” His voice drops an octave and sends a shiver coursing down my spine.

I dart my tongue out to wet suddenly dried lips and get an unintentional taste of him. The flames dance higher in the near-pitch-black of Bannik’s eyes.

“I told you, it didn’t mean anything.”

“He is lucky it meant nothing and that he did not return it.”