Page 23 of Loving the Alien Spy

I’ve also hand-washed my dishes instead of letting the auto washer do it. I’ve rearranged the throw pillows. I’ve played several online games of Damshah and read a book on the data pad—or at least tried.

This time, I open the cooling unit, grab a handful of lulesh berries, and toss a couple in my mouth. We all keep a stash of them in our apartments because they’re Mak’s favorite snack. She’s become one spoiled phinnek. Thinking of her reminds me of Beck, Alik’s phinnek pup. I’m sure he’s being well taken care of while the prince is incapacitated, but the poor thing has to be missing him.

Right when I pop the last few berries into my mouth, the chime announcing someone’s arrival sounds. It startles me so badly, I nearly choke. I manage to pull myself together before I reach the door, swallowing quickly before opening it. All the air leaves my lungs. Once again, Bannik’s dressed entirely in black, from the skintight sleeveless shirt that molds perfectly to every rippling muscle to the pants that cup his… Wow.

I jerk my gaze up and meet his eyes that are filled with flames, but also amusement.

“Wou—would you like to come in?” My voice cracks from a throat that’s gone completely dry, and I step back in further invitation.

Too late, I smack myself for asking as he stands in the middle of my sitting area, making the room entirely too small and filling it with his crisp, clean, soapy scent. I’ll never get the smell out, not even if I fill the entire place with more plants and flowers than are already in here.

“If you are uncomfortable with my presence in your space, I am happy to go elsewhere if that is what you’d prefer,” Bannik says softly.

“No”—my head rattles—“it’s not that.”

“Are you certain?” he asks.

“Positive.” I glance around. “I know we talked about maybe going to the botanical garden, but have you eaten yet? I wasn’t sure what time you’d get here, but I can order breakfast from the kitchen. We have our own chef.”

It’s not as if I’ve never been on a date before, but this is different.

“Only if you are hungry and it’s not too much trouble.”

“I could definitely eat, and it’s no trouble. We frequently order food at random times, so the cook is used to us. Anything specific you want? I usually just order vezze and a couple slices of derima. It’s the closest thing to eggs and bacon I’ve found here, which is a common morning meal back on Earth.”

“I will take that as well.”

Of course, I can’t help myself from eyeballing Bannik from head to toe. “Are you sure that will be enough? I don’t want you leaving here hungry.”

His eyes darken further, and flames dance in their depths, making me squirmy, but in a good way.

“It will sate me enough. For now.” The undercurrent of heat in his voice ripples over me.

I have an incredible urge to fan myself. Feeling intensely flustered, I comm down to the kitchen and place my order. My gut tells me it’s going to be a long twenty minutes before it’s ready. With a deep breath, I turn to face Bannik, only to find him wandering through my space, taking in all the plants and flowers scattered around.

I study him while his attention is diverted. He looks relaxed. At home. Almost as if he belongs here. There’s also a difference to him from what I remember, but I can’t pinpoint what exactly. It’s not as though I paid any special attention to him. His only interest had been in Quinn. Somehow, this male before me isn’t the same one. There’s no explanation for it, and yet the feeling won’t leave me.

Bannik pauses at one of my many postikar plants and strokes its leaves. A shiver courses down my spine, and I’m imagining it’s me he touches so gently and tenderly. As if sensing my gaze onhim, he glances over his shoulder, and I’m struck once more by how beautiful he is.

I clear my throat, and my cheeks grow even hotter. “Food should be ready in about fifteen or twenty minutes.”

He nods and shifts his focus back to the plant. “You have some beautiful flowers.”

“Thank you.” I gesture to the sofa. “Would you like to sit?”

Bannik strides past me and brings with him his clean scent. I close my eyes and try to ignore the warm sensations that trickle through me and settle low in my belly. Not wanting to appear weird or afraid, I follow and situate myself at the opposite end from where he lounges far too casually.

“So…” Shit, this is awkward. I’ve never been good with small talk. Or any talk, really. I tap my fingers on my thigh, my entire being fraught with nerves.

“Lindsey, look at me,” Bannik instructs gently.

With a deep breath, I do as he says. The way he watches me makes my belly do flips. Especially when he smiles like he currently is. “Am I truly so terrifying?”

Nervous laughter spills from my lips. “No, I don’t suppose you are.”

“I am glad, because I have no wish for you to fear me.”

I try to settle more comfortably on the sofa. “I’m not afraid of you. Just nervous, I guess.”