Page 36 of Badass Alien Boss

The doctor consulted her data tab and frowned. “Hmm…that should have been fine. You are fully human, aren’t you? You’re not a mixed species?”

“Fully human.”

“I’ll file a report with the general manager and the restaurant manager. We can’t have guests going into anaphylactic shock.” She peered at Michaela. “You are looking much better already.”

Ruyn agreed. The hives had begun to diminish, and the swelling was subsiding.

“You will continue to improve over the next few hours. If you are not 100 percent by morning, come by the medical clinic—we’re on the first floor—and I’ll give you another shot. But, I don’t think you’ll need it.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” she said.

“Yes, thank you,” he echoed, grateful to be staying in the main part of the hotel and not in a more remote location on the property.

He let the doctor out and returned to Michaela’s bedside.

“Thank you for getting help so quickly. You were so calm,” she said.

“Only on the outside. You scared me to death,” he said. “Are you too itchy for me to hold you?”

“I think that’s exactly what I need.” She held the covers back so he could climb in. The allergic rash was fading, but residualhives covered her entire body. “The itching has receded quite a bit. That’s what woke me up. The itching.”

He cut the lights, and she curled up against him. “I’m going to be leery about what I eat while we’re here,” she said.

“I remember you scratching during dinner.”

“You’re right. I did. I’d forgotten.”

“Thank the stars you’re going to be all right.” He kissed the top of her head.

“I’ll appreciate Mama Murta’s food even more now,” she said, and he chuckled. “Until I saw the species filters on the menu, it never occurred to me food could bedangerous. When I joined GAL Friday and traveled to different planets, I assumed some food would be unpalatable, but it never occurred to me it could be toxic.”

A naïve assumption, but then she hadn’t traveled the galaxy as much as he had. In the space force, he’d eaten mostly military rations, and they’d always been counseled to be careful about sampling local fare.

“It’s strange you had such a strong reaction, but it didn’t affect me at all,” he commented. The menu had said both their races could eat the constellation platter. When they returned to Luturna, he’d insist on a complete review of Starlight’s menu. Mislabeled items putallguests at risk.

“I did some research before I came. Humans and Luturnans share 99.2 percent of the same DNA. We humans are genetically more similar to you than we are to our closest Earthling relatives, chimps and bonobos.” Her comment ended on a yawn.

“Get some sleep,” he said. “If you need me for anything, if you start feeling strange, and I’m asleep, wake me. Don’t wait.”

“I will, but I’m feeling better.” She snuggled against him. Within minutes, he could tell she’d fallen asleep.

He gazed wide-eyed into the darkness. He doubted he’d sleep at all.

* * * *

Ruyn awakened to find Michaela sitting up watching him. “Are you all right? How do you feel?” he asked, noting the swelling was mostly gone, and only a faint pinkness remained of the rash.

“Almost good as new.” She leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you. Your quick action probably saved my life last night. I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t realize what was happening.”

It had been a close call. What if they’d stayed in separate rooms? If she’d waited any longer to alert him… He cupped her cheek. “I’m glad I was here, and the doctor arrived quickly,” he added. At the time, it had seemed to take forever, but she’d arrived within minutes. She’d been wearing what looked like pajamas under her white coat.

“She’s probably dealt with the problem before,” Michaela said.

“Probably.” He couldn’t fault the doctor’s swift response, but she shouldn’t have been needed at all. “The menu indicated the constellation platter was safe for you, but it wasn’t. Starlight Interplanetary Hotels must ensure all the food is correctly labeled and identified so guests don’t eat something toxic to them. What happened to you could happen to others. I will insist Korsan order an audit of the food service menu.” It would be quite a meeting with several items on the agenda. His brother wouldn’t be happy.

“Are you well enough to do a little investigating?” he asked.

“I’m good to go!” she said. “How should we start?”