Page 19 of Solan

Vegas glared at him. “It’s time for you to take a break. I’ll let you know when your new trainer has been assigned to you.”

He grabbed her arm and spun her toward him.

Vegas clamped a hand over his and tugged at his fingers. “I am not your property. I am not your mate. You do not get to touch me unless I tell you to.”

“You are meeting with another Galaxar?” He ignored her admonishments.

Vegas gave up on trying to pull herself from his grip. “Yes. Boros is a Galaxar. He’s a brigadier.”

Solan’s anger flared. There was only one brigadier he knew of named Boros. He was space scum, a twisted, brutal liar, with a liking for sadism. “You cannot trust him.”

Vegas’s eyes widened. “You know him?”

“I have encountered Boros on numerous occasions. He is in charge of several squadrons in the star system Oidua.”

“I’ve heard of that system. Isn’t that where outlaws go when they wish to evade capture?”

Solan nodded as he relaxed his hold on Vegas and dropped his hand. “The laws in that system tend to bend more easily than anywhere else. It was why Boros chose that posting. He is not a loyal Galaxar. He makes up his own set of rules.”

Vegas looked down at the tablet in her hand. “There is no mention of that in his application. We ran the usual security checks on him. He’s clean.”

Solan scowled. “Boros should not be allowed to breed. He is not an honorable Galaxar.”

“I only have your word for that.” Vegas’s eyes narrowed. “He passed the tests. He’s paid his money. Just like you, he’s entitled to a mate.”

The thought of Vegas being anywhere near this treacherous skull crusher did nothing to settle Solan’s stomach. “I shall accompany you.”

“I can accompany myself.” Vegas placed a hand against his chest. “We got our wires crossed back there. I made a mistake. We shouldn’t have done any practical sessions. I did not mean to lead you on.”

“You are leading me to where I wish to be. I require a mate, and I have found one in you.”

“But you haven’t.” Vegas’s gaze dropped. “Let’s forget it happened. You can complete your induction tomorrow and then meet your actual mate.”

Solan felt queasy as his stomach twisted. Perhaps it was the air in the space station. The oxygen and nitrogen mix was different to his home planet. He would be sure to acclimatize himself to the environment before undergoing anything strenuous. “If you insist, I will meet this mate you have chosen for me. But I know I do not have to accept her if I consider her unsuitable.”

Vegas’s hand dropped from his chest. He realized he missed her touch. “That is your privilege. Now, you must excuse me. I have other clients who need my attention.”

Solan matched her stride as Vegas continued along the corridor.

She glanced at him. “You don’t have to come with me. You can be unaccompanied on the space station.”

“Yet, I am with you. I have encountered Boros before. It is never pleasant.”

“You’re free to move around the space station as you see fit. I cannot prevent you from walking alongside me if you insist on it.”

Solan nodded. This female intrigued him as much as she irritated him. He sensed a determination inside of Vegas. He was in no doubt that she was attracted to him, yet she resisted. Most women would have given themselves to him by now. He wanted to know what would make Vegas succumb. Could he tempt her enough to become his mate?

“There he is,” Vegas muttered as they entered the docking bay. “He’s even bigger than you.”

Solan scowled. “He’s a brigadier. They need to be larger than colonels. He would never have achieved that rank if he was puny.”

The smile that traced across Vegas’s face appeared genuine as she looked at him. “Don’t worry your handsome head, big guy. You’re not that small. Compared to Earth men, you’re a giant.”

It sounded like an awkward compliment, yet Solan accepted it. He knew human males were pathetic in their size and muscles. It was only appropriate he gave Vegas a suitable compliment. “Compared to my planet’s women, you’re a...” Solan struggled to find the right comparison. Vegas looked fragile, but she was strong.

She turned her head and looked up at him. “I’m a what?”

“A very small female.”