Page 51 of Solan

No, she couldn’t think that. Solan had chosen this warrior path. He’d just have to fight well and avoid getting any limbs sliced off. Vegas hadn’t asked him to fight on her behalf. Still, she wanted him to be okay. When he wasn’t being a jerk, she didn’t deny all the lust-filled thoughts she had about him. If she’d had more time, maybe things could be different. She could have worked with Solan and made him see sense. They could have been great together.

Taking a steadying breath, Vegas walked into the docking bay. As conflicted as her feelings were, she couldn’t let Solan into her life. No more heartbreak. No more risk. Life was better that way.

Even though Vegas had seen enough spaceships to not consider it mind-bogglingly amazing, the sight of so many made her slow. There was huge, shiny bullet-shaped craft, ships dotted with sparkling gems in an array of colors, and flatter gray ships that dwarfed the others.

She spotted the Lillip ship straightaway. They traveled in large, metallic gray circular ships that had warp engine capacity. They looked like giant dinner plates on stilts.

Vegas nodded at the armed security guards standing by the entrance door. She knew them both, Mitchell Baines and Ivanna Blanc. They were used to seeing her coming in and out of the bay as part of the arrival party for new aliens. They wouldn’t think it odd she was there, at least, not until they checked the logs and realized no new aliens were docked or soon to be arriving.

Getting past the guards was the easy bit. Convincing the captain of the Lillip ship to take them on a journey when they had no reason for leaving the space station would be another challenge entirely.

The ramp of the Lillip ship was down. That was a good sign. A single Lillip stood at the base of the ramp. They were a peaceful race of aliens. They’d been one of the first to use the services of My Single Alien. Their planet had suffered greatly after the Cubit sun flares incident, which rendered many Lillips infertile or too sick to raise children.

The Lillip guard nodded at Vegas as she stopped by the ship.

“Is Captain Lolo on board?” Vegas asked her.

The Lillip nodded. Her skin was a pale iridescent blue, matching her large eyes.

Lillips looked like the kind of drawing a child would do when you asked them to draw an alien, although they had lovely smiles and a more humanoid shape. “He’s running through final departure checks now. Do you wish to see him?”

“If that’s okay,” Vegas said. “I don’t want to delay your departure, but it would be useful. I’m Vegas Munro from My Single Alien.”

“I know who you are. You helped my brother have a child just last month.” The guard smiled warmly. “The baby is enchanting.”

“I’m so glad to hear that.”

The Lillip leaned forward. “I’m on the waiting list for when you start matching human males. I’d love my own child and I think human men are gorgeous.”

“You won’t have to wait much longer. We’ve already started the first round of screening.” Vegas hoped she didn’t expect too much from her human male. All her experiences had been woefully inadequate. Still, maybe they just needed the right kind of alien to get them to step up and prove themselves all male.

The Lillip looked around the docking bay as if checking for any problems. “I’m sure the captain can spare you a few moments. This way.” She led Vegas up the ramp.

Lillip ships were sentient. Entering one felt like climbing into the innards of a living creature. Everything moved and shifted, and the ship had a steady heartbeat throb.

Vegas hurried to keep up with the long strides of the Lillip. They were long-limbed, agile, and fast on their feet.

The guard stopped by the closed flight deck door. She pressed her hand against a panel by the door, announcing her arrival.

“What is it, Plania?”

“Captain Lolo, I have Vegas Munro here to see you.”

The doors slid open. Captain Lolo stood on the other side. He smiled broadly, revealing a row of neat white teeth. “Miss Munro, what a pleasure to have you on board.”

“Thanks for sparing me the time. Did your party have a successful time at My Single Alien?”

“Indeed they did.” Captain Lolo nodded at Plania. “You may leave us.”

Plania nodded, gave Vegas another smile, and then left.

“I noticed you are due for departure shortly,” Vegas said.

“We can’t stay any longer. We had two successful matches on this visit.” Captain Lolo stepped back, gesturing for Vegas to enter.

Vegas walked into the flight deck. The sleek black panels in front of her flickered with lights as the ship warmed up ready for take-off.

“We can return home with the new mates and celebrate. And, to my delight, I just heard news of three more births on our home planet.”