Page 45 of What Makes an Alien a Dad?

“It’ll be just fine.” She looked serene.

The real Maya wouldn’t be this relaxed. She’d be much more involved when talking about the topic. But she would also try to hide her worries and would do her best to comfort him.

She stroked his chest, tangling her fingers in his fur.

“You’re so tense, Kear,” she cooed, and suddenly he regretted asking her to call him by his name.

It broke the illusion. Maya only ever called him “Professor” or “Professor Thormus.” Did she ever think about him as anyone else but the head of research? Did she think about him at all when they weren’t together? Did she ever use his first name at least in her mind?

“Your time is up, Professor Kear Umhra Thormus,” the mechanical voice of the AI announced in his mind. “Would you like to extend the session?”

His cock remained as hard as ever. He was still aching and in need. He should at least let the machine take care of his erection, lest he walk out of the spa looking like he was smuggling a log in his pants.

Though he already knew even if the pod made him come, it would not be satisfying. Nothing the machine could do for him would.

“No,” he said, fighting the sting of sadness as the image of Maya melted away. Emptiness replaced the sensation of her lying at his side.

Chapter 16

Maya

“Darling, I love your letters so much. Getting them is like being greeted by a warm splash of sunshine in the morning, like getting a hug. After reading them, I feel ready to take on anything the day may bring.

Today was a good day, though.

Professor Thormus took me to an outdoor museum. Actually, it is indoors through the winter, covered by a giant glass semi-sphere. The glass is lifted for the summer, so we could get some fresh air while walking around among the exhibits. I’m sending you as many pictures as the system would let me. Even though the pictures don’t do it justice.

I never thought I’d be able to move around this much at almost eight months pregnant. But I’ve been doing pretty good. Thanks to the professor and his team in large part, of course.

The professor has always been exceptionally protective of me, for obvious reasons. It felt restrictive at the beginning. But now, it doesn’t bother me at all. Probably because he’s been acting more as a close friend now than a boss. I really enjoy his company.

He knows so much about every single exhibit in the museum. We didn’t even need a drone guide for our tour.

The professor doesn’t talk much. Even some of the people on his research team told me they find him gruff and unsociable. But really, he’s just shy. He isn’t good at small talk, but he’s amazing at talking about topics that interest him. And with me, he is very talkative and kind. He’s my best friend here in Voran...”

I put my tablet down in my lap. The images from our trip to the museum played in a silent slideshow on the opaque TV screen in my apartment. Most pictures were of the exhibits. But I managed to catch Professor Thormus in a few shots.

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