Page 14 of Stardust Paws and Alien Claws

She laughed then, a bright, melodious sound that washed over me in warm waves. I found myself unable to look away, captivated by the way her joy encompassed her entire being.

Get a grip, I chided myself sternly. This was not a pleasure junket - it was a necessary deception for the good of the mission. Still, the idea of being the one to guide Cassidy through her first extraterrestrial experience stirred a strange sense of pride within me.

“Very well,” I said, nodding once in affirmation. “I’ll make the arrangements. We’ll only have a few hours of free time, so I suggest you prepare accordingly.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Cassidy replied, already bouncing to her feet with an enthusiasm I couldn’t help but find...endearing. She started toward the door, then paused, throwing me a sly grin over her shoulder. “But you know, we’ll have to sell this ‘couple’ thing if we don’t want to blow our cover.”

My brows hiked upward as realization dawned. Of course - in front of the crew, we were newly joined mates, reveling in each other’s company.

“I, ah...” I fumbled for words as Cassidy took a few deliberate steps closer, her hips swaying in a mesmerizing rhythm.

“Maybe we should practice keeping up appearances,” she murmured, reaching out to trail a fingertip down the edge of my vest in a feather-light caress.

I swallowed hard, frozen in place as a jolt of blazing heat lanced through me. Her scent, some ephemeral blend of floral and spice, enveloped me in its intoxicating embrace.

Creators help me, this woman would be the end of my sanity.

Cassidy’s hand came to rest against my chest, her eyes locked with mine in a smoldering gaze. “Just a thought,” she whispered, her voice taking on a husky rasp that set my blood alight.

Then, just like that, the spell was broken. Cassidy pulled back with an impish grin, giving me a playful wink before sauntering from the room, leaving me rooted in place with my heart beat thundering in my ears.

I stood there for several long moments, struggling to catch my breath as arousal and disbelief warred within me. That teasing vixen knew exactly what she was doing, toying with me in a way no female ever had before.

And the most dangerous part? Some reckless, idiotic part of me enjoyed every maddening second of it.

I flexed my hands at my sides, feeling the tension thrumming through my body. This human woman was a complication I could ill afford. And yet, the thought of being parted from her company struck an inexplicable chord of loss within me.

Gritting my teeth, I straightened my shoulders in a futile effort to regain my composure. Foolish thoughts. I was letting this ruse go too far, blurring the lines in ways that could jeopardize everything.

But as I strode from my quarters to make the final preparations, I couldn’t quite banish the memory of Cassidy’s touch from haunting my senses. Or the yearning, so foreign and unsettling, that her teasing had awoken in my soul.

CASSIDY

Ifinished cleaning out the last of the Lazamai enclosures for the day, my mind drifting as I worked. The gentle whirring of the air filters and soft rustles from the creatures blended into a soothing ambiance. Despite the repetitive tasks, I found caring for these rare beings oddly relaxing.

With a satisfied nod, I sealed the enclosure and made my way out, humming an old tune my grandmother used to sing. The Koloss’s corridors echoed with my footsteps, the ship’s systems thrumming with quiet energy all around me.

Rounding a corner, I nearly collided with Zylith’s towering form. The rocky-skinned Novalian grunted in surprise, steadying me with one massive hand.

“Sorry about that!” I flashed an apologetic smile. “Wasn’t watching where I was going.”

Zylith’s slit-pupiled eyes crinkled at the corners, his version of a grin. “All good. Kylari and I were just heading to the cargo bay.”

Speak of the devil, Kylari emerged from a nearby hatch, tools in hand. “There you are, Zylith. Ready to go prepare for the unloading?”

“I can walk with you both if you’d like some company,” I offered, falling into step beside them.

Kylari’s reptilian features shifted into an amused look. “If you insist on keeping us out of trouble.”

We made our way through the ship’s winding passages, the pair updating me on their preparation for delivering the decoy cargo to Galadon Six. I tried to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting to the upcoming planet fall and a certain bovine captain.

The cargo bay’s massive doors slid open with a pneumatic hiss, revealing the breathtaking vista beyond the force field. Galadon Six hung like a radiant jewel against the star-speckled backdrop, swirls of iridescent clouds dancing across its surface.

“Wow...” I breathed, entranced by the shimmering planet. Even through the barrier, I imagined I could smell the crisp, floral scent carried on ionized winds.

A familiar deep voice rumbled from behind me. “Impressive, isn’t it?”

I turned to find Doanor approaching, his powerful form seeming even larger in the cavernous space. A jolt of excitement shot through me at his nearness.

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