Page 7 of Testing the Kot'oll Officer

She looks around, probably trying to make sure the creeper's no longer around and won't hear us. If we are mates, we should know each other's names.

"Julie." She reaches her hand across the counter to me.

I take it, her skin warm and soft against my rougher palm. "Julie," I repeat, savoring the feel of her name on my lips. "I'm Vatok."

"Nice to officially meet you, Vatok. Thanks for playing along earlier."

"It was... interesting. I think it is important to make sure our purpose is served."

Her eyes spark with mischief, and I can tell she's intrigued. "And what are we thinking about, Officer?"

"I thought I shall drive you home." The offer hangs in the air between us, thick with unspoken possibilities. Her smile widens, and there’s a glimmer of excitement in her eyes that makes my heart thrum even harder against my chest.

"Driving me home?" she teases, a playful lilt in her voice. "Are you sure you can handle that, big guy?"

“Let’s say I’ve had enough practice to at least not crash.” I attempt to match her lightheartedness. The tension between us crackles like static electricity, and I find myself leaning closer, a pull I can’t resist.

She laughs, a sound that sends ripples of warmth through me. “But, my dear Officer, you should know that there should be no driving after you drink.” She sways a finger from side to side in front of me with a smirk, as if she has caught me.

I roll my eyes and kiss the tip of her finger before she can pull her finger back. She pauses as if my kiss is a shot of electricity. I snicker at that. "Don't be silly. Of course, I know the rules. Spaceships can drive themselves, and I bet they can park themselves better than some."

She chuckles, and her smile makes my heart flutter. Is this how my brothers feel when they are with their mates? And this is how they know?

But... she's not my mate. We are just pretending to be that. It means that she's good at this and I better do better so that she'll be safe from creepy ones.

Carefully, I lift her hand to my lips, but...

She has a ring... Does that mean she's with someone already?

And...

Maybe I should steer clear. Maybe she just needed some help and her real mate would be here soon.

I glance at the door, but other than a few who are leaving, no one's coming into the bar.

She squeezes my hand which is still holding her, weirdly stopping midair. "What's on your mind?"

"The ring..."

She blinks. "You love seeing that on me, right?"

I take a breath, not knowing what to say. There are still patrons around, albeit far away from us. Do I kiss her regardless? Because we are still pretending to be mates? And... I should pretend that I was the one putting the ring on her?

This feels wrong.

Screw that, I may not have another chance. I brush a gentle kiss against her knuckles before releasing it, her skin lingering in my memory like a warm imprint. I stand. "If your shift is over, let's get going."

She finishes up before we leave together; her soft hand in mine.

My heart races as I walk beside her, each step echoing the rhythm of my pulse. The laughter and chatter of the bar fade behind us, replaced by the cool night air that wraps around us like the fresh breath I need away from the noisy bar.

I lead her to my spaceship. She can be on mine as I get her home.

She chuckles and nudges the other side. "Here, I can go home on my own."

"A good mate won't let his mate go home alone."

"You sound drunk."

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