Page 16 of Close Encounters of the Hot Kind

I can't help but laugh, a breathless, delighted sound. "You're not so bad yourself," I manage to say, my body still tingling with the aftershocks of pleasure.

The limo slows to a stop, and I hurriedly smooth down my dress. My legs still tremble from his touch.

"Papa Marella's Pizzaria," the driver announces.

Charles - or whatever his real name is - takes my phone. His fingers dance across the screen, programming in his number.

"This is yours." He hands the phone back, then reaches into his pocket. The silk of my ruined panties dangles from his fingers for a moment before he tucks them away. "But these are mine."

A delicious shiver runs through me. His possessive smile makes my heart race all over again.

He pulls me close, his mouth claiming mine in a searing kiss that curls my toes. His tongue sweeps inside, tasting me one last time. When he finally releases me, I'm breathless.

"I'll call on you soon." His voice holds a promise that makes heat pool low in my belly.

I float up the stairs to our apartment, barely feeling my feet touch the ground. My lips still tingle from his kiss. The memory of his touch, his taste, his hunger for me... My whole body hums with satisfaction.

Mom sits at the kitchen table, a knowing smile on her face. "How was your date, dear?"

I think of golden eyes and scaled skin hidden beneath perfect features. Of a man who's definitely not human but who made me feel more alive than anyone ever has.

"Out of this world."

CHAPTER 6

VARAK

The taste of Aileen lingers on my tongue as I stride into my office. Sweet, intoxicating. The scent of her clings to my clothes. My image inducer flickers off and my true form emerges - red scales catching the moonlight through the windows.

"Welcome back, sir. I trust the negotiations went well?"

Teletran's holographic head materializes above my desk. Negotiations? Right. The restaurant. The mission.

"The negotiations are both promising and ongoing."

"Really? Because according to my sensors, you spent exactly zero minutes discussing the purchase of Papa Marella's Pizzeria."

I loosen my tie. "The situation requires... finesse."

"Ah yes. The kind of finesse that involves your tongue down her throat in the back of a limousine."

"Your surveillance protocols are getting invasive, Teletran."

"And your attempts to prolong this mission are getting obvious. Tell me, does Veritas command know you're dating the target?"

"She's not a target." The words come out as a growl.

"No? Then what is she?"

I pause at the window, pressing my scaled hand against the cool glass. Chicago sprawls below, a sea of twinkling lights. Somewhere out there, Aileen is probably getting ready for bed, those perfect curves...

"Your elevated hormone levels suggest you're thinking about her again," Teletran says. "How fascinating. I've never seen you this distracted from a mission before."

"The mission will be completed." I promise.

"Of course it will. Just... not too quickly, right?"

"What if we tunnel in from three blocks away?" I stare at the glass. "The humans have underground transport systems. We could use those."

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