Page 31 of Close Encounters of the Hot Kind

"You lied." I stroke my thumb across her knuckles. "You said you were plain, and you are anything but. Aileen Marella is the most magnificent being in all the galaxy and that is the absolute truth."

The sincerity in my words surprises me. Each syllable flows naturally, pulled straight from my heart rather than calculated by my tactical mind. My thumb traces circles on her soft skin, memorizing every detail.

"The Grolgath are dangerous shapeshifters." I tighten my hand into a fist. "If they discover what you mean to me..."

"Our enemies, the Grolgath, might try to use you to get to me." I squeeze her hand. "You must be certain that you understand this, Aileen."

She meets my gaze, one perfect eyebrow arching upward. The candlelight dances in her green eyes, highlighting the defiant tilt of her chin.

"Are you kidding me? This is Chi Town! I could get shot by a mugger, or run over by a taxi, or slip on soap in the bathtub and bust my head open." She leans forward, her free hand reaching up to touch my face. "I'm all in, Charles... I mean, Varak. Stop trying to talk me out of liking you."

The warmth of her palm against my holographic cheek sends sparks through my image inducer. Such fierce bravery in such a small package. My warrior's heart swells with pride and desire.

"You said the Grolgath guys have something on our property?" Aileen's fingers tighten around her wineglass. "Something bad? Are my parents in danger?"

My jaw clenches. The last thing I want is to frighten her, but she deserves the truth.

"Not immediately. The device remains dormant unless activated. As long as no one goes searching for it..."

"But what is it? What does it do?"

"We don't know its exact form or function. Only that its energy signature matches known Grolgath extinction-level weapons."

Her face pales.

"Extinction level?"

"Veritas has monitored your family's restaurant for months. We have agents watching day and night."

"But these Grolgath can look like anybody, right?" She glances over her shoulder at the other diners. "They could be anyone?"

I reach across the table and take both her hands in mine. The holographic projection crackles at the contact, but I don't care. "Yes. Their shapeshifting abilities make detection challenging."

"So how do you know who to trust?"

"We have methods. Technology that can detect their energy signatures." I stroke my thumbs across her knuckles. "But knowthis - any Grolgath who wants to harm you or your family will have to go through me first."

"And you're pretty tough, huh?" A small smile plays at her lips.

"I am a Vakutan warrior. We do not fail those under our protection."

"Veritas has protected Earth's timeline for decades." I lean back, watching the city lights dance in her eyes. "We'll continue to do so. Your people have an incredible destiny waiting among the stars. The Vakutans will make sure humanity lives to see that future."

"So you're like my guardian angel?" Her lips curve into a teasing smile.

The laugh that comes out of me sounds deep and rich.

"No. Not at all like an angel."

I stand, my fingers working at the knot of my silk tie. The fabric whispers as it slides free.

"Why not?" Her breath catches as I move behind her chair.

My hands rest on her shoulders, feeling her warmth through the thin dress.

"Because," I lean down, my lips brushing her ear, "an angel would never do any of the dirty, dirty things I am going to do to you tonight."

The tie slips over her eyes, blocking out the city lights. Her pulse jumps beneath my fingers as I secure the knot.

---