Page 11 of Grumpy Alien Boss

Olivia stiffens for a moment, her eyes widening as she feels the evidence of my arousal. But she recovers quickly, her face a mask of professionalism.

"There, got it," she says, brushing off my collar and stepping back as if nothing happened.

My heart stops as Olivia examines the translucent red object between her fingers. One of my scales. Damn this holographic disguise and its limited range. The projection only extends an inch from my true form, which means loose scales can fall through the illusion.

"What is this?" She holds it up to the light, her brow furrowed.

I struggle to keep my voice steady.

"Probably just a piece of plastic."

"It's too organic looking." She runs her thumb across its surface. "Almost like some kind of weird fish scale."

Before I can snatch it away, she tucks it into her blazer pocket. My scales flush dark beneath my human disguise. That scale contains my DNA, my alien signature. If she shows it to anyone with advanced scanning equipment...

I need to get it back. Now.

But how? I can't just reach into her pocket. The headlines would write themselves:

"Tech Billionaire Gropes Assistant."

Then inspiration strikes. Lunch. Public setting, perfect excuse for gentlemanly behavior. When I pull out her chair, I can slip my hand into her pocket and retrieve the scale in one smooth motion.

"Ms. McGee..." I clear my throat. "Olivia. Would you like to join me for lunch?"

Olivia reaches for her briefcase, already in efficiency mode. "Let me grab the Mendoza proposal. They wanted to discuss the merger over lunch, right?"

"No proposals today." I keep my voice steady despite the mounting urgency. That scale burns in my mind like a beacon. "Just lunch."

She pauses, briefcase half-lifted. "Just lunch? We never do that. If there's no meeting, we order in and eat at our desks."

"This time we're doing it differently." I adjust my tie, buying time to choose my next words carefully. "Unless my company is objectionable. You're free to turn me down."

Her cheeks flush pink, matching her hair. "Objectionable? No! Not at all! I mean..." She sets down her briefcase with a thunk. "Your company is completely objectionable. I mean unobjectionable."

She takes a breath, steadying herself. "What I mean is, I'd love to have lunch with you. Sir."

The way she says 'sir' sends an inappropriate shiver down my spine, making my frill itch beneath its holographic camouflage. Focus, warrior. The scale is the mission. Nothing else matters.

But watching her flutter about, trying to hide her enthusiasm while simultaneously broadcasting it to anyone with functioning eyes... it stirs something deeper than mere physical attraction.

No. I am a Vakutan captain on a vital mission to save humanity's timeline. I cannot afford such distractions. Even if she does look absolutely radiant when she blushes like that.

CHAPTER 5

OLIVIA

The elevator doors close with a soft whisper, trapping me in this tiny metal box with six feet plus of pure masculine energy. My skin prickles with awareness. I twist a strand of hair around my finger, avoiding Darwin's gaze while simultaneously hoping he's looking at me.

"Nice weather we're having.". Really, Livvy? Weather talk?

"Indeed." His deep voice sends shivers down my spine.

Another floor ticks by. The tension thickens. I sneak a glance at his reflection in the polished doors. He's watching me. Our eyes meet in the makeshift mirror and my cheeks heat.

That little stunt with the fax seemed like such a good idea ten minutes ago. Now? Not so much. Sure, mission accomplished - the bulge in his pants proved that. But what exactly was my endgame here?

The elevator dings past floor twenty. Nineteen more to go.

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