Page 37 of Alien Engineer's Mate

Kellat's expression didn't change, but something in his stance suggested resignation as he looked back at Eira. "My apologies, Lady Coleman. I need to address this... situation. The treatment cycle is automated, but I'll return to check on Kyle's progress."

"Of course." Eira smiled, noting how Aisha's gaze sharpened at her title. "We'll be fine."

Kyle waited until the curtain swished shut before speaking. "That lady wasn't really sick, was she?"

"No, sweetheart." Eira smoothed his hair back from his forehead. "I don't think she was."

Her datapad chimed on the bed next to Kyle's leg, and a message from Maax lit up the screen:Emily hasn't stopped talking about Grace all morning. She’s looking forward to the sleepover with Emily tonight. I can’t wait to see you tonight.

Warmth bloomed in her chest as she typed a quick reply. They had two more hours of treatment ahead, but for once, waiting didn't feel like a burden.

Not with the promise of a cure for Kyle, and another evening with Maax to anticipate.

11

Eira stared at her reflection and wondered when she'd forgotten how to breathe. The one-shouldered dress hugged curves she'd ignored for years, its deep blue fabric hugging her in a way she'd forgotten clothes could after wearing a jumpsuit for so long. She smoothed imaginary wrinkles from the skirt, her hands shaking a little. This was ridiculous. She'd faced down mining accidents, deadly dust storms, and asshole colony administrators. A date shouldn't terrify her.

But it did.

Last night had been different. The children's presence had given her something to focus on besides the way Maax's voice made her feel weak in the knees. Now it would be just the two of them. No buffer of excited chatter about fish and ribbons. No distraction from the heat in his golden eyes or the memory of his kiss.

She touched her lips, remembering. The simple contact had haunted her dreams all night.

"Mom?" Leo's voice made her jump. "Can I ask you something?"

She turned to find her eldest hovering in the doorway. "Of course, sweetheart. What's wrong?"

"Nothing." He shifted his weight, reminding her of when he was smaller and trying to work up the courage to confess to breaking something. "I just... would it be okay if someone came over? While you're out?"

The question caught her off guard. They'd only been on the station for two days. When had he had time to make friends? "Someone?"

Color crept up his neck. "Her name's Sheena. She's Tavkronian. I met her in the nursery when we first arrived." The words tumbled out in a rush. "She was there with her cousin, but he wouldn't leave because he wanted to play, and we got talking about engineering courses, and she's, like, really smart, and?—"

"Breathe, sweetheart." Eira hid her smile. The silver-haired girl who'd caught Leo's attention that first day… she should have known. "Tell me about her?"

Leo's shoulders relaxed a little. "She's already completed advanced engineering, even though her family wanted her focused on contracts and legal work like them. She wants to work on ships, but..." He trailed off, then shrugged, "She doesn't think they'll let her. She said she could help me catch up on the course material I missed because of work though..."

Eira's heart squeezed as she stood, walking toward him. How long had it been since she'd seen that spark in him? The colony had worn him down so young, forcing him to be an adult when he should have been learning and dreaming.

"Of course she can come over." She touched his arm. All she wanted to do was pull him into her arms like when he'd been a little boy, but he was almost a man now, and he had his pride. "I'm glad you're making friends."

"You are?" Hope and disbelief warred in his expression. "You don't mind that she's... you know... alien?"

"Sweetheart, I'm going on a date with a seven-foot-tall warrior who can probably bend metal in his bare hands." She grinned as Leo's ears turned pink. "I think we're past worrying about that."

The door chime made them both jump. Leo's eyes widened. “They’re here already! And I haven't asked Kyle?—"

She smoothed her hair one last time. "Kyle adores you. Whatever you ask, he'll be fine."

Emily's excited voice carried through the door, followed by the deeper rumble of Maax's greeting. Eira's heart did a complicated flip in her chest. She forced herself to breathe as she headed for the living room, Leo on her heels.

The door slid open to reveal Maax standing in the middle of the room. Her breath caught all over again. He wore formal leather armor, the rich material decorated with intricate patterns that marked his rank, clinging to muscle in ways that made her mouth go dry. More braids than usual wove through his dark hair, each bead catching the light as he moved. Who did he get to do his hair? Her fingers itched at the thought of running through those dark strands.

"Grace!" Emily pushed past her father, Red Dragon clutched tight. "I brought my new ribbons!"

Grace appeared from behind Eira. "Come see! I sorted all mine by color!"

The girls vanished down the hallway, their chatter fading as they headed into Grace's room. Maax's golden eyes found Eira's, heating as they swept down her from head to foot. The intensity of his gaze made her skin tingle.

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