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18

The club I’ve chosen for tonight isn’t one of my usual haunts, but I didn’t want to worry about running into past dates and jilted lovers. I wore something less flashy than normal to keep the focus on Eden, but I doubt that’ll be an issue, because she looks mouthwatering. There isn’t an alien on Spire—at least one that’s not actively anti-human—that wouldn’t jump at the chance for a night with her.

Shit,Iwant a night with her. That kiss was unreal. Most of the alien races on Spire picked up the act of tangling tongues after contact with nexxit, so it doesn’t come as naturally to them. Ankites aren’t bad because they’re excellent at mimicry, but if that’s how all humans kiss, then even I’ve got some things to learn. It feels like I’mcoursing with adrenaline and arousal, lit up by Eden’s lips against mine.

Why the hell am I so adamant about staying “professional”, when all I want to do is take her back home and find out what she tastes like everywhere? I’m not the kind ofxalawho cares about blurring lines or taking what I want. So why is it different with Eden? Something about this pretty human makes me feel…vulnerable. Like it would actually matter for once if I screwed things up with her. Which is absurd, since she’s leaving in a handful of days.

Goddess, I should find someone to fuck tonight, too. I’ve been aching with unfulfilled need since I encountered Phelix and it just keeps building. If I don’t find release with something other than my hands soon, I might combust. But how am I supposed to get laid when I’m not letting Eden go off anywhere without me trailing behind to keep her safe? She doesn’t know that part yet, so it’ll be a good chance to practice my sneaky spy skills before I need to use them with Phelix.

The fates must have an ironic sense of humor, because as soon as my mind goes to my mate, the crowded dance floor parts to reveal him over by the bar. There’s a tall, thin seladin practically sitting in his lap, squeezing his thigh and letting out a low chuckle at something he just said.

What thefuck. Rage floods my vision. How dare they touch my mate! How dare he let someone touch him like that?

That’s it, I’m done. I don’t want to have anything to do with him—fuck the mission, fuck him.

“Ouch, Mezli, that’s too hard!” Eden winces as I accidentally crush her hand I was holding to guide her toward the bar.

I release her, but can’t take my eyes off Phelix as he leans in to whisper something to the seladin, who slides their hand further up his thigh. That trash looks like they want to jerk him off in themiddle of the club. At least have the decency to go into a hygiene stall!

“What’s wrong? What are you looking at—oh.” Eden’s gaze follows mine and I don’t think I imagine the slight disappointment in her voice when she sees Phelix with someone else.

I’m storming over to him, ready to claw the seladin’s glowing eyes out before my brain catches up with my anger.

What the hell am I doing? Why do I even care? He’s not mine. It’s just these damn hormones pumping through me, making me unhinged.

I stop abruptly, attempting to abort my attack before he notices me, and Eden crashes into my back, knocking me with enough force to push me forward and right into the flirting couple.

I slam into the seladin’s chest, who makes a sound of surprise and grabs me around the waist. “Whoa there, darling. No need to fall into my lap if you want me to buy you a drink. You could just ask.”

Their honeyed, flirtatious voice startles me, and when I look up into their face, I see a familiar cybernetic eye. “Hadrell?” I ask, pushing myself back up to my feet and smoothing down my hair.

“Mezli!” they say, sounding equally surprised.

Phelix’s eyes dart between the two of us before narrowing in distaste as he looks at me. “You two know each other?”

“A little. We had a brief but memorable time together, but she’s not the type to be tied down,” Hadrell says, winking at me.

I honestly thought they’d be a little more pissed if I ever saw them again. I met the handsome seladin pirate out at a club with Fina and Maerlon. We hit it off, and I went back to their ship for what indeed was a very memorable time together. But I wasn’t about to get tangled up with a space pirate who only was on Spire for a week or two, so I did what Ido best—I ran away.

“She certainly isn’t,” Phelix says drolly.

“Ah, so you know Mezli, too!” Hadrell chuckles and reaches out to touch my arm playfully. Normally I’d bask in their attention, but it does nothing for me tonight. I still want to shove them away from Phelix, then yell at him for flirting with the hot seladin.

Phelix levels a stony glare at Hadrell, the ease they were sharing before I interrupted gone. “Obviously not as well as you do.”

Why is he acting jealous? I’m the one that found him about to get a handjob at the bar.

Hadrell raises a dotted brow at the sudden mood shift. “Right. Well, it’s been nice talking with you both, but I don’t make a habit of getting in the middle of…whatever this is,” they say, gesturing between me and Phelix. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I see a delectable human over there who looks lonely.”

“She’s with me!” I say, panicking at their interest in her. Hadrell would be a perfect candidate to help Eden out tonight. They’re charming, respectful, and amazing in bed. But I find myself frowning and wanting to go over and clutch at Eden to show she’s mine. She’snotmine. I need to find a way to get rid of that unhelpful impulse before I ruin her night.

“With you, orwithyou?” Hadrell asks, but then shakes their head at my frown. “Nevermind. Too messy.”

They slide a few credits to the bartender and put a hand on Phelix’s shoulder. “Good luck,” they say with a knowing smirk, then head off into the club.

“Who was that?” Eden asks, stepping up to join me. “Hello, Dr. Nafar,” she adds with a shy smile.

“Just an old acquaintance,” I say, hooking an arm around her waist. The tension in my chest eases having her near. Damn, how the hell am I going to find her someone to hookup with tonightwhen even Hadrell, someone I trust not to hurt her, made me feel possessive?

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