Page 14 of Space for More

My exposed skin burns as she steps through the small crowd that had stopped to gawk at Dr. A’Leth. I can feel her eyes on me. No doubt judging my body and finding it just as distasteful as other nexxit do. I resist the ridiculous urge to wrap my arms over my stomach and chest. I don’t care what she thinks ofme. I tilt my chin up, bracing myself for a surge of arousal as she grows close enough for me to pick up her mating pheromones.

Show no weakness. She means nothing to you.Your body doesn’t control you.

There’s a flutter of desire as she grows nearer, but it’s much more subdued than last night. Thank the Goddess.

“Mezli.” I do my best not to let her see that her presence has any effect on me, but she grins playfully, and my cocks press against my seam as I recall my fantasies from last night.

Goddess, I’m fucked.

10

Luck must be on my side, because after only an hour of exploring the exhibit halls, I turn the corner past a booth filled with intricate-looking stasis pods, to find Phelix. And he’s…shirtless? So much for Eden’s insistence that we couldn’t expose ourselves here.

The wide expanse of his back ripples as he hands his shirt over to a similarly topless seladin. Heat pools in my belly as I drink in the sight. Damn, he’sbig. Not some waif like most nexxitxalar. Broad muscular shoulders and arms, and a padded, thick waist and stomach that calls for me to sink my teeth into it.

Ugh, no! What am I thinking? I’m here to seduce him, but I don’t want to be attracted to the jerk. Focuson the mission!

The seladin puts on his shirt, and I belatedly realize that I didn’t even take the opportunity to get a free eyeful of a seladin babe. Phelix looksthatgood, damn him. I don’t know what’s going on with them, but I’m not about to let that seladin ruin my chances of getting Phelix’s attention.

“And here I thought giving someone the shirt off your back was just a silly human saying,” I call out as I approach. Phelix’s spine straightens, and he whips around to look at me. Whatever amazing quip I had prepared as a follow-up vanishes at the sight of his bare chest.

“Mezli.” My name escapes his lips in a startled rumble, sending a shiver down my spine. I don’t immediately feel the same potent rush of bonding hormones that drove me wild last night, but arousal still snakes through my system from hearing his husky voice.

The seladin’s luminous eyes land on me. “Your friend gave me his shirt because he spilled tea on mine,” they say matter-of-factly.

“Ah, I thought he’d decided to strip to lure me to his side,” I say, staring pointedly at the trail of dark hair leading from his belly button down into his pants. It’s just a seduction tactic. I don’t actually want to ogle him. Or follow that trail down with my mouth. Nope.

“I doubt that would work,” he says in a dismissive huff. “More likely you sensed my embarrassment after crashing into this poorxalaand came over to mock me.”

I fight back the urge to scowl at his comment. What did I ever do to him that would make him think I’d do that? We barely spent an hour together four years ago.He’sthe one that said awful things aboutme.

“As I said previously, I’m fine. Thank you again for the shirt,” the seladin says calmly, which keeps me from tearing into him. Igive them a tight nod, forcing myself to calm down before I ruin the mission. I’m close enough now to see the name on her badge.Wait a moment…Breks?

“Before you go, is Breks a common seladin family name?”

“No.” Her face is blank as she replies, but a look of understanding pops onto it a few moments later. “You know Maerlon.”

“Yes! You must be his older sister. Maerlon and I work together at CiaXera and he’s my best friend’s partner. Wow, small galaxy!”

Phelix narrows his eyes at me. Shit, I’m supposed to be a pharmaceuticals rep.

“Well, rather, we worked together before I moved over to working in pharmaceuticals. Pay and benefits are a lot better than marketing,” I say, laughing to cover my panic.

“Indeed. The galaxy is objectively quite large, but I get your meaning. Perhaps your friend spilling tea on me was not to draw you to him, but you to me.” Ulena’s small smirk is the only indication that she’s not entirely serious.

“That must be it.” I wink back at her. Phelix’s face goes stony, any hint of warmth toward me evaporating at my casual flirtation. Fuck, I’m screwing this up so bad. My palms sweat as the same nausea I had after speaking with him last night builds. I wish Eden were here to flash her tits and distract him from the mess I’m making of things.

Ulena smiles, oblivious to my panic. “I’m having dinner with Maerlon and his partner tomorrow evening. If you don’t have plans, join us.” Damn, the one time I don’t want a hot babe flirting with me!

Phelix is now actively looking away, as if anything else on the display floor is more interesting than us. I need to do something fast, before he leaves. Maybe I can use her invitation to my advantage.

I slide a hand onto his shoulder, and he flinches, looking back at me in shock. Heat flares inside me from the small point of contact, making it hard to focus enough to reply to Ulena. “Hmm, tomorrow night? I already have plans with Phelix and a colleague of mine. Would it be alright for them to come too?”

Phelix blinks at me in surprise and opens his mouth to say something, but stops when I give his shoulder a firm squeeze, letting my nails dig in slightly. A small hiss escapes his lips, and the sound hits me right between my legs. Fuck, I need to stop touching him.

“I don’t see why that would be a problem. Maerlon’s place is sufficiently large enough for that number of guests,” Ulena replies, giving me and Phelix a nod.

Oops, I didn’t realize I was inviting myself over to Maerlon’s loft. I’ll have to send him an apology in advance. Maybe book him and Fina a deluxe session at a simsuite. I wonder if I could convince Phelix to go to a pleasure sim with me…

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