Page 33 of Space for More

“Nice to see you again, Dr. Mori,” Phelix says, his eyes dipping to the deep line of her cleavage before darting back up as he swallows heavily.

My stomach clenches watching him check out Eden, but unlike with Hadrell, it’s with strange arousal instead of anger.

“Sorry for ruining your night,” Eden says, ducking her head with a flush as she notices Phelix’s interest.

“Don’t be. You didn’t,” he says, sounding almost relieved.

That’s not the reaction I was expecting to us breaking up his flirting with the attractive seladin. “You weren’t into Hadrell?”

“Not really.” He doesn’t expand on the answer, but his frown does the talking for him.

“So why were you letting them feel you up? You’re that desperate?” I ask, a bit too much bite to my tone betraying my jealousy.

He flinches at the jab, and rather than feeling glee at the way my insult landed, there’s a stab of regret. Finding weaknesses and exploiting them is a sport amongst the noble houses of Nexxa Itat. It’s why we’re trained to read micro-expressions and suppress our own. If he reacted, it’s because it’s a very painful topic for him. And there’s a stupid, soft part of me that doesn’t want to cause him that kind of pain. Annoyance and regret, yes. Self-hatred, not so much.

“I’mjoking, Phelix.”

He doesn’t react. Shit, I really struck a nerve.

I should grab some drinks and leave him to wallow, but it’s bothering me seeing him hurt. It’s also bothering me that he was trying to sleep with Hadrell when he didn’t really want to. He must be struggling with the same bonding hormones I am. The only difference is I have Eden in tow and can’t go off to fuck a stranger to try to deal with them.

“Are you enjoying your time on Spire?” Eden asks in an obvious attempt to make the conversation less awkward.

His stiff posture eases slightly. “It’s been alright. Better now that you’re here.”

Eden’s flush deepens and she giggles.

I should be pissed that Phelix is flirting with someone while I’m literally standing right next to him, but it sends a thrill of excitement through me. These bonding hormones are so fucking weird.

An idea forms as I take in their mutual interest, paired with my lack of jealousy. I know how I can help Eden get laidandcarry out the next step of our mission.

“Can you excuse us for a minute, Lord Nafar? I need to ask Eden a private question.”

He nods and stands, grabbing his drink off the bar. “Of course. Have a pleasant evening.”

“You’re leaving?” Eden asks, sounding more than a little disappointed.

Oh yes, this is the perfect plan. I’m brilliant.

“He’s not.” I push him back down onto the barstool. “Be a goodxalarand sit still while I go chat with our lovely human friend. If you listen, I’ll even let you buy us a drink.” I wink and turn away, tugging Eden behind me.

Once we’re far enough away to not be overheard, I pull her close. Phelix’s eyes track every movement, darkening at what might appear to be an intimate moment between us. I can’t tell which one of us his jealous hunger is directed at, but it excites me far more than it should.

“What’s up?” Eden asks, crossing her arms under her chest and drawing my eyes down to her amazing tits. “Is being around Phelix making things too weird? Because I was thinking…tonight might be the perfect chance for you to seduce him. He can’t stop staring at you, and I could be wrong, but I think he was out looking for someone to take back to his hotel. Why else would he have been chatting up that seladin he wasn’t really even into? Or out at a nightclub for that matter?”

I nod. “I thought the same thing, Agent Mori. Operation Honey Pot is a go tonight, but with one minor adjustment.” I glance back at Phelix, then lower my voice and lean in to whisper conspiratorially.

Eden giggles at my spy lingo. “What’s that, Agent Frye?”

“I’m not the one seducing the target. You are.”

19

Aslender ankite wearing an elaborate and uncomfortable-looking waist cincher steps up to take my drink order as I watch Mezli pull Eden closer. Jealousy and arousal slam into me at the sight of the enticing pair pressed close together, the air between them charged with desire.

It reminds me of the night four years ago, when I sat across a bar watching the most beautifulxalaI’d ever seen seducing their companion. I sip my drink, trying to push the memories away with the burn of harsh aespian liquor, but they stubbornly remain.

The low rumble of conversation floods my senses as I attempt to focus on my companions for the evening. My coworkers insisted on taking me out tonight to celebrate my mating. It’s pathetic that I have no actualfriends to celebrate this momentous occasion with. At the very least, my siblings should be the ones dragging me out the night before the big meeting, but they’re too busy. So I’m stuck making small talk with coworkers I barely know. I don’t mean to be ungrateful for their kindness, but it’s embarrassing.

---