Page 17 of Oh No, I Shot A Spaceship And Kissed An Alien Cyberchef

I nod, backing towards the door. As I turn to leave, I catch a glimpse of Rist’s face. He looks troubled, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a furrowed brow and tight lips. Our eyes meet for a brief moment, and I see a flicker of... something. Worry? Guilt? Before I can decipher it, heturns away.

“Good night, sirs,” I manage to say before slipping out of the room.

As soon as the door closes behind me, I lean against the wall, my heart racing. What have I just stumbled into? Political intrigue? An impending coup? It’s like something out of one of Charlotte’s mystery novels, except this is terrifyingly real. And sadly lacking in a dashing detective with a magnifying glass and a penchant for dramatic reveals.

I push off the wall and start walking, my feet carrying me aimlessly through the hotel’s corridors as my mind whirls. Should I tell someone what I’ve overheard? But who? Elana might know what to do – she’s got experience with this kind of high-stakes situation. Or maybe Sutek, given his past as an assassin.

Oh god, what if Sutek decides he’s got to kill the guy?! I don’t want that kind of drama and guilt weighing on my shoulders. I’ve already got enough baggage to fill a small spaceship.

But what if not telling puts my friends in danger? The General’s words echo in my head: “How long before he turns on your supporters here? On your friends?”

Are we already in danger just by associating with Rist? Have I been naive, thinking this hotel was truly a safe haven after everything we’ve been through?

I’m so lost in thought that I don’t notice where I’m going until I nearly collide with a familiar figure.

“Whoa there!” Nelan’s hands shoot out to steady me, gripping my shoulders. “Laura? Are you alright?”

I blink, focusing on his face. He looks concerned, his dark eyes searching mine. For a moment, I forget everything – the overheard conversation, the political intrigue, even my ownconflicted feelings. All I can think about is how much I want to lean into him, to let him hold me and tell me everything will be okay.

I’m so wrapped up and confused, that my brain practically short-circuits like the malfunctioning NutriSynth. I’m just running on instinct, and right now my very soul thrums for Nelan.

For once in my life, I don’t deny myself. After all, when the world’s going crazy, sometimes you just need to grab onto something – or someone – solid. And if that someone happens to be a stubborn, talented, infuriatingly handsome alien chef? Well, there are worse ways to face a crisis.

Chapter

Six

LAURA

Iplace my hands on his chest, borrowing his strength. The firm muscles beneath my fingers flex, but he doesn’t pull away. I lean towards him, rising on my toes. Before I can second-guess myself, I plant my lips against his. It’s not the desperate, fueled moment of before. This is… I need softness. I need to be held like I matter, like there’s no reason to rush or be afraid.

When his arms wrap around me, and he pulls me firmly against his body, I give myself over to the kiss. Over to him.

“Nelan, please,” I mutter breathlessly against his lips. I don’t even know what I’m asking for. How long has it been since I’ve had someone reliable to lean on? Someone I can actually trust? Is it what I truly want?

“I’ve got you. I’ll take good care of you,” Nelan tells me. My question is answered when warmth blossoms in my chest, a happiness I haven’t felt in a long while surges through me.

My body is alive, each and every nerve humming. When his breath ghosts across my sensitive neck, I erupt ingoosebumps. His lips pressing to my collarbone cause my nipples to ache, forming tight buds that just beg for his touch.

I yelp in surprise when he lifts me up. For a moment, I think he’s going to pin me against the wall, have his way with me right here in the corridor. Anyone could walk in on us at any moment… Oh jeez, I want that, I realize with some mounting horror and curiosity. I want someone who wants me that much in return. The kind of passion and love that throws all common-sense out the window entirely.

Instead of exploring my new kink, his arm pulls me close to him. My legs wrap instinctively around his hips. I can’t complain. My core is pressed close to his, and with each of his steps, my body bounces. Delicious friction has my clit pressing against his very obvious erection. I moan as each slide of our bodies sends pulses of pure pleasure through me.

And all I can do is just hold on and experience it all. I barely register Nelan stepping through a door, shoving it aside with brutal haste. Desperate need.

Beneath my questing fingers, his body shakes. His muscles are taut and firm. Whatever is between my legs is quivering.

The moment my back hits the soft mattress, I’m already reaching for his pants. My breath comes in pants as need claws at me.

“Nelan, I need you inside of me now,” I whimper, struggling with the alien fastenings. He pushes aside my hands and in one quick move strips his pants off. Did a button just go flying? Who cares? If anything… it’s so hot. He’s practically shredding his clothes just to be with me.

I follow his example, squirming out of my shirt and pants. One leg catches on a shoe I’ve yet to discard.I growl, throwing my leg around in the air like a woman trying to fight off a sentient and rabid fabric-based creature.

Nelan grabs my leg and throws it over his shoulder. And then his head… I cry out as heat envelops my most sensitive places, his tongue delving in areas that haven’t been touched in apparently far too long.

Nelan’s eating me out like a starving man. His tongue slicks through my folds, hot and wet. It glides back and forth, circling my clit, which is a throbbing bud of tension.

I’m so wound up right now, he just needs to touch it… why is he avoiding it?

---