Page 27 of Her Alien Soldier
She stepped behind the bar, greeting the current bartender on duty. They chatted about a few things, and then he was off and she switched into work mode as naturally as breathing, slinging drinks, chatting with people, organizing the servers.
She loved this job.
Loved talking to people, loved hearing the conversation and laughter, loved (most of) the musical acts in the lounge.
Her shift passed quickly, and before she knew it, she was stepping out the doors again and into the corridor. She was never able to help the way her gaze strayed to the bench where Xarek had so often sat, waiting for his contact, where they’d chatted and flirted and gotten to know one another.
As she glanced at it now, she froze, her breath catching in her throat.
Xarek sat there, dressed in casual clothing; a white button-down shirt that looked amazing against his plum-colored skin. Dark pants that somehow made his tree trunk-like thighs look even more muscular.
And he was looking right at her. When he stood up, her heart pounded, and every part of her body went warm. She recognized that heated, nearly feral look in his eyes very, very well from the time they’d spent in her quarters before, and her stomach twisted.
When he reached her, he stopped, standing a few inches away from her. Here, she could see something else in his eyes: worry.
“Maggie,” he said quietly, that deep, warm tone sending shivers down her spine. “I have missed you.”
She gave a small shake of her head, willing her body to get itself under control.
“Congratulations on your victory. And thank you… we all know they wouldn’t have stopped with your world.”
He gave a small nod, watching her intently. “The Bellarian and Paraxian proved useful,” he said after a moment. “My people owe them both a debt of gratitude.”
“I’m glad you were all able to make contact here.”
He watched her, and she glanced away.
“Still. I made mistakes.”
“We all do,” Maggie said, crossing her arms over her chest. She could still feel him looking at her, those dark eyes practically able to see into her soul.
“Mine was unacceptable. I left you, without a word, without any indication that I would be back.” He paused. “I am sorry for that. I have regretted it every moment since I left.”
She lifted a shoulder, still studiously looking at a potted plant in the corner behind him. “You had more important things to deal with. We both knew it was temporary, whatever fun we were having.” He didn’t need to know how foolishly she’d believed it was more, how she’d mourned the life she’d fantasized about them having. A life full of warmth and laughter and friends and good food. Nights in each other’s arms, neither of them feeling alone.
That was none of his business. Not anymore.
He was silent for long enough that she couldn’t help looking up at him. The stubborn, irritated look in his eyes startled her.
“I did have important things to do. But nothing about us was ever temporary.”
“You are so full of it!” she finally exploded. “You have an entire life that has nothing to do with me. It was always about the mission, about serving your people. As it should be! But there’s no place for me in all of that.”
“Maggie–”
“And it’s fine. I don’t have any desire to be more than a few stolen kisses to you.”
“Maggie,” he repeated, his voice growing rougher, the look on his face almost thunderous.
“What?”
“I am on leave. As I deserved to do, after serving for so long. I have never taken a leave in my entire career.”
She stared. She knew her mouth had fallen open in surprise, and she quickly snapped it shut. After a moment she gave a small shake of her head.
“Good. That’s wonderful for you! You definitely deserve it. You should take the time to travel. Maybe find a cute woman and have a whirlwind romance or something,” she added, stepping back, more than ready to take her leave.
“I don’t want any of that. And I already found a cute woman, and she’s doing her best right now to shut me out,” he said with a glare.
