Page 16 of Kissed By the Alien
My eyes linger on the tattoos on Lutan’s arm and more on his chest peeking out from beneath that leather vest. I try not to swoon. It’s beneath me.
And there’s only one thing I want beneath me. This warrior.
“Miss? Your name,” the soldier repeats.
Fuck. I let myself get distracted by an alien who doesn’t know I’m alive, except for what he thinks he can get from me. I’m not even sure what he’s looking for. He clearly doesn’t need a guide at this event. He’s buttering me up for something.
“Laney Miller,” I say loud and proud. Ha! I’m sure someone with that name exists somewhere, and this sergeant has no way to prove that’s not my name.
The sergeant stares at me. I stare right back. I have an annoying younger brother who has unintentionally trained me for this very moment. I can play this game all day. Especially since right now I’m afraid to look at Lutan and see disappointment in his face.
After the soldier waves us through, Lutan and I enter the lobby in silence. I wonder if he’s waiting for me to explain myself or if he’s taking in the hotel’s decor.
Red balloons dance along the lobby’s vaulted ceiling, their red ribbons hanging almost low enough to reach. White roses dotted with red ones fill vases on every surface, while red, pink, and white roses have been strung together like garland decorating every table, chair, and wall. The flowers alone are a decadence no one can afford.
I run through the numbers in my head, wondering where the ball’s organizers secured so many flowers, a luxury in post-occupation Earth. My father will want an update. Then again, I can’t tell him I attended this function.
Escaping the house to get what I want is one thing. Immersing myself in a room full of military personnel, diplomats, and law enforcement… That’s downright risky. My one saving grace is that my dad’s not here to see me.
Without him nearby, no one will recognize me. I’m the mousy girl who wears drab, baggy clothing when I’m on the streets. No one ever notices me, and that’s how I like it. Simple and secure. For the most part. I’ve learned the hard way that smaller males get targeted too. Not as often as women, but enough to make me want a gun.
On the stage, a five-piece band plays a lively tune I don’t recognize, but my feet start tapping and my hips join in, swaying to the beat. I haven’t danced in forever, not since Viv broke the old-fashioned record player I found and refurbished years ago.
Beautiful couples fill the shiny hardwood dance floor, scuffing it up as if this were a normal event. After the Coalition left, the celebrations went on and on for days. People danced in the streets, set off homemade fireworks, and started a lot of fires. Burning the buildings the aliens had used as their headquarters became commonplace. Idiots. Those structures would have been useful in post-occupation Earth. Rebuilding takes time, resources and people with knowhow.
Lutan’s hand settles on my back. “Keep moving. There’s a table and chairs over there.” He points past the stage as a feeling of being watched raises the hairs on my arm. I glance at Lutan as we walk. Deep blue eyes peer at me, then return to scanning the room.
“You’re wondering why I lied about my name,” I say, blurting out what I’m sure has to be bothering him. It’s botheringme. I feel like I lied to him. And while technically I did, I’m not prepared to tell him what trouble being caught would cause me.
That, and I don’t want to see disappointment in his eyes. I don’t have my father’s permission to be here, nor do I need it as far as I’m concerned. After all, I’m thirty-one years old.
Then again, my life is far from simple. Lutan would understand the truth.IfI could share it.
“I already lied about our association. If there were to be any consequences, they would have been mine, not yours,” he says very authoritatively.
“I don’t need you protecting me, Lutan. Good or bad, I’m responsible for my own choices. And you didn’t lie. You asked me to be your guide tonight, which makes me your assistant. I gave the soldier another name because I’m safer if no one knows I’m here. Some people would use me against my family if given the chance.” Telling him the truth feels right, even if I can’t go into details.
“You will be safe no matter who knows you’re here because I will not let anyone touch you.”
I like that. A lot. But warrior or not, he’s only one guy.
“My family’s enemies send three or more men at a time. It’s how they killed my uncle, despite all his guards. It’s also why I’m not supposed to leave home.”
“Then why do you?”
“I won’t be a prisoner. Not to the Coalition. Not to my family or our…business.” I wince, realizing I need to stop hesitating when I use the wordbusiness.
“Then Lexi is not your real name?”
“It is. I haven’t lied to you, Lutan.” I grin. “Not yet.”
He raises that thick brow again. “Are you planning to?”
“Only if necessary.” I squeeze his arm as we head into the ballroom. “Life or death type of situation. Or getting into a high-security ball.”
“You’re a risk taker, Lexi.”
“I prefer to think of what I do asmanagingrisk. Enough serious talk. Let’s have some fun, okay?” I tighten my hold around his arm, suddenly remembering I came for a gun, not a good time. Not that having a little fun in the process is a bad idea. There’s something about Lutan and the way he looks at me that allows me to, well, be me.
