“I want to keep her!” I whisper urgently to him.
“A few hours ago, all you could talk about was the mission and leaving.”
“But everything’s different now. I’ve talked to her. Spent time with her. And, well, I never want to let her go. You must feel it too, don’t you? It can’t just be me.”
H’Aart rubs his chin like he’s thinking, and I feel like me heart is going to pound right out of my chest. Is it seriously so hard for him to decide? Why isn’t he answering? He looks lost in thought for another moment then dissolves into laughter.
“What?” I ask.
“You’re unbelievable.” He smiles then wraps me in his arms.
I’m about to ask for some clarification when the toilet door slides open. Our heads turn and Miranda is standing there watching us.
“S-Sorry,” she stammers. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You’re not interrupting.”
“No? Because it kind of looked like you two are—”
“What?”
“You were enjoying some private time together.”
“We’re like this all the time.”
“Oh. I see,” she says quietly.
“V’Lor and I are mates. This is our normal state of affairs.”
“Cool, cool, cool. That’s great for you. I didn’t realize.” Her eyes lower and she seems sad.
H’Aart squeezes my shoulder, then releases me.
“Where we’re from, we bond with our first mates as soon as we reach adulthood, then choose a third and occasionally fourth mate together.
“Ahhhhh. Interesting. Wait, is that what Fancy is doing with her guys? Are they all mates together?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting! I mean, I never really thought through the details. I mean, I did, a little. You know, now and then.”
“We want you to—” I begin, ready to tell Miranda that I want her to join us, but H’Art stops me with a pinch on my ass. “Ow! What?”
“Maybe we should give Miranda a little time to get used to the idea and ask us any questions.” He turns to Miranda. “Any questions?”
Miranda stands there frozen for a minute, several expressions passing over her lovely face: surprise, confusion, curiosity, and lust. Ahh, that’s a good place for her to land, only she shakes her head as if to get rid of her lusty thoughts.
“Let’s take that ride now,” she says quietly.
It takes all my strength not to growl in frustration.
“Sure,” H’Aart says smoothly and steps towards her, leaving me behind. I’m not sure that I agree with this taking some time to plan. Time is the one thing we don’t have enough of, and I don’t want to wait for Miranda for one more second.
Chapter 7: Miranda
If I think too much, I’m going to hyperventilate and pass out. I’m on an alien spaceship! With two hot alien guys! Who are mates! And who might want me to join them! I mean, that’s what V’Lor was going to say, wasn’t it? Agghhh! Why did H’Aart interrupt him? Maybe he was worried that V’Lor was moving too fast. He was so wrong. OMG.
My heart is beating like a hummingbird’s wings, and I can barely catch my breath. Do I have questions? I have about eighty million questions. Do I want to rip off my clothes and offer myself to them? 100% yes. But it’s all happening at once and I need a minute to process. Like I really need a break.