Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
KObrIK
I ’m not sure what finally convinced Kenzie I’m not human, but the shock on her face is clear. My insides knot. She’s looking at me differently. With suspicion, as if I am no better than the grud who kidnapped her.
“I’m zyanthan. This is not a costume.”
“I guess I was too wrapped up in Halloween to believe you. You really are an alien.”
To my relief, there’s no fear in her face.
“You’re injured and should rest,” she adds, but keeps her distance. “Unless you prefer to go to a hospital to get stitches.”
I rotate my arm. Besides minimal throbbing, it feels better. “No hospital necessary. Your healing methods are admirable. As good as any medic who’s ever worked on me.”
When I stand to leave, her hand slips into mine. “Don’t go.”
“Are you sure?”
“I have to apologize to you, and I’m not sure how.”
“Speak your heart, Kenzie. I do not wish there to be any lies between us.”
She takes a deep breath. “You told me the truth from the beginning, but I didn’t believe you. I should have taken you at your word.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Aliens are not commonplace here. I really thought you were teasing me.”
“Would you have kissed me if you had believed I’m not human?”
Her eyebrows scrunch together as she considers my question. “I’m not sure. I’ve never known any aliens. I’d only seen the one grud when I was a child.”
My horns rise with worry.
“I think I would have kissed you. I liked you from the start, Kobrik. Still do, very much.” She chuckles, but it’s not a true laugh. There’s sadness in her eyes. “We both worry about being accepted by humans. You, because you’re an alien and me because I’m not good at fitting in.”
“What other humans think of me is irrelevant, Kenzie. I only care about what you think, what you feel.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“I do. I’m… surprised. Guys don’t seek me out. And I must look different from the women of your species.”
“Different, but exceedingly beautiful, even dressed as a grud.”
Red seeps into her cheeks. In most races, that indicates arousal, but she keeps her distance.
“Does the fact that I’m not human, that I have horns, claws, and blue skin, change anything between us?”
She laughs. “I was looking forward to seeing how far down that paint goes, but now I have my answer and no excuse to explore.”
I open my arms wide. “Female, you may explore any part of me, any time.”
“That is an offer I cannot refuse. But I have a… question,” she says, growing very serious. “I don’t mean to sound stupid, but can a human and zyanthan… I mean…” The color in her cheeks intensifies.
“Mate?” I say, as I see the reason for her hesitation. It’s the unknown, not fear of me or my people.
She nods.
I take her in my arms and press my very hard pleasure cock against her. “I can give you the answer, or you can find out on your own. Your choice, my sweet little human.”
KENZIE
“I’m neither sweet nor little, Kobrik, but I appreciate the compliments.”
“You are both.” He lifts my chin with a single finger, peering down at me with striking blue eyes. “Why do you look so sad?”
“I’m not ready to say goodbye to you.”
“Then don’t. Let me stay. At least the night to make sure you are safe.”
One night. Is that all we have now that his mission has ended? I was hoping for more with him, but he doesn’t live on Earth.
With a chaste kiss to his cheek, I say, “I’d love for you to stay the night. We’ll talk more after I shower. I want to get all this green gunk off my skin and into fresh clothing. Unless you prefer me looking like a grud?”
“I prefer to see the real you.”
That’s what’s making me nervous. Showing him the real, non-slim, very plain Kenzie Emsworth.
“Help yourself to anything in the fridge.”
Without meeting his eyes, I retreat to my bathroom where I strip the grime of the day and night off of me. As I shower, it occurs to me how at home I feel with Kobrik. Discovering those horns are real hasn’t changed anything. I’m still very attracted to him. But he won’t be here much longer. That bothers me. I’ve never had a one-night stand before. Can I do that with him?
I debate the pros and cons as I towel off. Nothing feels as good as being clean and home, except being in the arms of my sweet alien.
Alien. I still haven’t wrapped my head around that, though a smile teases my lips. I have to stop thinking and enjoy what time I have left with Kobrik.
I towel dry my hair and comb it out, my scalp finally free of the tension from one long braid. As I brush my teeth, flashes of the grud kidnapping me return. The sewer-like smell, his cold, scaly skin, and how he dragged his claws along my throat, threatening to kill me.
I nearly died tonight.
Maybe it’s the perfect time for a one-night stand. To celebrate life by living to the fullest. Living in the moment, regardless of what tomorrow holds.