4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Vatok
Something has to be wrong with me.
I've never been a big fan of noisy music and chatterers, even when they have nothing to do with me. I know it's crazy to think that there'll be tranquility and peace in a bar, but that's what I prefer, so I usually move to the corner, where it will be quieter compared to staying close to the bar counter.
But the bar counter is where this cute bartender is. Even though she makes my heart race, I still don't even know her name. maybe I should have asked, but...
It is going to be dumb if I'm asked and don't even know what my pretended mate's name is.
My... beautiful mate, who is so good at talking to others and making everyone happy. I'm not built like that and I'm not sure whether I want to be a bit more like her.
Well... Maybe not. It seems tiring just watching her interacting and making drinks.
My arms twitch to get to work and help her, even though I don't know the formula of most drinks. Maybe she has made so many drinks that she doesn't even have to think about that anymore, making that all about muscle memory.
And... I feel my cock. I want to take her into my arms for longer. It felt right when I had her in my arms, well, arm, one arm. I want to wrap all my arms around her.
Is there something special about human females? Or women? I think that's how they are called, or at least that's what my brothers tell me. Two of them are with female mates.
This isn't the first time I've met a woman, but... she's special.
Maybe I should have used some of my police power and dug up her name. Just the name probably won't be too bad, but I'll look like a creep.
I rub my chin. Maybe I won't look like a creep since I almost scanned her spaceship that night.
Hm...
Now I remember that. Maybe she has a way to get into my head and distract me. I'm here to get mad at her and warn her about what she did. But when that real creep hovered around, I couldn't just sit around, and... now I'm supposed to be her mate... Not that I'm complaining. It's just... different from the plan.
The way she moves with grace between beings and makes drinks is mesmerizing. Her laughter is a melody that somehow pierces through the noisy music in the bar, becoming the only voice I can hear. The weight of her in my arms as I helped her with the creepy one was... I want more of that. I've never felt that before, not that I've hugged a lot of females, though.
When the bar slows down and patrons are finally leaving, I fight to stifle a yawn. I glance at the bar, not seeing the creepy, scaley one anymore. Maybe he has left, finally knowing that she isn't interested.
Other than me, no one's at the bar counter anymore. She's cleaning the glasses, probably getting ready for the next day.
"Hey," I say, my voice barely above a whisper, but she hears me. Her eyes light up, and that smile — it's like a punch to the gut, knocking the air out of lungs, all in a good way.
"Hey, yourself," she replies, leaning on the bar, her gaze never leaving mine. "Are you looking for another round of drinks?
I chuckle, the sound foreign to my own ears. "I think I'll pass on the drink. I want something else."
Her eyebrow arches in curiosity, and a rush of courage surges in me, fueled by the strange new heat coursing through me. "I don't know your name." The corners of my mouth lift into what I hope is a charming smile.
She looks around, probably trying to make sure the creeper's no longer around and won't hear us. If we are mates, we should know each other's names.
"Julie." She reaches her hand across the counter to me.
I take it, her skin warm and soft against my rougher palm. "Julie," I repeat, savoring the feel of her name on my lips. "I'm Vatok."
"Nice to officially meet you, Vatok. Thanks for playing along earlier."
"It was... interesting. I think it is important to make sure our purpose is served."
Her eyes spark with mischief, and I can tell she's intrigued. "And what are we thinking about, Officer?"
"I thought I shall drive you home." The offer hangs in the air between us, thick with unspoken possibilities. Her smile widens, and there’s a glimmer of excitement in her eyes that makes my heart thrum even harder against my chest.
"Driving me home?" she teases, a playful lilt in her voice. "Are you sure you can handle that, big guy?"
“Let’s say I’ve had enough practice to at least not crash.” I attempt to match her lightheartedness. The tension between us crackles like static electricity, and I find myself leaning closer, a pull I can’t resist.
She laughs, a sound that sends ripples of warmth through me. “But, my dear Officer, you should know that there should be no driving after you drink.” She sways a finger from side to side in front of me with a smirk, as if she has caught me.
I roll my eyes and kiss the tip of her finger before she can pull her finger back. She pauses as if my kiss is a shot of electricity. I snicker at that. "Don't be silly. Of course, I know the rules. Spaceships can drive themselves, and I bet they can park themselves better than some."
She chuckles, and her smile makes my heart flutter. Is this how my brothers feel when they are with their mates? And this is how they know?
But... she's not my mate. We are just pretending to be that. It means that she's good at this and I better do better so that she'll be safe from creepy ones.
Carefully, I lift her hand to my lips, but...
She has a ring... Does that mean she's with someone already?
And...
Maybe I should steer clear. Maybe she just needed some help and her real mate would be here soon.
I glance at the door, but other than a few who are leaving, no one's coming into the bar.
She squeezes my hand which is still holding her, weirdly stopping midair. "What's on your mind?"
"The ring..."
She blinks. "You love seeing that on me, right?"
I take a breath, not knowing what to say. There are still patrons around, albeit far away from us. Do I kiss her regardless? Because we are still pretending to be mates? And... I should pretend that I was the one putting the ring on her?
This feels wrong.
Screw that, I may not have another chance. I brush a gentle kiss against her knuckles before releasing it, her skin lingering in my memory like a warm imprint. I stand. "If your shift is over, let's get going."
She finishes up before we leave together; her soft hand in mine.
My heart races as I walk beside her, each step echoing the rhythm of my pulse. The laughter and chatter of the bar fade behind us, replaced by the cool night air that wraps around us like the fresh breath I need away from the noisy bar.
I lead her to my spaceship. She can be on mine as I get her home.
She chuckles and nudges the other side. "Here, I can go home on my own."
"A good mate won't let his mate go home alone."
"You sound drunk."
"Am I?" I shake my head. "No, I'm not too drunk to talk."
She muses. "If you insist. But I don't want to risk breaking any rules with Mr. Rule-follower. I'll be behind the engine, just in case the system has errors."
Technically, she's right. She didn't drink anything and would be the better choice for our circumstances.
We get inside my spaceship. She sits behind the controller. "Here we go!"
"Wait..."
"Yes?"
"Now, there are only the two of us."
"I suppose unless you're seeing—"
"I'm serious."
"It's hard to—"
I hiss at her. "No one can hear us when we're in the spaceship. What's the deal with the ring?"
"Oh..." She lifts it and checks it against the faint light from the outside. "It's just a ring."
"Are you with someone already?" I hate having to ask that when I know the answer. The ring is pretty telling. But... She and her mate can't blame me for trying to help. I didn't start pretending to be her mate and I didn't invite myself over. She started it and—
"Vatok, are you listening?"
I blink. "What?"
"Look, I was saying, there's no meaning to this ring other than hoping it'll deter others. I want to sling drinks and make sure everyone's having a good time in the bar, not to find my mate. Most know that when they see the ring and won't bother me, but there are also a few loose ones out there who can't get a hint."
Somehow, the knot in my stomach eases. But she's attractive, it would make more sense for her to already be with someone.
I nod. "Is that all about that? I hope I didn't overstep. I was trying to help and didn't want to cause issues."
She squeezes my hand and starts the spaceship. "All's good. The ring really is just there to hopefully gain peace, and that works until it isn't. I'm single, not with anyone."
I grit my teeth to stop myself from talking. Maybe her pretense to be my mate is so good that she's fooling me even when I know clearly that this is just an act. But... she's still single, and that may mean I stand a chance.
The thought sends my heart racing and my gut agrees.
Yet... she also said she isn't looking for a mate in the bar. Is that a problem with bar-goers? Or is she referring to looking for a mate as a whole?
Regardless... I'm both of that, so...
She nudges me with her elbow as she drives. "Look, don't let it get to your head, okay? I know you're a nice and dependable one, so... I hope you don't mind. I really could use help."
"I don't mind for sure, don't be silly. It's my pleasure to help, even when I'm no longer in uniform."
She hums but remains silent. I've never been good at words, so I keep my mouth shut.
The ride is quiet, but comfortable. I stare out of the window, my mind still clear despite the drinks. What I had wasn't that strong after all. I enjoy a sip or two, but not getting drunk and waiting for the hangover that may catch up with me.
When we finally pull up outside her apartment, the silence between us pulses with sparks. She turns to me, her breath hitching slightly as she looks deep into my eyes. “This is my place.”
As I take a second to absorb the moment, my heart thrumming louder in my chest, I find myself saying, “I had a great time tonight, Julie.”
“Me too, Vatok. You’re... different,” she whispers, her voice almost reverent. The air around us feels heavy. Even though everything's fleeting, I... I can't help but imagine something more between us.
But none of this is real...
Yet, it feels like this may be a chance and I should grab it. How bad can it be after all?
In that electric moment, something snaps within me, an instinct that pulls me closer to her—an urge to bridge the gap between us that seems both thrilling and terrifying. We drift toward one another, our breaths mingling, the world around us disappearing into the background, leaving just the two of us.
What do I do?