Page 18 of My Big Fat Fake Alien

"Sorry about this," Kirk whispers, his breath warm against my ear.

"What-"

His lips capture mine before I can finish the thought. My body goes rigid, caught between fight and flight. Then my brain kicks in - we're supposed to be engaged. This is just an act. Just pretend.

I force my shoulders to relax, let my hands rest on Kirk's chest. His kiss is gentle, almost chaste. Such a gentleman, keeping it PG for the audience.

But then something shifts. Maybe it's the way his hand cups my face, or how his chest rumbles against my palms. The pretense melts away like ice in summer heat. My fingers curl into his shirt as need floods my system.

Kirk's kiss turns hard, possessive. His tongue traces my bottom lip and I open for him with a moan I couldn't hold back if I tried. His grip tightens, pulling me flush against him as he claims my mouth like he owns it. Like he owns me.

"I'm so sorry to have interrupted," Giscard says, amusement dripping from every word.

I break away from Kirk's kiss, letting my eyes drop to the floor in what I hope passes for embarrassment. My cheeks burn- that part's real enough. The kiss left me dizzy, my lips tingling like I've been shocked.

"Mr. Giscard, I'm so sorry I took a break without clocking out first." My voice comes out breathless, which only adds to the act.

He waves his hand, dismissing my apology with a flourish. His silver rings catch the light from the club's neon signs.

"Technically, my dear, you are performing your job. It just so happens the guest you are, ahem, entertaining is your husband to be."

Giscard shakes his head, a theatrical sigh escaping his lips. His eyes glitter with something that might be envy, or might be hunger. I can't quite tell in the dim light.

"Oh, to have but a spark of the fiery passion you two share." His gaze slides to Kirk. "Come see me when you have a moment, Mr. Stevens."

Those predatory eyes swing back to me, accompanied by a grin that makes my skin crawl.

"Do take your time," he says. "And welcome to the Hellfire Club."

CHAPTER 8

KARC

My heart pounds as we share a nervous laugh, the tension crackling between us like static electricity. Her dark eyes sparkle with mischief and something deeper, more dangerous.

"That was close"

"Yes it was. You were magnificent, by the way." Heat floods through me as I remember the sweet taste of her lips, the way she melted against me. My scales itch beneath the holographic disguise.

"So were you"

We drift closer, like magnets drawn together. The pretense falls away - there's no audience now, no need to maintain our cover story. But I want to kiss her again, to lose myself in her softness. Her breath catches as I lean in...

"Raven! Help! We're slammed!" The bartender's panicked voice shatters the moment.

She pulls back, duty calling. But reluctance shows in every line of her body.

"Go on. It's fine." I wave her toward the bar, though everything in me rebels at letting her slip away.

"Call me when your shift ends, little bird."

The sultry smile she gives me sets my blood on fire. Is it real or just exceptional acting? I can't tell anymore where the pretense ends and truth begins.

I stride through the club, my eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Giscard. But the sleek-haired Grolgath is nowhere to be seen. Frowning, I make my way to the exit, dodging the grabby hands of inebriated patrons.

Once outside, I pause, weighing my options. I could pursue Giscard directly, but that would risk blowing my cover. No, better to regroup and solidify my ruse with Raven first.

I slide into the driver's seat of my sleek, black hovercar and activate the onboard computer. Time to get to work.

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