Page 85 of I'm Not Your Pet

Things I wanted to know about him—simply because I cared.

As I rode back and forth across the planet, running errands throughout the week, I spent my free time writing a list. It wasthe most important document I’d ever written, and I spent more than a few hours fretting over its contents. There was no room for error. On the list I included everything I wanted and needed to know about my little mate. Things I’d been desperate to ask, but never been able to.

That wouldn’t be the case anymore.

There was no denying the fact that I wasexcited.

Far more excited than I could ever remember feeling.

Though I still experienced some anxiety as well. What if he didn’t feel the same way I did? What if, somehow, I’d misread our interactions? What if Huu-goh did not want a mate? What if his proposition had been an accident? What if I had to let him go? What if, what if, what if?

I had never been one to dwell on unpleasantness, so I quickly pushed the thoughts away.

I was too busy to doubt, even if I wanted to.

After what felt like a century, the week ended and the time for our date arrived.

I was a nervous, gray-spotted mess. Not because I wasn’t eager, but because I didn’t want to get this wrong. Which meant there was no hiding my very real concern from my current audience. My spots were on display as Ushuu helped me prepare for the night.

He’d offered, delighted by the idea of dressing me for my “date” with Huu-goh.

And I appreciated his support, more than he knew.

It was early yet, but I had a few more errands to run. Fun ones. For Huu-goh, of course. I hadn’t had a chance until now, as my schedule had been far too busy. The only reason I’d eaten all week was because Huu-goh had been surprisingly stubborn about it—procuring plates of food from the mess hall that sat untouched on the nightstand till I came home. I’d gobble them stale, but even that made me feel loved.

Loved and cared for.

In a way I hadn’t known I could.

Huu-goh had become increasingly worried about me as the week progressed, but I’d waved him off. This was a part of the job, and though it wasn’t necessarily pleasant, it was important.

I was content with that.

On one of their shopping trips Ushuu told Huu-goh where we’d be spending our Friday night. Afterward, the elder Sahrk informed me through text that my mate had been so excited he’d walked into a wall.

Just imagining that had made me laugh so hard I’d nearly walked into a wall myself.

I’d been giddy that night, anticipating Huu-goh’s reaction the moment he saw me. It was another surprise. Lately I’d been full of those. And as the pile of gifts in the corner of our room grew and Huu-goh’s words of thank you grew with it, I knew I’d made the right choice.

I wouldn’t have been angry if he’d been asleep when I made it home. It was late. Every night had been late. But when I finally arrived to our room well after dark, Huu-goh was waiting up for me.

I grinned and crossed the distance between us, my hearts in my throat.

The moment I collapsed into bed he climbed on top of me, looped his arms around my neck, and performed a happy dance.

The nanobots he’d reprogrammed zoomed around the room like they were feeding off his excitement, and I’d nuzzled the downy soft fur on his head, soaking up his chatter like a sponge as he told me all about how excited he was, and how lovely his day had been. Huu-goh pressed hundreds of those strange little kisses all over my face as I cradled him against my body, lids already drooping.

He’d been doing that a lot lately.

The kissing.

Not that I minded.

It made me feel fuzzy every time he did.

Almost as fuzzy as when the chaste kisses became slick and he sucked on my tongue.

As I basked in his affection, at peace for the first time that day, my eyes scanned the room.

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