Page 39 of Her Alien Cyborgs
“The trick with bacon is to lay each strip separately from the start. It also helps if you do it before the pan gets too hot.” She pointed to the controls. “You have the setting too high.”
She changed something on the controls, and the red light turned amber. Then she used a fork and the spatula to pull the strips apart. He’d added too many to fit into the pan the way she did it, so she set some of it aside to cook once the first batch was done.
He expected to feel embarrassed or defensive about his screw-up, but he didn’t. The moment she had appeared, he began to feel better. Had hefraxxedup breakfast? Yes. But it was easier to move past than he’d expected. Unlike the ones who’d created him and forever tried to push him past his limits, she didn’t have expectations. She simply accepted him.
It was a new feeling, and he liked it.
The food dispenser dropped two more slices of buttered toast onto a surprisingly full plate.
Hezza nodded toward the machine. “How much toast did you ask for?”
“I’m not sure. How much toast is in a loaf?”
She laughed, and the sound wrapped around his soul like a caress. “More than we can eat. Looks like we’re having bacon sandwiches for lunch today.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Me too. I’ll have to see if we’ve got any fresh tomatoes left. TheBright Arrowhad a hydroponics bay full of fresh vegetables. I think it was mainly for the officers’ meals, but I managed to get my hands on some.”
“The same way you acquired the upgrades to theGambit?” he asked.
“Pretty much. A little banter, a little bribery. The usual.”
“I want to learn how to do that.” His words surprised them both.
She hesitated before answering. “It’s what I’m good at, so yeah, I can teach you if you want, Kal. With so many paths to choose from, are you sure you want to follow mine?”
His first reaction was frustration, but he didn’t lash out. He made himself stay calm and repeated her question in his head. Anger had made him walk away yesterday. It hadn’t solved anything then, and it wouldn’t now. He needed to do better.
After a long silence, he did his best to explain the churn of emotions he felt. “I’m not sure of much right now. I don’t even know what questions to ask to learn what I need to know.” He placed a hand on her hip and turned her to face him. “What I do know is this. I trust Fyr’enth with my life.” He leaned in close and whispered so his lips brushed hers. “And I trust you with my heart. Wherever your path leads, I will be at your side,zana.”
Her cheeks darkened with a rush of blood. Before he could ask what that meant, she kissed him. The soft, sweet kiss was somehow more enticing than any other moment they’d shared.
Kalan cupped her face in his hands, and their mouths mated, their gazes locked. The emotions in her eyes mirrored everythinghe felt—doubt, frustration, attraction, and something else. A tenderness that made his heart ache.
“I want this,” he murmured against her lips. “I want you.”
“I want this, too.” She smiled, her eyes brightening. “All of it. Even the biting and the nanotech. This isn’t about you and Fyr. I’ve learned some hard lessons in my life. One of them being it’s safer not to want too much. That way, you won’t be disappointed.” Her hand covered his. “I need a little more time. Will you give it to me?”
He understood her better now. She wasn’t doubting him or the mating bond. She doubted herself. He knew that feeling well.
He leaned down to kiss her gently. “I would give you anything. Take the time you need.” Then he dropped his voice to a growl. “I never want to sleep alone again.”
“I don’t want that either.” She turned her head toward the food dispenser. “Which reminds me. I came in here to get a fresh mug ofja’kreesh. I didn’t sleep last night, and it’s going to be a long day.”
“No moreja’kreeshfor you. It’s not good for someone your size.” He flashed his fangs. “At least, not until you accept our nanotech. Then you can have as much as you want. Though you won’t need it. Think of all the things we can do with the time once you don’t need so much sleep.”
Hezza pursed her lips. “That’s true.” Then she snickered and patted his cheek. “You know, I don’t think you’re going to need much instruction on how to talk other beings into giving you what you want. You’re alreadyfraxxinggood at it.”
“I’m a fast learner.”
“Yes, you are. Because they were wrong about you and Fyr. You’re not failures at all. You’re survivors.”
A hiss from the frying pan reminded them that the bacon was still at risk of burning. They moved apart with Hezza tending to the cooking while he changed the settings on the food dispenserto stop it making any more toast. While he was at it, he reduced the amount of everything else he’d programmed in.
Once things were nearly done, they plated everything and put it on the table.
“Do you need some ointment on those burns?” Hezza asked.
